Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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It's the next morning and I already know it's going to be a looong day after yesterday's overfill. UGH.
Wendyk...the discomfort does subside, usually for me it's a couple days. This time it's more pain than tightness so not sure on how long??? I'm supposed to go get another fill in 6 days and I'm thinking that ain't happening....I think I'll reschedule for 2 weeks. Good luck at the onc, may it be completely uneventful!!!!
Robo....I have a port but I didn't have much of a choice because of my AND. That left me with only one good arm and I'm getting taxotere.....I didn't want the port at all at first until they explained a blown vein to me. I've had mine since July 13, I don't even notice it's there anymore. And I went to a place called "Naturally Yours" for my wig. They explained it all, let me try on different ones, very helpful. Mine ended up only costing about 275 and my insurance covers up to 500 bucks for "cranial prothesis" (such a funny phrase to me?). I'm not really sure why the Muga? But both my city onc and my Burb onc wanted it? Maybe the "A" in TAC? Damn red devil....
Mak...sounds like you are very rested while you've been down there. I know what you mean about coming home and the rest goes out the window and the chaos commences.... Safe travels home!!!0 -
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
Buddha0 -
Lago...you might have people fighting over you for work.
so, the phone interview offered and than you got a 2nd interview for the other?? That's pretty awesome.... Are they both downtown?0 -
I went through all the fills and NOW have to start over on my left boob in a couple of weeks, you guys are making me dread it! (They had to deflate my left breast, it was getting in the way of radiation, so after all that pain, I am back to square one, at roughly the same point I was after surgery). Yecch.
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Lago......great linky. As someone said....there is just something catchy about that song.
I had Muga's.....had A/C and Taxotere --- all in the vein. I think this is why I'm not doing any more cancer. I would have to have a port now, or as I once said before.....tried it, didn't like it, not going to do that again. Case closed. Oh -- if only it were that easy huh !!!!
Wendy....was thinking about what you said, about going into your Oncology office and seeing young faces with fearful eyes. I'm sure it is no use but does make you wonder just how long until that one ( ok I'm sure it's several items together ) magic moment comes. It is the one totally discouraging part of everything all of us have gone through -- that we don't seem close enough yet.
Marina....glad its time to come home and hope you find that laser was your friend.
Ah....the lake. Hate to admit that I have not had time to check it out much. I believe though it should be fine. They spill the lake if the water comes up too much.....and often it does. We need it desilted very badly. The catch.....we are far from ready to do that and in the meantime just like big government borrows from SS dollars, so small city governments borrow from funds that were to go towards lake dredging when the time came......so easy to see money and take it, and like borrowing from your relatives -- sometimes hard if not impossible to "put" it back. Sigh !!!!
Jobs and interviews....Lago. I am so big on going with our gut instinct. Why have perhaps a smudge on your employment record. Like you it does seem the one company is going about the process backward. I think I'd do just as you have. Let them wait. If it is worth it and they are on the up and up, it will be there for the few days more till you get past your second interview. Sounds like they don't want to be in competition --- and that spells possible issues to me.
Hope you all have a good day.
Shelter day for me though I can't stay too long today. Got to take Denny to work.
I'll be checking back in later.
Hugs, Jackie
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I'm sorry Lisa!!! They haven't been that bad until this one yesterday. I should have stuck to my "slow and steady" theory and not agreed to the extra, I think that's why I hurt? You'll get through it, if I can do it anyone can....I'm a total wimp when it comes to discomfort!!! 0 -
Lago...if u don't need that first offer to eat or for insurance or for a roof over your head I say go with your gut!
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Lago: Go with your gut. Boy the few times I didn't, I regret it. When something doesn't feel right it usually isn't. good luck on Tuesday.
Navy
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Robo I went to naturally yours too. I still think you should check out second act. I wish I had. Would love to go with you. I think when I'm ready for a bra my PS nurse recommended I should go there for a fitting. That's not for another 5 months though.
MadMom one is in Wicker Park and the other Northern Burbs. To bad the Wicker Park one is the one I pretty sure I'm going to lose if I make them wait… better location but that's about it so far. Northern burbs isn't too bad. About 25 minutes non traffic.
Wendyk13 that first one offers no insurance. I do need to work but we are still OK for a bit. Husband is working. One thing I have learned is not to take a job that's not a good fit.The stress is not worth it.
