Illinois ladies facing bc
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Thanks kj--I've always looked at ecerythin differently and thru all of this it paid off. LOL
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Cami:
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Some of the gals from BCO that were on the April/May chemo thread formed a private FB page. This was a poem written by Fierro06 just written tonight. It speaks the truth about how I feel about you gals too. Here goes:
I found this group of women that I never thought I'd meet.
I found them on the internet while not quite on my feet.
They vary in their ages and they vary in their looks.
The ways they differ from me could easily fill a book.The way we all commiserate will make our husbands pause.
Don't even get me started when we rally toward a cause.
We're bald and sore and teary-eyed and seldom give a damn.
Of all the things we'd scheduled, this wasn't in the plan.
We have a bond that isn't understood by other folks.
We laugh in spite of intense pain about chimpanzee jokes.
No matter what, I love these gals, I want them all to know.
Without you I would be a mess, I'll never let you go.0 -
That is so sweet
and it's so true. Just a couple of years ago I would have laughed at that but thru all this chaos so many nice people have come into my life and I have know idea how they actually look and I don't care it's all in the heart.0 -
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I was in the airport yesterday waiting in yet another long line and saw a man with a mask over his obviously missing nose. He was heavily tattooed, a biker or biker wanna-be, not the kind of stranger with whom I would typically strike up a conversation even in long-line-share-the-frustration mode. He started asking me questions about my travels and trying to not be too obviously rude, responded but not too warmly. Then he said "they amputated my nose but think things will be ok, I hope they're going well for you, too". It's week three and I'm feeling "normal" and completely forgot I was wearing my do-rag, marking me as a chemo patient. I was remarkably stunned by that back to reality comment and a little annoyed by his making it until I realized he actually has it worse. My amputations are invisible as long as I have clothes on, his is right there in the middle of his face and i know that his reconstruction (if possible) will never look as good as mine (even without clothes). I wished us both luck. In retrospect, I wish I could have provided more support, but not sure how to do so in such a public forum. He's not one of us, but he is a member of the cancer club. i doubt he can find a group as supportive as this one.
I'm off to "the chair" today. Number 5 of 6. Almost done with this part.
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For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
-- Ralph Waldo Emersonnot at all this turned up in view of the emails that precede it. And when i saw it I was thinking....gosh, this would be so nice for Sunday.........................it showed up at the perfect time.
Hugs, Jackie
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Lynn27 that time will come when you know what to say. You are at the height of treatment and that is your focus. His problem is no worse, no better than ours. Remember someone who suffers from depression has wounds that are not visible but are also hard. Everyone has their own battle. Bottom line is it all sucks but we eventually move past this and enjoy being alive!
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Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity. ~ Kahlil Gibran0
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Your greatest gift to your family and friends is yourself -
your relaxed, happy, and fully-present self.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
I am their present, I just put a bow in my head and TADA
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Guess my holiday shopping is done! To you, from me...it's ME!
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Spunky:
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"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and
keep choosing it every day."
-- Henri J.M. Nouwen0 -
Well of course all of us will watcing the Bears game....but just in case you arent:
Dean Richards hosts the 16th annual edition of his multi award-winning breast cancer special on Sunday, October 28 from 12-3 p.m. The live, three-hour town hall meeting examines where we are in the fight against breast cancer featuring a panel of the nation's leading medical experts, moving survivor stories, resources for cancer patients, the latest research and more.
Special guests include:
• Breast cancer survivor and actress Maura Tierney
• Dr. Kathy Albain, medical oncologist (specialty: breast cancer), Loyola University Medical Center
• Dr. Claudia Perez, DO, FACS Assistant Professor Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center
• Deborah Cornwall, author of the new book Things I Wish I’d Known: Cancer Caregivers Speak Out
• LauraJane Hyde, Chief Executive Officer of Gilda's Club Chicago0 -
Dr. Albain was my onc and Dr. Perez my breast surgeon. They are incredible-sorry I missed this.
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Oh spunky u missed it and u had those Drs. That would have been more interesting for u.
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Cami: Another good one!
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Happy Sunday to all. Yes the Bears did win...Go Bears. Thank you English major for the radio link. As always you have a wealth of information to share with us.
