2010 Sisters
Comments
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All of you ladies looking to use Emu oil. I know a lot of people like it. Someone just posted a warning on the natural girls site saying that because it is made from animal fat, they have to use really strong solvents to extract it and that might be a concern. I just finished #19 of my rads and have been using the Boiron homeopathic Calendula cream throughout (Whole Foods about $9). I am a little pinkish sunburned, but my skin seems to be holding up well. As for all the other places on my body, I use jojoba oil mixed with a few drops of Rose essential oil on my face. I spread it on clean skin then cover my face with a warm, wet wash cloth and breathe the wonderful rose fragrance. My skin feels astonishingly soft and hydrated afterwards.
Amyjo- I am so with you on the verge of slapping someone! If I have another 3 hour delay on my rads appointment I just might do it! Good luck this week.
Cathy- Happy, happy birthday and many more chocolate cakes to come!
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New 2010 sister here. Diagnosed August 4th. Just finished rads. Will be seeing doctor this week, most likely to discuss the Tamoxifen that's next.
Had gotten a new job in May after having been unemployed for 13 months. Bought an individual health insurance policy to hold me over as my previous place of employment had folded completely-hence no COBRA. DH had suggested to drop the policy to save money on the high premium given that the benefits for this new job would kick in on Septemeber. As paranoid as I can be, I told him I that even though it's just a couple of months till bennies kick in for this new job, I still never like to be without health insurance. Then, I got this (expletive) diagnosis in August with the Lumpectomy on August 16th. Now, we're both glad that I hung on to that policy-we would have been in a worse financial doghouse if I had cancelled it!
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Hello ladies. I have been reading through the posts and am glad that I found this site! I am a HD survivor and now have BC. Found lump in Sept, with multiple tests/biopsies since. Met with a BS who recommended BM due to the radiation with HD. My husband and I decided that seem radical, so we consulted with the Drs who treated me prior. They each are recommending lumpectomy with radiation & chemo. Now, we wait until our insurance kicks in. My DH company was changed 11/01 and now waiting for them to get us "in the system". Gee, if they would have told us this in October...I would have done whatever I had to in order to get moving faster. Now, I feel like I am never going to have what I need to get this going!!!! How do companies do this to their employees and families??
Right now, something has to give! I just want to schedule appointments and get moving on this. It is such a dark cloud and we just want to get a plan in place. Monday is coming, so maybe we will see some results by the end of the day. Only time will tell!
Sorry for being so negative...just a lot to deal with. If anyone has been in this position, please oh please, let me know if there is anyway we can convince them to move on this faster.
Thank you all!!!
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If you know you will beocovered as of Nov 1, what are you waiting for?
I am in treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. They are comprhensive in their planning and treatment and they are who I chose after moving out here just days before I began treatment.
I have had no insurance problems from them and they have lots of people whose job it is to deal with insurance.
I notice you are in Oak Harbor, does than mean you need to use a military hospital? If you did need to go into Seattle the SCCA has an entire b uilding to house individuals ans families during treatment. I think it is a total of $80.00 a night.
I hope all goes well for you
Ginger
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Ginger,
No, I am not using the military hospital, wouldn't send my dog there. They missed diagnost me the 1st time. I do have really great dr's here, but we can't show proof of insurance. The company is in the midst of open enrollment, which is why they are saying it is going to take so long. But, I am calling my BS tomorrow and going to see what she recommends. His company told us to ask for "delayed billing" and they will cover it back to Nov. 1. In this day and age, and with the economy like it is, I think that is easier said than done. I had two dr's office call me and tell me that they couldn't get approvals. See my frustration...UGH!!!!
I did research SCCA and that is still an option we are considering. We love that they have housing available for the patients and families, due to we have a 13 year old still at home. But, are trying to deal with it all close to home so that we can keep things as normal as possible. Lots of friends here, who are close to us all as well.
You stated that you moved here just days prior to treatment, where did you move from?
