Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi girls -
Congrats, Wendy!! I didn't realize you were still in treatment. I also got my port out right away - 2 weeks after finishing chemo. My onc felt it was pessimistic to keep it in and I told him that I liked his thinking!!
Julie - good luck with your second round today. I'm sure it will be better than the last one. I remember the day my hair started coming out - I remember sitting at the kitchen table crying. But, I picked myself up and continued on. I had my head shaved at the place I got my wig and I was glad that they turned me around so I couldn't watch it. I marvel the women who have the shaving parties as I was just too emotional to do that. You sound so positive and that will take you a long way! You go, girl!
Joan - I'm sitting in Niles right now! I work on Howard St near Caldwell. If you ever want to meet for lunch, let me know! I'm glad to hear that you are going for the more aggressive approach. I did that also as I didn't want to ever look back and say "what if?" Good luck to you.
I think many people probably thought I was crazy this morning. Driving to work and I get a hot flash. Turn off the heat and open the window!! Yes, it is below zero out, but it felt so good! I have found a plus to the cold weather - it really helps my hot flashes! Ha.
Have a great day everyone!
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Morning! I got off my butt this am and went to the gym...very lonely place this morning! I cannot wait for the rain and 40's this weekend...sounds a bit like heaven.Rita....Have the BEST time! Have some extra fun for us, OK?
Joan...welcome! I too am Her2+ but my tumor was larger than yours and a grade 2. I so did not want to do chemo but I was too afraid not to do all I could especially with the agressiveness of this type of bc. I did carboplatin/taxotere/Herceptin for 6 rounds, every three weeks with just the Herceptin every week. Once chemo was done, I did the Herceptin every 3 weeks. I think this protocol for my type of bc is becoming the gold standard due to adriamycin's cardiac toxicity AND the Herceptin's slight but very real chance of causing congestive heart failure (almost always reversible with cessation of Herceptin). I did extremely well and I know how lucky I was. The hair thing was of course traumatic, but we live thru it. Just had my last Herceptin yesterday....it went very fast. Good luck with your decision and have no regrets with whatever you choose. Hugs!!!!
Connie...thought I was the only one with open car windows!!!!
Julie...good luck tomorrow with round 2. May it be an easier time for you this go-around.
Mich101...good luck in LV!
Kats...calling Kats! You OK?
Everybody else....have a great day. Need to get going around here as I just curled up yesterday and started that new Stephen King book...VERY good! Read for 3 hours straight and nothing got done...and TOO BAD!!!!
Stay warm!
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Pearl...I'm so sorry....WELCOME! You sound so sweet to be in the middle of all this and still running around, taking care of the strays. You girls are all so compassionate, both to us 2 leggers and our 4 leggers!
Now...off to do something constructive. But I gotta say...that S. King is sitting right in front of me....
Maybe just a FEW pages....
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Joan, Welcome to the club...sorry you had to join.
just to add my 2cents....In 2002 I was first dx had a mast & sentenal node, stage 1 grade 1 PR+ER+ HR- 1.2cm. Nodes were clean. My onc said since the mast I would NOT need any further treatment. Had more than enough clear margins. I went to another onc asked if chemo would be an option, again no. But then 4 years almost to the date it was back.( I knew it was cancer before the "lumpectomy".) This time my Dr said you will have chemo! Wish I could have talked then into it the first go-round
I agree chemo is no walk in the park but it is do-able. Rads on the mast site was a real pain! But then it was summer & hot out!
Good Luck!!
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On the subject of hot flashes...... when I first started this "journey" I would complain to my DH when the hot flashes were getting to me. Being a normal male he was sympathetic but had not a clue.
Till one day HIS dr changed his meds and warned him the new med would prob cause hot flashes! I laughed so hard I'm sure his Dr thought I was crazy!!! Yes he has hot flashes just not as bad or as often as mine. His face & neck even turn red like mine.I'm sure we look like quite the pair at times!! Driving in "balmy" 19 degree w/ both windows open!
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Hi everyone,
BRRR, Cooooold, Chiiiiiily, Horrible. To think I am going back out to a meeting in an hour or so. Anyway.....
Connie: You need to do those hot flashes up right and get a convertible. They really are the pits, aren't they???
