Illinois ladies facing bc
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Madismommy.....I'm so sorry that you've embarked on this journey, too, but I'm glad you found the Illinois gals because they'll help you through everything. They are a very awesome group of ladies. The first few months are so emotionally draining after your diagnosis. Once you have your treatment plan in place, the emotions mellow out a bit. The treatments are "doable." They're just not what we'd prefer to be doing. Come back often and post.
Lago...so glad things went well for you. YEA!!!
I'm off to mow the yard and then golf in a late afternoon 2-Ball event, followed by a potluck. I hope everyone is enjoying the day.
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Lago, I'm going to be at Rush as well for my treatment. I went to their breast clinic back in May and LOVED them. I opted for my surgery out in the burbs b/c I needed to be close to home but now that I'm in need of chemo I'm going into their care. I have an appointment this week infact, to discuss a possible auxiliary dissection and if it's necessary or not as well as talking about putting in my port. the commute isn't too bad, about an hour one way with little traffic. Plus, there's Oak Park too sometimes!!! The team is well worth the commute!!!
Ritajean, totally agree with it getting easier as my plan is mapped out a little clearer. I was an emotional wreck when first diagnosed, I dropped 9 pounds in 11 days and all I did was cry. I'm MUCH better, taking it day by day and looking forward to getting onto the other side od my treatment!!!!! Plus, Xanax is my friend!! LOL0 -
Madismommy my onc from rush is also at Oak Park.The Rush chemo treatment center just opened up in February (2-3 weeks after my last chemo). Its very nice.
I too cried a lot (and I don't usually cry) last summer. Once I had my surgery I stopped crying.
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Lago- I have a friend that just started her treatment at Northwestern and she said the treatment process was way better than the way you see chemo stations set up on tv. (rows of chairs with everyone in one big room)
What's Rush's like, do you know about the new center's? Just curious what to expect.0 -
PS- I see you just had your exchange a few days ago, how are you feeling?
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WAIT, is today the 25th? YESTERDAY???
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Yes exchange was yesterday I think its been about 27-28 hours since surgery ended.
I'm a little sore but just doing Tylenol.The old chemo room was one bit giant room with recliners on top of each other. Now there are several rooms. Each room has about 8-10 recliners to a room but very spaced out. Everyone in your room will be treated by the onc or maybe 2 oncs. You have your own TV (must bring ear phones to hear) space for a couple of visitors. Really nice. The rooms still have window too. I still get Herceptin infusions so I'm still in the chemo room every 3 weeks till sometime in September.
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Welcome Madismommy.....I think everyone has pretty much said it all. You are so young but then this is one of those "not your choice" things. Their are many ladies here so someone is usually around for you. Lots of emotions go with this -- just go with it.....whatever it is.
It is daunting at first, but you will find a stride. In the meantime.... lots of prayers, healing hugs, commiserations, and care.
Hugs to you,
Jackie
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Welcome, Madismommy. I did 6X TAC also.Please feel free to pm me if I can help you in any way.
I am here in FL.visiting Navyson and his family. I have my DH with me as well as my parents. The weather here is crazy storms in the afternoon. But hot and humid all the time.
Navy
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Welcome Madissmommy.... so glad that you found us. This is a remarkable group of ladies. I am sure that you are getting tired of doctor's appointments, but sounds like you will soon have your chemo plan set and can move along. I had BMX in April 2010 at Northwestern with immediate TE's, then 6X TAC, then 28 rads. Just finished all that last November, then exchange surgery last week. It has been quite a journey and I was so glad to have this group of ladies by my side. You will be too.
I spent too much time running around with shopping errands today. Our kids and their families are all arriving later in the week. A house full, but we will have so much fun. The annual Crystal Lake Gala festival starts on Thursday and includes the "Tast of Crystal Lake". This all goes on only about 5 blocks from our house near the lake. So, if we run out of food here, i can always send them down there for more. I just hope we get some nice summer weather..... not hot, but please, no more rain for a while!
Lago... hope you are recovering quickly from your exchange. I think you need to celebrate with DH that you came alllll this way! Makmak... so glad to hear that Gabby is feeling so much better. Now DH sick? Oh, so hope you don't get it.
Hi to everyone....hope its a good weekend.
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Welcome Madissmommy..sorry you have to be here but glad you found this group.
Lago..hope your are doing well...
Just a quick pop in to say HI and try to catch up...
