Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • Adey
    Adey Posts: 2,413
    edited January 2012

    How about this awesome weather!  Happy Saturday ladies.  Things are getting back to normal after the vacation/surgery/holidays craziness.  My big ole butt boobs are doing very well.  I still have two hip drains and that is a pain in the ass (ha).  (c:  I probably will be having a post op downtown on 1/19 so let me know about the get together that day please.  I'm thankful for all of you ladies.  Cheers!

  • Rene23
    Rene23 Posts: 290
    edited January 2012

    Adey - I keep wondering how you and the new butt boobs are doing.  Glad to hear all is going well!  A co-worker of mine is BRCA positive and will be doing a prophy BMX in the future.  I'm going to tell her about your procedure as a possible option.

    Speaking of BRCA - I heard this story about another young women who found out she was BRCA positive and opted for a BMX.  She happened to be dating the son of a friend of mine. Her surgery went fine, BMX and expander, and she was in the process of getting fills.  My friend's son, took her out for a nice dinner in the city, and started the evening with a carriage ride along the lakefront.  He had the carriage stop at the gazebo in front of one of the big hotels, they got out, then he got down on his knee and asked her to marry him.  She was screaming and crying with happiness.  

    My friend told me this at work and I honestly got TEARS in my eyes.  Having been in the "under construction" process more than once, I know how complex the feelings can be sometimes. To have him propose to her at such a difficult time in her life just made me so happy for her.  They are both in their 20's and I wish them such a long and happy life together.  What a beautiful start. 

    Anyway, a happy story for a gorgeous winter(?!) day.  Kiss

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2012

    Rene I now have big tears in my eyes. Thanks for sharing.

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited January 2012

    Awwwww Rene....you got me teary too! So happy for them! They are truly blessed to have found each other!!!!!

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited January 2012

    Such a lovely story, Rene.  He obviously fell in love with her soul and spirit!  They were whole! Thank you for sharing this love story just riddled with commitment.

    And yet, this story reminded me of my darling second cousin who died of breast cancer after several years of fighting it.  She wrote poetry about her battle with cancer.  She, on the other hand, was not in a relationship and dating was very awkward for her.  I would like to share her poem here, but I just hope it is not offensive to any one.  Leap of faith here, for me!

     My Scar

        by Mary Pat Golden

    Certainly, I am afraid...... I would not lie to you.

    I am afraid he would drop his jaw....or wince.

    I am afraid he would pretend....not to care,

    or worse, pretend it is just fine...really!

    And how would I know, really know, what he really thought or felt?

    I am scared that he would turn on his heel and never come back,

    that I would make him feel sick, or disappointed.

    So for all these reasons I have to say that

     I don't want to meet him

        in the first place.

    Susan

  • mdg
    mdg Posts: 1,468
    edited January 2012

    Rene....such a nice story.  He loves her for who she is..boobs or no boobs.  That is so sweet....

    As far as the 19th...we need to find a restaurant near Dr. Fine's office..it seems like that is where most people are going to be.  I don't know any restaurants other than the Corner Bakery.  Anyone??? Ideas??  Something healthy please.....

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited January 2012

    Rene' I too got a little choked up with that story.  Hard to remember sometimes but very much of what makes us who we are is not our body....a body is something that is nice to look at, even touch, but it is the spirit driving that body that makes us someone to fall in love with.....someone to admire, someone we enjoy spending with and around.  They are truly meant for each other. 

    For many of the same reasons I felt a good deal reading the poem Susan shared.  And what I feel most right now is that it was her truth -- her honesty in a poem, her fear spelled out --- and she probably didn't have a BC. Org. or a place like it to share many of her innermost feelings which obviously troubled her so much.  I am touched by her honesty and I hope that she found relief in her writing. 

    I hope you all have a really wonderful evening....

