Illinois ladies facing bc
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My oncologist said NO to getting ovaries out, even with mother with ovarian cancer. (But she's gene negative and i have not been tested)
She has one first cousin that had ovca, we are finding out now.
I went to a female gyne who said she would if she were me...several girls in person and online said they got theirs removed.
My date is Dec. 20th! I'm so busy at least I dont have to think about it.
Kater
The only bad thing is if you have a strong history for ovca, which I guess i dont....you are supposed to have gyne oncologist and I found out kind of too late that my great female dr, recommended here by two....is a "gyne"....but I have to have faith in something....oncologist says "you dont have ovca" but....they dont find it till stage 3 or 4 usually so I dont really think he should say that in such strong terms!
Wishful thinking, yes.
my ca 125 dived after taxotere, lower than its ever been....I hope that I'm only too touchy and it's nothing...(but they know so little I dont know why they have that attitude)
..he also said taxotere would have taken care of ovca....(and my mom's gyne acted like that was all wrong when i suggested that at least having bc would stave off ovca, but maybe he just was "sure" i didnt have ovca either.) rambling.
6 years ago i had unexplained bladder pressure so I was pretty sure I had trouble coming.....then when i changed urologists i had my urethra routed out (faint time) and then I had no more trouble. Never an explanation why, but it sure gave me the proverbial wake up call. (and i have a finished basement as a result!) 8-) I was getting it ready for my sister's family just in case!
Kater
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Blackjack- Check your inbox I sent you a pm.
Mary
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Hi Girlfriends:
Well I went to the oncologist and told him about my leg aches. He scolded me for not coming every 4 months. The ladies at the dinner in Long Grove will recall that issue. Maybe it was chemo brain or maybe it was just denial. I simply do not remember him telling me to come every 4 months. I thought they called me and not the other way around.....much like my dentist does with her postcard reminders. Well then he said, "It is a testimony to you, Susan, that you have moved beyond cancer enough to even forget to come." OHHHHH what he doesn't know!
Well then I told him about my leg ache and he did all sorts of things and finally told me that he did not think the aches were related to cancer or arimidex! He said I may have sciatia (spell???) but he was not 100% sure. He said to take Aleve for a week and to call him if after I do that, the pain is still there. If so, we do scans.
I am with you all on your own personal concerns. Blackjack, I know it is scary and frustrating and depressing. I have never felt such fear, frustration and depression as I have with BC, and I often wonder how I cope from day to day. Routine works for me. I need a routine! I go to my job everyday, sleep deprived on most, but I get into the routine and I feel better. The people on this thread just keep giving. I think that when you give to another, you get over yourself and it feels good. I am just learning about how to do that. So many on this thread have that down.
Good night!
Susan
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Hello everyone,
Have not been on for several days and am overwhelmed by all the comments to catch up on! We were busy with my father-in-law's visitation and funeral. Two of John's cousins stayed with us. An ice storm hit late Saturday night, but everyone made it back home safely. Our daughter Mary is back in the hospital. She was 34 weeks on Friday. Her blood pressure keeps jumping up and down, but they think now it is the way the pregnancy is affecting her lupus that is causing the changes. She may be dismissed Wednesday. I just wish they'd keep her until the baby can be born.
Welcome, Julie. I am praying that your surgery goes well tomorrow. Mine was 13 years ago, so things have changed. My chemo and radiation were done at the same time, about 4 weeks after surgery. I am a teacher also (or I was until I retired in 2005) and I took the rest of the school year off, from the end of October. The two being done simultaneously really wiped me out. Connie, I also swear by Zofran. I had it pre-surgery and by IV before every chemo. I never got sick, altho I didn't feel like eating all the time. (So, how did I gain 20 pounds???) My main problem was loss of memory and fatigue.
Susan, glad to hear your eye will probably heal on its own. Anything with the eyes is really scary. I think a good white Zinfandel should help you through the gingerbread house ordeal.
