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CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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Comments

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited April 2012

    GREAT.....this is really so exciting.

    The first of many more to come!!!!!!!!!

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,982
    edited April 2012

    There is a shuttle from Penn to GCS and back.  it goes through 42nd street Times Square Station from or to Penn.
    Ducky, you are way out there....could you get a drop off at the Amtrak Station in Phila?  (30th street)?  Then you can just relax and ride comfy to Penn.  Am happy to meet anyone at Penn and head to GCS - you should be there with your friends.  Hope you don't have to wait for next year!

    Same for you, Granny - do you want company from Port Authority? 
    Walking's not mandatory....we can get everyone to the same place...
    It's an adventure Cool

    PS - I just signed up for FB after an 8 month break - did not want to be on during BC uncertainties.  If you PM your FB link, I can find you/friend you.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited April 2012

    Joan...i'm so glad you know the city well.

    Thank You all for meeting me in GCS.........

    Have a wonderful Saturday all. It's 49 degree here.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited April 2012

    wow!!!!!its almost here and i just cannot wait.

    Joan I would love you to meet me at Port Auth.and from there we can find everyone else.I kinda know where im goin but i do ask for help most of the time.Its been over 5 yrs.since i have been on the trains...Im gonna pm you my number and fb info.

    Wish all the sistas can come...

    Yes you Ducky too!!!!!!

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited April 2012

    Longislandmama do take your time and consult with a PS.  Originally my BS rushed me into surgery and did not give me options.  a year and a half later I finally got the BMX with reconstruction that I wanted.  I interviewed 3 PS and could not be happier with my results.  I am in the reconstruction process with TE's but so far they look great.  Better than my real ones.

    Granny and the bunch I can't wait to see pictures from your get together.

  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,160
    edited April 2012

    I have the day open- you guys let me know....morning and we can noodle around and get some food- noon time we can have lunch time...afternoon...I will be GCS and we can coordinate where when we get a time set...

  • valerie0118
    valerie0118 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2012

    Hi All, I'm a new stage 1 sister.  I just had my surgery 9 days ago and have to go back in for "trimming" and cath placement on May 11.  I had UMX right side and lumpectomy left side.  The left side was originally called atypical cells and then Path showed DCIS so he is going in to get better margins.  I will be starting MammoSite radiation which is a 5 day internal treatment.  Then I've been told I will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years.  My cancer was right in the center of the breast behind the nipple so a mastectomy was the only option.  I have started reconstruction....these drains are sure a pain!  I get the drains out on Monday.

    Your trip to NYC sounds exciting.  I've never been in the city.  I've flown over it but that is as close is I have been.  Hope you all have a blast and a few laughs along the way. 

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 521
    edited April 2012

    Hi Valerie - glad you found our little site!  It is a great place to come to vent, get support, get a laugh and basically just talk to others that are going through the same thing!

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited April 2012

    welcome valerie this is a great place to hand and ask questions or vent.  And yes the drains are a pain in the A**

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101
    edited April 2012

    Welcome Valerie.  I wish you success in your recovery process with prayers and positive energy!

  • rachel11
    rachel11 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2012

    Hello,

    Finally got confirmation that I had a Stage 1 cancer so here I am. I was DXed on December 20, 2011 d had a partial mastectomy on March 20, 2012. My oncology appts were  last Thursday, where I found out that I will be having chemotherapy starting this coming Thursday. While I was preparing myself to hear this news...it was still a bit of a shocker when the MO told me this. Chemo will then be followed by radiation therapy and hormone therapy. I call it the "Trifecta."

    Anyway, we told our children this morning about the cancer. It was extremely hard to watch my girls cry and cry but we spent a nice family day together and they seem to have come to terms with it. My youngest seemed to be the more worried about it, probably because she doesn't quite understand exactly what is going on. My oldest daughter knows a bit more about the disease, but just last week she had come home from school telling me that one of her friends had to leave school early because she was going to two funerals, both relatives that had died from cancer, so of course this was fresh in her mind as we announced our news this morning. It was definitely a difficult morning.

  • valerie0118
    valerie0118 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2012

    Welcome Rachel, My prayers are with you.

    Thanks for the welcome all!  We are in this together!  Someone in the chat room called this an "easy cancer".  I guess in terms of early stage and more treatable I would agree but would never call this "easy".

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639
    edited April 2012

    Welcome Valerie and Rachel. We are all very supportive. There is a wealth of information available to you. Some of the posters are several years out and some are months or weeks out so there is always someone who can relate when you have a question or concern. Good luck on your treatments.

