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Comments

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2009

    That is really cool!  Thanks for posting these pics Sandy!

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2009

    Thanks Karen. It's weird to "hear" your breasts. Funny that you mention that about the bouyancy. I was watching my kids in the pool yesterday and they were having a treading water contest. (Everything's a competition here) They said I would not be allowed to ever compete because I now had permanent floatation devices. I'll bet they have welcomed me if I still had the bricks in! I surely would have sun, then!!

    Any word about your chest xray?

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    4 great kids...

    we even had some gals that heard farting noices but glad to say that went away



    ps I'm the gal with the pony tail in her hair at the head of the dragon...

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2009

    Sandy- Love the pics. What a fantastic event to be a part of.

    I wouldn't call this a "farting" noise, but it is like a weird sound, like something rubbing or something.

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2009

    Denise:

    Yes, I just got word that they are going to order a dye-contrast some thing.  They are going to call me back.  The xray was OK, but the fact that I've been coughing for so long and I'm soooo tired, 5:30PM bedtime is not unheard of for me, he wants to explore it a little more.

    I'm telling myself it will be fine and that this is training for all the other times, there might be "something" so I need to learn to relax and go with it. This is part of the new normal.

    Nice pictures Sandy--we have some great Dragon Boats here in Portland, but I think I've decided to go back to sweep rowing, and work towards getting a single.

    Take care all,

    Karen

  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2009

    Karen,Glad to hear that your chest xray was normal. Keep us posted on the other thing. Could it be something going on with your thyroid that's making you tired? I know that doesn't explain the cough, but that could be allergy related. Also, just looked at your pictures on the forum. Wow, you look great. A nipple sparing mastectomy sure makes a lot of difference. I love that first bra. Who makes that??

  • Nebraskagrandma
    Nebraskagrandma Member Posts: 137
    edited August 2009

    Beautiful pictures Sandy, the color is outstanding. Looks like a great event, always good when survivors can get together.

    Thanks for sharing...........

    Blessings to all,

    Paula 

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    edited August 2009

    cheri2 - I also checked out your blog - really cute! Made me wish we were back in VA - it's WAY too hot here!   My dh and I saw the "Julie & Julia" movie over the weekend and loved it.  I'm majorly addicted to Food Network and love to cook, so it was fun.  Good luck with the Boef Bourguignon tonight - yum!  Only ten days to go for you!!

    Candi - Please don't lose hope, sweetie!  Hopefully this next visit with your ps will give you some peace.  I'm really tired of this merry-go-round, too.  I'm tired of being emotional...tired of feeling crummy....tired of obsessing over boobs......You're approaching your 1 year "dx anniversary" so I can imagine how tired you are of this all.  Please know that we really ARE here for you - and for each other!!

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2009

    Denise:  I had blood work done two weeks ago and it was all normal. All the bras, except the sports bra are VS, I can't remember what the name of that bra is, but it has no underwire.  The sports bra is comfort in motion, I've posted the web site for it, but it can be found at Title 9.  Thanks for complimenting the girls--oh, that bra, comes in tons of colors.

    Have a good day!

    Karen

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    Karen- I am so glad your images came back clear! whew!!!  I had barium testing a few years ago after a flu went into pneumonia that I just couldn't seem to get rid of.  It turned out after the testing they found a hole in my heart- it has been there my whole life!  It is no big deal but it was a relief to find out what it was!!!  They did do a TEE on my (it's kind of like a garden hose they push down your throat- haha- but it wasn't painful or anything) Anyway- they found out the hole is pretty small.  I just have to take a treadmill test before major surgery- but no big deal really!!!  Perhaps that is your issue? 

    Val thanks so much for reading my blog- I love that someone is actually reading it.  I am right now taking a break from my cooking!!  It took about 2 hours prep this morning and now it is in the oven for 3 hours and then I have to do some other stuff- eeeashhhh- this Julia movie is killing me- first with the blogging and now with the cooking!  My house smells glorious!!!  My dog and sons and husband are happy.  They are all so easily manipulated by food!!!  (...she says as she thinks about having them do chores or something while they are so magically entranced...)

    Sandy- OK I get it- dragon boats are just what they sound like- "dragon boats!!!!" I have never seen one before- very very cool!  Thanks for sharing that with us! 

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    We had a fabulous time last night.  It was so great to finally meet Lorraine and Kathie....and Kathie's son Sam.  Sam is a pre-med student and because of what his mom has gone through, he has decided he wants to specialize in plastic surgery.  I hope he focuses on "reconstructive" surgery - because he knows personally how important it is for a woman to feel that she can get some beauty back in her life after breast cancer.  He is a fine young man and I think he truly liked hanging out with us!  I hope we get a chance to see him while is is going to school here in Orange County.  I don't know what he was thinking of though, when he took this picture?  

