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Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited January 2013

    Brrr.........It's cold in central Illinois!  I went to bowl, ran in for a few groceries, and hurried home where I started a fire in the fireplace and got cozy!  I could sit here in front of it all night but I need to  put some ribs in the oven for dinner.

    Bundle up and stay warm!!!

  • roulag
    roulag Member Posts: 126
    edited January 2013

    Ritajean - it is freezing outside. I agree snuggling up with a nice fire is the best thing to do today. Hell I am good with just hibernating for the next 3 months.

  • C-squared
    C-squared Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2013

    Hi ladies!  ?..., I'm scheduled with ortho on Thursday for cortisone shots (my primary is recommending) in both thumbs.  The letrozole (and Anastrozole in the past) are rendering me completely dysfunctional because of the pain in my thumbs (40% of hand function comes from thumbs - the main difference between us and the monkey's).  Anyway.., HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED RELIEF FROM CORTISONE SHOTS THAT WAS NEEDED AS A RESULT OF JOINT PAIN FROM THE AI's?????  Please tell me it's so!!!  And, yes, I'm taking Calcium, and D3, and Fish Oil, and B-Complex, and on & on...  Tongue Out

    Rita, I am jealous.., curling up by a fire with a good book sounds SO nice! (not to mention the ribs.., yummy!) Laughing

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 40,999
    edited January 2013

    Not any better here with the weather Rita.  It was 11 degrees this morning, but colder than that during the night.  Won't be much better tonight and tomorrow either.  I really do dislike cold weather when it is just cold period.....no snow, no ice, nothing to warrant the big freeze.  I can be glad today there was not much of a breeze....helped to keep it a bit more tolerable.  Stay warm.

    Peace & love,

    Jackie

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2013

    C-squared I do hear that those cortisone shots can help trigger finger. I have a good feeling this is going to work for you.

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited January 2013

    Kristen:  Congrats!  What a way to start the week.  I go for my one-year mammo on Thursday.  Fingers crossed and wish me good luck, all!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 40,999
    edited January 2013

    Wishing you wonderful test results on Thursday and any time you have one of those.

    Peace & love,

    Jackie

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited January 2013

    Thanks, Jackie.  Hugs to you!

  • Rene23
    Rene23 Member Posts: 290
    edited January 2013

    Great news, KristinFro! Can't get enough good news around here.



    Welcome, dbm. :). The whole mast vs. lump thing is such a personal decision. I think that as long as you are well-informed, you can't make a "wrong" desision. I did a mast., then 5 years later, a prophy on the other one. In both situations, it's what I needed to do for my peace of mind.



    C-Squared, I had multiple cortisone shots in my frozen shoulder over the past couple years. They did relieve a lot of my pain. I never had cortisone for my hand joint pains, but I did wear the hand/wrist braces for a while when I was still adjusting to the aromatase inhibitor SE's.



    On the heels of my spine MRIs last week, I also had a breast MRI to check on a small bulge I have one side. The bulge is apparently fine, but they found some enlarged axillary lymph nodes on the side of my original tumor. So, it's back in for a biopsy tomorrow... :-/

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited January 2013

    Rene stop this insanity now--It better be OK/

    Kj always hoping these tests come out good.

    It's so cold here I had to wear a hat---haven't worn one since I had no hair--these are new. I think it's supposed to warm up some this week and have a little snow. PA is getting a super blizzard--it must have missed us.

    Of course I'm  going back to sleep soon--

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 40,999
    edited January 2013

    Gestures of kindness, courage, honesty, and love tend to be small and quiet, and most of them are made by ordinary human beings.  But these acts create and sustain a dense web of commitment that holds this planet and its people together.  The web is so resilient that it will never be completely destroyed, because it is constructed of human goodwill rather than bricks, money, or nationalism.       - Sallirae Henderson

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2013

    Rene MRIs are so sensitive they find stuff that normally you would have never known about… nor do you need too. But now since we are diagnosed they double and triple check everything. Really stinks you have to do a biopsy but at least no more radiation. I will not be surprised if it's B9, but here's some more good luck charms for you. linky

    http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5340917/il_fullxfull.316340920.jpg

  • Rene23
    Rene23 Member Posts: 290
    edited January 2013

    Good news, again! The surgeon did the exam and sono and told me that he really didn't feel like any of the nodes looked pathological enough to warrant a biopsy. Just to cover the bases, we'll look at them again in 3 mos. but otherwise, I'm good with this. Thanks for the good wishes, and the lucky for everyone but the rabbit's foot. :D

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2013

    Rene I don't belive this is a real rabbits foot… Not sure if there are enough rabbits to make all the feet they sell. Something about this one looks synthetic.

    But so glad you didn't have to do the biopsy.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited January 2013

    YEA Rene...........no biopsy is good. 

    Kj...good luck tomorrow!  Do you get to go see our favorite "doc" right after the mammo?  I've always liked the idea that I knew the results before I ever left Peoria.  For me it won't be the same next year.  I will only be given a screening mammo instead of a diagnostic one since I am out 5 years + from diagnosis.  It has something to do with ObamaCare and insurance.  nI need to check into this a little better, I think!

    c-squared...I haven't known anybody who has had cortizone shots for their hands while on the AI's.  I do know one gal who had lots of trouble with her hands though and her onc did say that if it continued, they might be able to relieve the problem with injections.  Hers cleared up with time and she never had to have the shots.  Good luck to you!  I'll be thinking about you!

    It's still cold here. It looks like we may be due for some more freezing rain and snow flurries on Sunday!  YUCK! 

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413
    edited January 2013

    Hello and hugs to all.

