Calling all TNs

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  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited October 2011
    ksmatthews - joint/muscle pain is definitely a chemo thing, but I'm glad your doctor gave you reassurance.  I swear I feel like an 80 year old, my ankles take forever to warm up, and my knees are bad too.  I always figured if it was bilateral - felt in both sides - it wasn't anything to really worry about.  Now that I have actually bone pain, it is totally different.  So my vote - dang chemo.  Keep up the great exercise!
  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 242
    edited October 2011
    Suze,  I'm glad you are starting the chemo! I hope it goes smoothly, with few SE's,  and Kicks A***.  I'm also glad you have those great shoes.
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2011

    Hey Kris..keep up with that walking..oh yeah..achy/stiffness is definitely an se from chemo..my onc told me to keep using the muscles..it will get better and it does...you are doing a great job walking...!

    Suze..thinking of you on Wednesday!  

    Helped my DD move into her and her husband's (that is weird to say). appt. the past 2 days...it is sooo very hard to let go...I don't want to be an interfering MIL..but I guess I will be until they tell me to chill...they just seem so damn young..

    Have a good week everyone...I would post some pics. from the wedding if I knew how to do it..the professional ones should be out in a week or so..I will try to post some then.

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited October 2011

    Thank you so much ladies!  I feel so much better hearing this from all of you!

    Suze kick cancers butt!

  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 450
    edited October 2011

    I feel better hearing all these reports that the stiffness gets better after some time. I just figured it was permanent.  Ks, I am VERY stiff - if I have to tie my shoelace while walking, I feel like I am 90 years old the way I have to bend over and bend my knees at the same time.  And it hurts to do it! The bottoms of my feet hurt, too. When I get up from the sofa I hobble back and forth until I get my momentum going!  I was on Arimidex briefly and blamed the Arimidex for all this, but have been off for almost a month during radiation and it hasn't gotten any better - so I think it is all post chemo stuff.  One of the oncologists I saw recommended a minimum of 3 hrs exercises weekly with about 30% of it weight training.  I haven't really started the weight training yet, but I'm walking 2-4 miles at least 3 days a week. My niece gave me a pass for 12 visits at the Y where there is an indoor pool so I'm thinking of getting a mastectomy swimsuit and going swimming. 

    Titan, I'm in the same spot with my daughter - it's hard to let go - I've "half-dialed" her number many times!  (And we work together so I get to see her quite a bit!) 

    Bak, wishing the best outcome for you!  And I would love to see the costumes - sounds really cute! 

    Suze, I'm rooting for you all the way! I never could figure out how to view the shoes - but glad they were a hit and you enjoyed NYC!  It's one of my favorite places, particularly this time of year.

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited October 2011

    Christina1961- what you are going through is so normal. We all feel 90 years old. I have some comfort over here my hotflashes have stopped, but going back to normal is REALLY taking its time.

    Suze35- I hope you enjoyed yourself. I am wishing you much success and on this new trial.

    Are you guys tried of the pink campaign??? I have just avoided people for this month and I wasn't so public w/ my battle so I am kind of fading into the background so to speak.

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited October 2011
    Titan- I can upload some photos for you if you put them on facebook or email them to me.
  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 123
    edited October 2011

    Fighter: I was doing ok with the pink and started to be glad that people were helping to get rid of this nasty disease....then people starting bringing me pink. My mother brought a pink flag with the BC ribbon and two pink flower pots with the BC ribbon on them for my front yard...so everyone can know, then a teacher from the school came and brought two pink balloons for inside....just in case I foget for a minute. That aside...the thought both put into it was so nice and appreciated that I didn't have the heart to tell them that I really didn't need a reminder or big signs announcing "Cancer Here" outside my house. I am going to look for a new flag today that I can hang on the sign and I will just tell my mom when she comes back that I needed a break from the reminder. The flag stand is still a really nice gift and the teacher brought KFC and has been being very supportive even if she doesn't know me...so how could I be ungrateful? I am a little tired of being BC so "in my face" but I figure it is less about the pink than the fact that I am having to fight the BC itself.

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited October 2011

    I was just approved for ssdi! Takes a weight off me and now I feel like I can concentrate on me getting better and less stress. The scary thing is to me that this reminds me how serious my situation is, I got approved on the first try.