We have been getting some much needed work done around the house and I've been painting, cleaning, etc. and my arm is so painful...lymphedema is really flaring up. I think I overdid it... trying to rest it and me for awhile...
Have a great Sunday everyone!
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The only gift is a portion of thyself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Madismommy - welcome to our little group.
Lago - so happy to hear that all went well and you are feeling good.0 -
Madismommy, I am glad you found this place. Makkmak, so happy baby girl is feeling better and Lago, glad you are healing so well and so quickly.
We went to GlenEllyn to be with the kids and my former sil. Even though she and my brother are divorced, we still visit. She was in from Colorado for a wedding. Beautuful day. My daughter, Madismommy is not much younger than you are. I am so sorry this awful disease has happened to you.
Then we went to Geneva for Swedish Days and I thought of Wendy as I believe you live near there. So many nice restaurants....alfresco...loved it. Wendy, if ever you and your DH want to meet for a dinner, let us. I love Geneva. Haven't been there for years. St. Charles was fun too (actually not sure now which town had all the al fresco restaurants). It has been a long day.
Have a great week.
Susan
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Susan, that's where I live too, in Geneva! I LOVE Swedish days but couldn't make it this year b/c of my BMX. Boo....
And yes, I am way too young to embark on this journey but here I am.... I've come to realize cancer has no age boundaries! Better me than my daughter, or anyone else's child! Although, I'd prefer NONE of us!!0 -
Hope everyone had a great Sunday. Very productive weekend here in the forest.
madismommy - Welcome...you're going to love these gals! Best wishes to you as you make the journey through ChemoLand. Lots of girls just wizz through it...hang in there.
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Finally brought the Goat home! But...after we got home (1.5 hour trip) we realized they didn't put our helmets back in the Goat! ARGHHHHHHHHHHH...so we can't go racing until they ship us our helmets! FRICK ; (
As soon as we get them, I'll let you all know when we're going. If any of you want to stop by the track...just let me know.
Have a nice Monday!
Where's WENDREW? Do I have to send out the search light?
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BJ = If you want to be able to download library books you need to go with the Nook or a kobo (borders sells them). They are in a format that the libraries use. The kindles are not. The kobo comes with 100 books on it already. Like Tom Sawyer, sherlock holmes, White Fang, Jane Eyre, etc. My husband sat down and read the 3 by Jack London the first 2 weeks we had the kobo.
We just got back from a week on Lake Michigan with kids and grandkids. Except for some rain we had a good time.
Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to the holiday weekend next week.
Annette
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Hola, what a busy girls youve been. Lago and mak Mak, been thinking good thoughts about you, hope by now all is well. We put in a new hardwired generator two weeks ago. Timing is not normally our thing but we lost power for the past 4 days so whoo hoo. Everything except the computer was running.
Ok ladies, having lots of stiffness, muscle pain and fatigue and thinking it is all from femera. Tomorrow is my last appt with my Onc who is leaving. Am thinking 13% protection is not worth these issues.....any comments????
Onward
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Hi everyone. I'm still doing OK just very bloated. Not sure why this always happens after surgery.
Onward. Have you tried other Als? I also hear that some women take a 4-6 week break go back on the drug and do just fine. 13% sounds about the same for me and I think those are 13 percentage points I want going in my favor. I would see if other als are better for you and/or try taking a break. I do have some stiffness in the morning in my fingers but not too bad. I'm on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex).
How long have you been on Femera?
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Onward... I have been on Femara for almost 8 months now and think my body has adjusted to it somewhat... or I have gotten used to the stiffness, etc. I start off with an Aleve every morning and just keep moving all day. I take it at bedtime and have not noticed any terrible fatigue during the day. If you are having a hard time, your ONC could move you to Arimadex and see if you have fewer side effects with that. There is a thread here on the forum just called FEMARA. Great time on the new generator. Being without power for four days is a real bummer. That happened to us a few years ago. Ugggh!
Really have to love the beautful weather we had today. I got in a big bike ride early this morning and then got in another ride later this afternoon with DH. We have a route that we take that goes all the way around the lake and it was perfect today. Have to really start working hard on getting the body back in shape. I am carrying around an extra 10 pounds since this whole BC mess started.
Laura... glad that you had a productive weekend. I'm in for a visit to the track. Just let me know "when".
