Illinois ladies facing bc
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YYYAAAYYY GRACE---another thing done--I'm so happy for u.
Lago u looked and sounded absolutely fabulous--Thank u for working so hard.
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Congrats Grace on getting through another phase..........and the phase that I found to be the toughest! YEA! You are on the downside run now! Hugs to you!
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Well, Jackie, you sure are right about that.....instinct. That is what may have lead me to Grace's blog.
Grace, I post sparingly now but had the day off today and spent lots of time "catching up" on all the vitality on this thread. I came across your post and noted your "blog' on your breast cancer journey. I stepped in and was so moved by your writing, reflections, prayerfulness, hopefulness, straightforwardness and spirit. I read your father died of lymphoma. My husband and I are now dealing with his very rare lymphoma. I know your father needed to release himself from the struggle to survive, and I found your words so comforting, as I know that day will come for my husband one day. He is quite the fighter but his disease is mean and relentless. So thank you Grace, and I hope one day we meet in person.
When I do the walk tomorrow, I will have you on my mind as I move along with other kindred spirits who have had their lives touched by cancer. Bless you, Grace.
Susan
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Lago, you looked great on the news! Congratulations! Thanks for being a beautiful advocate for all those effected by breast cancer...
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Great Job Lago! You looked fantastic too!
Sorry I will not be able to walk with you all this year. I was trying to make it work, but believe I need a little distance between all that has transpired for me in the last (almost) 11 months and the hoopla and such that is associated with such events. It's not the physical part - because I'm a runner. Over the months, especially after my surgery and during my initial chemotherapy, I sent my best friends just about every funny card that I could find having to do with breasts. My husband just shook his head and laughed. But right now the thought of what I've been through just doesn't lend itself to things like 'save second base', 'save the boobies' or 'save the ta-tas', and breast balloons. It's just too raw for me.
And ... I do really want to actively fundraise too as well as participate. I was so thankful for the Look Good Feel Better program and the hats and free wig (although I never wore it - going au naturel was the way for me). The volunteer that worked with me has a daughter who has battled childhood cancer and she was just the sweetest, gentlest caretaker of me that day. I have always believed in the work of the American Cancer Society - for all that is done for so many. So I plan on supporting in the future somehow.
I'm so looking forward to meeting many of you in person at the get-together in November. Thanks again blackjack for organizing all of that each year. I feel as though I already 'know' many of you from reading this thread :-)
Have a wonderful day! Walk strong! Hug much! Laugh or cry or do both together!
Blessings,
Diana
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Thanks for the links, Lago. You looked and sounded beautiful and intelligent.
On a related note-I was working a benefits fair today and met a woman from the ACS who is part of tomorrow's event. She took my name and the name of our group and said she'll be looking for us.
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Diane sometimes people go thru "aftershock" that's what I call it, if that's what u mean. Just take care of u'rself--that's what's important.
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Okay, I do not post a lot...but lately I have been flooding the networks.
Diane, your post reminded me of when I was too was too raw about BC and didn't want anything to do with pink (still am not comfortable with it)
Six years ago (very raw), acolleague of mine used the faculty email system to make money for her "Save a Boob" campaign among faculty. She is much younger than me, it was perhaps slightly a generational issue. She had BC as well.
I was yelling at her and she was defending her humorous approach and words were certainly exchanged on how I thought there was absolutely NOTHING funny about cancer and body parts, etc.
I said that if her husband had testicular cancer, would he have a "Save Some Balls" campaign....well she doesn't even have a husband and the whole scene went so weird that we ended up laughing hysterically She and I are great friends to this day, and she does the same fund-raising every year but never uses the slogan I hated so much.
I think it shows that we all need space and we all cope differently. Giving yourself distance is very healthy. I wish you well.
And I will look for you at the November party!
Susan
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Diane I remember doing my power walk through the park (spring 2011). The Avon walk was still going on. As I passed a certain area there was a water table that said "Save the boobies" or something like that. I too was upset (finished chemo that Jan. Still doing Hercepin, not sure where I was with reconstruction). I said to her It's not about saving boobies it's about saving lives.
Granted I have making booballoons tomorrow but not to save the boobs. It is breast cancer after all. No signs will say "save the girls" or anything like that. It does get better in time.
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Ok girls...I am ready for the big walk tomorrow! It looks like the weather will be sunny and tomorrow's high will be 58 degrees. I know it will be much chillier in the morning so dress in layers. Let's go Illinois Ladies!!!!
See you wonderful women first thing in the morning!!!0 -
Nice job Lago! I finally had the opportunity to hear and see your spots.
Let us not forget that regardless of the "organization" we are all in this for a common cause..., to raise funds for education, research, treatment, etc. I, personally, have been "walking" for years and I am proud of ALL of the funds that have been raised from ALL of the organizations in the battle against breast cancer! Perhaps if this kind of outreach was available back in the late 1960's my mother would not have lost her life (to breast cancer) at the age of 41. Needless to say, I am so grateful for all of the "strides" that have been made!
Good luck to all the Illinois Ladies tomorrow! I will be with you in spirit and I thank you!
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Again Thank You all walking and the weather is going to be with u--Wishing u all good luck and check in when u can to let us know how it goes. Good Luck
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I am totally behind on reading posts and finding out what is going on with everyone, but wanted to post this morning to cheer on the team doing the ACS walk. I just made a donation (nothing like waiting till the last minute, I know!), and will be thinking of you as I am running around like a crazy person to skating, hockey pictures, swimming, a soccer game and a Halloween party today (naturally, my husband is working today). I think that the weather will be decent for you -- thank you for doing this walk!