Tbear.....that is a total bummer about going w/o the chemo and then having to start all over now. You probably said that earlier and my pea brain didn't connect the dots. Of course, we all know I'm brilliant here....it's just that it only last for 3 seconds once a week at 3a.m. when I'm sleeping.
I didn't cry about my hair at all, but have I thrown a couple of hissies a couple of times. So stressed out it was pathetic. One of these days I'll get a good melt-down I guess.
Hope I like the support group tonight. Having to go in this cold won't add much. Don't have far to go though....that's the problem. My car will hardly heat up.
Rita, I hope you have a fantastic time........and Julie. Hope your day went well for you and that you are home relaxing---maybe enjoying some t.v. or a good book or just your family.
All stay warm and I'll check back in later....after the meeting.
Jackie
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HI ladies!
My name is Donna and I am from Oswego IL. I am about 35 minutes from Chicago. I was diagnosed with IDC on April 17, 2007 at the age of 35. I come from a huge family that has only seen cancer 3 times and won the battle 2 of the 3 times. None were breast cancer. So, needless to say, when I was diagnosed, I was super shocked! But my oncologist told me that 90% of cancer is not hereditary...suprised me! Anyway, I lost my husband (and the father of my 3 children) June 29, 2004 of an undetected heart problem. My children are now 17, 11 and 5. They were (and are) my inspiration. As I told my doctor when I was diagnosed, death is not an option. My kids lost one parent, they won't lose another! So, my journey began. My tumor was a whopping 5.5 cm...yes, very big. It was a rapid growing tumor that had spread to my lymph node in my neck. The doctors were very concerned and did testing for skin cancer, etc. Everything moved so fast I didn't know which way was up for awhile. I had my port put in less than a week after my diagnosis and treatment began 3 days later. I went through 4 doses of AC and then surgery including a masectomy. The doctors were amazed at how my body responded. I went from a late stage 2/early stage 3 with lymph nodes involved to surgery showing no lymph node involvement and my tumor was a stage 0. That was all after only 4 chemos. Needless to say, I was feeling relieved. I continued on with Taxol (horrible if you ask me). I still have numbness in my feet that may never come back. But, if I had to choose life with numb feet or death, I don't mind the numbness
. The doctors still wanted to follow through with my original plan, so I also had the 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. today I am awaiting my appt on Feb 4 to finish my reconstruction. I will finally be done! During this road we traveled (the one with the bump in it as I tell my kids) I lost my job due to downsizing. I am currently looking for employment and can't wait to get my life back on track. Some days I am tired of being the strong one and just want to run away. But that won't solve anything, so I tredge on. I have changed from the person I was before. In some ways it is for the better, but now I find myself more of a homebody that doesn't want to get out and do anything. Does anyone else ever feel like that? Life scares me now...I know that anything can happen at any time. But I am a survivor, so I will take it head on. I am sharing my story because I want all of you women who are just starting the journey to know that there is hope. I went from thinking the worst to finishing the battle in the lead. Don't let it take us down, we will take it down!0 -
Jackie - I am so happy you are feeding the ferrels. That's quite a contribution...especially in this weather, and especially during chemo. So they say...there's a special place in heaven for people like you!
karin - I LOVE IT! OMG - I would give ANYTHING for my husband to have a hot flash...LOL
kater - I'm sorry...I forgot to ask the MD about the sauna. But...remember when that show was on that built houses for people in need? They built one for a woman who had throat cancer - and when they built the house, they installed one of the saunas you posted about, and they said specifically that they did it so it would help with her cancer treatments. So....that just might be the answer.
connie - Think of this next time you have a hot flash in the car...Sophia Loren once said that her fav thing to do was to drive her car in the frigid weather and leave the window open to experience the invigoriating affects...hmmmmmmmmmmmm...can't help but wonder if she was simply satisfying her hot flashes!
KATS - Come in kats...sending out the search lights...kats...Illinois girls are calling you! Come in kats!
Have a great evening girls...back to painting...arghhhhhhhhhhh...if I ever have to paint another room...I will scream!
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Donna - You are truly an amazing gal! My goodness...you have weathered the storm and you are not only a survivor, but you are a warrior. And you will win this battle...
