Australian Sisters
Comments
-
Hi ladies, I was participating in a post bc survey today and was asked whether I had attended any support groups. Surely BCO is the ultimate support group, being a world wide community. I need no other.
Alyson, you had to mention rugby. I don't watch it but know the score lol. Congratulations :-).0 -
Sorry for my silence. I've had an upset tummy for a few days and am now beginning to wonder if it's the Tamoxifen...
And, I found 2 nephews! Well, actually they found me... I have been an only child since my younger disabled sister died back in 1989. I knew from my late teens that my dad had been married before and had 2 daughters, but he had, to be blunt, desserted them in the UK after he and his wife separated. He left the UK and never went back :-/ He told my mother he was an only child when they married too - which was a big fat lie since it turns out he had 5 siblings, including 2 here in Australia.
Anyway, I had always wondered about these 2 half-sisters and then the other day I found a private Facebook message from a guy in the UK who it turns out is my half-sister's son. Weirdly, she and I married men with the same last name so her son's and I havevthe same last name! Sadly my half-sister died back in 1993 at the age of 42yrs from lung cancer :-(. But it's been nice catching up via Facebook chat with my, um, nephews. They seem like nice guys and only 9 and 13 years younger than me. They both look a bit like my Dad, their grandfather.
It's all been a bit emotionally exhausting. I still don't know if my other half-sister is still alive as I gather there was some drift apart in the family after the boys were left with their Dad at 19 and 15 when their Mum died. They have given me the last address they had for their aunt though.
Jenn0 -
Oh how wonderful Jenn. Im so happy that youve found some relatives. Hope the upset belly fixes itself up soon, but if it continues go to the dr, not everything is tamox related. You might have picked up a tummy bug
0 -
Kate - it's nice to have the place to yourself for a while, but it's good when they come home. We have our DHs for a reason - and not just because they do stuff around the house lol.
Kylie - enjoy your Girls night in - I went to one last year, they organised one from work just after I started.
Jenn - families can be very complicated. I had a mother who married 3 times and a father who married 4 times - just imagine my family tree lol. I agree with Linda about the tummy bug though - it may not be tamox - my DH is not feeling the best at the moment - he has a bit of an upset tummy, there may be something going round.
Racy - I agree this is the most wonderful support group :-)
Chrissy - how are you going girl? Haven't heard from you for a while.
It's supposed to be a lovely day here today - well for most of the day anyway - showers late this afternoon - but we are supposed to get to ... wait for it ... 19 degrees today! Whooohoo - haven't been that warm for a long time lol.
Have a good one everyone
Trishxoxo
0 -
Morning ladies, hope everybody ok. man we have some rain over the last few days, we had to bring the rabbits into an inside cage and put them in the bus with the lamb we have in there, they woulda drowned. lawns were floodded as.
I went to get my eyes tested yesterday and she dialated them, lol hubby said, i looked stoned, she said, the reason why she did the dialation is that Tamoxifen can damage the retina and she was checking that out, so far so good, have my reading glasses, so i have to remember to wear them, it does make a difference when i do. i can see lol. she will check them in a year and do another dialation. she siad, while i am on tamoxifen she will have to do yearly checks and keep on top of it.
Hope you girls have a good day and while it is sunny at moment,i don't think it will last.
CHEERS GIRLS
0 -
Hi all!
Trish I'm doing fine but been busy sorting all my stuff that is living in boxes instead of cupboards.......lol..... Got to strike when the mood takes me as lately it doesn't take me very often. The reason for all my activity is I have been scouring the secondhand places for a sewing cabinet as I'm sick of having to set everything up on the dinning table. Anyway I finally found one very close to where my sis lives and I'm just about ready to go pick it up and then spend a couple of hours visiting my big sis.
I'm rather excited about the whole thing really as its just one of those things that I've always wanted but found them to be way too expensive. This one is in really good nick and only cost $50 plus petrol for the three hour round trip to go get it. I'll make the most of the day and do a big shop at the huge supermarket near my sisters place while I'm there.
Well if I don't go get a shower I won't be going anywhere.....lol.
Love n hugs girls! Chrissy0 -
Hey all,
It's lunch time and I'm having a break..... at my computer!
My stomach is still a bit tipsy and my girlfriend who is a nurse tells me that there's a whole lot of gastro things going around at the moment. She said that if it's not too bad I could give it a couple of weeks before checking with the doctor.
