New Jersey/NYC/CT/Eastern Pennsylvania ladies
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Thanks, Chocolaterocks!
I intend to swim, but I will build slowly. I am used to swimming about a mile in 28 minutes and to doing intervals (very fast, for short periods, then slow recovery, alternating). I am not sure I will ever get back to that without risking LE. I know I have to allow myself to go slowly.
It is very encouraging to hear that you are having a very good experience with it. I have read that swimming freestyle is a high risk activity for LE...so your story is encouraging!!
Claire
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Hey Jersey Girls, or should I say NE'ners,
I'm in Pequannock which is in Morris co, close to Passaic Co. Had most of my dx done at Chilton Breast Center In Pompton Plains, and second opinions at Montclair Breast Center where they did a lot more testing. MRI, LNB, Great surgons there ALL female who spent a great deal of time talking with me but they wanted me to chemo before the surgery to Possibly shrink the tumor, which I was not comfortable with.....So I found a surgon in L.I. NY who only does Laser Breat Cancer Surgery. Dr. V. Ansanelli. He did a Partial Mast and the results are amazing. I'm very happy with Him. Rads done at Chilton (close to home) and my onco at Chilton is lovely. She Rx'ed the arimidex and its still sitting on a shelf....scarey SE's.I need to settle on a deision whether or not to take this crucial step????????? I still need to find a PS, to even out my bustline. Another decision to make. I can live with the Uni-boob I have from the sports bras.
I'm looking forward to summer and the Jersey Shore.........sun and salt water, seaguls and warm sand, seashells and yummy food.
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Hello. I'm in Jersey - about 20 minutes outside of Phila. I'm being treated at Virtua/Fox Chase Cancer Center. I love my BS - Dr. Charles Butler and my MO - Dr. Priya Gor.
Dr. Butler is a 4 year throat cancer survivor and his mother died of breast cancer, so he "gets it."
Dr. Gor's specialty is triple negative BC (which is what I have) and she heads up the genetic BC program at Virtua/Fox Chase. (I'm BRCA neg).
I have 2 more Taxol tx to go and then I'm getting 7 weeks of radiation. My RO is Dr. Wilson (which is hysterical if you've ever seen House - the Oncologist on that show is Dr. Wilson!)
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Welcome to all the new ladies! We are accumulating quite a club of New Jersey/PA/NYers here!
What continues to strike me is how many of us are very happy with our various doctors. That either says that we have a lot of good docs here (not just from a medical point of view, but also from an emotional fit) or that we don't stop looking for the "right" one until we are satisfied. I'd say the "right one," at least for me, is a doctor who has a warm bedside manner, respectfully takes the time to listen to my questions and answer my concerns, and is patient with me.
A couple of us have said they weren't happy with their docs and I'm hoping that the suggestions that others of us have made will help them to find "the" one.
I'm sitting here at chemo #4 typing to you and I feel you all around me, cheering me on.
Joan
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Claire.
My pt is a cancer specialist pt who teaches LE through out the USA and I amazed I have her. So we have discussed swimming extensivey ( I do freestyle and breast stroke) but as you can read my 700 -1000 is no even close to what you do.
let me know.
Chocolate
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Hey Jersey, PA and NY girls:
How about a regional get together over the summer?
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I'm in, Alexandria! Maybe I'll have some hair to share!
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Alexandria, that would be great.
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Good morning ladies,
Although I read these threads daily this is the first time I saw this one. I live in Easton, Pa for the past 4 years since moving from Old Bridge, NJ. My BS is Dr. Lee Riley at St. Lukes Hospital. MO is Dr. Nakajima. I highly recommend St. Luke's hospital to all BC pts. My younger sister was dx'd at age 42 w stage 2 grade 3 BC in 2006, bone mets 2 yrs later. She is treated at Sloane Kettering in NYC. When I was called back after screening mammo needless to say anxiety set in. St. Luke's was amazing. My diagnostic? Mammo was the next day a Friday at 3pm. By 4pm that same day I was having an ultrasound guided bx. Dr. Russo kept part of his staff late on a Fri which I appreciated more than words could say. Monday I got the call it was BC. The following day I had an Appt w Dr Riley Who is the chief of oncology at St. Lukes. Although I chose to go 4 2 other BSConsults (both concurred w Dr. Riley's recommendation of lumpectomy and radiation) Dr Riley encouraged me to go for second opinions. Within Less than a month From screening mammo I had my lumpectomy then mammosite radiation. Today I have a follow up with dr. Riley at the new St. Lukes Riverside.0 -
Good morning ladies,
Although I read these threads daily this is the first time I saw this one. I live in Easton, Pa for the past 4 years since moving from Old Bridge, NJ. My BS is Dr. Lee Riley at St. Lukes Hospital. MO is Dr. Nakajima. I highly recommend St. Luke's hospital to all BC pts. My younger sister was dx'd at age 42 w stage 2 grade 3 BC in 2006, bone mets 2 yrs later. She is treated at Sloane Kettering in NYC. When I was called back after screening mammo needless to say anxiety set in. St. Luke's was amazing. My diagnostic? Mammo was the next day a Friday at 3pm. By 4pm that same day I was having an ultrasound guided bx. Dr. Russo kept part of his staff late on a Fri which I appreciated more than words could say. Monday I got the call it was BC. The following day I had an Appt w Dr Riley Who is the chief of oncology at St. Lukes. Although I chose to go 4 2 other BSConsults (both concurred w Dr. Riley's recommendation of lumpectomy and radiation) Dr Riley encouraged me to go for second opinions. Within Less than a month From screening mammo I had my lumpectomy then mammosite radiation. Today I have a follow up with dr. Riley at the new St. Lukes Riverside.0 -
I believe I am an oldie (63) compared to most of you. I am only a 2 1/2 year survivor, mast of right side, IDC, . After reconstruction I was told not to do anything for about 6 months and I can't believe some of your are exercising to the fullest. It saddens me that some of you are so young. My diagnostic mamo of left breast is next week. Can't wait.
