Any ladies from WISCONSIN??
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Haven't stopped by for a while: had an overnight on the hem-onc unit last Saturday in order to figure out why I had a fever. Was just coming out of the (final) post chemo slump when I began feeling like roadkill again: temperature was 100.2 in the late afternoon, went up half a degree in 2 hours so had to phone the doctor on call.
You haven't lived until you've spent a weekend evening in a city hospital emergency room, police officers and all!
Actually, Froedtert was pretty good about sending me right into a treatment area instead of letting me be exposed to everyone else waiting to be seen. Cultures never showed anything and I was not neutropenic which meant I could go home and take an oral antibiotic. Hemoglobin is quite low however. Will be nice to have some energy when those red blood cells get back to normal levels. Basically still taking it easy and trying to stay hydrated.
Hi to LifeIsGreat, Dr H was also my plastic surgeon. The only thing I didn't care for was his restriction on caffeine/chocolate for a month but keeping those tiny vessels from constricting took priority...
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I want to thank everyone for the congrats they gave me for the GRACE event. I am fairly disappointed in my efforts though. I did find out that the local paper ran several pics of the walk and my team was in two of them
I have been trying to get back fully working , but the economy is still keeping clients away
I did groom a new Sheltie today that had not been groomed regularly in several years. I am hoping it will become a regular client.I have been having a bunch of health concerns on my mind....the "what do i do now ?" kind of thing. I lose my Badgercare at the end of September. MY SSI still hasnt had the appeal yet. I have 10 different meds i am going to have to find the money for...but even more on my ind is what do i do when its time for my physical and mammograms come Spring ?The social worker at the UW suggested the Well Woman program, but i told her im not 45 yet...Im only 42. She said considering i already have had cancer that i would still probably be allowed in the program. I have HUGE doubts about that . The government is pretty particular about its policies... I am really scared that if I have to wait the 2 yrs plus untl I am 45 so i can get the mammo, that i may have cancer again before that....and if i did it may be worse then the DCIS i just had.
So I am wondering if anyone here has any other possible resource suggestions I might be able to get help from ???
Thanks
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Lisa, why are you losing your Badgercare?
Oh, and write to the drug manufacturers of all your meds. Some of them have assistance programs for people who can't afford the drug.
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My daughter graduated from high school and she turns 19 at the end of September....and so she and i wont be covered anymore. SHe also has an eye condition which she gets routine care for, and we have to find out how we are going to pay for that too
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Hello Wisconsin ladies. I am new to the discussion boards, starting chemo in September. I have read all of your Wisconsin posts so far. Lisa I would gladly bring my 2 hairy collie monsters to you for grooming if you could just move a little closer to Milwaukee:)
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Welcome Kimberly- I wish we could have met at any other time........
Beth
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Welcome Kimberly to the club no one WANTS to be in... I am considering multiple options....so ya never know i may move closer to you and your monsters...
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Hey anyone enjoying this cool weather besides me? I am 10 days post rads and this is wonderful!
Have a great Labor Day.
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Yes BB, I am enjoying it! Too splendid to stay in the house but I am low in ambition, besides I have the airiest living room and windows are open to the day.
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Loving the cooler weather! Finally have some energy to clean house (okay, selectively clean!) Even did some school shopping with my DD. This weather can last a good, long time! Starting rads tomorrow.
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kll good luck with the rads. It really isn't as bad as you might think. You will get through it. I am 11 days post rads and I am already seeing healing of the breast and energy level coming back. Once you start, the time flies.
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kll22 good luck with your rads.
LifeIsGreat - we haven't heard from you since your surgery. I hope you are doing ok!
Well, I will be having surgery on Sept. 19th. A LSH/BSO (laparascopic supracervical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oopherectomy) AKA - the total removal of my "lady town". This has been a heartbreaking, difficult decision for me. I am childless, and ironically, up until a couple of months ago, I was single and no prospects on the horizon. I have met and begun dating a wonderful man who is supporting me through my decision process. I'm having the surgery for multiple reasons. I have had multiple ruptured ovarian cysts and now the uterine abnormalities most likely from my 3.5 years of Tamoxifen. I'm worried about the surgery,but I think I'm more concerned about "crashing into menopause".
I hope you all had a nice holiday weekend.
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Barbie - best of luck to you as you face this next challenge. Oh the decisions we are faced with!
#2 of 33 rads done. I am so glad to be in the last phase of treatment. After chemo, rads seem like the easy part to me.
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Ive been off the radar since my uni-DIEP Aug 23. Dr. H is one superb sculpture, I am so happy with my noob and the tummy tuck. Recovery has gone remarkably well, can't really complain at all. Tomorrow the last 2 drains and a few underarm stitches will come out, and that will be marvelous. I still have a bit of icky taste or should I say no taste in my mouth and of course relish my afternoon naps. I will be going to work for 1/2 days doing some testing for the school district next week and am looking forward to the diversion. I was so impressed with Froedert and the seamless care they provided. In how many facilities so you have the same 3 nurses the entire time you are there? Couldn't have asked for better care. Looking forward stage 2 in a few months. Best wishes and sending prayers to those of you getting ready for this part of your journey.
