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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    Oh dear...almost forgot to mention this....but, there is a program through LiveStrong at the YMCA (not all of them, but some of them) that cancer patients get 3 months free and a personal trainer (I believe).  Just thought I would tell you all that incase you haven't heard of it.  I know both YMCA's in Milwaukee offer the program...but the one in my hometown does not...:(

    http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Actions/Programs-Partnerships/LIVESTRONG-at-the-YMCA/LIVESTRONG-at-the-YMCA-Locations

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies, sorry I've been AWOL but you're never far from my mind.

    Surgery is scheduled for Fri 11/23 so I've been working hard to get ready.

    Wish I could meet you for lunch tomorrow, fuzzy, but I just can't this time.

    So you all knew I had an appendectomy on Labor Day but what you didn't know is the CT scan picked up a 6 cm cyst on my L ovary.  That's big - nearly 2.5 inches.  Doc who did the lap appy said not to worry, these things usually resolve themselves but I kind of insisted on some follow-up so he agreed to order an ultrasound in 30 days.  This was done last month and it got bigger so I was referred to an ob/gyn specialist. 

    He knows my onc and I think they're in cahoots because one of the first things he asked is what are you still doing with your ovaries.  I explained about the BRCA gene test and the compromise to keep that little bit of girl juice.  He understood but said the negatives outweigh the positives, and that I should have been referred immediately for follow-up because the cyst was over 5 cm and I'm considered post-menopausal.

    This doc is highly respected and I like him a lot so I agreed to the ooph.  Follow-up appt on 12/7 at which time I should get path report and also the results of the CA-125 test he ordered.  5% chance it's cancer means 95% chance B-9 so please keep me in your thoughts & prayers!

    On a brighter note, only 31.21 miles to reach my goal of 3,000 - woo hoo!!  ((hugs))

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    Oh my Badger!!! Prayers sent!! Big hug sweetie...and, if you need anything please let me know....

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 299
    edited November 2012

    I hope you don't mind I join you...I live in Appleton, had a bilateral masectomy for DCIS last Friday, ended up with IDC in both breasts....not sure how we are moving forward, meet my oncologist on Tuesday, met the breast surgeon today. I also have a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis and had a b9 tumor in the left armpit so we didn't take any nodes because we didn't expect any of this.  So we need to figure out how to move forward. 

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    Welcome keetmom! Sorry you have to be here.



    Badger, you are in my prayers. Try to put it out of your mind until at least Dec. 7. Then you can worry for a day! We will be praying for b9. Much love to all.

  • pebee
    pebee Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2012

    badger... Good luck and get well soon.

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    Gina....super great time!  Thanks oodles.

    Hey Moon!!  Welcome keetmom!  Although, I'm kinda new here too...lots of love in this room though!!

    Badger...prayin' and a prayin' for you...you doin' ok?

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies and welcome keetmom.  I'm doing well, thanks all for the thoughts & prayers.

    fuzzy & Gina, I knew you'd have fun and wish I could've joined you but maybe next time?

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    For sure!!! Can we plan a date? I'm thinking a fish fry.....?

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    mmmmm Friday fish fry  Smile

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 299
    edited November 2012

    Well I had my port put in this morning and will be starting chemo on Monday....Anyone else is the foxvalley or do most of you live by Milwaukee?

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    I'm north of Milwaukee. Got someone to go with you for the first chemo?

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 299
    edited November 2012

    Yup DH is going with me....he takes good care of me....really just want it over with! First I was like we are starting WHEN? NOw I am realizing I just need to get started and not sit around and obsess...becasue I am really good at obsessing!

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    Keetmom, you can't start counting the tx down until you start. So on Tuesday you will one down! Yay.

    Have a good Thanksgiving, enjoy it, you deserve it.

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies!  Going to be a crazy warm 60-degree day here for Thanksgiving. 

    Good, because if I plan to walk at least 5.5 miles and hit mile 3,000 tomorrow!

    Good luck with chemo, keetmom. #1 is the scariest 'cuz you don't know what to expect.

    Happy Thanksgiving all!

  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2012

    Keetmom, welcome! I'm over by Wausau. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    Go Badger Go!

    Dang computer...and memory (you think I would learn to copy everything before sending)...but hello Keetmom!!  Hello Moon!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! 

    Moon...I should be having recon at the end of Dec at St Mary's Columbia...I'll keep you updated if you like :)  Maybe we can Boston Market before then!

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    Everyone have a fantastic Thanksgiving. Much love.

