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CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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Comments

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited December 2009

    Having trouble, HELP! How do I post a picture from my Windows Photo Gallery?? I have tried & tried, just can't do it.

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited December 2009

    louiebern ~ Hello neighbor back at ya! Yes, Owosso is a pretty nice little town, I live 10 miles south. I do love MI !!

    Karen ~ We're all with you tomorrow.

    off to bed,

    {{hugs}}

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited December 2009

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited December 2009

    Sorry something is wrong with my PC. Cant delete

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited December 2009

    Good morning sisters.  I hope you got some sleep last night SHeila!

  • carolyncf
    carolyncf Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2009

    Great thread.  I am a stage 1-er.  I may not post much anymore but still read them.  I am 47 yrs young and am a Mainiac.  Hope you all are ready for the holidays because I am not!  Hopefully will get my act together in the next couple of days.

  • susu1976
    susu1976 Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2009

    Karen--Good luck today!  You will do well, I just know it.  I finished TC on August 27.  It was not a picnic, but not as bad as I anticipated either.  Don't try to do too much afterwards.  The two days following tx you will be "up" from the steroids, then you will likely feel too pooped to do much of anything (that was my experience).

    Meg--Welcome! I am 51, was diagnosed in February, had double mastectomy in March, and started chemo in June. Hope to start reconstruction in the spring.  I wish I had found this website much earlier this year...I could have used some friends then.  I think you will find the support you need here.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2009

    Meg, welcome.  I was also a grade 3, and here I am 6 years later. I was a TN so originally my prognosis was not so great. I had lumpectomy and SNB. I had AC x 4 and Taxol x 4 and rads.  It was like they shot my BC, stangled it, and stomped it with a boot.  But all that tx worked.  You sound like you are prepared as much as one could be.  Good luck.

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited December 2009

    Welcome, Meg.  I also had a lumpectomy in January, then four rounds of TC and 33 radiation treatments.  I finished chemo in April and I had enough hair in September to start going "topless" again.  You have a great attitude and will get through all of this.  There are some great women here to help you along.

  • gcarter
    gcarter Member Posts: 53
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Meg..this will be a great place for you. These women are so welcoming and we need to belong somewhere.

    My son came home from college yesterday.. Love that he is home. He is such a great kid.

    Its all so weird for me because all I have is boys and they just do not get it. I have documented my journey with pictures (of course they don't want to see them. Its just way to weird for them.

    I got together with the girls I shoot pool with last night. It was great to see them. They were pretty interested in my pictures. It was nice because I think it helps me to begin to get closure on this journey. Emotional this week ..to say the least. I think that with the holidays here and a new year starting is going to be the beginning of the end of this journey. If that makes any sense. Anyway, just blabbering again.

    Still have so many clients that need me to get back to work..just not ready yet. I cannot imagine trying to wash anyones hair right now. I just don't think my sternum is up to that yet.. Still pretty sore but each day is better..

    I will return later.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2009

    Gail, take it easy as long as you know your limits.  Maybe when you get ready to go back, you could get a hair wash girl.  That used to be something they did back when in large salons.  One woman just washed hair.

  • louiebern
    louiebern Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Meg!!  I have found so many caring ladies here!  Of all the bad we experienced through this, the good thing is we have these wonderful women who understand!

    HI Gina!!  Nice to see a post!  Hope your feeling good!!  :):)

    HI Susu!  Hope you have a great weekend! 

    Everyone..... Have a wonderful weekend!! :):):):)

  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 188
    edited December 2009

    whew!  It's so fun to read all these posts!  I've been away for a few days, but I'm back!

    Hugs to Meg!  Sorry you have to be here, but glad to meet you!

    I went to the urologist today...here's the news...My ultrasound of kidneys and bladder is perfect!  I have no bacteria and am fine!  I still have some bladder pain, and he thinks it's spasms...or I think its a common female condition which I forget what it's called at the moment, but nothing to worry about.  He said I could take medicine for it, but if it's not a problem, he would recommend dealing with the minor pain, which I agree since as you know we take drugs for this stinky BC...I dont need any more.  SO...I can breathe a sigh of relief!  Last Friday I was so worried because I had pain, but slowly this week, the pain subsided to very small amount, yeah!

    That paragraph above sounds so "all over the place" but I typed it as I thought it, LOL...an insight into my "scatter-brain!"

    All done Christmas shopping!  Happy last day of Hanukkah!

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Meg, I just turned 58 in Oct.  I am also a stage 1,er.  had lumpectomy 2x for clearer margins because of DCIS which they did not see.  Had rads now on Arimidex and doin just fine and you will also.  I do have cancer in the family, my mom died of BC over 13 yrs ago, miss her so much.

    Doing the Happy Dance for you cake.

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Meg!

    GREAT news Cake!!!!!!

    Hope you are all doing something special this weekend.  We are going to get ALOT of snow!

  • louiebern
    louiebern Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2009

    deborye, I love the Snoopy!!!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited December 2009

    Nice to see you Gina, cakeisgreat.

    Hi all my sisters.

  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2009

    Hi ladies, just getting in from a get together with some girlfriends, overspending... my new thing this year:) and , no I don't feel guilty!....until my hubby gives me a look anyway!

    So, welcome Meg, I too was a grade 3 and much like you it has kept me concerned... but my dr's do not seem concerned about it at all... when I stress the issue they remind me it would only matter if we did not catch it when we did but because we caught it at an early stage, then my prognosis is so good.