My husband's one domestic act of the year is the annual Thanksgiving eve potato-peel. That's trial enough!Jackie, I'm glad you are feeling better. Even when you felt lousy, your sense of humor shone through!
Smerf, the trip to NY sounds wonderful! Is this a surprise or does your husband know about it?
Rita, thank you so much for coming Friday night. It made a long evening go faster to visit with you and Dave.
Joanna, I'm glad you figured out your password and hope you will join us often. It was nice meeting you last month in Long Grove.
We are to get 3/4 inch of ice tonight. One of my girls and I went to Peoria today to finish Christmas shopping before it hits. So if we lose power again (like we did a week ago Saturday and this past Sunday), I can build a fire in the fireplace and wrap packages. I know there were other things I wanted to comment on, but I've lost the train of thought. Have a good evening.
Mary Jane
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Hi Ladies,
Just checking in to say hi. I have not been on the computer too much lately and it sure looks like I missed alot. I am sorry for those that are having a rough time with tx's, doctors, tests. It especially stinks during the Christmas season but hang in there. Get second opinions if you are not sure about something, or research other threads on this site. It is very helpful. Someone else has been where you are and can help you. I am thankful for this site and all the info I have gotten. Remember Laura's saying 'Illinois Girls are Tough"!!!
Michele
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Hi again, everyone! I don't have much time, but wanted to let you know I really appreciate all of your advice and encouragement. I'm ready for the surgery tomorrow and anxious for it to be over so I can start my recovery.
I'll touch base once I'm up to it after I get back home. Thanks again!
Julie
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Morning! Notice I didn't say "Good"...ice all over everything AND school is closed so I get to have DH home all day. Great. Had to laugh about your husbands' non-expertise in the kitchen. My husband has none so he doesn't even try. His one and only thing he can do is pour cereal in a bowl and add milk and sometimes he screws that up and pours in the OJ. But he is a big, sweet lovable son of a gun so I think I will keep him.Julie...will be thinking about you today. Bigs HUGS! Post when you can and let us know how you did. But you will do great as you are a tough Illinois gal!
Michele....glad you checked in. Missed you and your cap!
Susan....oh no! Don't have sciatica! Did they give you a set of back exercises to do to help with the pain? You can also google it and print off the internet. I had that back in the summer and ended up with back surgery...no more pain tho. Just a pulling sensation where the pain was...down the back of the thigh, around the outside of the knee, down the side of the leg, into the heel, aound the outside of the foot and my 3 little toes. Toes are still tingly and that may never go away. Exercising the back really helped in the beginning tho. My onc's office doesn't let patients out without a next appt...my guess is that they figure with our chemo brains and no estrogen we wouldn't remember squat.
Kater....I guess I still don't get it. If you want your ovaries out and your ins. will pay for it due to pers. hx and fam.hx....who cares what Dr. B says...have the surgery. It may not be necessary for any other reason EVER except for peace of mind and lately....that sure means a lot to me.
Jackie....how are you doing today?
Blackjack...see you got on our list. Good! How's the pain?
Pat....stay inside today, OK? If you fell and I tried to pick you up, I would probably fall. And then we'd both have to go someplace warm to recuperate. Hmmmmm...wait a minute...let's rethink that!
Hugs and Smiles, Pat!Everybody else...have a great and safe day (oh...MaryJane..forgot you! Have fingers and toes crossed for that baby!)
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Good Morning everyone..My school is open and the roads are pure ice by me. Wish me good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you Julie as you have OR today. Hope you team makes it in with this bad weather. As for me the arm pain is still there and meds are keeping it at bay. I will be looking for a new doc next week when I have time. The blanket was beautiful and Pat is forunate to have such wonderful friends to help her through this. Gotta ice skate to work now.. Stay warm for those who get the day off. Blackjack
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Morning one and all,
Your all making me feel bad. Looking out my computer room window I'm seeing a light foggy haze. Apparently the constant rain has warmed things up enough to give us fog. I keep hearing a mild constant rumbling of thunder so once again it will be a soggy, soggy day.
