Illinois ladies facing bc
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OK, here are my pics....from dinner and the megabus. I really enjoyed our night together, Lago, English, and Addey,.....might say it was the highlight of my trip since I found out my traveling companions are both early to bed, early to rise people.....I can't party like I used to, but Jeesh, asleep by 10 is not me at all. The Palmer House is lovely, but I would just as soon stay at a RedRoof Inn or a cheaper place if a conveninet location and has shuttle buses to the convention center. I really enjoyed walking through the park area (is it Metropark?), the one with that big structure in it that I don't know the name of and seeing all the lights and the ice skating rink. Forget if I mentioned it before, but Kathy's sister got a hairline fracture in her wrist iceskating the lst day when Kathy and I were at cont ed classes. I picked up some tips on diet and sleep deprivation and makeups to avoid, probably things many of you already know. This speaker was a big fan of acupuncture, says it helps with depression and all sorts of things. She is into alternative treatments, but is also an MD and she says it is OK to use Estring , that is does NOT change the levels of estrogen at all. Basically she promotes the Mediterranean diet, although some types of fish are not good for us because of the mercury levels. Not all the courses were strictly dental. Some of them were very repetitive and I almost fell asleep a few times....it is always embarrassing when your head jerks just about when your neck is ready to snap and then you try to look to your right and left to see if anyone noticed. But we have to take so many of these courses to keep our licenses and at least they have the big meetings in good locations where you can sort of mix business with pleasure. They are having a big one in NO the lst of April and although my friend who lives there wanted me to come the end of March I am going to tell her I may wait until April since then I could call it a business expense by going to a class or two. Anyway, sorry to ramble on....I will post my pics and then go check out the other threads and go tell the olderwomen how my trip was. Hope you all did not get too much snow....it was a wet snow coming down yesterday afternoon when we went to the Megabus stop and the bus ended up being almost 40 mins late so we were pretty cold by the time it arrived...there is no canopy or anything, everyone just stands there on the sidewalk waiting for the bus to come along. Oh well, you get what you pay for and I can't knock a $20 round trip ticket. Someone told me Greyhound is going to offer similar service to compete with Megabus. Anyway, thanks to all of you for meeting me for dinner that night and I hope to stay in touch and see you again.
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Hey MaryBe,
Sorry to hear of the ice skating injury and bus delay. Weather was miserable yesterday but sun is shining today. That's Millenium (sp?) Park and the sculpture is Cloud Gate aka "The Bean."
It was fun meeting you and the IL ladies. Thank you for the buckeye!
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Marybe Thanks for posting the pictures. Looks like you did get your Ginos pizza, or was it Unos? Did you get your Garrets popcorn as well?
Maybe next year we can get a bigger group to meet. I too had a great time. Really a pleasure to meet you… and you're fun too.
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English Major....the buckeye, our state nut, but I am not even sure if it is a nut..it is poison, but squirrels seem to be able to eat them.. definition is a hairless nut of no value. My father is a gung-ho buckeye fan (Ohio State) and was an active member in the alumni band and marched at the lst home game up until this past year....he's going to be 89 so he hung in there for a long time. And Lago, it was some other pizza place we went to...I will post the pic of the place....I actually had a chicken with pasta dish there, but did get to eat some of the deep dish pizza on the bus ride home because they had the leftovers boxed. Good, but I am sorry I did not try to get Uno's since you said it was the best in your opinion. We used to have Uno's in Cincy. I think I have my Garret's popcorn bag in the pic....got three big bags and hope it is still good on Mon when I pass it out.
I got the Chicago mix, 0 -
Donna, Joan, Laura and Navy Mom thank you for the welcome!
Donna, how has your experience been at Rush U? Lago- yes you are totally right, the ancillary staff here is questionable. Some of them have bad attitudes too. I don't know how they hire good nurses and then such attitude-y support people! BTW, great pic.
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The pharmacist from the chemo place I went to in Highland Park was from Ohio State. He showed me a buckeye and told me it was being studied for cancer treatment. I forgot all about that until i saw the post. Now, no one go out and chew on one as it is poisonous. I googled it an no word that it is in fact a cancer treatment and that was four years ago that he told me this.