    I got to Facetime with my girl in Africa just now!  I think I love Apple.  (c:

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited January 2013

    Adey:  Kiss

    Thanks:  Rita.  I see her on Friday.  I think I take the results to her.  Not sure.  I will keep you posted.

    Rene:  Great news!!!

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413
    edited January 2013

    KJ-  Bradley is looking promising!  We are trying for another visit in Feb.

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited January 2013

    Let me know when you come.  I will be out of town from 2/23-3/1 (heading to Key West for a much-needed vacation!).  I am looking forward to "seeing" you in the flesh!

  • joan888
    joan888 Member Posts: 711
    edited January 2013

    Dropping by to say "yeah" to Kristin and welcome to DBM. and Renee.... whew and so glad you are in the clear.



    We are "home" in Phoenix until mid-March and happy to be missing your frigid weather. Instead, we are having record highs here the past couple days. Actually looking forward to a little cool down after tomorrow.



    My BS at NW gave me a script to get back into LT down here. Darn lymphedema! Finally found a good LANA CLT today and have an appointment tomorrow.



    Hoping you get a warm-up soon.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited January 2013

    Rene good news and

    Lago real or not I like the rabbits foot.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 40,999
    edited January 2013

    Love is a short word but it contains everything.

    unknown

  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 1,468
    edited January 2013

    Good morning ladies!  Anyone loving the snow this morning?  It sure looks pretty.  I am glad I don't have to go anywhere today though!  Hope everyone is doing well and our girls in active treatment are feeling positive, strong and good!  Just wanted to wish you all a great weekend! :)

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 40,999
    edited January 2013

    “Joy is the feeling of grinning on the inside.”
    Melba Colgrove

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2013

    Morning back at you. I'm ok with the snow since it is January but I do hope Monday/Tuesday rain washes it away. It makes the air much colder and in the city makes a mess after a while… not so pretty after a few days.

    I'm enjoying my first week off. Connecting back up with my volunteer contacts etc. Cleaning and finishing a few projects. Still have a long list of more. Granted I did have a quick job from home on Monday… looks like a little more of that might be coming in a few weeks.

    LITs (Ladies In Treatment) hope your SE are minimal. Another trick I found worked really well (and still do this) is I use(d) a powder bronzer. It really makes me look healthy especially in the winter. I use Lancome star bronzer (matt). The matt comes in 4 shades. I'm fair but still have olive skin and use the #2 Solaire. It lasts for at least a year if not longer and that's if you use it all year long. I avoid tanning.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited January 2013

    Hi to all!

    I was wondering about you Joan and if you had made it West yet!  You picked a good time to leave Illinois!  We're freezing our butts off here!  I'm out of here the end of this next week, too and it can't be too soon.  We're going to have to come back before you do, though.  Dave still works and has a March job on the books.

    Jackie..........love the quote about LOVE.....how true!

    My "to do list" is pretty full today so I need to get moving.  Everyone have a great Friday.  Stay warm!

  • Kassylou
    Kassylou Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2013

    Home from surgery. I had the surgery at noon on Wednesday and was discharged at 2pm on Thursday. It was so nice to be coming home. The lymph node biopsy was negative. Yes!! I am lucky to have my hubby. He stayed with me in the room all night in case I needed anything, he grounded me from my phone and iPad so I would sleep. I am glad he did.



    I have ace bandages and gauze around my chest. The drains are doing well, is it true to wear the ace bandage as tight as you can stand it? Also, my chest looks con-caved, will it eventually be flat across?



    My first dressing change was done by a friend who is a nurse, she brought us supper last night and then helped me. She said it all looked good. To rest, only get up for meds and bathroom, and take my meds onetime.



    I am not in any pain, I do have discomfort but it is not too bad. The ace bandage is really tight.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2013

    Kassylou No Nodes!!! yeah that's good news. I too never took any pain meds, not even a Tylenol even with TEs. Some of us just have a high tolerance to pain I guess or we are just so numb we don't feel any.

    Not sure about the concave because I had TEs right away but it might depend on the shape of your ribs. There might be ways to fix that but not sure because again had the start of reconstruction.

    As far as tight as possible… ask your doctor. Some go tight. My PS was in the opposite camp feeling that it cuts of blood supply that you need for healing but even his nurse told me that a few years ago that wasn't his thinking.

  • hope49
    hope49 Member Posts: 239
    edited January 2013

    hi everyone - happy friday and thanks for the well wishes to those of us in active treatment!  I am gearing up for round 2 next week and hope it goes as well as the first - although every day seemed to bring some interesting new SE, all were pretty minimal compared to some others I've heard from so I am grateful!  

    kassylou - So happy to hear your good node news!  my surgeons said I didn't need to keep the ace bandage on - I did wear it a few days because I think it made me feel protected in some way but she advised me to not make it tight, so sounds like there are varying opinions on that.  I had TEs to start wtih as well, so I actually came out of surgery with some shape to my breasts.  Like you and lago, I didn't really have any pain either...never used the pain pump or meds at the hospital, just a few Tylenol when things felt uncomfortable.  Good luck with the drains - I hope you get them out quickly...that was one of my happiest days! 

    Take care everyone, and have a great weekend!

  • meni33
    meni33 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2013

    Hello everyone, I just made an account here. I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and I am 33 years old. My surgeon recommended getting a lumpectomy with lymph node testing.

    I live in Macomb IL which is a small town and so my husband wants me to get a 2nd opinion. I was wondering those of you who have had this surgery, did a general surgeon do it or did you get a surgeon who specializes in breast surgery?

    I like my general surgeon here and its hard to find someone who specializes in this. What would you ladies suggest for me?

    Thanks in advance

    Mehnaz

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