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Onward.....I would try anything to keep working with any chance of thwarting a recurrence. While it may not seem like all that much --- I'd be thinking......what percentage of regret might I have if I got off these drugs completely. I think Lago has some good ideas there to see if some adjustments can be made to make it easier for you.
Having said that....I have to admit that so far ( I'm on Arimidex -- next bottle is Generic ) and have not felt like there was enough discomforts of any kind to make me want to give up this security blanket. I do clomp around now and then still in the morning....have some stiffness....especially after sitting a long spell.....but this regimen of treatment comes with a track record and my sense of security would be really threatened I think were I to choose not to avail myself.
Lighting and thunder all night long....and lots of rain too. Hope tonight is quieter. I think I managed to sleep though most of it, but some tossing and turning did go on. See you all in the morning.
Hugs, Jackie
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Morning all. Looks like rain again.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm going for the big unveiling today at 10:30. I'm not expecting much. I know my body hates surgery and takes time to recover. Right now I'm all bloated, swollen, some black and blue. I think I was beat into the Latin Kings gang Friday morning
(No I am not sporting gold and black).Hope everyone is doing well (and the kiddies too). After today I think we're going to have some nice weather.
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Laura, please post where and when for the GTO racing event!!!
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You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that
you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.
- Eleanor Roosevelt0 -
More storms today.....guess it started during the night and sounds like most of Illinois will be involved. Such a strange summer so far, wind, rain, gushing torrents, more wind, tornadoes.....at this rate....it will be a short summer. (((((Lago)))) @ 10:30. I hope you all do have a good day and I will be thinking about all of you.
See you later.
Hugs, Jackie
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My coffee pot failed to turn on automatically and now I have to wait, BOO!!
Good luck Lago!!!
This stormy weather really is getting old isn't it? I don't mind the cooler temps we've had but the violent weather and the mosquitos are horrible. My daughter swells up terribly with every bite!!
So, the different drugs/side effects above, are those pill form?? And just more loveliness I get to look forward to?0 -
Thanks guys. Lago good luck today. And I think after everything we have been through, the latin kings would have to move out of your way. lol. Have a good day.
Madismomma, I drink way less coffee than I used to so I bought the Krueig one cup at a time. But I do know what you mean. As far as side effects, deal with today. Tomorrow will handle itself. Just because some have side effects doesnt mean you will. I pretty much flew through chemo and had a rough time with rads. Everyone is different. Big gentle hugs being sent your way. Onward
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This might be a little short notice but I just notice that on June 29th Gilda's Club on wells has a program:
Overcoming The Fear Of Recurrence
Rev. Scot Giles
Private Practice
When the treatment is over and we wait to discover
what will or will not happen next, it's normal to feel fear
about a recurrence. A well-known hypnotist will show
participants how to use the energy of that fear to dream
new dreams, find a new direction or acquire better selfcare
and relationship skills. June 29. 6:30-7:30---------------------------------------------
RSVP Policy
If you decide to attend at the
last minute, please call ahead to ensure
availability. Reservations can be made at
312-464-9900 or online at
www.gildasclubchicago.org---------------------------------------------
They also have various programs at Northwestern, Rush, UC med center,IL Masonic
http://www.gildasclubchicago.org/calendar.html0 -
Hope all are doing well. I am writing, writing, writing. My writing group members have hair as seen in Adey's avatar and they also have tattoos. I look sorta normal...to me....but probably not to them. Anyway, I am loving this experience and it is good for me. Thank you, Jackie, for your gentle coaxing. Action is eloquent.....or something like that. This English teacher never got Shakespeare right!
Geneva is such a great town, Madismommy! I just love the river.
As Onward said about meds, it is all so quirky. I also skipped through chemo and was a mess with rads. I am on arimidex now and have no side effects. I have had weight gain but I cannot in full conscience blame the arimidex.. I think take the stuff they give you in good faith and if you then become uncomfortable take yourself off. No doctor will argue with your decision if you explain it. I am now taking myself off Lexapro as I sleep too much. I was on it for IBS and I really hated how I was sleeping 10 hours/night. There was a time I had insomnia.....it is all balance and lifestyle choices.
Talk to you all tomorrow!~
Susan
PS: Laura, I very definitely want to see the goat. I have wanted that for a l-0-n-g time. Keep us posted.
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lago - Have you tried peppermint herbal tea? It's supposed to help with post-surgical bloating. Hang in there...hope you're feeling better soon.
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