I am excited for the Oscars. What is your call on Best Movie? I am calling Inception.
Have fun!
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I call "Kings Speech".
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Inception....wow, I didn't even know it was up for one. I liked that one, but in a way it was like Black Swan and I sort of wondered Now did that really happen, or was it in his mind? I really like that other one Leonardo did, Shutter Island and again, it was one where you were wondering what was reality and in his mind.....seems to be a common thread these days for movies. I loved The King's Speech. Did you see The Fighter?....the guy who played the brother in that one was great. Heck, Natalie Portman did a wonderful job also, but I myself just did not like the movie....I like movies that give me a good feeling and it did not....Kings Speech did. True Grit was good, but I dont think it was best movie myself. I will be watching the Oscars for sure and may even eat some of that Garrett's popcorn I brought back for others.
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I loved True Grit but agree it will not get best movie. Black Swan is just too iffy. I think, Joan, you have something with your call. I think it could win best. So between Kings Speech and Inception.
We are taping it as I need to get up at 6:30 and if I stay up late, I am a mess fo the week. Marybe, I would clearly be the dud in the Palmer House with a ten o'clock bedtime. I waste so much time sleeping but I really need it or I get touchy.
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Marybe - I'm glad overall you had a nice time in our lovely state. Question...did anyone at the seminar talk about Mercury fillings?
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dh and I spent the day at Fox Lake. The Special Olympics held a fund raiser there - A POLAR PLUNGE...over 200 people stripped down to bathing suits and jumped in the lake. We attended to not only donate to The Special Olympics, but to cheer on several of our friends who were warm hearted enough to participate. One of whom was our CONGRESSMAN, who happens to be a good friend of mine. It was lots of fun. We froze our butts off, but it was for a good cause. And we had lots of fun.
When we got back home, we were chilled to the bone...lol We both got in our jammies and took a nap. Now I'm worried that I'll be awake all night...I rarely take naps! Perhaps I will need to take a Melatonin tablet. Although the last time I took one, I had a horrific NIGHTMARE! lol YIKES!
Have a nice evening, girls...
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Laura, They did not address the mercury fillings at any of the classes I went to, but the woman who was lecturing on Women's Health did talk about how some fish have very high mercury counts and should be avoided....mostly lake fish like trout, perch....ones I like to eat from Lake Erie. In that same class the woman said melatonin is most effective if you are over 65....don't know why? She recommended sleeping in a very cool room...65-68 , going to bed at the same time every night in a totally dark room and white noise.
Many years ago there was a big mercury scare and people were coming in and wanting all their old silver filling taken out and wanted them replaced with composite (the tooth colored material)...some of them had health issues and thought they would be improved by having the fillings replaced, but it did not and I think they finally decided it was an unfounded fear. when I ws a kid I used to get mercury from my dad since he was a dentist and would take a little ball of it to school in a tiny little bottle and we would shine dimes with it....somehow it would always get spilled and go rolling off in a hundred tiny little balls when it broke. Hmmmm, maybe that is what happened to me. I will ask my dentist tomorrow about filling material....am not working, but my onco office is right by there and I am going to take the popcorn in to the office before I go to the onco's.....it is probably already ruined, but I hope not. They tried to get me to buy it in tins in the store, but a little tiny tin started out at $35.
I was very happy with the oscar winners. However a few of those movies I missed....the one with Bone in the title and also I am thinking I want to see ToyStory 3.
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Good morning everyone!! I did get to watch the end of the Oscars and thought the winners were deserving.. though only through hearsay.. haven't seen any of the movies.. maybe on DVD.. we don't even have time for that.. I fall asleep watching.. just like Susan..
SO.. my daughter woke me this morning to some news.. she got the results of her ACT's this morning.. 35!! Yes, I am a proud Momma!!
Her Dad is taking her to the East Coast to look at schools this summer.. and I'm still hoping for U of I... Will be a quiet week here other than trying to walk better and Herceptin and bloodwork on Wed.. Have my Seattle hotel and ride lined up for next week.. hopefully the weather will cooperate!!
