Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
-
txstardust
Your comments bring back memories for me.All though the opposite for me. I was the one not wanting to give up the tradition. When my 3rd child was the only one left at home and he was 18 he told me he was too old for easter and to stop hidding the candy. I disagreed and hid the candy around the house any way (inside) and he refused to look for it. However when he had a sweet tooth he did go hunting. Rick and I had 5 yrs totally to ourselves once the other two had left home and became even closer. he left home at 20 and went into the Navy and it was me that didn't know what to do with him gone.(no glad the teenager is out of the house for me) He is now 40 and a Senior chief warrent officer and will be retiring in 3 yrs, can't wait till he's home again. Flo
0 -
My best childhood times were canning with my Mom sisters and grandma. We sure complained at the time but it is tradition; all 3 of us girls and one brother still garden and can today. At Christmas it is the best time exchanging our homemade goodies.
0 -
My favorite memory is a little strange. When I was four, I tripped and fell and split my forehead open. I had to have stitches. My father is a doctor, and he was the one who took my stitches out at home. I remember the caring on his face and how gentle he was with me. Not long after that, my parents divorced, and I have only seen my father about 10 times in the years since then. So, the closeness and caring that I felt from my father then is a great memory.
0 -
Psalm, my onc said that when the reconstruct my breast they will give my sagging good breast a little lift....WAHOO a free breast lift for me...maybe they could give my eyes a little nip-tuck as well.
M360. you are such a fighter...you are among a special group of fierce fighting females...keep kicking ass.
0 -
Michele: Yeah, my PS said I may need a lift, too, but she wants to wait til the right one "settles" so that I'll have a better chance at symmetry....it's the waiting for it that's driving me crazy. I've been waiting on something or another ever since this whole stinking process started! Waiting for results, waiting for appointments to be scheduled then waiting for the appointment, waiting for mastectomy, waiting for drains to be out, waiting for saline fills, waiting for Onc, waiting for chemo, waiting DURING chemo....oh, man, I'm getting so impatient!! My exchange surgery is April 15th and I'm really looking forward to having one more step behind me. Have you got a timeframe for your reconstruction yet? By the way...I like that "fierce fighting females" phrase!
0 -
Thanks for sharing everyone. I do believe that it is the simplest things that really make our memories. It is a great day in so many ways.
Juannelle
0 -
Juannelle - I have very fond memories of picking strawberries with my mom. And, because of that, every June, take my daughter to do the same and then we make strawberry pie for my DH for Father's Day.
Sherri
0 -
I meant to post my memory and almost forgot!
I remember sitting beside my Daddy in church and he would hold my hand in both of his. I can close my eyes and still picture his hands and feel the warmth of them. My Daddy passed away in Sept 1997....it's been 12 years and I still miss him so much. I always thought my Daddy was the most handsome man ever....still do!
0 -
txstardust,
Your bittersweet memory just breaks my heart. I wish your father could read your post and know how you feel.
pam
0 -
Hi Ladies. My hubby and I went on a road trip this weekend from NJ to VA to attend a wedding. We had great driving weather, and thoroughly enjoyed riding with the windows open, enjoying the breeze, until we went past a farm that had applied a rather heavy dose of cow manure. WOW!! Made my eyes water!
It was good to see his family, and not be so occupied with BC. I'm glad to see that you all had a great Easter. I miss coloring eggs with my daughter - it was always a great time to be creative for us. We tried all of the PAAS varieties (my company made them).
0 -
c2will, I know what you mean about the smell. There use to be a dairy farm that I passed on my way to work and you always wanted to have the windows up when you drove by.
Shelby, I am glad that you have a fond memory with your dad. Maybe one day you will be able to share with him.
Sherri, there isn't much better than strawberry pie. We lived in North Carolina one year and we went to the strawberry fields and picked them. We don't grow strawberries in our part of Texas, too hot.
Psalm121, what a sweet memory of your dad. My dad died in 1977 and I still miss him. He was my rock and made my life normal, protected me and I also thought he was the most handsome man.