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Morning girls....TGIF and it looks like it will be a little cooler. My dd is coming over this afternoon and we are doing a spa / lunch day together. I really miss her as she is living in the city now. Yes school will be here soon...kids will be in and out of my office and the fun will begin. No more sleeping in for me. lol Question for you animal lovers...do dogs really get separation anxiety? My lab has been acting weird the last few days, always at my side and constantly in my face. he is driving me crazy. Any suggestions???
Makmak...good luck on your last tx and have a safe flight home.Glad to see that you are getting some much needed rest. Keeping everything crossed for good clean scans next week for you.
Wendy....I think you really need a day of rest after cutting all that grass and house work. I needed a rest after reading that. lol
Mommy...glad you got your pillow. I hope you too get some needed rest. I still some times take a quick afternoon nap for 10 min just to recharge myself. It works for me. I think you asked what I do at school. I am a school nurse.
Lago....your phone interview seems a little pushy. I would go with your gut feeling and do what is best for you. I think our intuition serves us well. You need a job that will make you happy and successful at what you are doing. Good luck with your interview.
Jackie....hope you can come up with Rita to the annual Xmas party. That would be wonderful for all of us to meet and see you. Then you will need to bring some quotes to the party for us.!! Hope you get some lake time in soon. Remember the water is so refreshing for the soul.
Rita....sent you a pm.
Zap....I love Indian food too. I have many Indian neighbors and we just had our annual block party last week and they made some very taste treats to share. My favorite was an egg roll thing that was stuffed with peas and veggies. I don't know what it was called but is was good. I would love to meet for lunch but I will be at school getting ready as school starts on the following Monday.
Lisa...sorry to hear about your left boob. Hope they get it taken care of soon for you. Hope to see you soon.
Hope everyone else I missed is having a wonderful fun filled day. Remember to be healthy...be happy and enjoy life. Off to run before it gets hot.....
Have a great day!!!
BJ
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Morning! Hope you all have a nice day.
bj - My fur baby has speration anxiety 24/7. It drives me CRAZY! Arghhhhhh. lol Your fur baby may be reacting to the barometric pressure. It's difficult to say for sure. Have you composed the holiday party e-mail? And...have fun with DD today!
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Wow...I feel bad for those with recon probs. OUCHY!
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robo47 My infusions have always been on Tuesdays. I had my biggest issues on the weekend if I had them. You might be better off on Friday. They have someone on call all the time and your onc I'm sure has a pager if there is a real problem.
Actually all my issues have been over holiday weekends… and as you can see I am doing just fine.
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Wow! Lots of chatter! Lago, there are a number of red flags but the one that screams trouble is that you can't reflect on it over the weekend. That is just not even professional on his part. This is a desperate economy job-wise, but it sounds like you are not desperate. I have to tell you, I love Apple and would have gone Apple had it not been so much more money. My school supplied us with Apples but then i had to separate when i retired.
Malmak, the workshop I am now enrolled in at the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook is all about stress and wellness. I wish you could have come with me as I am finding it so useful. I am practicing some of the techniques and last night i did not have the nightmares. I know it is too early to tell. This is not about how stress causes disease. It is about lessening stress by dealing with the emotions and thoughts we deal with. Mind Control sounds too sci-fi....but yet it is about recognizing negative thoughts and dealing with them. When you get back look up the Cancer Wellness on Revere Drive in Northbrook and see if they have any programs that would interest you. IT is all free and I am so impressed with the professionalism I have encountered there. All ages and both genders.....the only thing we share is that we are dealing with cancer....all cancers.
BJ, have fun with dd. I now love being with my daughters; especially now that they are independent. We have gotten so close. Consider a trip with dd. i was worried about that New Mexico trip, but we had a blast.
Happy day!
Susan
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Robo -- I had my first infusion on Dec 30 .. So was a holiday weekend. I was nervous but was assured that there is always someone on call.
We had no plans for New Years Eve ... Sat around waiting to feel awful. Never happened. I felt "off" and weird, very fatigued but that was about it.
The fear of chemo was the worst for me ... The actuality of it was much easier than the anticipation.
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Lisa - I agree...my fear was horrible! I felt as though I was walking into a death chamber. HOWEVER...after I settled in, it was totally do-able.
robo - Bring a book or a laptop or whatever - to keep you occupied. At one infusion, I wrote, stamped and addressed 86 Christmas cards. Took up the whole infusion time - about 4 hours.
At my last infusion, dh brought us lunch. We sat together and "toasted" with bottled water! lol
And yes...someone is always on call for urgent situations. Best wishes!