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Chicago suburbs for all our lives. I had my surgery in IUllinois and m0oved to WA on July 10th and began at the SCCA on the 7/13th If you have had ongoing insurance, with no lapses, you are good to go. Talk to the hospitals insurance peopl e. At SCCA you would also have a coordinating nurse who keeps all your ducks in a row.
Most of the time you will not need to spend the night , ie during chemo. We have a similar diagnosis and I go for chemo everyother Monday. I go for my Onc checkups and bloodwork the same day. The first appointmewnt where I saw all of the docs was good. They saw me together, went away and ooked at all of my surgeons reports and conferred, and then came back one at a time and told me all I would need to do. They also made a CD of the meetings so I could listen to it again later.
I looked for the very best reatment I could find. We live out Carnation way and for about 10 seconds I considered going in Bellevue to make the ride sahorter. Then I though what would I do for my Daughter and of course I would go for best care, no question about it.
I think I am going to Evergreen for Rads because my duaghter lives in Kirkland. Apparently the machines are the same.
I hope you are doing well and getting all of the support you can. We are all here for you!
Hugs Barb
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Hey DM, before I used the emu oil, I checked it out at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com . It gets a 1 meaning no cancer-causing agents are in it (along with no other really bad stuff).0
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BarbaraA- I also thought Emu oil was fine. Now I'm wondering if it needs more scrutiny. Here is the post by Ms Bliss on the natural girls thread.
"I noticed you both mentioned good experiences with Emu Oil, but I want to discourage your use of it. I once worked for the wool industry and I have an insider's take on Emu products. I know the people who designed the marketing campaign for the introduction of emu oil as a cosmeceutical. Honestly, I feel that it is such a sad product. Emu oil is produced by separating it from the flesh of the Emu bird. It is highly altered and denatured after processing, usually containing high levels of solvents and chemical surprises; the levels found in emu oil of hexane and other solvents are higher than found in any other emulsifier or non mineral oil. You have to understand that Emu Oil is a slaughterhouse product and as such, it has to be processed with extra preservatives. It is basically a type of poultry fat. Good alternatives are avocado oil or jojoba oil. Make sure you buy these oils in a glass container. "
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Cathy, thanks for your nice reply and support. I just found it--getting around a little better in the boards. Just figured out how to find my posts and their responses. this place is sure active! We're meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and then I'll know a little more about what's going on and what WILL go on. Can't wait to get this show on the road as they say.
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Happy Birthday Ladies!! ((((HUGS))
Peace and laughter,
Cheryl
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Thank you again ladies for all the birthday wishes.
jorja- Your very welcome. We are all in the same boat here. We know first hand what your going through. Wishing you luck tomorrow with your surgeon and hoping it gets moving quickly for you.
Cathy
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DM, I saw her post and actually researched it. There are no hexanes or other solvents in the Laid in Montana product. I can speak to no other product but that is the one I researched and used and that is listed in cosmeticsdatabase.com as safe.
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Barb - That's a neat database! thanks0
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Hi Ladys,
I got my pre chemo haircut yesterday.... wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. And I am happy to say, I have 15 inches of hair to donate to Locks Of Love.
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Sweetaerobabe-what a sweet thing to do thinking of others with all you are going through. Hey maybe you could get your own hair back. 0
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Sweetaerobabe - Very very nice! Doesn't that make you feel so good? Doing for another when you are going through this? Wishing you the best and gl with your chemo ahead!
Cathy
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sweet-wow-15 inches! Thanks for donating it! Glad it wasn't too difficult for you. I got a nice short haircut too before chemo, and it was kind of fun to try something new. Then when it started falling out I had my husband cut it even shorter (my avatar pic)--again it was fun to play around with it. Gotta laugh when we can!
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Hi there girls,
I didnt even think about it, I knew before I knew I needed chemo that I would donate my hair if I was going to need chemo. I worked in a salon for years as a manicurist, and saw only a few people donate to Locks of Love, and believe it or not, they were usually little girls with long hair who wanted to help other children. There was no way I was going to let my hair get swept up and thrown away when I knew it could go to good use. Even the layers.... if they are too short to use, they sell it to help cover production costs of making the wigs.