    Hugs, Jackie

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2012
    Zap thanks for sharing that poem. So many worry about rejection… even those who are already married. I've read about this too often on this forum.
  • NancyJill
    NancyJill Posts: 127
    edited January 2012

    There are way too many of us.....

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited January 2012
    Move to your heart, Breathe.
    Close your eyes and breathe deeply - slowly -
    fill your lungs with love and gratitude -
    exhale each and every trouble -
    again and again - gratitude in, troubles out.
    - Jonathan Lockwood Huie
  • Mich101
    Mich101 Posts: 489
    edited January 2012

    Rene- what a sweet couple-brought tears to my eyes too.

    Jackie-Thanks for the quote today-awesome as always. So many of these I move to my "Hope" folder.

    Rec'd a call back on Friday after a routine mamo, want me to come back for additional views next Wed. Was freaking out at first, but now I'm just reminding myself that it is what it is, and I'll wait to get the results.  Stressing now will change nothing, easy to say...but hard not to worry 'what if' it's back....

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited January 2012

    Good morning everyone --- At first when I read what you had to say Mich...I wanted to panic as well.....how can you not, but things change, and a call back may simply indicate some change ( not necessarily a bad one ) that they would like to know about.  Some cyst ( coffee drinkers can really be prone to this ) that got big enough to see -- harmless, but showing up.  So, that is what I am putting in my vision....a harmless change.  If you worry....just send us all some...so we can lighten it up.  Guess we have to think.....calls back can be to rule something out as well as in....so take some really deep breaths and keep calm as you can. 

    Hope you all have a good Sunday.  I'll be thinking of all of you as I always do....

    Hugs, Jackie

  • Adey
    Adey Posts: 2,413
    edited January 2012

    Good morning all.

    Rene and Zap thanks for sharing.

    Hugs

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited January 2012

    Mich, I believe a few of us have been called back without the bad news to follow.  It sure is nerve-wracking.  I find Jackie's quote of Oprah very comforting and I am going to repost it here for you with the hopes it helps a bit get through the time:

    I trust in the ebb and flow of the universe. I trust that life's bigger than what I can see. I trust that there is a divine order beyond my control. And I trust that no matter what happens, I will be all right.
    Oprah Winfrey

    Thoughts are with you, my dear.  Keep us posted.

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited January 2012

    Mich, I believe a few of us have been called back without the bad news to follow.  It sure is nerve-wracking.  I find Jackie's quote of Oprah very comforting and I am going to repost it here for you with the hopes it helps a bit get through the time:

    I trust in the ebb and flow of the universe. I trust that life's bigger than what I can see. I trust that there is a divine order beyond my control. And I trust that no matter what happens, I will be all right.
    Oprah Winfrey

    Thoughts are with you, my dear.  Keep us posted.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2012

    I don't know about call backs except for the one 6 years ago but I would think once you have been diagnosed your chances of getting called back is higher. They are being super careful now that you've been diagnosed. This doesn't mean they will find something. Might even be a little CYA on their part.

  • Char2010
    Char2010 Posts: 362
    edited January 2012

    Mich - the place I go for follow-up mammos has you wait while the radiologist reads the images, and then they "call you back" back from the waiting room.  So it is a 2.5 hour appointment in total.  I have had three follow-up mammos so far and have been "called back" for more images each time.  So I agree with everyone that responded to your post, they are being extra diligent with us now.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited January 2012

    Mich - Hugs and thoughts are with you. I agree with the other girls here...they're probably just being extra cautious. Although...our minds do wander. Hang in there...try not to stress out.

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited January 2012

    Mich.... I'll be crossing my fingers and toes that it is nothing serious!!!! I like your outlook on the worrying.... It's true, what can be done by worrying??? Well, you have a ton of people thinking nothing but positive thoughts for you!!!



