Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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Graceembraced and Rita, and others ..... So well put! I am almost 3 years from diagnosis and I know that I have changed a lot... for the better. I am feeling back to my old self yet dealing with some long term aches, stiffness, lymphedema, etc. I would love to back off off of the Femara, but I keep promising myself to stick it out for the whole 5 years.
i just finished months of PT following my back surgery last July. That old excruciating back pain is GONE and Lyrica is doing a great job of controlling my neuropathy in legs and feet while my nerves are regenerating. So, I am trying to kick this body back into shape.
Once my DH (poor dear) recovers from this flu we will be making a road trip down to AZ where we will stay until mid-March. I am chomping at the bit to get back on my bike down there and get in some great hikes. I hope that you ladies are avoiding this flu and the awful colds going around. It is pretty nasty stuff.0 -
Well said, all you wonderful ladies.
Jackie: Keep those quotes coming. I look forward to them on a daily basis. When I am not on for a few days, I catch up on them all.
Spunky: Let me know if you come to Peoria for a Bradley visit. We can hook up for lunch or dinner (or if you need a place to stay, I have two to three empty bedrooms.)
Rita: We need to get togehter. Will you be in town or around soon?
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Im in a really bad place and I would love to connect with someone similair to my situation. I live in Elgin and i do feel so alone. I have 3 kids who dont know much about what's goin on. If there's anyone in my situation I would love to meet up and talk. I'm 39?years old and i camt take care of things or sleep. Or eat I'm realiy depressed and terrified of chemo. My stomach is in knots please pm me.
G0 -
"Never forget where you've been. Never lose sight of where
you're going. And never take for granted the people who travel
the journey with you."
-- Susan Gale0 -
chgogemini -- I am not close and may not be a moments' help to you. I just couldn't not respond in some way. You can't help be be afraid. This is a life-changing event. Of course, it stands out so much more because it is so powerful and yes fearful.
I think most of us felt nearly paralysed at some point, and so much more understandable when you have children to raise.
You mentioned chemo -- everyone is VERY apprehensive about this, but nowdays it can be a far better process than years ago. A lot of people continue on doing most of what they have always done, even working through it. For many people the fear was actually a lot worse than the event.
I know you will get a lot of help from the wonderful women here --- we all tugged and pulled, and talked each other through the fear, upset, side effects of this very un-welcomed disease process and continue to be each others' cheerleaders and so very much enjoy the friendships forged. When you are here you will never be alone.
Peace&love,
Jackie
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chgogemini - I sent you a PM. Hugs to you!
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Chgogemini I sent you a PM too! Hugs!
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G: me too.
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Thanks ladies! I'm feeling a little better today from all the nice posts. I guess i reached my limit of pm
Onward and madismommy I tried to reply.0 -
"Everything is a life lesson. Everyone you meet, everything
you encounter, etc. They're all part of the learning
experience we call 'life.' Never forget to acknowledge the
lesson, especially when things don't go your way. If you don't
get a job that you wanted or a relationship doesn't work, it
only means something better is out there waiting. And the
lesson you just learned is the first step towards it."
-- Author Unknown0 -
Every now and again I think we feel like maybe we have had one too many lessons, huh !!!! But then, when least expected ( it often works that way for me anyhow ) I start to see what was presented ( although often seeming so harsh ) to me and I see lots of different faucets to it......so it does dawn on me that even when it took something hard to get through and even though I feel I could have learned some other way....it presents to you how it presents and it is not a choice. Who would ever get a disease like this to "learn" about yourself and others.....but oh much was learned.
Peace & love,
Jackie
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Jackie u'r post to cogo--was so well said--and so true.--U r one special lady.
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Not that I'm freaking out or anything but...I'm having MRIs of my lumbar and thoracic spine tomorrow. I've been having pains off and on, but bad enough today that I actually had to leave work. It doesn't help that I had a dream last night that all my hair was falling out again.
Okay, so maybe I'm freaking just a little bit. In case it hasn't been said enough here, I really HATE this damn disease. Wish me luck.0 -
I do wish you a world full of luck tomorrow Rene. It seems like back and spine issues turn up with so many people, and even with people who have had no prior injuries of any kind. It also it easy to THINK the worst, but we really do have a productive mind that does not always compute as well as it should when we are full or dire thoughts from past problems....hence probably the dream.
I also know you worry because there is no way to not do so. So I am wishing you strength and peace from as much worry as possible and seeing you just as disease free as you have been.
Peace & love,
Jackie
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Rene23, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Let's hope this is just the aches and pains of aging.
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Rene fingers crossed you have some benign issue that requires lots of crunches and sit ups (strengthen stomach muscles to relief tension on spike).
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For life is the mirror of king and slave, 'Tis just what we are and do; Then give to the world the best you have, And the best will come back to you.
-- Madeline Bridges0 -
Sending good thoughts your way, Rene. Been there with the back pain, and can completely get it!
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Sending thoughts and prayers your way for tomorrow, Rene!
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Rene, I( am so glad you are checking it out. I have lower back pain but only when I sit so I pace a lot. I think it is so common and the arimidex and the tamoxin and all the rest of what Lago calls "estrogen sucking" drugs make it all harder. Do let us know, but I feel confident all will work out. I take Alleve and it work nicely.
Someone asked about an oncologist in the Chicagoland area. I am working again and it is hard to keep up with the posts. My Doctor is Dr. Dragon and he is in HighlandPark. My surgeon is Dr. Katherine Yao and she is great.