We have a saying here: Illinois Girls Are Tough...and you fit the bill! I wish you the very best. You will do well, and we'll be here to help you through it. You are so young, but you have a long life ahead of you. Your treatment was aggressive and that's great! We're here for you as needed...
BLACKJACK - Okay...I know you're busy with work, but how are you? Probably wishing you were back in LV! No doubt!
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Thank you Laura, your words are so kind. I tell you, I could not have made it this far without my children. I don't have family around here, but my kids stepped up to the plate to help me and each other. I really wish I would have joined this site a long time ago. It seems like there are some great women in here.
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Hi Donna,
I'm so glad you found the Illinois niche on this breast cancer site. As you have already noticed, there are many fantastic and wonderful women on this site who will be more than willing to help you through the ups, downs, and afters in this journey. My gosh gal, you are a true inspiration to all of us, regardless of our age or where we are in our journey. You simply amaze me and your spirit and determination will see you through this. Please come back often and post. We welcome you with open arms. Like Laura says, our motto is Illinois Gals are Tough and this group has proven it over and over.
Jackie, I hope that you find what you need in the support group tonight. I haven't gone to the support groups here, mainly because they are held at the cancer center and I really dread going back into that building. Now I know that's really ridiculous and I have to go in there for the onc and radiation check-ups, but I don't take advantage of the other programs that they offer. Maybe one of these days it won't bother me so much. In the meantime, I'll just adopt all of you as my support group! :-)
Mary Jane...are you frozen up out in the country? Kats...we do miss you! Check in when you get a chance. Nicki....how did the tests come out? You're missing in action again. Jan from Clinton...I sent you a PM and haven't heard from you yet. I'd like to meet you for lunch some day when I get home from Florida or meet you after a rad treatment for coffee (or whatever.)
Julie..hope it went well today. You've been on mind! Blackjack....are you as tired today as you were yesterday after work?
Connie...Anybody who sees you with the window down in zero degree weather is going to think you are crazy! You look (and are) way too young to be going through hot flashes, but just keep doing whatever works. Hey, it won't be the first or the last time somebody probably looks at you strangely! LOL
Bon Voyage Michele! Good luck!
Wendy, it's really supposed to be cold in the morning. For your sake, I hope the paper is in plain view when you go out in the morning! LOL
Hello to all the rest of you. Hope your Mom is doing O.K., Kater. Everyone stay bundled up and warm!
Rita
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I noticed you are from Naperville. I just finished radiation this week and breezed through it. (stage 1, no nodes, no margins, no chemo). I walked every day after treatment along the Riverwalk. It was great therapy. Consequently, I had few side effects and never got the fatigue, I was told to expect. Anyway, I have opted not to do the Arimidex. My doctors think I am nuts, but every time I tried, I went into a panic. I figure my body is telling me something, so I need to listen. The thought of taking this drug scared me more than my initial diagnosis. I am determined to follow a strict diet and keep exercising. I have already lost 10 pounds and feel great! Anyone else following this path?
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Hi Girls, Well it was another long 13 hour day again at work. I can't tell you all the paper work, reports to type and phone calls...glad the day is over. Tomorrow is my day off and I am going to veg out. My dh is leaving for Florida tomorrow with the boys. I know they will have fun. So it will be me and the dog at home.
Rita..are you packed and ready to go to Florida.. The sunshine is waiting for you and so is the beach. Can you post a nice picture of you on the beach like Wendy did.
Laura.. Sorry I worked all day..I would loved to have meet you for lunch ...but next time. I will mail the books to you so you can start planning you LV trip in May.
Michele..have fun on your trip to Las Vegas..I know you can be a big winner..just play the black and white 7 machines!!
Wendy.. I am so happy that you are done with your tx and your port is coming out soon. Check your phone left a vm.
Jackie..I hope you are staying warm and resting during your tx's
Julie..good luck on your tx tomorrow.. you are strong and will get through it.
Kater.. how is your cold. Are you feeling better.
JanClare..hope you are doing ok.
Welcome to all the new ladies Linda, Donna , TDbear, Joan and everyone else. We are here for you.
Time for jammies and hot tea..It is soooooo cold outside brrrrr.
I need warm weather soon. Wendy can you post a nice picture to keep us all warm. You are so good at that and tdbear you have nice pictures too. I love the fire place flames.