Today the writing on my computer seems a bit "double". Not really double but just enough to be a bit irritating. I phoned my optometrist to make an appt and the optometrist actually answered the phone. Said that it's probably tiredness/eye strain and to make sure I take a look at something distant every 20 minutes. She did say I should still go in and have it checked again since I have these cataracts so I have an appt next Wednesday morning.
I've got an invite to go over to a friends place on Friday night for a casual dinner catch-up with the "girls" but these darn cataracts make it such a strain to see in the dark that I'm thinking I'm going to have to pass. It's too far in a different part of Sydney to expect hubby to drop me off and pick me up. He'd be driving all night...
After finding my long lost nephews the other day (who seem just lovely young men) I am happy to now give away my in-laws. Anyone want them?
They live in another country. We have always had a strained relationship but I am always polite and wish only good things for them. I suspect they don't have the same attitude towards me...
So, hubby last night after dinner says he's off to answer his dad's email to me. I luckily hadn't opened emails after getting home and hadn't seen the email. Saw it later and it was a "nasty gram". Nice people sending that to the bald daughter-in-law still recovering from chemo and still doing anti-cancer treatment huh? Hubby did a good job of answering it without rising (oops, I think I mean lowering) to their level and I deleted the whole darn thing from my emails. This is why I avoid talking to them on the phone or emailing them at all ever. We've been married for 24 years at the beginning of September so it's been a long time dealing with the crap they can hand out.
Seems they got upset that they weren't invited to our daughter's 21st birthday celebration (at a nightclub) until last week (it's this week). Of course it had to be MY fault they didn't get invited "properly" but only via Facebook (like everyone else) when in fact it was my husband that asked me to add them to the invite the other day so they could see what our daughter was doing. This thing is at a night-club for heavens sake. We are really only planning on putting in a brief appearance and then leaving the 21yr olds to party.
Anyway, that's it for my lunch-time. Hope the day is treating you all gently.
Jenn
0 -
Geez, I didn't invite any real oldies (ie grandparents) to Sarah's 21st (it was on a boat) and good thing too. Far too much alcohol and youthful antics. Bloody families. Seems your damned if you do and damned if you dont. Yep, just take the higher ground. Sounds like after 27 years they aren't going to change their attitude.
I'm having my Herceptin tomorrow. Are you Jenn?
I've got the clipping bug and with my little pair of scissors I am trimming all my ground covers that I've trained to cascade over our terraced walls. We call it our 'Magic Plant' you can just put a cutting in and off she goes. Seriously it is probably a noxious weed, but trimmed back and kept neat, it is a lovely wall of lush green. Fingers have blisters but I just can't stop. It is so cathartic.
0 -
lol talk about peculiar timing Jenn regarding inlaws. I googled my ex father in law on the weekend and found he had passed away back in March (my ex nor his brothers didnt bother to send any word to me
) I rang his widow 2 nights ago (a lovely woman who made him very very happy his last 10 years or so and who looked after him at home the whole time he was sick and dying). Had morning tea at her house to pay my respects to him ( his ashes are there) and to catch up. Was a lovely morning and while she is exceptional and Im very happy we caught up, Im so glad I dont have to deal with my ex or any of his blood relations ever again. 0 -
Herceptin on Friday for me Kate... 4pm after work. What have my Friday nights come to...
Jenn0 -
uuurrgh. Got the PS quote...
PS and anaesthetist comes to $13,000 gap after Medicare and fund. BS gap is $1000.
gulp...
Jenn0 -
Holy crap Jenn - doesn't sound like it's worth it to me. What does it cost for TE's and implants?
0 -
Cant you get it done thru the public hospital system for free? Thats what I was hoping for should I ever decide to get the recon? Mind you Im happy enough at present, just nice to have that in my back pocket should I ever change my mind. If its going to be that expensive I'll empty the ole back pocket and completely forget about ever getting a recon.
0 -
Holy crap is right! Wow Jenn, what are you going to do? That's a lot of money. Your BS sounds really cheap now though.
We had a beautiful 19 degrees here yesterday, today is still quite warm this morning - around 6 degrees, but it all starts going downhill from around lunch time apparently. Lots of rain and wind coming through (we had quite a thunderstorm this morning at 3.00am) and tomorrow will be the same as the past 2 Fridays - very cold and rain and snow. Well at least spring is just around the corner :-)
Trish
xoxo
0 -
No wonder we need an Australian/NZ site, I pity anyone else trying to understand our language and humour. The first thing that popped in to mind about my week is that I have been running around like a blue ars*d fly. I think I need a job to pay my fuel bill.