Welcome to the new ladies.. glad you decided to post!! I posted the day I got diagnosed.. and am so glad I found this wonderful group!!
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Marybe - Thanks for all the info...my goal is to have all my Mercury fillings REMOVED! My dentist is all for this...they wear hasmat uniforms when they remove them - face masks, etc.
MARINA - YAY for your dd! She takes after MOM. LOL Best wishes on Wednesday! Hugs, neighbor...
GOOD MORNING GIRLS...hope you all make the best of this Monday morning...
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"I think I've discovered the secret to life. You just hang around until you get used to it." ~ Charles M. Schulz
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Hope you all did ok last night. Rita, was it wild in your neck of the woods?. We did our dinner yesterday for the Shelter which made for a long day. Then to Maggie's. It had started raining b;y the time we left her house well after dark. Sky was lighting up.
I worked around here for awhile, fell asleep trying to watch tv --- as I went to bed the lightning was still everywhere ( hail and tornado watches all through our county ) and I listened to this long roll of loud thunder....thinking I'll never go back to sleep. Fast forward to morning. So that is today's quote......The secret to life.....is sometimes you just have to sleep.
Busy today but I'll be checking in off and on. See you then.
Hugs, Jackie
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I was wondering about the bar over my face... didn't know if I should be offended or happy!
Makmak-- Holy crap! What a great score! Congrats to your daughter and her proud mama.
Slipped on the ice yesterday and ended up hanging on the door of the truck like I was doing a chin up... ouch. Sore weirdo ass peck muscles that go over the boobs. (c: Hoping it will not result in LE as I am a wee bit swollen. 10 rads down and no burning, touch wood.
Happy Monday all.
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Hi
Have not posted much, but I have been reading and keeping up on everyone as you are all dear to me. Welcome to all the new ladies- you've come into a warm, safe, caring place.
I lost my friend today. I've posted on and off about my friend Jessica who has been battling mets since 08. I've known this was imminent yet I feel I'm in a fog today and my heart feels too heavy to carry. Jessica is my husband's best friend's wife. We met when we were both dating our respective husbands. She had the ability to make you feel, from the moment you met, that you were her best friend. She was big and blonde and when she walked in a room, it was as if the sun had suddenly emerged from a bank of clouds. It was unnerving, actually. She moved to Michigan not long after we met, but we shared all our respective big life moments- our weddings, the birth of our children. She has four children, age 14 to 4 and last spring, we traveled to Detroit for the bat mitzvah of the oldest daughter. It was the "mother of bat mitvahs" as she called it-a great lavish party as she was in remission and overjoyed to be present for an event she feared she might not present for. She visited this summer and we sat on the beach together and watched our children play. We spoke over the holidays and she told me of plans for a family vacation to Captiva island. The brain mets had been kept at bay with cyber knife and there were no signs of regrowth or progression. Four weeks ago, after a nice lunch with her husband, she walked into the kitchen and collapsed. Every possible test was performed. No further brain mets found. No progression of bone mets. No sign of stroke. No one understands it. Her oncologist, baffled, could only say he's seen it happen before, that the body "gives out" somehow and it's not decipherable.
As a few of you know, I've been dealing with some personal issues and strong anxiety, which I'm actively working on dealing with. I'm doing okay at the moment, but I hope it's okay to express- here- where it's safe- that I'm just so so sad, angry, grieving......why can't we find a *(@&7&*^!!*^@&# cure
-julie
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Julie.. I'm so sorry for your loss.. I will second your statement.. I wish there was a cure.. and that we wouldn't have to think about this dreaded disease or at least this type of outcome..
Not much more I can say.. just sending you Lots and Lots of Hugs!!
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Julie- Sorry for your loss and don't know what to say... big hugs to you~
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My deepest condolences Julie. Warm thoughts and prayers.
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Adey I fell on my arms and butt coming out of the taxi from my last chemo treatment. My LE arm didn't get any worse even though it was sore. (I have mild LE). The other arm (4 nodes) was fine.
