Illinois ladies facing bc
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Sorry about the dreaded marks.....never know when they are going to show up.
New ladies. I'm sorry I didn't give you a hearty welcome here. Busy the last week or so and just not doing much but the quote. Losing the hair is always a 'stunning' thing and usually not so much in a good way. Dea has some good points though. This is something akin to other un-wanted incidents in your life, and unfortunately has in most cases much more going on with your personal body and emotions. I tried to look on it as helping trained professionals heal me. Helping save your own life is a big thing. You go through a lot of new things, must learn a new language and face the world when you may feel at your worst ( w/o hair ) etc. We come through it and as for myself.....I did what I thought I'd never be able to do. I hope you too find yourself staring in the mirror at a pretty incredible person.....because you will be. Don't know when that will happen, but you will find your strength and you will find that you are a lot more and bigger than your diagnosis.
Love and peace,
Jackie
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Mehnaz I loved the scarves from www.anokhiusa.com/ They didn't lose their color when I tossed them in the wash/dryer. I preferred the 36x36 but the 30x30 fit too. I liked having the scarf hang on my back like hair. They are 100% cotton so they are soft on your head. I had/have a lot of hair so it took a while for it all to fall out but it does fall out fast. It does depend on what kind of chemo you're getting. I think it was about day 16 after my 1st chemo. I cut it short that day (it's quite messy when it starts to fall out). I still had plenty of hair at my next treatment 1 week later and wasn't wearing a hat or scarf yet. I couldn't wear the pre-tied scarves. They were too big for my head. I'm sure they would have fit fine if I had hair or wore a wig underneath.
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Welcome DEA, glad you stopped in-sorry you have a use for us. Lots of support and good info here. Stay positive!
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Welcome Dea. This is a great place to come for helpful information, motivation, and understanding. Come back often. You're always welcome here and unfortunately the journey gets a little long at times. Hugs to you!
C-squared.....Stop in more often. You are so knowledgeable and give such good suggestions. You have helped so many in the short time that you've been with us!
Today is the day that I dig out all the tax information and start getting it organized. YUCK! Guess I need to quit procrastinating and get moving. Everyone have a good day. At least the sun is out here!
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Good morning ladies, it seems to be a nice day outside so I think I will go for a walk and get some fresh air. My arm doesn't seem to hurt as much today from the sentinal node biopsy which is good.
I did have 1 more question, did you ladies lose weight with chemo and radiation or gain? I'm reading different things and wanted to know all of your experiences. Before I was diagnosed I lost 15lb with exercise and eating right so I don't want to gain everything back.
Have a great day ladies
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Meni I gained but it was mostly water retention. I too had lost weight before so I was pretty thin at diagnosis… then lost a few more with nervous energy. It does come off although I have put on weight again but nothing the doctors are worried about. My onc says everyone usually gains about 8lbs but some do lose. They do not want you to lose weight on chemo. I've known some women that have gained as much as 25lbs. A lot of it though is water gain.
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Illinois ladies,
I live in the western suburbs and am trying to choose a MO. I do have an appointement with one in the city at Northwestern, but would love to have some local options to interview, with the possibility of doing my radiation out here, too. Can anyone make some recommendations for MO's they have loved and thought were good? I am also open to suggestions on RO in the area, too. Has anyone had their treatments at Edward Hospital or Central DuPage? Thank you for all help. Feel free to PM me.
Peg
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Peki--I'm currently at Central dupage Hosp. I live around 3 minutes from there, I changed from Elmhurst--but so far I have had excellent care and kindness and they are right on the ball--very vigilant. Well in any hospital now they all interact thru the computer so they all have privy to everything u'r on and going thru. I like my Drs. but I loved my Drs. at Elmhurst Hospital but I was with them for years so changing was a real shock for me---but so far they have taken very good care of me---In fact I have an MRI this afternoon to check out some things so they do take time with u, which I like that feeling of them caring. But I'm always hesitant about sying too much good because u might not like it.
My sister goes to Rush Hospital and altho the care is excellant she hardly ever sees her Dr.and she's doing well, but she always teases me about all the Drs. I've seen--cuz she says they talk to u so much and call u alot--yea they do but Rush works differently than these hospitals--but it's an excellent hospital with the same Drs. so there's different ones u can pick. A couple of my Drs. did their residency at Rush and they liked it, but the moved only because they wanted more contact with their patients. So it's what u decide u want to have. Sorry I'm going on and on and probably not say anything--I'm loopy today.
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camillegal I haven't had a problem with seeing my Drs. at Rush.
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Hi Ladies
I'm back..... Again ( just like a bad penny LOL)
I'm wondering about reconstruction surgery. I have a friend that had breast augmentation surgery and she has to "re-do" it every 3 to 5 years. My guess is it would be the same for reconstruction.
My ins will pay for reconstruction.... But will not allow the "removal 'good' tissue" bottom line is I want my insurance to pay for a mastectomy of my "non-cancer" side instead of reconstruction
Anyone ever dealt with that issue?
Thanks in advance!!
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tdbear....well, it is wonderful to see you back here. You probably noted that a lot of the gals around 2007/2008 are not as vocal here as they once were, but there are still good answers to be found and I'm sure someone will chime in soon.
I don't have the answers you are looking for since I only had a lumpectomy way back when. Hard to believe that I can sit here today with so little concern overall.
See you later.
