Illinois ladies facing bc
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Happy turkey day to everyone.
MY MRI came out showing nothing, for rectangular lumpy area on back above "crack".
I almost had to wait til Monday to hear that! Boy was I upset worrying!
Back to every day life, thankfully!!!
Ready to schedule ovaries out but I worry that I should have gyn "oncologist" because Dr. B said that an expert took ovaries out, in his hand, that looked fine, and it turned out they had ovca in them...I let bc get out of hand not getting to every apptmt and now I am worried about that...I forgot to ask the gyne surgeon...if there would be an oncologist on call. I did have a fibroid cyst on the ovary and I forgot to ask her about that, too.
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Morning Everybody!
Just a quick hello and a wish for everyone to have a great Thanksgiving. BC was certainly not something I am grateful for but it did show me that this Thanksgiving I am grateful...for modern medicine, great doctors and reasonably good insurance to help pay for it all!
But I am truly grateful for finding this website and finding Rita's initial thread. You all have meant so much to me this past year...I don't know exactly how to thank you all. So here goes.....
Thank you, from the bottom of my boob (heart....I meant heart!)
Pat.....thinking about you today, and every day. Hugs and smiles!
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Good Morning- I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving enjoying the day with family/friends.
Mary
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Kater...I forgot....
Yay on your fat butt!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE! Surround yourself with those you love and like an enjoy the holiday!
Kater.....YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! So glad to hear that "your bottom" is normal! LOL Breathe in, breathe out, and enjoy the holiday!
Kats...a special thanks for your Thanksgiving graphic! They always brighten up and lighten up this thread.
Looking forward to seeing so many of you on Monday evening. Is this place casual? Would we be out of line if we came straight from shopping in our jeans or do we need to go back and change into something a bit more appropriate?
Need to go peel potatoes! Thanksgiving hugs to all of you!
Rita
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all enjoy your turkey!
Rita, I was going to ask the same question about the restaurant. I will be at work all day and wanted to change out of my work clothes into jeans!!
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Happy Thanksgiving to all-I am thankful for this thread and knowing all of you too!
Tomorrow I will call the restaurant to confirm our reservation (10 people,Monday, 6:00) and ask if the dress is casual. Am I missing anyone on the list?
1. Rita
2. Mary Jane
3. Smerf (Pat)
4. Michele
5. Laura
6. Kater
7. JanClare
8. Connie
9. Zap (Susan)
10.JoAnna
Kater-glad your tests came back good!
If anyone wants to get my cell # from me in case you get lost going to the restaurant, or traffic, or whatever can happen, just send me a pm.
Michele
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Wendy-I keep forgetting to ask you - I see you are her2+, so am I. Are you doing herceptin now?
Weekly or every 3 weeks? Any problems or side effects?
Michele
(PS I'll be really embarrassed if I already asked you this, but you know, chemo brain-can I still say that???)
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Morning girls! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving....
Michele....I don't know if you asked me or not as I can't remember either...doesn't that work out nice for all of us! I have had Herceptin since 1/26 when I did it every week while on chemo which was every 3 weeks (taxotere and carboplatin) then I was switched to every 3 weeks. I used to get a drippy nose but that seems to have stopped. The only thing I seem to have are peeling, soft nails. They were strong all thru chemo and then softened. For this I was using Sally Hansen nail hardener as this was recommended but I found that it worked too well and when it chipped, it took the whole top layer of nail off...so now I just use a good quality polish and try to use rubber gloves. But other than that no side effects....last echo in July was fine and I am going to have a MUGA (my L boob keeps getting the way for the echo) 12/5 but even if that shows a problem (which my onc doubts) I only have 3 herceptins left. I hope that helps. Another side effect that some ladies at my onc's office have noticed is slower hair growth but that isn't my case at all. Hope you are doing OK on it and can go the distance.
Happy Shopping for you crazies who think Black Friday is fun...I plan on putting out my Christmas stuff outside. Well...after I take down the fall stuff. Unlike my dear neighbor who for the last few years has had Christmas Pumpkins!
Pat...thinking about you. Now, you didn't wait in line at Kohl's this morning at 4AM, did you? Good girl! Hugs and Smiles!
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Wendy.....can now see why you don't like to shop the day after Thanksgiving. After I'd stood in line for 45 minutes in Target to get the camera and video games that I wanted, I gave up the ghost and went to Barnes and Noble for coffee. That was the end of my Black Friday shopping experience! YIKES! Those people were really crazy!!!!
I need to get clothes ready for our northern jaunt on Monday so I'm off for now. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!!!!
Rita
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I confirmed our dinner reservations and (as best as I could understand him) casual dress is ok. lol. (What are they gonna do, kick us out?!?
)Wendy-thanks for the herceptin info. I am doing herceptin every 3 weeks (until May 2008). I too have a drippy nose on and off. My nails seem to be coming around. The taxol did a number on them, and for my hair, I think it's coming in pretty quickly. It is nothing like my hair used to be though (it's now dark and with curl/wave).