Hugs,
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Hi all,
Well you can add another jersey girl. I was diagnosed in November of 2011. I had a lumpectomy in December, a re-excision in january and a masectomy in february. All points led to no chemo except the oncotype score, it was a 26 and due to my age they said chemo. I am 45. I had my first treatment march 15' second one is tomorrow. I am on t/c x 4. I am using the cold caps and so far I still have my hair.
I am being treated at morristown memorial, very happy with my oncologist. My surgeon was Leah Gendler as well, is she not the best! Love her........
Waiting for all of this to be a bad memory, it can't go by fast enough.
Great thread to start.
Good luck to all.
Lisa0 -
Alexandria - Count me in! I'm so ready to get out and have some fun! This BC has controlled my life since September. I'm so done with it. I'll be finished rads by mid summer, so the timing is perfect for me.
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Hey janetanned,
Is that a shephard? We have one as well........he was a year old in November, my first dog ever.......
Lisa0 -
Lisa - Yes she is! She is our second shepherd and a real sweat heart! She is getting on in years and has developed some neuropathy in her hind legs. When I start to feel sorry for myself (also have some neuropathy from current taxol tx),I look at her and don't feel so bad. If she can keep going, so can I. I remember her early years - at a year she was a bit mischievous! But she quickly grew up and we love her!
A shepherd for a first dog is very brave! They are very smart and they can be intimidating. I was afraid that our first would eat my babies. How wrong I was! She was their best friend, their guardian, and their guide. She never left their side if given the option. We were all so sad when she passed.
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I've had four shepherds in my life. Wonderful wonderful dogs. The last one died quite suddenly last September - he went for what we thought was a routine tooth extraction, they found a tumor, removed it, but he died on the table. He was 11. Broke my heart. Still hurts to think that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. They have such short lives compared to us. I just don't know if i can stand to do this again. My husband and I are now dogless for the first time in 30 years.
Moving to more fun topics, ladies: here's several proposals for a get together. Looking at my calendar - maybe Sunday, June 24:
1. Afternoon at the beach, Point Pleasant maybe, followed by dinner at a local seafood restaurant.
2. Lunch at a mall - Cherry Hill or elsewhere - and then shopping for clothes that fit our new bodies.
3. Movie outing - with dinner first.
4. Dinner and Kareoke night somewhere.
5. Just come to my house for an afternoon and evening and I'll grill vegie burgers and people can bring salads etc.
If we decide to go out, I'll try to get some sort of group discount.
BTW, actually, I'm Alex on the board, but my name in my secret identity is Sandy.
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I love shephers. We have 2 now. I had to put one down 2 days after Christmas of '10. We had him 12 years. He was the most awesome dog. Such a gentle soul. Kids came here to get their pictures taken and they would climb on him. He wouldn't even bat an eye! I think there were 10 of us in the vet's office when we put him down. They all came to say good bye to him. So so sad!
The two I have now are 1 and 2 yrs old. Such troublemakers! But I know they will mellow out and be great dogs too. I would not trade a shepherd for any other dog! The only thing I don't like about them is the hair!!0 -
Hi NJ, NY, & PA Ladies,
I felt well enough to go on a college tour road trip w/my family so I haven't been on BCO for a few days: I missed so much!
Welcome to all the new posters! This is such a great thread! I love reading where we all got our BC txs. I think this can really help someone just starting their BC journey!
Alexandria, A summer get-together sounds wonderful! A day at the beach sounds like a treat- but I'm up for anything.
Janet & Lisa: German Shepards are wonderful! So smart! My sister had a white Shepard- beautiful dog, but unfortunately she was plagued with health problems.
Have a good night,
Karmil
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Hi everyone - I am in NY, Riverdale, right over the GW Bridge. I was diagnosed in November, had a lumpectomy in December and just finished 4 rounds of TC. Next week I go to the RO for my simulation. I am suppose to have 5 weeks of rads. Then on to the 5 year hormone pill.