    I went grocery shopping last night and they were playing a recording on breast cancer, talking about 1 in 8 women bla bla bla. It made me want to cry right there in the store, I was not in the mood to be listening to that, I just wanted to get my few things and get out. I know people mean well when they bring us pink stuff, one friend made a blanket with pink ribbons all over it, it is very cuddly. This time around for me I haven't received as much pink stuff as the first time 8 years ago. My sister in law would bring these beautiful angel figurines, no pink anywhere on them, it was a nice change! Some people just don't get it, but I can't blame them, they haven't experienced this, and I hope that they do not. All I can do is be polite and try to see it from their point of view, they are trying to help and be considerate after all. I think most would feel really bad if they really knew how we felt about pink, we are going to have to let them down easy! Maybe by making suggestions of what will really help us! Like a funny book or movie not related to cancer, a good meal out, decor that actually matched our furnishings!

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited October 2011

    bak - yay!!!  What a relief!  It does bring the reality home, which can be sobering, but it will reduce your stress and help you heal and recover faster.  I am only eligible for SSD, I've been approved but am waiting to hear as to which date they considered me "disabled" - I'm hoping for when this first started last year, as then I won't have to wait 5 months for benefits, and will get back-pay.  My children will also get a small amount each month until they are 18.  It is just a small thing, but one that will help DH down the road. 

    All I gotta say about pink is keep it out of my football!!!  Ugh!!!  My one simple pleasure every Sunday...

  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 242
    edited October 2011

    RE: Pink. LWarstler and bak, you both are so right. We don't need reminders, and we would rather not advertise our conditions, but people mean well.  If I wear all the pink ribbon stuff (hat, shirt etc) I feel like I'm going around saying "Hi, my name is Breast Cancer". I'd rather be just me. (Now, if people gave money to research every time they saw pink, that would be different.)

    Bak, thats good news on the SSDI.

  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 116
    edited October 2011

    I'm getting a little tired of all the pink too, although my sense is it isn't anywhere near as bad here in Canada. There's another thread I've been following and I can't believe some of the things I've seen on it.



    My sister bought me a pink "courage" mug on the weekend. It was very sweet of her but, like all of you, I don't need any more reminders! I saw my other sister on the weekend for the first time in several months and all she wanted to talk about was breast cancer, my treatments, etc. Seriously, can't we talk about something else?

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2011

    Ok. Heidi...they will be sending us the cd's soon...my daughter will put them on FB and I will let you know when that happens.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2011

    OR..if you guys are bored or something you can click on this link www.snapped4u.com/galleries.           Then click on Williams/Welsh wedding, (3 different..2 wedding and 1 reception)...the password is wedding.   There is "PROOF" on each pic but you can kinda see things...I looked at them this morning and have been crying my eyes out since.

  • jazz3000
    jazz3000 Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2011

    Bak ! Hurray! So happy and cheered to hear you got it and things are looking up. Girl you deserve some time off and time for yourself - Take a deep breath now and say, " I do believe, I do believe!". LOL. You just let that stress go with healthy walking and good food. Enjoyable entertainment and family and friends. ( that means us too.) Hugz and Hugz!

    Pink doesn't bother me. It is a rather Sissy Idealisation of what's really happening. Makes BC look cute and cuddly, and/or somewhat nauseating with Pepto Bismo being the only answer to our condition, but hey....the Jayne Mansfield, paint the world Pink, Hollywood thing, is just about as realistic as the Medical Professions, "And it's just that easy", look at it all. My question is, now that they've started acknowledging men with BC, will the Pink survive, or will the equal rights movement turn on the Icon of Color demanding a change?  hmmmm ......Oh the suspense! 

    Titan- Your baby girl is married. Congradulations on getting through it without loosing your mind. My sister just went through the same thing and I thought she would lose hers. Her daughter being somewhat over the top with perfection.You still have NY and shoes, girl.    

    Suze- Imagine all Pink uniforms and shoes on your favorite team.Now that would be a conversation piece and almost make Pink worthwhile. I can hear the couch discussions now. LOL

    LeeAnn - I feel the same way. With or without Pink I'm afraid people would behave the same, the fight would be the same, and ignorance stay the same. Don't hate the Pink - Hate the BC. People  just do things to show support. They don't know what else to do. Their intentions are pure and that's really all that matters. 

    Hugs and Hopes. Good days for all.