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My internist recommended the flu shot and shingles shot and my onco said to go for it. My last infusion was march 15 of this year. However I've been procrastinating. When I was 3 months out he gave me the DPT shot. OMG! That is not the easiest of shots, I remember last time have a sore arm for days. But this time I was SICK! It took 10 days for me to recover. My whole body felt...down. Weak, tired, etc. So I'm not exactly thrilled to go in for another one at this time but I'm more afraid of the flu so I think I will. I also need a tooth pulled and a colonoscopy, but each thing scares me a bit and I'm trying to space them out. I'm just not back to myself yet.
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Diana - I understand where you are coming from. I'm participating in the walk, but it will be difficult to be at such an event. I started chemo in Nov 2011, so it's not been a year since the worst part of this. Now when I'm trying to move away from always thinking and researching about BC, I'm back having to make a very serious treatment decision, deciding between possible permanent vision loss and protective antihormonal treatment after only 6 mo on anastrozole. I'm going in part because of all the effort lago has put into this.
My DD wanted to walk, but her foot is still in a cast up to her knee. She carried the bulk of the burden caring for me, since all the rest of my family lives out of state.
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Lago, great job! You look terrific on early morning tv.
Thanks for walking today, everyone. Thinking of you all.
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Life isn’t a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘Woohoo WHAT A RIDE’!
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Add my thanks to all the ACS people this morning and add a little extra for the gals of this thread. It is special and defining that you back up your experiences by doing all you can to ensure that this so very worthwhile cause can be funded and carried on for the betterment of all. We are fortunate to have you and all the women like you. Hats off to you.
Hugs, Jackie
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Congratulations to all those who walked today. Hopefully I will be able to join the walk next year as this year I have a little more recovering to do from surgery - Cancer sucks!
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The weather is georgeous for the walk, I' so glad for all of u and thank u again for all the ffort put into this Lago and Adey and all u ladies.
Timbucktu don't let that tooth get infected---colonoscopy--nothing to it--tooth pulled same thing so please don't worry. Flu shot another stoy LOL
I sound so brave hahaha Next month I have my scans and some heart stuff to do and I don't even want to see a Dr. anymore hahaha I'm trying to give u support, and I'm really not good at that. hahaha
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Great job IL Ladies walkers!!! I am SO glad you had such nice weather!
Looking forward to some pics...0 -
The walk was so fun because I had great company. Big thanks to Lago for being the leader and getting so involved. Great presentation on the stage too Lago!!! I hope next year more of our group can participate. This was the first event I have done since my DX in Dec 2010. I am finally ready to do this kind of stuff. As a team we raised over $13000 which is awesome! Next year we can beat that for sure! I am heading on vacation tomorrow morning. I will check in with you gals when I return next Sunday. Ciao!!!
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The day was wonderful with wonderful ladies. My daughter and I walked with the Ilinois Women and it was all good. We just got a new camera and are trying to figure out how to download the pictures and post a few. I think I got to talk to everyone and it was great putting a name to a face.
Lauren, you must be exhausted. You are truly a giant when it comes to organzing an event that benefits so many we rellate to. Thanks, and thanks to your husband, Howard.
Susan
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The walk was great! Big thanks to Lago for all of her hard work for the ACS and organizing our group. You did a great job with all the press leading up to the walk plus your speech today was great.
I enjoyed meeting everyone today...it was great to put a face to your names. I must admit I am really tired tonight. I have already taken a hot bath and have my PJ's on.0 -
Without sounding like a broken record-what a great day and what a fun group. Thanks Lago for all your work and three cheers for the Illinois Ladies fundraising efforts. Just wait til next year! Kudos to Joan for joining in so soon after back surgery and t invisible after just finishing up chemo!
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I'm very tired so not up to posting any photos but I have opened an account for the team to post photos and videos. So far I'm the only one who has uploaded but I'm sure more will come. Here's the link if you want to see a few of my images:
http://photobucket.com/ILStrides2012
Rene was nice enough to record & post most of my speech. You can check that out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbHhvW7qrz0&feature=youtu.be
Hopefully more of the team will post photos either here on on photobucket.
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Congrats to all the walkers. Lago: Saw your speech--you did well, and presented very eloquently! Great job to all of you! Kudos!
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The biggest Kudos goes to the team. $13,010 raised! We were still #1 fundraising team today. These dollars make such a difference. My speech blowing in the wind is just fun for us.
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cam, you did do a good job and I'm praying for you. Let all the scans come out good!
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What a fun day! Big thank you to Lago for all you did! This is the first "pinktober" that I was emotionally ready to participate in something like this. For you ladies that are still in treatments and dealing with some pretty raw emotions, it really does get better. It was truly an inspirational and moving day for me. Invisible... I think that I was still sleeping two weeks after my last chemo treatment. You did GREAT!
Lago... thanks for setting up the photo album. I will get some photos uploaded sometime this weekend. Lunch was great too. Thanks for organizing that for us.
On another note, I visited my PS this past week to discuss revisions necessary due to a capsular contracture on my lat flap side. I am headed into a quick day surgery this Wednesday to remove scar tissue and the implant which will be replaced temporarily with a tissue expander.... sounds like a a little step backwards, I know. Then back in a few months to exchange the expander for a different implant. Side effects from the radiation has really complicated the restruction project. Hopefully, this will do the trick. My PS is now booked into late January, but just my luck, someone called to cancel their surgery next Wednesday while I was still in the office, so I grabbed it. It is a quick one hour day surgery so not going to fuss about it. PS says to allow about 3 days to heal, then onward. Heck, I can deal with that!
I am headed to find my jammies right now. Night, night.
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