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,982
    edited April 2012
    Valerie and Rachel, and all the newbies...
    It breaks my heart that so many ladies are still being diagnosed.
    Yes, in some ways, I feel that my Stage 1 BC is easier....but we all go through the same emotions and fears.  It is NOT easy.  Rachel, my (adult) kids were very upset and concerned.  they wouldn't stop calling me to see how I "feel"....and of course I didn't feel any different than before my diagnosis.  It is a very emotional challenge, sometimes more than physical.   I hope that you and your family will grow closer through this and that you will see that you can take your life back soon.  Did you have the oncotype score done?  How was the chemo decision made?
    Valerie, you've been through a lot in such a short time.  I hope your margins are clear.  Longislandmama, hope you are finding answers that make sense.
    Hugs and prayers for all...
  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,982
    edited April 2012
    Kaara, I had been meaning to reply about your AZ trip - the Boulders is in a little town called Carefree.  and I have friends in Cave Creek - another crazy geologist - he took my DH and me into the desert hills to find a copper mine...we found a bunch of good ol' boy with guns and beer, and a bobcat.  What fun. Oh, and I picked up some copper ore rocks, too.  Pretty blue-green ones.
    I hope you are still enjoying the memories of your trip!
    Joan
  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101
    edited April 2012

    Rachel & Valerie:  Welcome to the thread.  I don't think any cancer is easy.  It's a shocking dx and the process is a complicated one, but hopefully you come out on the other end with a hopeful outlook and a better appreciation of life and how fragile it can be.  I'm almost five months out from surgery and I'm doing great, although I had no chemo or rads...just tamoxifen.

    Joan...we went through Carefree and Cave Creek on the way to the golf course we were playing that day...it was in the mountains and very beautiful. The resort was called Rancho Mananna.  I miss all the good meals we had...will try to duplicate some of them.  We asked our local Italian restaurant here at home if they did gluten free pasta...they don't....but they do have a gluten free pizza...now why don't they advertise that! 

  • valerie0118
    valerie0118 Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2012

    Thanks everyone for your welcome.  I agree about it being sad that so many are being diagnosed but in another way it is good because the diagnosis seems to be earlier in the disease than in the past.  My primary care doctor said that there seems to be an epidemic here in the chicago area.  She has had a great increase in cases this year over last year.  Maybe it is because the technology is so much better or that more women are getting in earlier.  They could only see calcifications on my mammo....took biopsies and an MRI to see more and even then things weren't clear.  The after surgery path report revealed the most.  Who would have thought, two different cancers in two different breasts at the same time and both at stage 1.  Thank God I got in and got this process started.  I have no family history of cancer let alone breast cancer.  I was more worried about a heart attack or stroke.

    My big question and I'm sure it is one all of you have wondered about also is why has this happened to ME?  I have examined this question a lot because I want to make sure I'm doing all I can to prevent a reoccurance and to help my 22 yr old daughter live healthier.  I let my weight get a little out of control and didn't exercise enough for many years.  Stress related to a divorce and my work could have added to it.  I eat really good, all of the right things and always have.  I don't smoke and drink infrequently and always stop at about 2 drinks when I do.  My husband even commented that I eat all of the right things (green tea, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, berries, etc).  Four years ago I shook myself hard and started improving things in my life to prevent heart attack/stroke.  I took off 45 lbs and started exercising regularly.  I felt in better shape and healthier than I have been since I was in my 30s right before this diagnosis.....so how do I help my daughter prevent this disease before she has problems?  I really don't think they know the answer.  Sure if it is genetic, they can predict.  But what about those of us that just randomly seemed to have gotten this disease?  

    Kaara, you are so right about it making us look at life and how valuable it is!  I was just married to a wonderful man last summer.  I look at him and my life and I'm so glad that I found this BC before it was too late.  I want to spend many years with him, happy, healthy and doing the things we love to do together  like golfing, skiing, working in our yards, bike riding, walking, and just enjoying life.   I'm an optimist....usually....and thinking about our future together is helping.   

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited April 2012

    I hate to disappoint you ladies (although no one is more disappointed then I am), but I won't be going to NY..................as I glanced over things, I realize almost everyone is from that neck of the wood...................even N. Jersey is not bad, but I am more then 2 hours away and that would be just the train, or bus ride...................I would still have a 45-60 minutes commute from my house to the train station....................just don't see myself being able to make that "trek" alone..............I am sorry, and am very down in the dumps about it, but "it is what it is", and apparently all the ladies from my end of the country, don't do much on" Stage 1 Sisters".....................I know Blondie does, but I'm sure there was no way she could make it...................oh well...........enjoy your day.......and think about me................hugs.