Also, regarding feeling overwhelmed, chgogemini. My husband is sick with lymphoma and I was not coping one bit well. I was not sleeping and when I did my nightmares were so awful. I am now under the care of a psychiatrist and he manages my medication for anxiety. Now I am pretty much nightmare-free and back at work abut 3 days/week. I had to give up work for about a few weeks as one can hardly work with children when one is so sleep-deprived. Now I am good. My primary suggested a psychologist and he was great (we talked) but he determined that this anxiety needed meds and so he referred me to a psychiatrist. Cancer is very awful (whether it is your cancer or in one you love). Do not tough it out as this is situational anxiety and needs to be dealt with. If you are feeling overwhelmed, seek help and tell your doctor you are miserable so you can begin the process of stabiliziing your situation.
Susan
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My onco is Dr. Merkel at Evanston Hospital. He's also at Highland Park and Glenbrook.
He came highly recommended and is very nice.
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Renee: Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
chgogemini: I may not be close, but we are all here to help!
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Hello IL Ladies - just dropping in to say hello. Thinking of you all, especially the ones dealing with scary scans post treatment and active treatment. May we all have a healthy and happy 2013.
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Thank you everyone for all the nice words and I spoke to a few very sweet ladies.
My hardest part on this is the chemo. I don't even mention the name because when I say it I fell so scared. It's probably the unknown. I feel like this can't be me no how can I get chemo. My hair is gorgeous and the thought of losing it so sad to me. I like the idea if cold packs but will my dr's let me use them.
In wake up every hour having nightmare about chemo and having surgery to clear margins. It's been one Month since i was diagnosed and it feels like months.
I love coming here and reading all your posts and I feel comfortable here because I feel different know like im in my own little breast cancer world. Im looking for people that are bald or trying to guess who's wearing a wig today at panera. I felt alone watching how happy everyone and I'm so miserable and its not fair.
Okay I feel better now!!!
How many ladies from Chicago area used cold pacs. I know Maria did and she was so awesome to talk to. I just want more info on those pacs. I can't take cold weather and are they that cold on your head???
Will my teeth be chattering because I'm that cold. What can incompare it to. Should I try to wear freezer bags jn my head to see if I can stand the cold.
Sorry for all the rambling. It's tough and I'm so glad I can go somewhere where you all understand.
Btw I hate that everywhere I go lately is breast cancer this and that the commercials and radio. Maybe it's to fresh to be into all that now.
Peace
Gina0 -
Oh Gina u talk all u want--chemo is chemo--it's different for everyone really--I don't know anything about cold caps, but I think they are getting more popular now so ask about them, ask about anything to u'r Dr.U'r Dr. will help u go thu this and make it s easy for u as he/she can. That was my experience and so many others.When I lost my hair it was fine, cuz I had ugly hair like crazy and it grew back better actually. Chemo was not painful to get at all and I was in a group and we'd talk and laugh. I worked the first 4 months alot of the time--I did take off when I needed to. Of course there are some side efects we all get and some just a few get but it's not horrible just annoying--follow whatever instructions u'r onc or the nurses give u and it helps and the Dr. really tries to make it as comfortable as possible for u. Tell them u'r scared and they'll really help u. Everyone here has a lot of knowledge to share with u (not me, I know nothing) but they can guide u thru too and we'll all listen to u when u'r troubled or sad or have some good news. I wish u peace in u'r heart and know u'r not alone.
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chgogemini
You are in the right place! This is a great place to vent. I was also terrified of everything after diagnosis. That's normal. It's all new. The surgery scared me to death but I got through it. The thought of chemo terrified me also. And I needed 16 treatments. I really wanted to give up sometimes but I want to live to raise my kids so I will do all I can to stick around for their sake. That's what moms do. And if I can go and do chemo 14 tomorrow you can do it too. The drs have your best interest at heart. They want to help u get thru it with minimal side effects. Hang in there and listen to your drs. The anticipation is the worst. I have three kids and we are making it. You can too. Keep us posted. We are here for you! God bless. Becki0 -
Oh Becki u are amazing having 3 kids and going thru this---that is difficult cuz u'r time is not yours to do whatever u want. Bless u girl.
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chgogemini,
I'm so glad you are feeling a bit more at peace. There is nothing easy about this. But the women on these boards are great at stepping in to help. I've got little more to add than what everyone else is saying, except to reinforce what has been written. Please ask for help with your anxiety. Meds are a quick fix and really critical to take as needed, both for anxiety and sleep. But seriously consider adding counseling. This can give you skills that will last a lifetime, the practice of which you will pass onto your children. The counseling I got during bc treatment helped move my relationship with my daughter into one of two adults. This was a profound gift.
I'm sure mdg has told you, but just in case there are cold cap threads in this Help me through treatment forum. Posting questions about cold caps will probably get you more help than here.
Hang in there, looking back you'll be amazed how strong you can be.
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chgogemini Now that you've been diagnosed you will be more sensitive to the commercials. I know once I lost my hair I also became acutely aware of how much advertising there is for hair products and services! I think more than food advertising. I also used to get sad when certain commercials came up and people were so happy. I forget which commercials but this jingle and this jingle (this 2nd one is actually a Christmas song) were the ones. I actually love them now… because I'm living just fine. Both are in my itunes. Another jingle at the time was a song from the 80's that I always loved. It was the Chip Ahoy cookie commercial. This one it the one you should keep in your mind: jingle
It really does get better. You'll have your plan soon. I too had to wait around for weeks (over 2 months from initial diagnostic mammo… and I didn't need any biopsy or mammo to tell me I was screwed. I knew)
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Waving hi to everyone else. Still working but I'm ready for this to end. The commute is crazy and the pace is a bit more than my last jobs. They want me to work at the same pace as the folks that have been there for at least a year. I just can't get that familiar with everything in this short a time. I'm sure being sick for a month didn't help either. This was only supposed to be a 2-3 week gig. Not so sure I would have done it given the commute if I knew it was on-going like this.
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He who lives in harmony with himself
lives in harmony with the universe.
- Marcus Aurelius0