M360, what a wonderful tradition. It sounds like you were raised in a large, loving family. It inspires me to read memories like yours.
grama5, kids can be so silly when it comes to Mom's traditions. My children were just the opposite, they never wanted to give up their traditions. They were in high school before they would admit to me that there was no Santa. As long as one was at home, we still had to open our gifts on Christmas morning. We had Easter Eggs hunts until they were older. I look back on those years and just wonder where they all went. Time is passing so fast.
Going down memory lane is wonderful. I do appreciate everyone sharing.
Hugs,
Juannelle
0 -
Hi ladies,
It has been a while since my last post. I have had some changes in my job and wasn't able to get on here the last couple days.
One of my fondest childhood memories was when I was about 5 or 6 my mom worked 2nd shift at a nursing home, she worked from 7pm to 11pm. So, I would stay up with my dad and I would sit on his lap and we would eat pears and watch TV until it was time to go get my mom from work (she doesn't drive). I love those memories of my dad, he has always been a bigger paunchy guy, so he was like my "big soft pillow" as my niece called him when she was little.
As for my hand, Pam, I think the weather does have something to do with the excessive swelling, people tend to swell when they are warmer anyway. And I think it is magnified by the LE. M360, thank you for the tip on the burn garments. I will have to check that out. I have fought and fought with my insurance company and they won't pay for any compression garments. I have United Healthcare and let me just say that they SUCK!
We had a nice Easter, my MIL came out with my BIL and they stayed until Saturday, then left before Easter came. So, my husband and I just spent the day with the kids. Didn't do anything too special, just hung out. We had a good day on Friday, we went into Chicago and went to the Art Museum and walked thru Milleneum Park. It was really nice. I was sad though, that they left before Easter. My MIL is not a religious person, so I think she just wanted to get out of dodge before we made her go to church.
Take care, hope you all are having a great day!
Hugs
Jen
0 -
Ladies I'm having one of those days.... I'm sure you've all had them. Psalm 121 I've been in your mind frame today I'm just tired of waiting. I've alway had such patience with everything in life. With an Autistic child you have to even have more. However, I think that this waiting game is just that people playing games and not doing their jobs. I used to put up with any one who gave me a tale that wasn't true and let it fly pass me and waited. But I decided no longer. I was at Onc Surgeons office, and he told me I should be starting chemo this week. Oh, I said that's news to me?! He told me to walk over to the navigator and see what's happening. So I do and the front desk person says she is too busy to see you. Huh?! Then when I get home I have three calls saying she's returning my call. She saw me through her office window. She just hadn't set things up and wanted a way out. I called back and said I didn't call you the doctor sent me to your office to find out why my chemo hadn't started and why he hadn't receive the plan? The front desk told me you were too busy to see me. I'm tired of being "so nice", and being pushed around or known for we can push her treatment plan back because she won't complain. Well, no longer. Plus I had to take care of medical and child support for my children, I know my ex has paid, sent things into Support Office and they say no we didn't receive anything, when I have the print out of such confirming everything and they say it will take three days to look into this, no, things are all computerized you just need to pull up a screen and they say I don't have time to do that, then what's their job, this is the person who is suppose to answer your questions immediately. They have been sitting on these things for two months, it takes one hour or less to process. I had to take a deep breath, walk away and say, things need to change in my life. BC has made me tougher in so many ways, I don't want people to lie to me, hide things, or push my papers to the bottom of their stack because I'm so nice an will not ruffle feathers. So I ask you ladies have any of you just stood your ground on everything in life and say to yourself, I'm fighting for my life here, I'm not going to fight for every other little thing, give me a break already and don't lie, if you haven't done your job just say so and tell me the truth, I don't have time for people's games. How many of you are going through this. Psalm I think you're feeling this too? Any others?
0 -
M360 sorry you are having such a hard time. I am lucky my team has been really good so far. I was thinking of you today and came across this picture, hope you enjoy.
0 -
jen, I am sorry you are having trouble with UHC. I also have them through work and I have not been denied anything. I have it through work and they have been very good. Glad you had a good weekend with the family.
M360, you are right in standing your ground with the medical profesionals. You are paying them for a service and you should not be put off.
carolyn, beautiful picture.