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,982
    edited April 2012
    Hugs Myspace Comments
    ((((Duckky)))) it's so quiet around here....I think that nobody wants to believe you can't make it....but it is a long trek....there's gotta be a way to do this again closer to you...and not wait a year, either. 
    Joan
  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Joan..........I hope so............I mean it would be close to 3 hours one way, and that would be if everything went perfect........it could be even longer.  I'm saying 2 hours to NY, I'm not even sure since we always drove when we went there......my son owned his own company and did the Trade Shows at the Javitz center for Hasbro Corp. when the Toy Show came to NY..........

    It appears you gals are all a lot closer then I am....................thanks for caring.......hugs.

  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,160
    edited April 2012

    ah crap ducky:( my show is at the javits as well.

    you will be there in spirit my friend:)

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited April 2012

    Annettek............I really wanted to meet up with you all............It would have been so much fun........but that is the story of  my life.......................always a day late, and a dollar short...............maybe another time...........................I will be thinking about you gals all day...............I am very disappointed, but, it is what it is....................hugs annettek.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited May 2012

    Welcome to our sisterhood Rachel and Valerie.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited May 2012

    (((♥Annette...ducky.....Joan...Kaara...♥)))

    (((♥All my sisters♥)))

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited May 2012

    I don't know why i'm so nervous about tomorrow's cardiogram...it's not even related to BC.

    I had another bad attack yesterday in the middle of shopping.......

    Cold sweat...heart palpitation...numbness....insides jumping and shaking..etc......It scared me so bad about an hour later all the symptoms were gone.....I don't understand it.............Frown

    I don't know if it's my anxiety or my heart.

    I can use my sisters in the pocket tomorrow afternoon.......

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 521
    edited May 2012

    Shelie -Big Hugs!  make room for me in your pocket sista!

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited May 2012

    Hey Sheila im in your pocket for tomorrow.know it!!!!.

    Welcome newbees.....stage 1 is not easy.no stage is easy.When you hear the word cancer and your name in the same sentence your life just changed forever.BUT we the sistas are gonna beat the crap out of bc.yes we will,KNOW IT!!!!!!!

    Ducky---you no i wanted you to go real bad but i do understand.Perhaps when i go to PA Mothers day week,and i plan on seing veggy perhaps you can meet us maybe 1/2 way.just sayin!!!!!I dont drive but my GD will take veggy and me to try to meet up with you.exactly how far are you from the Scranton area?

    hey where is VAL!!!!!!!!!!missing you sista.

    Sherry-you made me laugh when you told Gina i was worried about her....I sure was....

    huggggggggs everyone K

  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 2,101
    edited May 2012

    Good luck Sheila with your cardiogram.  It sounds like an anxiety attack to me..they can happen for no apparent reason.  Good that you're getting it checked out.

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    edited May 2012

    Sheila...........I got anxiety attacks...........one I went to the hospital after calling 911.  It was just that anxiety...............It happened again and I went again, and got to the point of embarrassment..........I swore to my Dr. I would never go again to the hospital when ithappened............he understood, but said "if it happens again, and anything feels even slightly different, go to the hospital.

    In 2007 I woke up about 3am with an odd feeling, and thought it was anxiety........yet something did feel a little different..............so rather then be embarrassed again with the 911 call and waking up my kids in the middle of the night, I drove myself to the hospital.....................to my shock..............it was a heart attack this time, and I could not belive it................they could not do a clot blowing procedure because I have a blood disorder, so they transported me to a "sister" hospital and did "cardio catherization"....................it was a blocked artery, but not a major one............my major ones were all pretty clear...........it was a narrow artery, not one of the main ones..................no stent was able to be used, so I was put on medicine................I have done great since then.

    The reason for the story is.........you are doing the right thing........just follow up on this.........it could be anxiety as mine was so many times before.  It is a scary feeling, and so overwhelming........I know just what your going through..............so good for you for doing something about it.............you should, just to ease your mind.............knowing it is anxiety helps you to deal better with it when it happens...............thinking it is your heart, is very scary, and you want to be sure.....................I'm glad I went that night when I did..............just so stupid to drive myself.......................'my kids still talk about it..............

    Good luck tomorrow, I'll be in your pocket.................you will feel much better if you have it checked out, and get a clean slate for any heart problems.............hugs...

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639
    edited May 2012

    Sheila, in your pocket tomorrow, good luck and blessings.