Take care
Blackjack
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Hi All
, I'm back,,,,,,Wow, Donna, what a story....you sound so strong---though I think it's really safe here if you need to not be for a little while. It's one of the things I really appreciate here.........I can let these wonderful ladies hold me up for just abit while I vent and crumble which I seldom allow myself to do..........for fear of how those around me in person will take it. So....we are all here.
Linda...you too sound strong and determined to stay well after the treatments you have had.
There was lots I would have liked to not do, but I felt my most positive chance at not having this reoccur was to use up the arsenal. For me I didn't feel I really had the option to do else wise---too many people wanted to see me get well and stay well. So, I opted to do all I could to make that happen.
Glad you weren't too tired to stop in Blackjack......and great to hear you get to treat yourself tomorrow to whatever day you would like to have.
The support group was ok. I think most of the people there are through their treatments. Several people commented on the "program" being one of the best. They had a new 'oncology nurse' who wanted people to talk about their treatments....were they happy or did they feel 'nursing' issues had been missed. It did get lively to some extent and I enjoyed it.
As well they served a light meal with dessert ( now ya'll know why I went ) and Rita, I have to tell you..........they can't hold a candle to the group here. It's too low key for me I think though it was nice. As well, they only meet once a month and believe you me.....I need lots more hand holding than that. I will probably go back though as I think it would be nice see if the dynamics could be brought up tone a little.
It's so cold again tonight......hard to believe we are due to get close to 50 this week-end. The past two years have seen us go from one extreme to the other. Hmmmm global warming.
Well, dh will soon be home from work so I'm going to get in my jam-jams and get my favorite t.v. program on before he gets hold of the remote. He is sort of typical in that dept.
Hope you all stay safe and warm and happy tonight and hugs to all
Jackie
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Thank you for the wonderful welcome! I have been strong..thanks. But, not all the time. I find lately that I have anxiety attacks when I leave my kids for too long at a time. I guess I have just realized how precious all time is now. I am trying to overcome it and I am sure I will. But does anyone else have this problem?
Is it really supose to be in the 50's this weekend???? I am soooo sick of cold!!!
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Jackie, what a great mesage to Donna and to us all. It is so cool that we can be strong for each other and then feel okay about feeling needy in another post. I am actually going into counseling next Wednesday at the urging of my doctor. I love my doctor and he loves me. He said that I have endured a life threatening event, mostly in a fogl for the first 10 months, and am now facing the consequenses of that trauma and that whole experience deserves some reflection on my part. Pretty simple and pretty honest and I am actually looking forward to it. I hear Joan and Donna and I think they were born to face this sort of wake up call as they sound so together. I am just now getting it together and am just thankful I had good doctors and great family to move me along as I blindly moved on.
Julie, I am thinking about you. I hope you are feeling okay and no migraines.
Susan
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Oh my again another nudge with a poster while posting. Donna, I was just responding to you and your apparent strength....and then I got into my own troubles of anxiety. Funny coincidence. I struggle with night terrors. I have a demanding job and need my sleep, so I am seeking help. If I learn any coping strategies, I will let you know. Meanwhile, sleep tight
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Just a quick stop in to tell you all to have a great week. I hope that you gals who have treatments this week do well. I hope that Michele wins big and comes home with lots of cash in her pocket and I hope that everybody else stays warm.
Welcome, Linda. Please post again. I hope to get to know you better when I get back.
Susan, glad you are going to get some counseling. Hey...just tossing out the thought that maybe the night terrors might be Arimidex associated.????? Remember all those months I couldn't sleep? Of course if you had them before you started the Arimidex then I guess that blows that theory. You do need your sleep, though. Teaching is such a demanding job.
Well...I wish you all a great week. The bags are packed and I'm ready to turn off the computer. I am leaving bc behind for 8 days and will surface again when I get back. Hope the weather gets warmer here as they are predicting for the weekend. Take care dear sisters. Hopefully Dave and the cats will get along well while I'm gone! LOL
Catch you next week.
Rita
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Susan..seeing a counselor is a good idea. I went into counseling this summer after I had a complete meltdown from my radation experience. Yes, bc is a life changing experience and everyone handles their experiences differently. I learned to take a negative experience and turn it into a positive one. Reflecting back on this whole experience has made me see that I am a very strong person and I will deal with anything that comes my way. Talking on this board has really helped me a lot and I wish I had found this earlier.