Juannelle
0 -
M360-you go girl! Make them listen to you. I had a TERRIBLE nurse navigator-my evaluation of her was not nice (this was on the little survey cards they sent out afterwards). Remember these useful words "May I please speak with your supervisor?" I've noticed it gets things moving-sort of a laxative for medical personnel issues.
0 -
Eph, you made me laugh with your comment..
0 -
C2will- LOL. Cow manure is stinky. Around here they use chicken poo mixed with H20. Lord have mercy!!! It stinks!! Another thing they did here was build a waste treatment facilty with a sprayfield next to the high school. The students call it the "Smell of Defeat!"
M360-So sorry to hear about the wait. Makes ya wanna slap someone doesn't it? I'm not being a smart butt here but what I try to do (and it doesn't always work) is first put myself in the other persons shoes. Maybe she is having a rough time with something even bigger than what you are going through. Second, breath in, breath out. Good luck with that one. We all hear ya on this.
0 -
The manure stories are making me laugh and my eyes water at the same time. Cow manure is very stinky. I work at Michigan State University (in the college of human medicine) and we have miles of agricultural land that is part of the university. In the spring the whole city of East Lansing reeks of manure. Hasn't happened yet but will by the end of the month. P.U.
M360, I'm also sorry about your experience. These experiences I hear about make me so ashamed of some people in my profession. Good for you standing your ground and I hope everyone has the strength to stand their ground. Everyone/every patient should be treated with respect, kindness and honesty. That is taught in EVERY nursing school in the country!
Ok, off my soapbox. Everyone have a great day.
0 -
M360, you have every right to stand up for yourself, in my opinion. We all do, as a matter of fact. There are ways to be assertive without being aggressive, and I think you handled things well. It can be extremely frustrating when people are unwilling or unable to do what is necessary to take care of the PATIENT. I understand that people get busy, but they could at least take one minute to tell you themselves, face to face, and let you know when they can get to you. That's all it takes.
Life is ok for me these days. Treatment is going well, it's just the other things in life that are taking their toll. School is difficult because I get tired so easily. My husband is going through some kind of issues, and won't talk to me about them. My daughter is having something going on with school, and she won't talk to me either. I think they're worried about "burdening" me, but I would feel so much better if I were in the loop! It stresses me out MORE when I don't know what's going on.
Blessings to all,
Shelby
0 -
M360- I am sorry you have had such a hard time and good for you that you are sticking up for yourself. We all have to be our own advocates in this journey. Lucky enough for me that my nurse navigator has become one of my closest allies through this thing. She is amazing and I love her! I wish I could clone her for you
Juannelle- UHC has been difficult, but it is better than not having anything at all I guess. I am glad for you that you have not had a hard time with them.
Well, it is a typical spring day here in the suburbs of Chicago, chilly, rainy and gloomy. But, on the bright side, the rain give the plants and trees life!
Hugs
Jen
0 -
M360 ~ thinking of YOU. I think you have every right to be upset.... and be proactive in your own care!!!
Shelby, Jen, Juanelle, Pauldingmom, Michele, Eph and anyone else I am forgetting have a good evening !
Alicia
0 -
M360.....you are one intuitive lady...you're exactly right and that's exactly how I've been feeling, too. I saw my PS and over a week later I still hadn't heard from scheduling regarding my exchange surgery. Just the sheer frustration was making me crazy....I finally called the scheduling lady and, of course, VOICE MAIL! So I left a message....all the frustration poured into it, unexpectedly, but I guess it worked, because she called me the next day with my appointment. I basically just reminded her that I had had a mastectomy and was waiting for my reconstruction date after having this tissue expander for SEVEN months and having also had chemo. My PS, like alot of others, also does breast enhancement surgeries and I guess these people behind the phones forget that some of us are waiting on more than enhancement. And I also agree with you that I am now less inclined to just keep quiet and not speak my mind. I work in a medical facility myself, and we NEVER make patients wait for an appointment to be scheduled. As soon as I know a patient is going to need a follow-up appointment, I get on the phone and let them know and get it scheduled....I expect the same courtesy. If people would expend as much energy at actually working as they do AVOIDING work....wow, just think what they could accomplish!!