I'm going to go to work today---not the office, my one housekeeping job. Another cabin farther back in the woods behind me. I'd help her for nothing but she won't have that so it's become my job.
Blackjack do be careful, please. Really all you up North. I feel almost silly....so many here including me have 4-wheel drive though it is challenging at times to get around here with so many ravines ( all drain to our lake ) and we do get the ice ---- just not as much etc.
Julie: All the best today.
Susan I am thinking bout' you too. Laura is right--it's always something.
Mary Jane: Nice to meet you. You had much going on when I first got here so hope things are getting a little more back in place for you.
Wendy, Rita, Kater, Kats,Mich............have a good day. Be checking back in with you later.
Jackie
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Merry Christmas from my little guy...Buddy Love!
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My computer is not letting me post for some reason. Updates installed on firewall, I think. Anyway, I'll make it short and just wish everyone a warm and safe day!
Pat G. smerf
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Now that that worked, I'd like to say I'm thinking of you today, Julie. Hope everything is going well, and you will be up and around soon.
PatG. aka smerf
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Oh Laura....Buddy Love is adorable in his Santa hat! What a cutie!
Thanks for sharing!
Blackjack! That really stinks that you still have school. Several of the rural schools were closed here again today. The weather isn't that bad in our area.....lots of rain that could cause a major problem if it freezes overnight. I can remember those days in my teaching career where I waited and waited to get that early morning phone call telling me that we had a snow day! :-) Then when it didn't come, the entire day was horrid! Travel safely.
Julie...been thinking about you today and hoping that your surgery went well. Hugs across the state to you!
Susan, I was just sure they were going to tell you that your leg pain was from the Arimidex and then switch you to something else and it would just magically disappear. Guess that's why I taught school for 33 years instead of doctoring the sick and aching! LOL
Wendy...did you make it out to work out today or were the roads too bad I bowled this morning and then walked 3 miles in the Mall. I cheated a little because I made some pit stops to purchase a few last minute gifts on my trip around.
Glad you didn't try to go to Quincy, Mary Jane if your roads were bad. That would not have been fun!
Illinois Lady...I owned a scholastic bowl (quiz bowl) company until 2 years ago. I used to write and send questions to a Raccoon School near Centralia. Is that anywhere near your "neck of the woods." The name was so unique that I could never forget it!
Glad you checked in Michele. Always good to hear from you!
Connie, those American Girl dolls are beautiful! (they should be, eh for that price??!!) One of my friends takes her granddaughter into Chicago once a year and lets her pick out a different one for her birthday. They go up on the train and have a special day. I so wish my little ones were closer so I could pick them up and whisk them away for a day!
Pat...I did get your research sent so you'll have more reading material soon. Stay and and stay dry!
Well.......hello to all the rest of you ladies....Kater, Smerf, Kats, JanClare....hey where you been Jan???...Joanna, Mazy, and anyone else I'm missing here as I rattle them off the top of my head. I hope you are all doing well.
Travel safely if you need to get out!
Rita
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Hello again
Rita, Raccoon Consolidated is about 6 miles from me heading East. I am two miles east of the town of Centralia which has about 14,700 or so population. It's on Hwy 161 which runs through Centralia but has a street name once you are in town. Our other house which my brother-in-law purchased is about three blocks from where we are now on Raccoon Lane..........and of course the name of the lake behind all of us is Raccoon Lake. I loved my former address, but this house has more of what we needed.
Hope you are are staying dry and did not have a hard time with roads if you had to be out and about.
I'm off to DTL to try to win the drawing.
Jackie
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Hi All:
Laura, what a great-looking dog!