I have started back at art lessons which is great. It is something just for me, I think I deserve it after this year.
Am off the the counsellor today, she works closely with BC. I am not having a meltdown but just want some psych 'maintenance'.
Kate, yippee that you will be seeing hubby soon. You paint a good picture of your plant clipping, maybe you could snavel hubby's hair trimmer.
Jenn, that is certainly one heck of a bill. Is it possible it could increase if there are any problems, or is it a fixed price?
Chrissy, that is great you will be getting a sewing cabinet. I have always wished for one, I tend not to sew anymore because I have nowhere to put it. xx
0 -
Eeeouch, that's a huge medical bill Jenn. But this is your health, and a lot of people spend that (or more) on a holiday without batting an eyelid.
Speaking of holidays. It's our 30th wedding anniversary in April and I've been throwing around some ideas to Paul about where we can go. Bali is close and very cheap (comparitive to Australia) so purely for that reason it seemed a logical place to go, or we were thinking maybe Darwin as Í've never been there but hubby however has suggested we go to Las Vegas! It is something we need to do as we were there 10 years ago and Paul was very sick and ended up spending the 5 days we were there, staring at it out of a hospital window after abdominal surgery. It was just a nightmare trip and we vowed we'd go back one day and do it right. There are some great package deals at the moment, so we'll start saving for it. It won't be the relaxed do-nothing holiday I was envisiging, but it will be good to be able to go back and do it the way we intended to and just enjoy it together. Heck might even get Mr Elvis himself to re-new our wedding vows while we are there.....
0 -
Im hoping to be in lasvegas in July Kate. Have a 40th Bday to attend so the timing cant be changed, but would be completely wonderful if you were there at the same time
0 -
Hmm... Las Vegas in July, now doesn't that sound great! lol Wonder how I could beg, borrow, steal the money for that?!!?
Trish
xox
0 -
It does sound great hey
. You got a bank nearby looking kind of vulnerable?
0 -
Hello ladies....I've been reading this thread for quite some time now & have decided it's time i joined in!
I was diagnosed with triple negative bc in October 2010 (my daughters 25th birthday) had lumpectomy (6 tumors found, all small) then 6 x TC chemo followed by bilateral mastectomy & immediate DIEP.
Exactly one year to the day of my mastectomy I was diagnosed with bone mets:(
Have had radiation & I have 4 weekly Xgeva injection, not starting chemo until further progression as my 'quality of life will deteriorate' once I start. As I'm triple neg the only treatment is chemo so I feel a bit like a ticking time bomb.
I live in Perth & having all my treatment at The Mount.
Anyway, that's my story & hopefully I can join your little group - without scaring anyone too much!!
Kate & Lyndal....we went to Vegas in Feb this year & the place is fabulous - so cheap!!!
Also renewed our wedding vows (33 years) by Elvis in the cutest little chapel......it was lovely. I thought it might be a bit tacky but was wonderfully fun & romantic...a few tears were shed!! Oh, & Elvis was hot, hot, hot!!
Karen x0 -
Lol @ Linda!
Karen - welcome and no you won't scare us. I can't imagine what you are going through, and it must be pretty scary for you ((((hugs)))). Chrissy has bone mets too - so she'll be a great suport for you. And another lady from over in the west! That'll make Kate happy
Well Elvis sounds .... hmmmm .... intersting lol. What a fun way to renew your wedding vows - Kate - it can be romantic! We had an Elvis impersonator in the Chemo ward just before Xmas when I was doing chemo - it was absolutley hilarious. This guy knew all the moves and all the songs, problem was he wasn't a very good actor and was a pretty bad singer. It made the time go quick though lol.
Karen, please join in this group as much as you want, we will all support and listen to you and provide a lot of shoulders and whatever you need.
Trish
xoxo
0 -
lmao Karen, I'll have to make sure I visit Elvis, but just for a peek, no way in hell Im ever getting married again, Once was more than enuff
. Literally cant wait till July, havent had a proper holiday since I bought my shop 8 years ago.Welcome and its nice to meet you and Im so glad youve finally joined us. Ive found this forum and the ladies within to be the greatest support of all. Also you wont scare us mate, we're aussie (and kiwi) made and dont break easily
. I hope we can be here for you. I know we have at least one other lady over there in Perth so that could be great for you both. 0 -
A big hug and welcome Karen. As Racy said earlier this is the ultimate support group and I consider everyone great and supportive friends.