    I guess I can be grateful I'll never need another mammo again???? I had one at 35 and that was that for me..... Now I just freak everytime my head hurts or my bones seem sore. :(



    I treated myself to a (almost) 400 dollar Coach purse today!!! :0) I decided it was on my "bucket list" for myself!!!! Ha ha....think my husband will buy that? Lol

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited January 2012

    Mich...they don't let me go until radiologist is happy and once I got called back from the waiting room 3x. Just being careful is my guess! We will wait with you...and try not to over-worry. Like you said...it is what it is. Huge hugs to you, Sweets!

  • conniehar
    conniehar Posts: 585
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for sharing the story and poem, Rene and Susan.  

    Mich - I too have been called back and it was just to be sure - I was freaking out when it happened.  I remember after I was first diagnosed and they had me do a CT scan or something - the one where you drink the yucky stuff.  I got home and they called and said they wanted me back right away for more views.  Talk about freaking out!   The tech must have been able to tell I was freaked because he told me not to worry - even though I am sure he was not supposed to say anything.  All was fine!   Positive thoughts for you!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited January 2012
    Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness.
    ~Mark Twain's Optimist Quote
  • hopefulhealing
    hopefulhealing Posts: 581
    edited January 2012

    The story of the proposal was so touching.  We can believe we are loved for more than what is on our chest. After a mastectomy with the media playing up breasts and every TV show starting the camera on the chest and then moving up, and all the commercials it is so easy to buy into all of it and forget why we are truly loved.

    The poem reflects all of our fears related to having a mastectomy and the scars both physically and emotionally that are left behind.

    It is a complex journey. 

    Mich good luck and will be thinking of you.

  • WendyTY
    WendyTY Posts: 94
    edited January 2012

    Sorry I've been MIA for so long.  I am finally feeling better.  Just wish that my radiologist would have told me that the problems I was having weren't related to the whole brain radiation I got back in July.  My last MRI showed that I had left Mastoiditis.  After a visit to my primary care physician and a consult with a pediatrician,we had a plan.  The antibiotics seems to be working well.  I can hear normally again, no more daily headaches, and my eyes aren't bothering me anymore.  YAY!

    Sorry I was unable to make the Christmas party.  I went searching today for the pictures.  You all looked beautiful!  Thank you to those of you that sent back gifts with Rita for me!  A special thanks to Laura (and anyone else involved) in me receiving a Hugaghans afghan.  It is absolutely amazing. 

    Off to see my new oncologist tomorrow.  Maybe a new set of eye will have some good options.  My doctor retired in December:(

    Hugs to all!  Wishing everyone a healthy 2012.

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited January 2012

    WendyTY...oh for Pete's sake....mastoiditis???? Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees and sometimes it's just not cancer related! Glad ur feeling better!

  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Posts: 563
    edited January 2012

    Mich-good thoughts being sent your way...

    Madismom-You deserve a treat, enjoy your new bag.

    Had MO appt on Friday-she doesn't think I'll need chemo based on current info, but is ordering oncotype tests.

    Have a great week everyone.

  • Rene23
    Rene23 Posts: 290
    edited January 2012

    Mich - Wishing you the best with the call-back.  It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it, but I know it's hard not to worry. 

    Susan - Your cousin's poem is so sad, and yet there was obviously a lot of truth in it for her, and I'm sure, many others.

    I won't be going back to work until next week, but I will pass on to my friend that the son and future DIL's engagement story was moving to a lot of us.  Hopefully, his DIL will never have to join this club of ours.  

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited January 2012

    I just looked through some of the posts and noticed that me, lemondrop, Connie, spunky and onward are elite ILC girls. Any others?

    lemon - Yes...I am 6+ years!

    spunky - Let us know about the Onco results. What grade was your tumor and did you have any positive nodes?

  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Posts: 563
    edited January 2012

    Hi again-

    To complete the pathology-no nodes and Grade 1.  Woo Hoo!

    Kelly (i.e Spiney Lobster...)

  • CorinneM1
    CorinneM1 Posts: 317
    edited January 2012

    Don't forget me. I am an ILC girl too. :)