    I have to admit, I have been getting a  lot of backaches, I have lymphedema in my back, but my brain is still not 100% convinced this is all fluid, it keeps me up at night now... so I called the dr to discuss, I swear they think I am neurotic... but I can't help it, this truly is an issue! I asked for a bone scan just to settle my brain... they said it is not necessary, I go for my routine exam in 2 weeks, if I still have it, I am going to ask again. What do you think about a PET scan, I had one when I first got diagnosed and not one after, is this routine?

    Cake- SOOOO happy your kidney/bladder issues are better! IT CAN BE SO CONSUMING and it is hard to not let your mind wander.

    Meece- you were a Grade 3, too??? You are our encouragement!

    Gina- Take your time before going back to work, I am glad you got to go out with the girls

    Have a good night

    PS Tried to post my new avatar with my extensions but the pic must be too big... it won't upload...

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited December 2009

    Hi Sisters, Can't sleep, but wanted to check in.

    My TE is consuming my nerves, especially at night, I hate the nights.

    Just wanted to say hello to everyone.

    Welcome newbies.

  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2009

    Hey, got  the pic to upload!

    Ronna, what does TE stand for... I hear it often? I get lost in acronyms at times.

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited December 2009

    Just a quick post before I go to bed, getting up early to go Christmas shopping. Yeah, I know shopping on the weekend before Christmas is insane, but have things to get yet.

    cake ~ Hoorah!! Great news!! So wonderful!

    Gina ~ your avatar pic is lovely!

    Have a great weekend everyone!

    hugs

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited December 2009

    This picture reminded me how busy some of our sisters are and will be...

    Valjean....I was going to threat myself tomorrow but the weather is saying otherwise.

    Nicole  What a beautiful picture with your DH, You both look a very handsome couple. I cant really see the extensions that clearly, but you look so happy.

    cake is great....Finally some relief from the kidney problems.

    Gina...Its nice to have your son home. Another nice avatar

    Hi Louiebern, ronqt1.

    susu1976...Another new avatar.

    I think you Ladies will be in competition with your avatar pictures. They are all beautiful.

    So Deb's and Linda's

    After I learn how to post pictures I should put a new one too after New year. If I cant figure it out,

     I can always google one.

    Good Night all my sisters!

  • eph3_12
    eph3_12 Member Posts: 2,704
    edited December 2009

    Nicole, I think TE is tissue expander or something close to that.

  • sue-61
    sue-61 Member Posts: 262
    edited December 2009

    CAKE

    now that u know there is no infection, relax. easier said than done however. bladder spasms are common and will subside......

    I had a sore throat once and when I was assured that is was not strep, the pain left the next day. Lots of mind over matter stuff, you know what I mean.......and keep chugging the cranberry jiuce.

    We New Englanders are hunkering down as there is a big BLIZZARD approaching.  UGH! I have plenty of reading to do, provided the power stays on.  It bring back memories of our delightful ice storm from last Dec when many lost power for over a wk. It happened 3 da before I was dx.  

    Hope everyone has a good day. Sue

  • hmm
    hmm Member Posts: 957
    edited December 2009

    Sue.... Hope the storm is not too bad and that the power stays on.......we are having some not so great weather here too. Right now it is gloomy and gray and only about 50 degrees ......later it will be in the sixties. Looks like we are in for several days of the not so warm temps which most people don't mind. 

    Wishing everyone a nice day Smile

    Pat

  • nanaiq
    nanaiq Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2009

    good mornig Ladies,

    I had my first treatment yesterday, and am so relieved to say it was a piece of cake! The anticipation was wayyyy worse. I was so hyped up on the steroids that I was up at 4:00 am picking up the house before I left yesterday and went shopping afterward. No side effects so far except a red puffy face, so I am going to take advantage and DD and I will try to finish up my Christmas stuff.

    Stay warm, stay strong, you girls are my inspiration.

    Karen

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2009

    Karen, I knew you'd do fine.  It will probably hit you int he next few days.  It is still tolerable.

    Nicole, yes Eph was correctt TE is tissue expander.  I did not have one, although myPS was trying to prepare me in case he had to use one.  He told me that they are not too comfortable and they are much firmer than implants.  He brought one out for me to feel and there is definitely a difference.And yes, I was a Grade 3, my size was 1.5 cm, but we aren't given a choice of sizes here other than  <1, 1, 2  etc.

    FOR ALL YOU NEW GIRLS

    There is a thread that has the abbreviations:  It is a little rough, but pretty well covered.  I took the info and cleaned it up  and made a Word doc for myself.  I am anal about things not being in proper form, that's just me.  Anyway, here is the link   http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/62/topic/735716

  • debnyc
    debnyc Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2009

    So where's all the snow we're supposed to be getting? I feel like a little girl waiting for it to start. I hope it sticks in the city :)

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2009

    Hmmmm snow.  We see it so infrequently here, that I don't remember what it is like.  We have fog here.  Visibilty can go down to 20 feet or less.  Our children get Fog Days from school,

  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2009

    I hate to thow my anxiety on this board, but do any of you ladies have dull backaches which do not subsude and linger on month to month?

    Cake- I am starting to get concerned about this issue much like your anx over the bladder pain... why do we have to analyze every ache and pain and think the owrse?

    My hubby keeps saying it is a pulled muscle, but last night and being up and down all night again, he is now thinking I need to get a bone scan just to check it off my to do's...

    I have to say, my job is pretty demanding and this last week I have been starting work at 4 am and working through lunches.. so perhaps all the computer time takes its toll...

    Thanks for listening to my never ending back complaint!

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