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hi ladies and welcome Kimberly.
Lisa, I hope it works out for you insurance-wise. It's so hard being a small business owner.
congrats LifeIsGreat on a successful surgery and good luck Kristin with rads.
Barbie, that is one heckuva decision you had to make, best wishes for the surgery. Chemo put me into menopause 18 months ago and *except for hot flashes* it's not too bad.
My suggestion is to buy fans. Have a tower fan for your bedroom, and a desk fan, and keep a folding hand fan in your purse. Pier One Imports in Madison had little sandalwood folding hand fans for a buck a couple of weeks ago.
I have been walking every day, it's been so nice this week, I want to soak it all up.
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Thanks for the fan advice Badger. I'll have to find myself one swanky, classy folding fan!
LifeisGreat - I'm happy to hear your surgery went well and you've been well taken care of. I know diversions are great, but just remember not to overdo it too soon!
KL22- remember to keep yourself hydrated and use the lotions and potions they give you.
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Just wondering if you had a breast reconstruction? what kind? and any problems-I also went to UW -tram flap failure
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Anyone out there that had a "tram flap" reconstruct surgery - that had problems. I'm having major problems and would like to hear if anyone else had problems especially surgery at UW Hospitals in Madison, Wi.
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Sorry, sunlite 43. No reconstruction for me, just lumpectomy.
Barbie - I am trying to stay hydrated and am lubing up 3x a day, hoping for minimal SEs. Unfortunately, I think I'm losing a finger nail post chemo. And I thought I had chemo beat!
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No Tram Flap
I had a lumpectomy but I needed a PS to fix the breast and adjust the other to match. I used Dr. Lowenstein who is west of Milwaukee - he did a great job. I know he gets alot of referrals for breast work.
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hi sunlight, I didn't have any reconstruction so have no advice for you, just a {hug}.
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sunlite43: im SO VERY sorry you are having such horrible troubles. I have been wondering if anything at all had improved for you as i had not heard in awhile. Prayers are with you:)
Good luck to all you ladies starting/doing rads .
I have a question about post-lumpectomy pain. I have been having pain at/around my surgical site on and off this past month. It felt fine withint about a month after surgery , but now 4 months later and after a month of Tamoxifen I am having pains. Has anyone else had this?? It has been almost 3 days sraight now and I am getting quite concerned....and of course reoccurrence has been popping into my head ::(:(:(:(:(:( SHould I go to the doctor ?
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hi Lisa, IDK what's up but if I was in pain for 3 days, I would call my doc. {{hugs}}
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i went into the family doc today...he thinks the pain is a side effect of the tamoxifen...kind of giving me PMS type breast tenderness. It just concerns me cuz its only on the surgery side. I put in a few voice messages at the UW....hopefully someon will return my calls tomorrow.
For those taking Tamoxifen....how soon after you started it did you have any hot flashes ? I posted some of my questions on the Tamoxifen boards the other day but havent gotten any responses yet.
I "think" i am having hot flashes, but so far they havent been during the night...which i thought that was more common.
The doc also basically told me to go google my meds online to look for program help...i thought maybe he would have had some personal knowledge on the subject other then that....guess i am gonna have to do the finger work myself.
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Did anyone else smell the smoke from MN? It was so strong in my yard that I checked the garage, the attic, and the neighbors for a fire. I was sure it was a fire on my block!
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Bluewillowskys
Tamoxifen does cause breast pain especially at the post cancer site. My MO said you know it is working because it will cause a little pain but the pain will go away. Also hot flashes can happen any time of the day or night. I personally like my hot flashes during the day versus at night. You can try taking the tamoxifen the opposite time of when you are now to help with the hot flashes (e.g. morning instead of night or the opposite).
There are other SE that I hope we don't see.
Hi everyone else.
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Yes, zogo: we drove back from Madison, got out of the car and thought the engine or tires were burning! Was glad the media explained the forest fire plume from northern Minnesota.
For anyone else in this neck of the woods, the monthly Froedtert magazine lists health education classes this fall featuring everyone's favorite plastic surgeon talking about reconstruction Monday, October 10 and my doctor Amanda Kong speaking on breast cancer in general on the 20th, both from 6-7pm. Also, the ABCD organization had a seminar I attended on "Survivorship".
Barbie having surgery today? Let us know how it goes.
I seem to be tolerating tamoxifen OK, getting warm flushes instead of hot flashes. I take it in the morning.
My bigger problem right now is arm swelling, probably from doing too much yard work (my anemia is clearing up and I am finally feeling more energetic). I'll be heading back into PT for this and do NOT like the idea of adding lymphedema to my diagnosis list...
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hey ladies, hope you're enjoying the cooler weather, I sure am!
Barbie, hope it went OK for you Monday and you're recovering apace.
Mary, sorry about the arm swelling. If you haven't already, check out the LE forum here on BCO, there are wonderful people there with excellent advice and resources. Is your PT LANA-certified?
Hi to everyone else!
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Thank you ladies for thinking of me. Surgery is now over and after two nights in the hospital I was able to return home. Recovery has been very slow. I've been pretty sad. This will be a long road for sure.
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Oh Barbie - I hope you get well soon......
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