I don't know if you have been reading that we are getting together in Brisbane on the 7th December. It will be the first time many of us have met face to face. I am assuming Kate will be flying out of Perth? If it is at all possible it would be lovely if you could come, we will all be on a budget and are going to share some rooms.
Looking forward to chatting with you, Kylie xx
0 -
Kylie - I sent you a pm - did you get it?
Trishxoxo
0 -
Yep sorry Trish, I read it this morning then had to run off. My brain has disappeared somewhere into Tamoxifan land and I keep forgetting everything (no other side effects yet though).
I haven't booked a flight yet, I will as soon as I can manage it. Although flights are cheaper out of Sydney I will most likely get one out of Canberra as it's an easier drive and parking.
I went and saw the counsellor this morning, it was great to have a rant and rave.
We just had a massive thunderstorm with wild winds. The dog wants to come in but she is completely covered in mud - vision: pouring rain and dog in wombat hole with red soil. Yay x
0 -
Hi girls I'm back! I had a huge day yesterday driving down to the city to pick up the sewing cabinet I found in the Trading Post. I'm really happy with it and now I can't wait to get my sewing area sorted onto something that I can use whenever instead of having to set up on the dinning table.
Hi Karen and welcome. Yup I'm a bone metster too. How you managing?
The girls here are great and if you can manage it we would love to see you in Brissy.
Oh dang, we just had a huge wind and hail storm go through here and it has literally ripped my shade cloth that I have over the patio in two ! Can you believe it?! Now I have another job , mending the shade cloth.
Love n hugs n stay warm all!! Chrissy0 -
You all have been so busy on here!
I came home early from work with a headache, but just want to say welcome to Karen :-)
Jenn0 -
Finally another Sandgroper!! - welcome Karen
I'm sorry that you are here and are facing more hurdles, but it's nice to meet you.I'm down in Bunbury. I've heard The Mount is really good. My onc is Martin Buck. He's based in Perth but comes down here twice a week. So far I've had pretty good treatment by all the professionals, except for the breast care nurse who I haven't had much contact with... but that's been OK because from my friends here on these boards, I have received all the support and advice that I have needed. This is a wonderful place to talk medical specifics or just absolutely anything (a la Elvis!!).
My daughter (25) lives in Dianella so I pop up to Perth frequently. I'd be delighted to have a coffee with you sometime if you ever feel like it.
Not much news from me. Had Herceptin today. It really is pretty much a non-event now and only takes 30 minutes. The emla cream worked a charm and I didn't feel a thing. Probably the most painful part was being held captive by my dear MIL who is now starting to forget she's had a conversation with me, so I am at that repeating stage. I love her dearly but she just doesn't stop talking for a second.
0 -
Morning all
Well lovely freezing weather here again today - seems to be a Thursday, Friday event now. Lots of wind, and we had lots of rain and sleet yesterday too. When I got home the house was soooo warm, it was lovely. DH has now caught the bug I had a month ago (he can't have gotten it from me lol) and had lit the fire really early. Poor love is not very well.
Hope everyone in the south eastern states stays warm - you girls up in Brissy are supposed to have another warm one today I hear, lucky girls :-)
Trish
xoxo
0 -
Wow, so many posts since I last looked - so hard to keep up with everyone !!
I can't recall who offered to pick me up for the Berrima get together but thankyou
I wasn't all that well after having the unusual lump taken off my head. Thankfully I got the pathology results yesterday and it was only a basal cell carcinoma (never thought I'd look at skin cancer as a GOOD thing !!!) so off to a specialist for a full workover (I'm a bit of a dot-to-dot when it comes to freckles and moles) to make sure there is nothing else sus . . . The weather has been pretty wild here too. Lots of rain and wind. The crops need it but I do feel bad for the cows and heifers that are calving (thank goodness the sheep are fininshed lambing !!).
I'm taking a long weekend as I'm feeling a little 'foggy' and tired (Stupid side effects). Got a cancer fundraiser tonight in Goulburn which a friend has organised for me to go to - I hate this kind of thing but I'm hoping it will be nice to break out a dresss and dust off a wig and hit the big smoke !!
I hope everyone has a great weekend and those of us who aren't 100% get a break . . . . .
Amanda
0