Rita, the pain in my leg is not enough at all for me to stop Arimidex. I would not have even gone to a doctor with it if I didn't have a BC diagnosis. I am personally so happy to have Arimidex and would put up with an awul lot just to take it. It is not a miracle drug, but a lot better than not having any defense. Wendy, I do not think it is sciatica (still not sure of the spelling) as it doesn't sound like anything I read on the internet. We just need to wait for a week and see. It could be anything. The doctor said, "I am just not feeling that this is cancer-related." I will get the scans in one week if the pain is there after I stop the Aleve.
All of this has given me some days to think about things and I have come to a very important realization. At some point I just have to admit I have limited power over this thing. I need to do the best I can but I cannot control this thing. I will admit that I am not yet at the place where I am not struggling to control it still. I am hoping I can stop obsessing and really live my life fully fairly soon. For me, that means not dwelling on breast cancer as much as I do. I was told by a good friend that I may need to first obsess on it before I am able to rid myself of the obsession of it. When she said it, it sounded more logical.
I did have school today. The roads were not so bad, yet I do have a short commute.
Julie, I am thinking about you! It seems a lot of us are teachers and nurses!
Pat, as always, I am thinking about you and I hope you are in peace.
I still want to know what happened to "Mother of Four Sons..... " She lives very close to me. If you are out there....Mother....drop us a line.
Susan
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Hi All:
Laura, what a great-looking dog!
Rita, the pain in my leg is not enough at all for me to stop Arimidex. I would not have even gone to a doctor with it if I didn't have a BC diagnosis. I am personally so happy to have Arimidex and would put up with an awul lot just to take it. It is not a miracle drug, but a lot better than not having any defense. Wendy, I do not think it is sciatica (still not sure of the spelling) as it doesn't sound like anything I read on the internet. We just need to wait for a week and see. It could be anything. The doctor said, "I am just not feeling that this is cancer-related." I will get the scans in one week if the pain is there after I stop the Aleve.
All of this has given me some days to think about things and I have come to a very important realization. At some point I just have to admit I have limited power over this thing. I need to do the best I can but I cannot control this thing. I will admit that I am not yet at the place where I am not struggling to control it still. I am hoping I can stop obsessing and really live my life fully fairly soon. For me, that means not dwelling on breast cancer as much as I do. I was told by a good friend that I may need to first obsess on it before I am able to rid myself of the obsession of it. When she said it, it sounded more logical.
I did have school today. The roads were not so bad, yet I do have a short commute.
Julie, I am thinking about you! It seems a lot of us are teachers and nurses!
Pat, as always, I am thinking about you and I hope you are in peace.
I still want to know what happened to "Mother of Four Sons..... " She lives very close to me. If you are out there....Mother....drop us a line.
Susan
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Afterthought:
My posts get weird and post twice. Thus, I delete the last one!
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Susan -Because of this latest hurdle, you are closer to controlling your fears! This is an important step...the next one is even better and even more empowering. When I was at the freaked out/paranoia stage, I kept telling myself that if I ever did get mets, I would kick myself in the you-know-what, for having wasted so much time and energy worrying about it!
Wendrew - That chemo version of Twas the Night Before...was really cute.
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I'm sending out the search lights for Mom Of 4 and Roonie!
(If there are any others... add them.
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Susan, did you catch Motheroffour's last post maybe three weeks ago where she said she had come back from overseas to the area? That's the last I've heard from her.
Hey Laura...We haven't heard from Wendy Petru in Champaign for a LONG time. Also Nancy in Quincy, and Kathyrose. Nancy was having trouble after her surgery and Mazy was trying to find out more about her but evidentally didn't connect with the people who know Nancy.
Jackie...I bet it's really pretty where you live! You're in a pretty part of the state.
Well, I'm off to the recliner. Just had to add my two cents about our missing "sisters." Anyone heard from any of the missing?
Rita
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Morning Girls!First things....I did PM motheroffoursons and I got one back...she is doing better and her onc did not feel that her symptoms were bc-related exactly. Maybe just radiation se's. I will try and figure out how to copy her pm and post it here...it wasn't a private message so I think it will be OK...she was wishing us all well, thinking we were all going to see her message. Or maybe I shouldn't post it? I'll have a think about that!