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 299
    edited November 2012

    Tell me things get easier...I go from being fine to being a blubbering idiot...it was SO hard to be around people today and we have a large get together for my in laws 50th this weekend yet....guess I just need Monday to be here!

  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2012

    Keetmom, it does get easier. You've had a rough month or so with diagnosis, surgery and chemo right away. Take it easy on yourself, even if that means hiding in the bathroom for a few minutes to regroup. And hanging out with extended family can sometimes be awkward. It's not really the place for extended health discussions, but everyone asks. One one of the threads, there was a discussion of what you say to people. I always used... " doing OK so far", and then changed the subject. Don't feel you have to do everything you would normally. If you need to, use your health to arrive a little later, leave early, or skip the " after party". Cancer sucks, but is the one excuse that is a "get out of jail free card", especially chemo. At first, you may not want anyone to think of you as ill, but when you really are tired and feel crappy, use it to your advantage.

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies, I did it - logged enough miles today to put me at 3,001 woo hoo!

    keetmom, yes it gets easier but my emotions are much closer to the surface now.

    I check in tomorrow at 9 and will let you know once I get home.  ((hugs)) to all

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    Keetmom, it gets easier in many ways, but you have a new normal to get used to. But, hey, consider the alternative!

    Badger yay congrats 3000 whoooo whhoooo!

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies, just a quick note to say I'm home and doing OK.  Sleepy from pain pills and belly is sore.  Belly button is tender from him putting the camera through there, it was that way with the lap appy as well.  Also, the doc had to move a muscle aside to get the (expletive deleted) cyst out in one piece.  While we won't know for sure until path report comes back, he said it does not look like cancer so that's good news. Also, the results from the CA-125 are back already and it was negative so more good news.  Glad I got in my walk yesterday because of exercise restriction plus it got very windy and cold out there today!  Thanks for all the healing vibes and prayers!  ((hugs)) to all

  • GottaloveNED
    GottaloveNED Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2012

    Sounds like good news so far Badger.. Hang in there. The weather is cold, windy & crappy, so stay inside and REST!! Recover quickly!!

  • pebee
    pebee Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2012

    Happy Belated Thanksgiving - Badger - get well soon!

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 299
    edited November 2012

    Glad you are doing better Badger...

    Thanks Ladies..today is a bit better...My port is feeling better but it itches horribly under the tegaderm...my DD is alergic to it so I am wondering about me...we will see what they say on Monday when I see the Onco....just want to get this started....

  • ginadmc
    ginadmc Member Posts: 183
    edited November 2012

    Hey Badg, Glad to hear you got your 3001 miles in before your procedure! But I'm super glad that it went well, you're feeling ok and the CA-125 is negative. I'm confident that the final path will be negative, too. Take care of yourself and rest up so you can start your next 3000 miles. Did you read Gone, Girl or Bernadette first? I'm still #122 at the library for Bernadette. I'm anxious to hear what you thought about Gone, Girl. Gina

  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 631
    edited November 2012

    Badger....sounds really great!!!!! WHOOT WHOOT!!

  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 24,938
    edited November 2012

    hey fuzzy, thanks and congrats on setting recon date this Dec!

    hey Gina, I finished Bernadette and it's not due until 12/8 - wanna borrow it from me? 

    I'd need it back by 12/6 as I won't be in Madison on the 7th - follow up with surgeon.

    Good book!  Gone Girl is next.  I tried to read all afternoon but kept falling asleep...

    dang pain pills - per the warning - "sedation" is one of the side effects LOL zzzzz

    Taking off Mon & Tues next week but not sure about Weds.  Will be in Thurs & Fri.

    LMK OK?  ((hugs)) to all!

  • moonflwr912
    moonflwr912 Member Posts: 5,938
    edited November 2012

    Badger, good news now and I hope you have great news after the path. Take it easy. Sleep is good.

    Keetmom, I am allergic to the tagaderm. It itches horribly. Sometimes when they take it off, I lose skin. So be careful when they take it off. Try ice packs on the tagaderm when it gets bad. Sorry you have to deal with it.

    I am going to Waupun tomorrow. My daughter is hosting a shower at the honoree's home. Kind of a rush, so I SN helping out. I actually went shopping for shower gifties, thanks to Walgreens, and big lots, no crowds. Got a few fun things hope they like them. But, while my DH was home, we got the tree up and lit, all the decor up. Just not the tree ornaments. But I can do that myself. He has to work tomorrow so we had to rush. I am exhausted. Love to all. Everyone heal quick!

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