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Zap don't get me wrong I need a job. I just don't want to be looking again in 2 months because this isn't a fit. Something really is not right about this. I have accepted too many jobs in the past because I was desperate that ended up in disasters. Granted I'm not sellling off the furniture yet.0
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Hi Robo and Ellas Mom..I'm new myself. Great group of ladies!
Slowly feeling better after my first chemo on 8/1. I am getting (4) A/C followed by 12 weekly Taxol.
My dh picked up a tandem that we ordered off of walmart.com. Too woozy to try it out, but it does look fun. Have fun days...still catching up on everyone's news.
Speaking of foods, if one is ER+/PR+, are they supposed to be avoiding all foods that 'play' with hormones? ex. soy? Just wondering.
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Fear of chemo for me as well was horrible. The actual chemo was pretty much a non-event. And there is always someone on call...you will be fine. Just remember...much easier to prevent nausea than treat it so take the pills! Keep some gingerale and lemonade on hand and maybe some Popsicles...it really helps with the weird tastes.
BTW...onc appt went great...bone density went up from -1.5 to 0 so that dreaded zometa is off the table! Goes to show u that calcium, magnesium, vit D AND exercise alone really does some good. Also he is a thumbs up on shingle vaccine if I want it.....said within 3-6 months our immune systems with bc chemos are mostly back to normal. Huh. Once again...different opinion. I will think about it for now as I don't turn 60 until next year.
Hot out....0 -
WendyK I got shingles and I'm only 50 (3 months PFC). I hope that's true about the 3-6 months since I am 6+ months PFC.
Great news about the bone density. Hope mine does the same. My follow up test is at the end of this month. Granted I was already exercising and taking extra D the first time. Maybe now with the calcium and quitting diet soda it will be better… although the 1st test was before chemo and Anastrozole but one can hope.
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Lago...my ins won't pay for the vaccine until I reach 60 and I am not at high-risk...and I'm cheap! No one was more surprised than me that I increased my bone density! And this is at yr 4 of arimidex! Was worth doubling my workout routine the past year...all it took was the mention of Zometa IV's and I was at the gym! Never thought it could happen....
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Wendyk...are you doing cardio, strength training, or both? This is another issue I eant to keep in check. TIA
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How easy to "see" the light. Great news Wendy....takes some of the dread out for the next time maybe. I'm so glad for you.
My last D test came out in the low 40's but the nurse said that was ok....is it???Of course, I know I have to add more exercise......been waiting on the drat appt. with the Podiatrist and in fact looking forward to doing more on the exercise level. I do work a lot....but I think that, while fine, as I keep moving is still hit and miss to an extent.
Robo....count me in too as one who was VERY fearful of chemo. I think I sat at attention in my chemo lounge recliner the first time, hoping that at least if it went wrong....I'd get some pre-warning of some type before I keeled over and sailed into the heavens. At least I was hoping for heaven. Turns out that it was pretty much anti-climatic and I went home thinking of all that wasted adrenaline. That being said.....that's really how you want to feel. A little silly but thrilled that your worst nightmares just didn't materialize.
Storms are brewing here and I think they are in line for the next several days. It should get rid of some of that yucky humidity for which I will be really grateful.
Bj, I am working on some ideas with Rita for making it to the X-mas party this yr. I have so many responsibilities here, but am feeling by the time December is here life could for me look quite a bit different and taking a train ride from Bloomington ( far cheaper more than likely that way ) could be really, really possible. Last yr. I think trains were mentioned but it came so late that I did not have near enough time to plan. Was thinking on hopefully being able to say a definite yes or no ( and definitely hoping for yes ) by the second week of Sept. if that is not too late to be included.
Have to go and get a few things done....another needed to take Dh to work again day. Along with all the normal items, and doing my volunteering at the Shelter. Still working on his truck at the shop. We are hoping for tomorrow. Will be a surprise for me if he gets it....I think I've forgotten what it looks like. I'll be driving back to Mt. Vernon tonight at 9:30 p.m. to get him.
Stay well......I'll be checking in later.
Hugs, Jackie
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hey all. is there anyone here who completed taxol w/out experiencing any nail or neuropathy issues?
thanks......
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Robo - I was referring to our stats (that are in the signatures) were similar, but 6 years apart. My dx was in 5/05, so yes, I'm done with chemo and thought I was done with all my surgeries. I'm now electing to do a prophylactic mastectomy on my remaining breast because of recent concerns (and biopsies) I've had about it.
Navy - Can I ask who you are going to for your tattoos? I'm still undecided what to do regarding nipples. I don't actually feel pressured to do anything, but will likely end up with something. Tattooing seems most likely. I had a graft for my areola when I had my previous surgeries, but even though that came out really well, I wouldn't do it again.