Pat-sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
Michele
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Yeah for the casual dress........right Connie??? That will save us a trip back to the hotel! Thanks Michele for checking on that for us!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Rita
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Morning ladies!
Sounds like everyone had a nice turkey day.
I also will not venture out into the world of black Friday. I stayed home and put up our tree. Then I went out yesterday at 8am and it was a ghost town! I hit Target, Kohls, Toys R Us and the mall in 3 hours! Other than a few more things for my kids and dh, I am done!!
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow!
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Good Morning Girls!
Geesh...I have been unable to log on here for the past two days...TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES! Not at my end, but at bco's! I have not been able to have this site "remember me" so each time I vivit, I have to log in. And when I tried to log in I kept getting "time out" messages. So frustrating...but, finally, it worked! I just read through all the posts...yes, I agree...bc STINKS, but we must remain thankful for each and every DAY!
DH and I cooked up a storm! A friend from WI came in town and I met her for lunch on Friday (NO BLACK FRIDAY FOR ME!)
My aunt is in from AZ, so we had all them over yesterday for a big country breakfast, had a roaring fire going and Christmas music to kick off the season.
The cafe' is very casual...remember...the majority of their customers are shoppers. I have worn jeans there many times. Numero uno: be comfortable, be casual.
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. I am off to the health club!
Luv ya all!
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Hello gals!
Just a quick "pop in" to check the latest news an say Hi. I have alot to do today because Mary Jane is going to be at my house at 7 in the morning to head north. We will see you tomorrow night at the Long Grove Cafe and we're looking forward to it!
Have a great Sunday. We're going to Springfield to celebrate Dave's daughter's birthday.
Rita
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Morning girls!
Just a quick note to wish you guys a fun evening...wish I could join you.
I was thinking....maybe one of you could make a sign that says "Hi Pat" and have someone at the restaurant take a picture of you all? I think she might like to put faces to names.
Have a great time and be careful driving tonight...it seems like we might be in for some rain/snow/sleet mix.
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Hi All-Wendy that's a great idea about the sign.
Hope everyone has great time tonight. Like Wendy, I wish I could have joined you too.
Mary
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Hey,
Just popping in to let you know that I am still around. It's been pretty crazy at my house. I have to fight for computer time and then when I can go on, I don't have much time. I have been on Armidex now for about 2 months and so far no side effects.
I was one of those crazy people shopping on Black Friday but we didn't go out til around 8am. It was still busy. But it was fun...
Didn't really get any shoppping done but picked up a few things that were on sale and that I wanted.
Hope all of you have a good time tonite. I wish I could be there but will be there in spirit...
Ginny
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We are back from Hawaii, and trying to get used to saying brrrr again. The trip was good for both of us, and now hubby is back to full time work. I was very tired when we returned, but great now. My sister did Thanksgiving, and I think it was the first time in 25 years I didn't cook! I could get used to that.
It was all lovely, but I am really looking forward to seeing you all tonight. Meanwhile, have a great day.
Pat G.
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thursday deadline
hello girls with ovarian cancer experience...
sure enough, Mom has cancer back, same kind.
1998 historectomy, 6 carbo taxols
2001 blocked ureter tumor, 6 carbo taxols
2003 dec. spot on liver, all rising ca 125s
now, 21 on 1-21 ca 125 scale,
ct scan shows a spot near kidney and pelvis,
THURSDAY he will discuss options, I wrote the ovca group but any info
or ideas appreciated so i can ask good questions!
hugs, kater
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I have little experience, but so sorry to hear this news. I know you will do research and get good answers for your mom.
hugs back, Pat G.
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Woaaaa! Sorry to hear that. I to do not have any knowledge about this but I too am sorry you have received this news.
Susan
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Oh Kater! Damn...I'm so sorry...WE NEED A CURE! IMMEDIATELY...I too, do not know anything about OVca. Damn...if there's anything I can do please let me know.
This may soften the blow a little. A girl in my Rocktober forum posted this today. It was published in a Buffalo, NY newspaper. Girls, we just have to be heard. I don't know how, or where, but we need a cure. Cancer is an epidemic, yet we are brainwashed into accepting it as part of "life".
Anti-cancer drug developed here to begin human testing
Could be boon for area biotech industry
By Henry L. Davis NEWS MEDICAL REPORTER
Updated: 11/25/07 9:02 AMTests of a promising anti-cancer drug developed in Buffalo begin Monday on patients in a trial considered to be a milestone for the region's small but growing biotechnology industry.
The drug, which is referred to as KX2-391, belongs to an emerging new family of targeted cancer treatments called protein kinase inhibitors. The Buffalo-developed drug blocks a specific chemical messenger in the body called Src kinase that tells cancer cells to keep growing.
"What's remarkable about this compound is that, in preclinical testing, it has worked against every cancer and in every animal model," said David Hangauer, a University at Buffalo chemistry professor whose work was integral to the drug's creation.
These drugs work differently from chemotherapy, which poisons cancer cells as well as normal cells. It is hoped that targeted therapies will prove more effective and less harmful to normal cells.