I know that I am not alone with this disease. You will get better over time as time heals all wounds. I am sending you a big hug to help get you through the day.
Take care
Blackjack
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NO - it wasn't Sophia Loren...it was Catherine Hepburn...I goofed!
Good Morning neighbors!
Let's see...Mich is heading to Vegas, Rita to FL, and we're all stuck here! I hate this weather. I froze my butt off, feeding the birds this morning...and gee...I'm the lucky one...around here, the ealy bird doesn't get the worm. The early bird gets to put the garbage out on garbage day! So....I froze my butt off doing that too!
kater - If I had a Gator, I could just drive the garbage bags to the end of the driveway, instead of taking two at a time, and then both recycle bins.
Wendy - Are you out looking for that newspaper? Or perhaps you're still being a good girl and you're at the health club.
Have a great day girls!
btw - I had the skin peel on Wednesday...yikes, I look like a chameleon! Very scary looking, but hey...there's a price for everything. The new skin is looking healthier though. So we shall see.
Hi Linda! My treatment was VERY aggressive, so I can't help you out...maybe someone will chime in.
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Afternoon! This is a picture from the Ihilani Resort at Ko'Olina on Oahu. We don't stay there...just visit. This is the resort where the Pro Bowl players stay so it is sooooo not in our budget. But it is gorgeous.Laura...you are so right. I promised myself that if it was double-digit BELOW zero, I was staying home with my Stephen King book. Wouldn't you know it? -9...so off to the gym I went. Then to Kohl's, then home to put a few more copper highlights in. And I turn on channel 2 to catch the 11 am news...and RANDY SALERNO IS DEAD???? I am shocked. I actually thought it was some sort of joke.
Donna....you do too have family around here...US!!!!! Oswego is not that far from me in South Elgin. You've been thru a lot and still more of your journey ahead of you. Let us keep you company...and we are a tough bunch of broads. We'll hold you up if you need us.
Linda...I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of arimidex and all it's side effects either but since the se's of bc aren't that great either I decided to give it a try, starting last 8/1. I got the joint pain and muscle aches but I was determined to give it 6months. I was close to quitting at month 4 until I added magnesium to my calcium/vit D cocktail. After 10 days...no pain. I went on and off the mag. 3 times and each time the pain went away. I have no other se's (well...the night sweats but then I had them before bc anyway).
Jackie...glad your support group wasn't half bad. Of course,we all know you so well...you just went for the free food!!!!
Susan, Blackjack . therapy can and does work wonders every single day. It's just like being here, being allowed to talk about the big "C". I think so many of us,myself most certainly included, don't want to be known as "cancer girl" so we don't talk about it, pretend we are just fine, don't need anyone's help. And then BOOM! We end up like me, sitting under the kitchen table, sobbing, waiting for my Mommy to come make it all better. That's why you girls make such a hugh difference in my life...I can and do talk about anything here and it is always OK and you guys are always here. And of course as I am cheap....IT'S FREE!!!!!!! LOL
Blackjack...I didn't get any phone messages but then my phone with the ans. mach. really needs replacing. Did you need something?
Karin...I'm with Jackie...I must have missed the part about this being your 2nd trip down pink brick road. Well, that sux! And I did laugh about your DH having hot flashes. MY DH is on coumadin so he is cold all the time...trust me, we are quite the pair!
I did see the paper, right in the middle of the driveway but it was -9 and I was in my jammies. I brought it in when I got back from Kohl's....there is never a newspaper I need to read badly enuf to go outside in bare feet and jammies when it is -9.
Well....clothes to fold, book to finish, dinner to figure out. Laura...take your calcium! Everybody else....stay warm and hold on...the warmer weather is on it's way. And for those of you who are off someplace warm.....you stinkers.
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Hi Donna - I'm from Aurora so we are pretty close! Sorry for all you have had to endure!
Hi Linda - not sure who you were directing your post to as I don't think anyone on here is from Naperville, but I am from Aurora which is close enough! I assume you went to Edward. I finished radiation 3 weeks ago so we may have passed in the halls! Who are your Drs?