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    I  had a wonderful time last night with Lorraine and Kathie - and with Kathie's son Sam.  Sam is going to be attending college in Anaheim.  He is wonderful young man - a pre-med student and his personal experiences with his mom having bc and then reconstruction have inspired him to want to be a plastic surgeon. I hope he specializes in breast reconstruction, now that he intimately knows how important it is for women to feel they get back something beautiful after breast cancer!!   Sam took some photos of us last night, but for some reason I am unable to upload the photos here on Exchange City.  I managed to upload one at the end of my last post on the picture's forum - on my thread - if you want there to see it while I am working on getting them imported over here.  I tried using Picasa to do this....would not work...

    Deborah

     
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    I  had a wonderful time last night with Lorraine and Kathie - and with Kathie's son Sam.  Sam is going to be attending college in Anaheim.  He is wonderful young man - a pre-med student and his personal experiences with his mom having bc and then reconstruction have inspired him to want to be a plastic surgeon. I hope he specializes in breast reconstruction, now that he intimately knows how important it is for women to feel they might have a chance to get back something beautiful after breast cancer!!   Sam took some photos of us last night, but for some reason I am unable to upload the photos here on Exchange City.  I managed to upload one at the end of my last post on the picture's forum - on my thread - if you want there to see it while I am working on getting them imported over here.  I tried using Picasa to do this....would not work...

    Deborah

  • Celine
    Celine Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2009

    Lianne, I read your blog. Wowwww. They look beautiful and thanks for sharing it with me. I think I am ready for another fill next week. Whewwwww. Yes, patience, patience, and more patience. I got my doctor to write me a note to explain that I have a piece of metal due to bilateral tissue expander and might trigger the device at the airport when I go to Canada after labor day. Anyone here from Winnipeg, Manitoba? That's where I am going. I will be out of the country 9/8 to 9/17.

    Sandy, those are great pictures. Smile 

    Deb, Kathie and Lorraine, what a girlish thing to do. I loved it. Those are the kind of things I loved to do, kinda mischievous but in a nice and funny way. Way to go girls!!!!!!!

    Celine

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009
  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    One more....Lorraine, Kathie and Deborah

  • Celine
    Celine Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2009
    Those are wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing Lorraine, Kathie and Deborah  You don't mind calling you guys the "The Bustbusters" Love it.Smile
  • Baxter
    Baxter Member Posts: 91
    edited August 2009

    Val - Thanks so much for your kind words. As I wsa reading your post I was thinking "major    dittos!" Isn't this journey weird? I was telling Deborah that I sometimes think I'm bi-polar with the ups and downs of this! I'll be feeling okay then WHAM!.... out of nowhere I'll feel like crying. Your right about the "anniversaries" I have too much of a sharp memory for my own good. I remember the dates of every test, biopsy, phone call and surgery starting this month last year. Thank goodness for you guys!

    Karen - Try to take one step at a time. I was reading your DX. and no wonder you are tired! You have a right to feel tired with all you've been through. All this really knocks the stuffing out of you. Please keep us posted.

    Lorraine, Kathie & Deborah - these pictures are awesome! I still can't get over the idea of Kathie's son, Sam taking the boob pictures!

    Sandy - loved your pictures too...looks like such a great time!

    Candi

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited August 2009

    Deborah! Thanks for posting those!! Sam was such a sport! He totally took everything in stride, didn't blink, blush, nothing!! Such an awesome young man!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited August 2009

    Awesome girls! How fun to get to meet!  You three look fab in the photo!!!

    I was told today I needed a bone scan... due to pain I KNOW is from rads. They do not think it is.

    Please pray I continue to have patients with my doctors....

    They even ran tumor markers today.. WHICH they told me before they really do not believe in. I am sure they think I have bone mets now. WHICH I DO NOT..... they just will not let it go that RADIATION did this to me...

    ok... venting done, I ask for your prayers that I keep my cool the next few weeks...

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2009

    Well thank goodness those pictures finally got posted, was more anxious about seeing them than waiting for my oncs office to call.  You are all 3 absolutely beautiful women, I bet you were the best looking babes in the joint. I am so glad you were able to spend time together, and share pictures with us.

    Baxter: Thanks for the reminder, I will relax and realize it has been a lot, and being super tired may just be an SE of the last 8 months.

    (((((((Laura))))))), no you do not have bone mets, nor do I have lung mets, they are just being cautious, which means more testing for us.  We are going to be fine!  Keep us posted, I don't know when the my CT with dye, whatever, is going to be, so I have nothing to report.  You are all always in my prayers, and Laura, especially so, I really understand your frustration, and the other things you are feeling.

    Love ya,

    Karen

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2009

    Kathie, Deborah and Lorraine - Great pictures!  You all look fabulous, and so do your girls! 

    Laura, you have a great attitude.  Doctors are test happy, but once they plant the seed in your head, it is hard to ignore it and refuse the test.  Good Luck with your patience and ace that test!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    I knew that was Sandy in the photo - those muscular legs!!!  Biker chick legs.

    Laura - WHAATTTT?  Why do they not believe that it could be from RADS?  Actually, referable to the bone scan - it seems they want to also see if you have osteoporosis...not that you would necessarily be experiencing bone pain with osteoporosis...but it seems bone loss would be more from the chemo, than from the RADS. 