I have had to speak up from the very beginning of this "journey". My Gyn thought my right breast pain was fibrocystic breast disease and prescribed me an anti-inflammatory....even while I was telling her I was not comfortable with that and felt that the pain was definitely abnormal. My family doctor listened to me and sent me for diagnostic mam and ultrasound, but they would only US the area I pointed to that was hurting...upper outer quadrant, bc was in lower outer quadrant....looking back I should have insisted on a whole breast US, just got lucky that the radiologist recommended breast MRI if my breast pain continued....and fam dr set me up for it immediately. I knew as soon as I read those MRI results that I had breast cancer....
So, has she called you with your appointment yet? I just feel that no-one should have to wait unreasonably for an appointment to be scheduled...it's just plain ol' unprofessional and lazy. I hope you hear something soon......you are an amazing lady and should NOT be treated in such a way! Take Care......
0 -
Today was a good day: the temperature was in the 80's, and I worked from home. We've had very warm weather this week in NJ, and they have NOT turned on the AC at the office. I seem to get more done working from home, especially since it's much cooler. I also had a chance to follow up with Myriad Labs regarding the billing for my BRCA test (it was negative). Aetna had previously denied the claim, so I was calling to arrange a payment plan. As it turns out, Aetna PAID the claim, and they are refunding the partial payment that I sent in Feb. This was a great ending to my work day.
I'm having fun with the night sweats from Arimidex. My menopause night sweats had ended about a year ago, so I get to have this fun once again. Oh well, at least I know what to expect, and how to cope. Thank goodness I haven't had any hot flashes, and oddly, didn't really have them with menopause either. Small favors..
0 -
c2will - I just sent you a PM with a question about New Jersey.
Sherri
0 -
Hey c2will! I also am in NJ
0 -
I haven't been on in a few days, sounds like you ladies have had some issues with your nurses. As a nurse I am very sorry that there are some out there that have no ethical morals. As for a nurse navigator... I haven't had one of those. I have United Healthcare Jen and I also think they STiNK!!! They have paid terribly on most of my claims and then Blue Cross has picked up the secondary portions very poorly. The hospital has been trying to make me pay the remainder and my understanding is if they are a provider they can't do that, so I am doing battle for the last 6 months.
Will you lovely ladies be kind enough to say another prayer for my dad? He is back in the hospital with another brain bleed. Yes, he just had surgery last week and came home last Thursday from the first one. They have got to find out what is causing this. I am really, really worried about him.
Renee
0 -
Will do Renee-prayers for you dad going up.
What do you mean "The hospital has been trying to make me pay the remainder & my understanding is if they are a provider they can't do that..."
Joni
0 -
Renee ~ I will keep your dad in my prayers. So sorry he is having problems again.
Hugs ~Alicia
0 -
Renee I put your dad on a prayer list with a group of women and nuns praying all the time. I really hope that they can find out what's going on. I'm praying for you too, all this along with your health is a lot of piling on to your plate. Please take some time for you.
Ladies, I have called the nurse navigator every day this week and not one call back. My Onc surgeon I saw on Monday and he said he wouldn't take out all my stitches or removed drains because of my infection from first surgery last month. It hasn't even been two week, but again drainage from my incision. They put in old type stitches so that they would drain more instead of the glue stuff and dissolvable stitches. So I'm draining all over the place not only in drains. Now my Surgeon is going out of town which means I'll have this drain in for over three weeks before he comes back?! I wish I could have reconstructive surgery but all my doctors say it's out of the question. I'm so deformed! I had a radical mastectomy plus some more back tissue and everything from under my arm. So I'm caved, even all around shoulder and then a swelled up arm that is now over 16 inches wide on top from lymphedema and my autoimmune response problems with swelling. Talk about ugly! The breast and surgery site has caused me no pain but my shoulder and arm, I can't even stand a shirt touching. I'm wondering if it was worth it?! I think that the navigator hasn't called because they can't figure out what chemo they can possibly use on me. I did my research and Tamox,Herc, Arim, and any estrogen meds are out of the question. Cytoxan is probably the only one that I could take, even if they Onc wants a cocktail, the side effects could kill me. So I wait and wonder.
Hope all you other ladies are having some fun in the sun or just resting and enjoying the day.
0