Lago - Good for you having more than one option is jobs. My DD is still hitting the pavement trying to find one. I think your instincts about the first job are significant enough to warrant going to the interview for the second job.
Rita - Welcome to the world of apps! I have a lot of favorites. For games, I like the usual: Words With Friends and Angry Birds. Open Table, for restaurant reservations. Shazam, for when I hear a song and want to know what it is. Fandango, for checking movie times and buying tix. Red Laser for scanning bar codes. I use the standard Maps app all the time as a GPS. I also have a whole folder of travel-related apps. Oh, and Kindle! I swear, there are apps for everything.
Wendy - Congrats on the great onc visit! And how awesome that Zometa is no longer a consideration for you. I'll do one more in December, but that's it. Hopefully, my numbers will continue to stabilize or better yet, improve like yours did!
Mary - When I tried researching Soy for ER+ people, I found a range of opinions. In general, like most things, a small amount of soy isn't a big issue - although your oncologist really should be consulted. If soy is a regular part of your diet, the fermented soy products (soy sauce and miso paste) were far preferable to unfermented (tofu, soymilk).
Bj - Enjoy your spa day with the DD! My DS is STILL waiting for his friend to hear about the Chicago Police Academy before they get a place in the city.
Jackie - I really hope you're able to make it to the party. It would be so nice to meet everyone in person.
I looked back at my records and because I switched PS docs from the one who initially placed my TE and did my after my MX, to another doc who I didn't see until 7 mos after I finished chemo. I was too busy with my DD's dance competition season to want to do my recon stuff at that time. When I finally did go, and basically started over with a 3-stage recon, I had stage 1 in 3/06, and the exchange in 5/06. I'm really hoping that I can get this done in that time interval again since I want to get both surgeries done before the next insurance year starts.
Regarding fills. I guess I was one of the luckier ones. I remember the fills leaving me feeling tightness, but nothing unbearable, and I even went right to work after a few of them. At that time, the PS was only 3 floors below my office, which made it easy. Too bad he doesn't take ANY insurances, even for b.c. patients, or I would have stayed with him for all my recons, including this upcoming one.
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Determined: I did Taxol but never had an issue with neuropothy. My nails had painless ridges but it was not a problem. Regarding the fear of chemo.....chemo came so quickly after the dx that I had little time to be scared so I do not remember being worried. I worried most about losing my hair.
Christmas/Holiday plans already? Good grief. I can help with anything you need help with.
Wendy, you look so many years younger than you are! I am in shock that 60 is even remotely in your near future. I swear, I would have said late forties!
We seem to go back and forth on this vaccine, so I did some research (amateur at best). It seems that the shingle vaccine is okay (with the exception of lymphoma and leukemia and even that is questionable). I called my doctor after I read the posts, but the office was closed. I will call on Monday and let you know what he says. Stay tuned!
No hotel for us tomorrow. DH's cousins are opening their home during the gap! I love them, but it sure makes for a long day. I did go shoe-shopping and I thought of Elf as I purchased some sparkly (sadly tho, low heeled) shoes. I miss Elf.
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Rene23: Perfection Dermagraphics in Des Plaines. 847 635 0335 Kate Ciampi is the artist I will be working with. I was referred to her by a gal here on BC.Org. (screen name: FaceCrafter)
Navy
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thanks zap:)
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Hi Girls....just a quick update: Yes, Zap I am working on planning our annual holiday Xmas party. On a sad note our favorite place Pompeii closed a few months ago...so now I am looking for a new place for us. I do have a couple in mind.
I am looking at Saturday Dec. 3. It will be a luncheon. For the new girls, if you would like to join us for some fun and laughter pm your info to Laura so she can update the mailing list. You will get an invite via email. I know that this is early but I have found that some places are already booked.
Just wanted to update you all. If you have suggestions for our get together, please pm me. All suggestions are welcomed. Time to start xmas shopping ho ho ho
BJ
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Lago - Go with your gut - it is usually right.
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so, i was cleaning up my basement and i ran across a note from my hospital date august 3, 2010.
dear determined.....
we are happy to report that your recent mammogram finds no evidence of cancer..........
there are 2 more paragraphs w/ general info.
at the end it says to follow up in 2 yrs. of course, i cried on my husband...realizing how it was now (yesterday) august 4, 2011 and how my life has changed sooo, very much since i rec'ed that letter.
last july i had a mamo...( and it was not my first...) this july i am in chemo. as you all understand....my life has changed.
crazy......
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