There are a few who have helped me (breast friends forever) payed my first oncology bill and (franceluxe) with a free head wrap that I cant wait to get, so untill I am able to do more, this was the least I could do to give back.
Kristy
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YAY for Kristy...its such a good feeling to give something back.
Now it would be nice to see a pic.of you with the short hair.
You must look simply DEVINE...
hugggggggggggggs to you my sista/friend.God bless
K
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Sweetaerobabe,
I've been fortunate enough (over the years) to have been able to donate to Locks of Love 3 times. The first time was 20 inches, the second time 15 inches, and the 3rd time 18 inches. I remember praying over it before I sent it off...praying for the person that was to receive it that they be blessed with good health...
I've kept it just past my shoulders (or shorter) since the last time I donated (2008)...but would do it again in a heartbeat if I ever let it get that long again....
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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I wish I could grow my hair long enough to donate but I have this awful thin hair. So I guess I will pray for others that do it.
Tori--When was your weekend. Mine was in Oct 1998
DeColores
Sherry
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Grannydukes - Weren't you trying to decide about radiation treatment? What did you decide?0
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Hey all - I got some good news today. My rbc count was up enough that I do not need to get the transfusion! My markers were way down one went form 640 to 215 and the other went from 1554 to 1152. All of these mean the current treatment is working better than expected. My onco also upped the Fentanyl patch from 12mg/h to 37 mg/h so hopefully that will be enough to stop the pain without having to take any additional pain meds.
Mo onco also gave me the name of another RO that was closer to that I could change to any tine and it would not affect either the treatment or the timing of the treatment. He had talked with my family doctor earlier and they had come up with a couple of names of ROs that I could go see if I wanted to make a change. They both thought the one I had was very good but were also very understanding about my feelings.
This treatment has kind of wiped me out so I am off to bed. I just cannot keep my eyes open any longer. Hope everyone has a restful evening, I just wanted to share the good news.
Amy Jo
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Love Good News Amy Jo.... Thanks for sharing... I also got good news. Dr called to say my nodes were clear. Still will need chemo since onco test was so high for recurrance. Just nice to know margins were clean and nodes are clear. RESTFUL NICE!!!!!
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Dianemoe, Great news about the nodes! That must be such a relief.
Hang in there Amyjo, so glad the numbers are coming down. Hope the pain meds work for you.
Sweets, it's nice to know that you don't have to have long hair to donate to Locks of Love. My dd has done it many times. Her hair just seems to grow really fast. This last time she decided to cut it before she had her 10" and they said it could be collected and used to "sell" and pay for expenses. I wasn't aware of that so glad you brought it up. Congrads. Yes, send new photo of new "do"
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Sherryc-
My weekend was back in early spring of 1992...seems like yesterday, but geez, it was a long time ago!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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I have to be quick....
Reguarding "Locks of Love" Yes, there is a min of 10 inches to use to make a wig. If there happens to be layers in there that are shorter, they get sorted out and sold. And the hair MUST me in a ponytail before you cut it. You cant sweep it off the floor.
Well, off to get my port. Pray I feel and know NOTHING.
Kristy
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dianemoe--just curious what your recurrance percent was. My onco score was 23 with distance recurrance rate of 14%. My Onc said anything under 30% is considered good. Just wondering what others have been told. Although my Med onc, rad onc and BS all agreed no chemo for me and I feel good about that. I have wondered about the recurrance rate.
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Dianemoe--GREAT news!
Amyjo--Glad you had some good news also! Hope you had a restful night.
Sweet--Hope all goes well with the port. Mine was sore for a few days, but not bad. It'll seem strange at first--the bump under your skin--but it really doesn't take long to get used to it.
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AmyJo - GREAT news about your markers and getting rid of the a-hole RO.
Dianemoe - great news for you, too!!
Sweet - good luck w/thw port.
Hey Tina - Haven't said HI in a while so HI!
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