Jackie...can you send a picture of where you live? It sounds sooooo pretty!
Laura...awwwwwww! Buddy Love is so cute!
Susan...I think you may be on to something! Maybe totally obsessing over bc helps us to stop totally obsessing. It does make sense....in some chemobrain-addled way!
Julie...surgery is now over for you and you are already starting to heal. You go girl!
My dh is off to school early today...so I have to run. Hey Pat...how ya' doin, sweetie?
Will check back later....
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Wendy...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
THE CHEMOS ALL THROUGH
YOU'RE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT YEAR
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
Rita
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Wendy- This one's for you......
Have a Great One...........
Mary
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Happy Birthday Wendy may all your wishes come true. have a wonderful day. Laura your dog is so cute, he could be our mascot for this board,hey. Hope everyone is up and well today. My mission today is to find a new onc md. Wish me luck.
Blackjack
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WENDY...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Hope
your
day
is
extra-special!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WENDY! Hope you (and the rest of you ladies) have a wonderful day!
Mary Jane
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Happy, happy birthday, Wendy! Hope you're having the best day!
Pat G. smerf
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Happy BI
R
T
H
D A Y DEAR WENDY!
susan
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Aw......you guys! Thanks for all the good wishes, cards and e-mails for my BD! Here's a big hug back to all of you! 55? When did I get to 55???? Told the nurses at Herceptin this am that I like being 39 so much that I stayed there for 16 years, and that's my story and I'm stickin' with it! So there!
Kats...I sent you a pm...check your box!
Blackjack....good luck with your search for a new onc. If Geneva isn't too far, I love mine at Delnor!
Well...shopping is done as of this AM...got my last present...a Husky Webkinz. Time to start wrapping now...but not today!
Everybody....have a wonderful day! Pat...I will have an extra piece of cake in your honor!
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Afternoon all,
Wendy count me in on all the good wishes. I sent you a pm short while ago.
Had to take my cat Spike to Dr. Kent this morning. He's having some kidney stone issues so will be at Crooked Creek Animal Hospital til' Saturday at least. The other housecats look as if they are saying in all caps " What Did You Do With My Brother )?
DH says I have a bald spot starting on the back of my head. So the time may be here to shuffle down to the local Beauty School and get my new buzz ( ain't bald beautiful ) cut. I'm prepared.
Actually, last time I washed my hair it seemed to dry for a much longer period. Then felt very funny...wanted to lay on my head, hard to comb. Seemed like I looked like my interpretation of someone who hadn't washed their in about 6 months.
Had a morning without rain at long last, but much cooler now. More expected late afternoon or early evening. Should have started my count on the first day of rain.....I won't know when we get up to 40 for sure now. All those rain dances we did this summer---
uhmmm must be them now.
Take care all.
Jackie
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JulieK- Welcome to the group, sorry though that you had to join us here. Hope you are doing well after your surgery.
Laura- Buddy Love is just too cute for words. I could never imagine my dog Chuck sitting still for a picture like that.
blackjack- My medical Oncologist is from the group Northwest Oncology and Hematology with offices in Hoffman Estates (St. Alexius) and Elk Grove Village (Alexian Bros). Nicki's (another IL lady here on the board) Oncologist is in the same group.
www.northwestoncology.com
I really like my Oncologist (Dr. Sowray), I had another Oncologist first from the same group and we just didn't click so I switched Oncologists after my 2nd of 12 chemos.
Connie- Congrats at reaching the halfway point with rads, you're in the home stretch now.
Jackie- Hope you're feeling okay
Pat- Hugs to you.
Hi to everyone: Rita, Michele F, Pat G, kater, Jan Clare, Susan, Mary Jane and another HELLO to our birthday girl WENDY.
Mary
Mary "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dx 5/7/2003, ILC, 1cm, Stage I, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-0