If you're worried you might try:
• Elevate the at risk arm or hand as much as possible during the day and on pillows at night; support the arm well so that it doesn't tire;
• Several times a day (or whenever you think of it) pause and do some deep breathing -- this helps stimulate the largest lymph vessels in your body and promotes lymph flow; Repeat the breathing exercise 10 to 20 times;
• Several times a day (or whenever you think of it) pause and raise your hands over your head as high as is comfortable for you, and "pump" your fists open and closed 10 to 20 times. This can be done with or without a "stress ball.""
source: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm
Makmak That's some sharp cookie. Good genes. Boston is a great place to visit. What schools she looking at in Boston. (Yes I'm the weirdo that left the Boston area to come to school in Chicago. 1st person in my family to go to college and NOT get a degree from BU).
Marybe That lecture sounds great. Interesting about the fish. I hear mercury can be a problem with ocean fish/seafood too. Granted most of my favorites are low.
Here are 2 lists:
mercury levels in fish
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish (FDA)0 -
Julie.....I am sad with you today. I am glad you had your friend and she had you. Losing is not an easy thing and losing a dear friend is very emotional. I will be thinking and hoping that you as well as all of Jessica's loved ones find a path that is bearable soon. Prayers for strength for all of you.
Jackie
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Julie....I am so sorry. So, so sorry.
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Julie, Hugs
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Thanks lago! I'm gonna get me a couple of balls to squeeze!
I was hanging there thinking, how did both hands get onto the door, damn there was ice on the little step of the truck, yay I didn't hit the ground, I wonder if I yanked out something important, would it have been better if I fell instead of the short stop on my bungee cord arms...? But it's all good. (c:
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Welcome- Krista, Denise, Caryl, Jenn, Valgal.. These ladies are great and it's second home for us..
Marina- Congrats on you DD and she must be got it from you~!!
Krista- Welcome, neighboor~ I live in Naperville, about ten minutes from the Edward Hospital and I had my younger son at Edward too.. I realized that we both have same surgery date 10/ 7, mine was in 2008 and I thought I was young when I dx with bc.. You look beautiful and love your hair~~ and can't imagine how pretty your dd looks after her mother.. Have a great time in FL~~
Largo, Marybe- Thanks for the great pictures~~
Donna- AZ for house hunt?? Hopefully find the one you like.. miss you girl~
Buddy- Hope you are doing ok, miss you too~
Adey, Onward, Connie- Hello~~ neighboor~~
Big HELLO~~~ for all of my sisters in here and miss you ladies very much and hopefully I will see you before I move to OR...
I am getting my Tattoo tomorrow at Good Samaritan at Downers Grove.. That will be the last stage of Reconstruction... It's been a long journey and I couldn't do or did it without all of your help..
Thank You very much~!!!
Have a great day~!~!
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Julie... so very sorry for your loss. (((HUGS))) It just makes us all so angry to have to see this outcome. We must find that cure NOW!
makmak... your DD must be a real smartie pants! She will likely not have any problem getting into the college of her choice. Our DD graduated from U of IL in engineering. She loved that place. Boy, how college has changed since the day when us girls had to sign in and sign out of the dorm, had curfews on weeknights at 1030PM, and got grounded by the dorm mom if we had more than two offenses! Kind of makes you worry now that no one may ever know if your child just one night disappears. OOOOOhh, don't mean to scare you, makmak. Sorry.
Adey... that sounds like a really good fall you had on the ice. I fell down some stairs in our house while going through rads. Still am suffering the pain in my butt and back. Thanks, Lago for reminding me about that breathing/reaching exercise. My LE PT mentioned that one. Just be careful with the squeeze ball thing.. I over did that a few years ago trying to build up strength in my wrist for tennis and ended up with bad carpul tunnel problems which, of course, led to surgery.
Julie.... thinking of you today. (((More Hugs)))
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Julie, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's family. I so wish life could be fair, and that children would not have to lose parents way too soon. Jessica sounds like a beautiful person, and it was wonderful to have had her in your life.
Gentle hugs, Julie.
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Oh Julie. I am so sorry for your loss. She sounded like a wonderful friend. Your description of her was amazing. And your anger is understandable and most certainly this is a safe place to release it. Hugs and tissues for you. I am so, so sad for your loss.
Navy
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