Just a reminder to all the the Holiday Party is Sat. Nov.3. If you forgot to response to my missing evite:( just pm me if you would like to attend. Good food, great company and lots of laughs are welcome. I am looking forward to meeting all the new girls here and the old ones too. So put on your party shoes and come on down.
I hope you all got out to enjoy this wonderful fall weather. Happy Halloween to all with kids on Weds. I know I will be super busy at school with all those who come to school the next day with tummy aches. Candy:((((( bad...
Have a great week and enjoy....
BJ
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Hi IL Ladies!!! I feel so out of the loop.., I have been over on the Arimidex board drowning my sorrow for a couple of weeks now. I'm experiencing some real discomfort in my joints and I can't seem to get rid of it. I'm trying to increase my activity level (mostly power-walking) and take good care of myself but at this point I've got my thumb in a brace due to pain and I know I'm losing grip and pinch strength each and every day.
I have my first 3-month follow up with my onc in a few weeks and I'm curious if you ladies can guide me in what I should expect? What kind of questions should I be asking? Aside from the 'usual' vitals..., will there be a blood draw? If so, what will be looked at? i.e., Calcium, Vit D? Should I expect that he will order any tests or scans? I know each onc is different but I don't think it will hurt to hear what your experience has been. As a matter of fact I am so truly grateful to have learned about this board because I have learned SO much here at bc.org
Sorry I will miss you all at the party this coming Saturday. I DO look forward to meeting you!
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Just checking in to see what's up. Is everybody ready for the big party that BJ has organized? Can't wait to see everyone again. BJ... I use that online Evite system alot for my golf groups and I always modify/update it and resend it to everyone a few times before the event. That way, everyone gets a nice reminder and can update their repsonses and add comments. Keeps up the excitement too.
I had my backwards exchange last Wednesday. Exchanged my implant for a tissue expander. Everything went so smoothly. Surgery at 730am, and out of there by 1230p. I woke up from general anesthesiology so quickly. I actually worked the rest of the day. But wouldn't you just know it.... another drain! Just one though, and looks like I can get ride of it by Thursday at my post-op. My PS wants me to keep the tissue expander at least 3 months before replacing with implant again. So far, it seems quite comfortable so no big deal.
It's been a crazy, busy weekend. I am off to bed early tonight. And tomorrow, I vow to work off that Halloween candy that I snitched at "Trunk or Treat" today! Regrets.....
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Hi all. Having a rough week. Two funerals one was diagnosed with BC a month before I was. Cancer so sucks. Just saying.
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onward~ so sorry to hear.., ugh!.., what an AWFUL week!!! And yes, cancer DOES suck!!! Hang in there.., hoping each day brings you a little more comfort from the memories.
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C-squared I just responded on the other thread but I would give your onc a call tomorrow. You sound like you're in way too much pain to wait.
Oh Onward that is rough. Yeah cancer does suck.
Joan you are a real trooper. I remember your first exchange. Hopefully this time things will cooperate.
Camie I'm not typing this with my middle finger but I will keep that in mind for the future.
Reminds me of Ze his dealing with clients: linky 0 -
Awww... Onward. Keeping you in my prayers.
C-Squared... I didn't last long on Arimidex, maybe 3 months. There are other AI's that you can try. I started on Femara and did well until my Medco started sending me the generic form. That generic stuff crippled my hands so bad that I could not open a door or grasped anything without severe pain. Went on Aromasin which crippled my knees so bad that I was going up and down all stairs in our house on my butt! Tried Arimidex with no luck. So my ONC appealed to Medco to put my back on name brand Femara. I have been back on that now for 8 months and doing much, much better with it although I am definitely stiff in the knees, but not painful. Let your ONC know about your side effects. I am sure you can try one of the other AI's.
My ONC does believe in doing tumor marker tests and I am okay with that. Other than that, he always orders the usual blood work up and I always put in a special request for a Vit D level check. No other testing unless I come up with some new symptoms.
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Holy crap it's Joan's birthday and we almost missed it!
Look, it even has the coconut looking expanders!0 -
Happy Birthday Joan!!!
and thanks so much for the good info. on AI's.0