  • konandkaismom
    konandkaismom Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2011

    I lucked out because my favorite color is pink!

    Third chemo - four days ago. Tired and easily out of breath... but good... 

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited October 2011

    My favorite color is pink so I am loving it!

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited October 2011

    Yeah to you BAK!!  now take a breathe and take care of YOU! 

    Pink is one of my favorites too.  I just hope that it at least reminds other women who do not have BC to get their checkups and do self exams.  I would still be waiting for my yearly checkup next week if I did not do my self exam. Who knows how far this beast would have traveled then. The pink at least makes it top of mind for others...as for us I think we are pretty aware of the agony of this disease and no reminders are needed!

    Maggie

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited October 2011

    WAIT A MINUTE! Football already *has* gone pink. Haven't you guys seen the shoes, wristbands, hand towels, gloves, goal post covers and stickers on the helmets? It's all over NFL, though the uniforms are still traditional.

  • jazz3000
    jazz3000 Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2011

    Do you believe I just walked into Safeway and everywhere I looked I saw Pink T-Shirts- Pink Boxes for premade Salads and Deli Foods, Pink ribbons, and pink drinks. LOL. Thought of todays conversation and hoped no one noticed me laughing as walked up and down the isles by myself. Sweeet.

    Will check out the NFL for Pink next. Missed that Heidi. Didn't have a clue. Embarassed

  • lrm216
    lrm216 Member Posts: 534
    edited October 2011

    My granddaughter is a Varsity cheerleader for her high school, and on Friday nights game, along with their navy blue, and gold cheerleading outfits, they had to wear hot pink knee socks and hot pinks big bows around their ponytails.  They all looked horrible - it was actually an eysore, although I know the coaches meant well - I couldn't even escape it there - ugh!

    Bak - So glad to hear you got approved.  Not that I want to see you approved for disability, but if it makes it a bit more easier on you financially, then it has to be a plus.

    Titan:  Your baby girl looked beautiful and the wedding pics are wonderful.  Thanks so much for sharing them.  The glasses on the two moms (at least I am assuming you guys were the "moms") - threw me off as you have glasses in your avatar.  Are you the pretty lady in the gray/silver dress, or are you the pretty lady in the black and white dress with the black jacket?  Beautiful wedding - and now you can rest........until the grandbabies start coming, that is!

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2011

    Linda..I'm glad you looked at them..I'm the one in the gray/silver dress!..not sure about the pretty though..I'm never good at getting my picture taken..but I tried to relax and go with the flow..I dunno why..I like to smile..just not good at mugging it up for the camera.

    Re: discussion on the PINK...I'm so very glad that companies are doing their thing..even though the actual donations may be pretty small...I used to love pink..now I have a hard time wearing it..I just kinda cringe when I see the color...it seems to be everywhere...Pink used to be a very pretty color to me..now it just reminds me of IT...I don't mind other women embracing it though...everyone does their own thing and they are entitled to it....

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2011

    Oh..and Jazz..I loved your recent post..you have a way with words and coming from the heart...

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited October 2011

    Here's a brain tease for you guys. I got it in 10 seconds, but hubby has always accused me of having an uncanny eye for critters.

    Spot the Cat in under 15 seconds:

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited October 2011

    Titan- checked out the wedding photos...nice gams!

    Seriously, you looked great....so did the bride! Laughing

  • Flautalee
    Flautalee Member Posts: 46
    edited October 2011

    Hello ladies--what are the steps to apply for SSDI?

  • jazz3000
    jazz3000 Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2011

    get over to your Social Security Office

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited October 2011

    I did the ssdi process online, although they did send me forms to fill out and send back. Applied beginning of June, approved today. Didn't even have a phone interview. I did sign a release for them to obtain all my medical records. Kinda scary that they approved me with no interview, must mean I am pretty bad off :(. First payment will be the end of November, which is actually payment for October.

    I can't find the cat. It is obvious, isn't it?

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited October 2011

    OK, finally found the cat.

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited October 2011

    Can't find the cat, lol. Too late at night, mind is racing for tomorrow. Would you believe I have to get a pregnancy test to start the trial, lmao! I told the nurse if I'm pregnant, then my cancer might as well be cured from the miracle of it, hah!



    SSD - apply online. Easy, and they will then contact you to move forward.



    Titan, I'll be checking out your pics tomorrow :). I'm sure they are beautiful.