A handful of kinase inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment, including Novartis' Gleevec and AstraZeneca's Iressa. Many others are being tested in cancer clinical trials.
The Buffalo-developed drug stood out in nonhuman tests, showing effectiveness in a range of cancers, with fewer toxic side effects. It works in a way uniquely different from other kinase inhibitors under study.
"As we go further in the drug's development, and do broader testing, we get better and better data. If the drug works half or a third as well as it's worked in preclinical trials, it will have blockbuster, billiondollar potential," said Allen Barnett, chief executive officer of Kinex Pharmaceuticals, the Buffalo company developing the drug.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston are performing the phase one trials, which are expected to enroll 50 patients with advanced cancer who have not responded to other treatments. Clinical trials of experimental drugs are conducted in phases, with the first phase aimed at evaluating a drug's safety and dosage limits, and identifying side effects.
Related drug compounds under development at Kinex show potential for treating such autoimmune diseases as lupus, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, said Hangauer, who is also a co-founder and senior vice president at Kinex.
Protein kinases include many chemical messages in the body's cells that signal whether to grow. In cancer, abnormalities in the signaling cause cells to grow out of control, creating cancerous tumors.
KX2-391 targets an important cell signaler called Src kinase, a protein linked to the fast growth and spread of cancer cells. A potential advantage of Kinex's kinase inhibitor is that it disrupts Src at a site different from where other currently studied compounds are targeted, reducing the chance that patients will develop resistance to the new drugs, Hangauer said.
The final dosage for human trials was prepared in UB's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, where Kinex is headquartered.
Kinex started in 2003 and counts among a small but growing number of life science ventures that have opened in the Buffalo area in recent years, following millions of dollars of investment to create a biotechnology industry here.
The company has attracted significant interest from venture capital firms, private investors and several major pharmaceutical companies to fund the phase one trial and other phases, Barnett said.
Marnie LaVigne, director of business development at UB's Center of Excellence, described the drug's progression to human trials as "a critical milestone" in the growth of Buffalo's life-sciences economy.
"We're banking on our ability to create private-sector jobs in drug discovery and development, rather than licensing university- developed technologies to out-of-state firms, which had been the more common path for moving locally grown inventions from the lab to the marketplace," she said.
hdavis@buffnews.com0 -
Wendy - Great idea.
Girls -
I just made and printed out a sign as Wendy had suggested. I'll bring it tonight.
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Kater- I'm really sorry to hear about your mom. You're taking the right steps in asking others to help with questions. It is so much to think about and to handle. Hugs to you and your mom.
About tonight, I have a card that I'm bringing that we can all sign tonight too and enclose the picture we take. See you then.
Michele
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So sorry to hear the news, Kater. Wish I could help.
Laura, that new drug sounds promising. Hopefully, this is just the beginning. I agree - we need a cure NOW!
See you all in a few.
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connie, nice meeting you and others tonight! it was nice!
I wanted to mention we might carpool sometime as i'm 40 min from aurora but somehow that might work out sometime!
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Hi:
It was great meeting/seeing again such wonderful ladies and the Greek men were pretty nice too (now I have provided a bit of gossip material to lurkers).
When I got home I pulled out my Susan Love bible and read up on this disease again. You are all so well-informed and that tugged at my nerves on the way home. I also pulled the path report and I am negative for that HER issue.
I know we have this cloud over our heads, but I just had this wonderful vibe that all at the table will do just fine. I just really believe that.
I feel bad sometimes when I do tell people they will be just fine when they are worried they will not be. I should be dealing with their worry and not just with my feeling of optimism. Yet last night I just felt so optimistic about everyone. I did wonder about me....so out came the Love book. I sometime feel so much better not knowing so much but then I feel I should in the event things go south.
Oh well! Have a great day. Laura, I told Paul about you court experience. He usually would say, "Give her my card." I think he now thinks you should give him yours.
Susan
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Susan- Hey, no one told me anything about nice Greek men being there
. Maybe I should have taken my chances and made the night drive 
.I hope everyone had a great time and will someone post a picture or two for those of us who couldn't make it person but were there in spirit.
Mary
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Susan - Very funny! LOL Tell him I'm a deal, I
only bill out at $350. per hour! LOL-------------------------
I just have to say...it was so great to see you all! I echo Susan...I too, feel we will all do well. And yes...oooh-la-la those Greek Men were so...oooh-la-la! LOL OMG
Again...it was great seeing you all...I'm so happy for those of you who have just recently finished treatment and a couple of you who are very close to finishing. You did really well. And isn't it amazing that through it all, be have continued to smile and accept our situation! I hope we can get together again sometime soon...
I printed out the pic of us holding the sign and I printed out the pic of the close-up of the sign and will be mailing them along with the card to Pat tomorrow. Also, I made a copy of the photo of all of us and with arrows, put each of our names on it, so Pat will know - who's who! Oh yeah...I'm sending Pat the sign too!
Here's one of the pics:
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