My surgeon was Dr. Andrew Ashikari at the Ashikari Breast Center in Dobbs Ferry, NY. I love him, his facilities and his staff. I am using a colleague of his with the Westchester Oncology Group, Dr. Puccio whom I also like very much. My rads will be done through 21st Century Oncology located in Yonkers, NY with Dr. Hermanto - also very happy with him.
See many familar names
Gayle
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Hey Gayle (and anyone else I might have missed here - we're becoming a big group!) - Welcome! I recognize you from Jewish Warriors.
Alexandria - how kind of you to put together a whole program for us! I can't commit to that date yet, as I will (hopefully) be having my exchange surgery sometime in June, but would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to get together.
Yesterday, two days after my 4th chemo, I felt rather "slammed" - not sick, but terribly tired, a feeling I hadn't had until now. Chemo tired. I had a good night's sleep, but am sitting in bed now, afraid to get up and see what I'm capable of doing today! I need to get a brisket in the oven, make an onion kugel and get ready for a very simple Passover seder.
Wishing all of you the most happy and healthy of holidays, whatever you celebrate! I truly feel blessed to have you around me, even virtually. The last time I had breast cancer - 19 years ago - the Internet didn't exist like this and I felt almost completely alone. This is a completely different experience and one for which I am very grateful. xxx ooo Joan
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Joan I am getting ready to cook two briskets and a kugel as well. Enjoy the holiday. We are doing a very simple dinner at my parents house as well. The importance being that we are all together.
Everyone else enjoy whatever you are celebrating and wishes for health and happiness.
Gayle
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Happy Passover and Happy Easter! I'm hoping everyone is feeling up to celebrating!
Joan: My 4th T/C tx wiped me out too. I'm hoping it passes quickly for you! Way to go making a Seder- lot's of kudos to you!
Hi Gayle! I'm glad you found our NE ladies thread!
Karmil
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Hey Jersey/PA/NY gals! What's up for the weekend?
My husband, son and I are going to see a production of Hairspray at Mercer Comunity College on Saturday and on Sunday I am going to an "unveiling" in Bergen County. (An unveiling in the Jewish religion is a short prayer service that is conducted when the new tombstone is revealed for the first time).
I bet that some of you are readers. I just finished Stephen King's 11/22/63 and loved it! I've been a King fan for a long time but felt he really outdid himself with this one.
I am still super tired from Tc #4, a week and a half ago. It has been getting me really down - but I have been asking questions around these boards and am finding it is quite common and may even continue until a few months after I finish chemo. I am "striking back" by trying to eat very well - lots of protein, fruits and liquids - and listening to my body - resting when I need to (which seems to be most of the time!).
Hope you all have a great w/e.
Joan
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I'm at Monmouth University for the Relay for Life with my twins and their friend (she goes to school here) and her family.
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Wow, quite a few of us at Morristown! I go there too, after shopping around a bit, including some of the Manhattan hospitals. I chose Morristown because the protocols they recommended were basically the same as NYC, but with the reduced stress of being closer to home. Realizing now how often I'm out there (weekly Taxol now, AC before, tons of appts for PT, etc etc), I'm happy with that -- getting into the city would add a lot of hassle, tho I'm only 25 mins on the train.
My doctors are Gendler, Glatt and now Early for chemo. I start rads next month with Karim. I would love to meet any of you who are headed to Morristown soon(ish). I'm there often!
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Marcia - just sent you a PM!
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Joan It has been almost a month and I am still dragging myself around. I am doing like you, trying to eat well and resting when I need to. On the plus side my hair is starting to grow a bit.
Gayle
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Good morning everyone! This weekend we have baseball opening day for my youngest son, then he has a game at noon, then my 14 year old has a football game at 2pm. I'm not going to make all of these - I just had my 3rd Taxol on Thurs and need to pace myself. My WBC was low which is unusal for Taxol, but I had a big problem with that on the A/C. I had to get a Neulasta shot yesterday - again, not common on Taxol. I spent 3 days in the hospital last month with pneumonia, so I need to watch what I do today.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys this beautiful weather!!!
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Joan, I read "11/22/63" and loved it! I know some people say it dragged on, but I riveted to every page.
I'm running in an all-women's race tomorrow in Central Park: the More Magazine Women's Half Marathon. And I just saw the forecast calls for rain in the morning! Oh well, guess I'll be wearing a hat...
Feel good ladies, and have a wonderful weekend!
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Wasn't it a great book, Orangemat? I know when I've read a good book or seen a good movie because I'm still thinking about it a few days later. I am impressed that you are doiing a half-marathon. These days, just climbing the stairs to the second floor in my home is an undertaking!
Char - take it easy today and for the next few days. It's going to be very warm the next few days - just sit in the sun (with sunscreen and a big hat, of course) and rest your weary body. I am trying to do this more and more. Your diagnosis sounds similar to mine (though my tumor might have been a bit smaller) - wondering why you got A/C. I am doing T/C. Sorry you were in the hospital last month.
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