    Karen:  How about the Tamoxifen?  A persistent cough is an adverse reaction to this drug.  I am taking Tamoxifen and I have no energy....lethargic....I kid you not...I have been to the doctor complaining about feeling so tired and lethargic and they have run every test known to mankind and I know it is the Tamoxifen - coupled with my Vitamin D deficiency.   I told my DH that if I have to feel this way for five more years, I'll just go off the Tamoxifen and take my additional risks with a cancer recurrence.  This is sheer misery.  I cannot even FATHOM having a job with the way I feel.  So my heart goes out to you!!! 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited August 2009

    Karen.. you do NOT forget to let us know.

    I just wish some doctor out there would believe rads causes what I have.

    I am tired. I am tired. I had no pain.. I weighed 108 pds... I was a gym rat...I could pick up my gandkids without pain... I never even thought of a personal lubricant ( tmi)... I was happy...then CANCER said Hello just a little over a year ago... blah blah blah....

    Dorothy, can I come back yet??????

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited August 2009

    Boy, AMEN Laura!  And you are ALREADY in Kansas [City].....

  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 137
    edited August 2009

    Yeah Deborah....I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to post those darn things. Oh it was so nice meeting you. Your pictures don't do you...or your girls justice....you are just adorable!!!

    Lorraine...It was so good to see...and hug you again....hmmmm...nice and soft this time...LOL

    Sam was definitely a good sport. We've always been close but I think bc brought us closer....also stressed the poor bugger out at times I'm sure.

    Laura...don't give up about finding about about that pain....Thank goodness I had a PCP that believed me and realized it was nerve pain. Been on meds ever since and while it eases the pain it doesn't alleviate it. Just don't let anyone in the medical profession dismiss it. I've been a nurse for 26 years so I know how that works. Good luck to you honey. I'm sorry you're in pain.....PM me if you need to gripe about it....I sooooo understand how it affects quality of life. Thankfully almost DH did 99% of drive across country so I could ride commando with my tiara and percocet...LOL

    Karen....still can't wait to meet you!!

     xxoo Kathie 

  • packergirl
    packergirl Member Posts: 81
    edited August 2009

    Laura- I won the bone scan and tumor marker ticket too when I was having joint pain. My bone scan results were clear and they called me within a 1/2 hour of leaving the hospital with the results. For me it was menopause. The joint pain waited about 4 months after my last period so it took me a while to connect the dots. I know this is so nerve wracking and frustrating! I will keep you in my prayers-keep us posted!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited August 2009

    Thanks Kathie sweety..:).... I won't let anything go... PROMISE!.. The gave me meds today for the nerve pain.. if it works.. that will rid 50% of the pain.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited August 2009

    Thanks Packer and Deborah.. you both gave me something more tho consider. Even though.. I KNOW IT IS RADS ( Which I kick myself for doing)... I will consider menopause. I have not had a period since Chemo started. I take mega D and calcium.. blah blah...anyway.. thank you. You are right Deborah.. the bone scan will show osteo if that is a problem. It was not there in APRIL.. after my last Bone scan.. but maybe...

    Thank you. We all just get so tired. I was sooooo fuming mad today.. that I looked at my boobs in the mirror and cried... ME... this is not my style.... I say little tiny C's look back at me and said... GREAT.. I wanted LARGE C's........................LOL

    Chemopause just might be making me emotional and kinda nuts....

    Deborah, are you SURE you wanna share a room with me in Vegas?

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2009

    Deborah, I'm sorry you have the fatigue, too. I didn't realize that Tamoxifen can cause a cough, good to know. I was able to bring my vitamin D up to 80 (I forget the units) from 30.  I keep wondering if the exhaustion is just the new normal, and to tie in to what Laura said, a year ago for most of us, we could feel our lover's touch, could buy any old bra, every pain didn't cause a string of scary tests, we were and felt strong, in charge of our lives, with goals and dreams, and now, we get kicked around by cancer. 

     Seems like every time I feel its going to be OK, something bites me in the hiney and scares me, and makes me feel like I have no control over my body. Sorry I'm a little angry today. Deborah, I get what you say about going off of Tamoxifen, but having my mother pass in my arms from this disease, I just can't bring myself not to take it, especially since I didn't do chemo. Well on top of work, I just found out today that I may get a late acceptance to the Masters in Social Work program that I applied to, for this fall, or I can start in 2010. This is a good thing. I will still have to work full time, so it will take 3 years.

    Laura: I wish they would listen to you, but when the tests come back fine, they will have to listen to you. Praying for patience.  I have dreams where my doctors tell me it was a mistake and I'm fine...

    Kathie: After seeing the pictures of the 3 of you, I'm going to starve myself between now and the RFC! My younger son will be there, but he's running early, chipped for time--runner boy, but hopefully you'll get to meet him!

    Hugs,

    Karen

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