It's been a good hot flash day. I'm trying to figure it out - sometimes it's hourly, but today I have only gotten 2 since I've been awake. Yippee.
I thought it was supposed to be warmer today, but it is still freezing out there!
Have a great day girls!
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Rita, I never gave arimidex a thought as a connection to the night terrors! I never had these sort of experiences before. You are a genius, or else I am a dunce. I can bring it up. I am not sure what the solution is, however, as going off arimidex is scary enough to cause more anxiety. No matter how much sleep I lose, I always go to school as I want to keep a schedule even if my nights are a mess. I am afraid, otherwise, I will get in a rut (like I am not in one already
!This summer I am going to get graphic/animation-wise. My happy faces are so pathetic as compared to what you girls post! I am doing that spa day with my daughters and it includes a hair styling session. I will then post my avatar. Thank you Wendy I'll give it a try for the directions.....one of these days!
Have a nice weekend.
Susan
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My boss just emailed me to say that the Monte Carlo is on fire! I went on a LV news website and it looks pretty bad. We had gone to a Mexican retaurant there that has an awesome bar up top one night. Hope no one is hurt and I hope Michele isn't staying there!
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Hey Connie...I grew up in Aurora, graduating from West. I am barely in Oswego, just off of 31. Are you east or west side?
You girls in here are all wonderful people. If I have to fight something, I have found the right ones to help me through..thanks
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Connie I just saw pics of the Monte Carlo on Fox news. They say there are no injuries, but many moved to other facilities nearby. I'm with you, hoping Michele is not staying there!
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Donna - I am east. I live near Indian Trail and Eola Rd. Not far from 31 at all.
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Hi Girls..I am so sad that the Monte Carlo burned down. I love that place. I do hope Michele is safe and having fun in the other hotels on the strip.
Laura...are you in a lot of pain from your peel. I thought about doing it awhile back but then got caught up with bc. Is your md a plastics or derm? You are already very pretty... So now you will make us all look bad..
Rita.. have a safe trip and have fun in the sun.
Wendy.. I love the pic and yes I was there to see the beach. It is sooo beautiful there. Oahu has some beautiful beaches there.. I can't wait to be there soon. How does your high lights look..cute uh!!
I was in Elgin and wanted to know if you were doing ok after your tx.
Jackie..how are you feeling. Was the food any good at your meeting lol. I think we are a much better group of counselors for each other.
We are here to support, encourage, listen and rally to all who joins us on this thread. Welcome all newcomers.
Kater ..are you feeling better and how is your mom doing??
Connie..how sad about the Monte Carlo at least you got to drink there.
Donna..welcome to our group. We are all here for you to help you through this journey. It sounds like you have wonderful children that are there for you. If you need anything please let us know.
I have to go take the dog out now..He does not like the cold. I wish they made boots for dogs but he has big feet. He is a lab mix.
Stay warm everyone..a heat wave will be here soon..then out comes the bikini's lol lol
Later
Blackjack
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I live in Barrington IL. My nightmare began on December 26 with a "suspicious mamo". On January 15, I was diagnosed with ILC in my left breast. I have struggled with waiting between tests. I had an MRI on January 17 which showed another possible tumor, so I had an MRI guided biopsy on January 24. I get my results on Monday. Some days I am scared and some days I am numb. I spend alot of time praying that god will help me get through this. I am currently going to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, and I am very happy.....or as happy as one can be. Just so I can never look back and say I did not investigate everything , I am going for a second opinion next Friday to "Good Shepherd in Barrington. Any feedback would be appreciated.
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Hi Nancy! Sorry you have to deal with all of this. I live right by you - Hawthorn Woods. All of my treatment was at Good Shepherd. My Onc is FABULOUS - I just love him. He's straight forward, no BS, very thorough, very compassionate. If you want his name, PM me...I also had a Mast. there and liked the surgeon alot too. I had radiation there and my rad Onc is great too. Sorry...I sound like a PR person for them, but I'm really happy with my care. I too was diagnosed with ILC - it's somewhat rare. Another of the girls here lives in Lake Zurich and she and I get-together occassionally. I hope everything works out. We'll help you through this. The girls here are great! We manage to laugh alot here, but we know when and how to help each other through this chapter. Hang in there.
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