Love and peace,
Jackie
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What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
Joseph Addison0 -
tdbear I had a BMX and reconstruction with implants. I will not have to have to do a "re-do" every 3-5 years. The implants won't last forever though. The company guarantees them for 10 years but there are many women that have had them for 20+. Augmentation is elective surgery so your friend can do it as often as you can afford if a surgeon is willing. Insurance doesn't pay for augmentation.
It was recommended at the time that I do a BMX. It depends on your insurance but I have read a lot of women have this issue with insurance not paying for removal of a breast prophylactic unless they are BRCA+ or other situations like mine if the BS doesn't recommend it. I am no expert on insurance by any means. I would highly recommend contacting the ACS (American Cancer Society). They have experts there that should be able to more accurately answer your question. The free nation number is: 1.800.227.2345 It might take a few calls so don't give up if they don't get back to you. Just call again. It's a big organization. Portland OR number: 800.227.2345
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Camillegal-hope all went well with your MRI.
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lago~ Could you please re-send me the IL Ladies contact list. I can't seem to locate it. My personal email should be on there, if not PM me and I will send it to you. Thanks! c-squared
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This might help you, tdbear. I obtained this info on the American Cancer Society website
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
The Federal law
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) helps protect many women with breast cancer who choose to have their breasts rebuilt (reconstructed) after a mastectomy. This federal law requires most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction. It was signed into law on October 21, 1998. The United States Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services oversee this law.
The WHCRA:
- Applies to group health plans for plan years starting on or after October 1, 1998
- Applies to group health plans, health insurance companies, and HMOs, as long as the plan covers medical and surgical costs for mastectomy
Under the WHCRA, mastectomy benefits must cover:
- Reconstruction of the breast that was removed by mastectomy
- Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to make the breasts look symmetrical or balanced after mastectomy
- Any external breast prostheses (breast forms that fit into your bra) that are needed before or during the reconstruction
- Any physical complications at all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedema
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And so it's good that we remember
Just as soon as we've discovered
That the things we do in life
Will always end up touching others.Paul O'Neill
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Hi tdbear and navymom............so good to see a post from both of you! Hope all is going well!
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Hi Il Ladies~
Is there any chance that any of you could forward me the contact list for the "Il Ladies" that was composed by "lago". My personal information (email, address, phone #) is on the list. I have requested a copy from lago but she has not responded and "private messages" to lago have been blocked. I shared my personal information and I'm hoping someone here will be willing to share the list with me. Thanks so much!
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C-quared: If your email address is on there, I will do it right now.
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YOu should have it now.
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Got it,
Thanks KJ!!!0 -
Thanks to everyone for the info. Guess I'm kinda "weird" instead of having a reconstruction I would rather have a "de construction" removal of a non cancer infected breast. I feel very self conscious because I prefer to not wear a bra and my prosthese
Thanks again!
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Navymom.... Great to see your post. Hope you are doing well.
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Do we spread loving kindness? There are many who say that
this is our ultimate goal on this planet--to spread loving kindness
to our fellow human beings. And when we are able to accomplish
this goal, we find that our lives are transformed in the process.
We're no longer so strongly focused on things and negative
thoughts and feelings, but we've become truly happy,
content human beings who love life and living.0 -
peki007, I had all my treatments and surgeries at CDH. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Welcome to the new ladies, but so sorry you have to be here. This is a great group of women!
I've been quiet lately, which I guess is good. Other things in life taking up my attention
) My husband and kids threw me an "End of Treatment" party last weekend after finishing Herceptin, and it was awesome! I even got to wear that tiara I planned to wear to my last treatment before it got changed. Love them all so much.For me, the next step is nipple reconstruction. Anyone here do that? I'm wondering about recovery times. We have a Florida vacation planned in June and I'd really love to get in the Gulf water (and the pool), but not sure how long after I'd be able to do that. It's been 5 1/2 weeks since I had the lift on the non-cancer side, and it's still healing (the disolvable stitches haven't yet disolved and a lot of them are still sticking out). Hmmm, maybe it'd be best to wait until summer's over, but then I'd have to go in a bunch of times to get my port flushed (I found out I can have it removed at the same time they do the nipple recon). Decisions, decisions...
Here's a few pics from my party. My SIL gave me balloons to let go. It was very touching to watch them drift away in the darkening sky.
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Kristin~ That is so great that they had a party for you AND you were able to wear your tiara!!! I am so happy for you! And love the balloons too!
I know nothing about nipple reconstruction but we know that someone with experience will chime in soon. How wonderful that you have a Florida trip to look forward to. You deserve some rest and sunshine!
Great to hear from you! 8-) (the smiley chart wouldn't come up so I had to do it the old fashion way!)
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KristinFro congrats on being done. Love the photos especially the last one but the one with the pink sperm floating away is good too
I had nipple recon. Talk to your PS. I believe you will be good to go once s/he takes the bandages off maybe sooner. I probably would have been good the next day but I also had a revision to lefty and fat transfer. I was under for 3+ hours again. The fat transfer was the part that hurt/discomfort. The nipple recon was easy for me.0 -
Thanks, c-squared and lago! And yeah, I'll get more detailed info when I see my PS in April. We've discussed another fat transfer, and the more the mx side settles, the more I think I want another one. I'm very ripply
If the cancer center hadn't miscalculated my treatments, my last one would've been today. A little weird that I didn't have to go anywhere today, but I'll take it!
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Kristin: Congrats!!!!!!
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