2013 Survivors!!!
Comments
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welcome Enerva! As you can see we all talk freely here, lol! You'll love it here and we'll perk you right up! Big (((Hugs))). Sheila0 -
Just stopping in to say a quick hello and wish you all a great week! Juneau - your story brought tears to my eyes. Talk about paying it forward in a skillful way - nice work! And way to go on your fundraising - good for you!
Ladies - here is what I added to Juneau's email to the moderators with our pic:
I had the good fortune of stumbling on BCO shortly after my diagnosis. I have treasured having the constant support and understanding of my BCO sisters as they lived through the same ordeal alongside me. When you're up at 3am because you're fearfully awaiting scan results, or the steroids you've been on are driving you insane, or your newly bald scalp is so sensitive you can't put your head comfortably on the pillow - your sisters on BCO get it. And more likely than not, one of them is also up at 3am and will respond to you right away and help you settle down. And the connection hasn't ended after active treatment - we are all still there for each other. I'm so very thankful for BCO!
I meant every word of it! Starting to get jittery - my last herceptin treatment is coming up on Wednesday. I can't believe this day is almost here. This will feel truly like the end of active treatment. Incredible... Love and hugs to you all. Go get your happy!0 -
Juneau My hero! How NICE! I love those kinds of stories and it brought tears to my old eyes too! It was so nice that you took notice and such a wonderful thing to do . It probably gave her alot of comfort knowing you "made it" through the same hard times she is experiencing.
Websister- I'm sure hearing of your experiences and seeing you after all you have been through gave that man alot of comfort too. That was so nice of you to share your story with him. I'm sure he will want to convey it to his wife. Did any conversation come up about this site?
Mom3 Congrats on the vacation home. Enjoy!
Chrisrenee happy Aniversary-beautiful flowers. (Hang in there and keep fighting)
Enerva-Welcome -please feel free to share good or bad; we understand!
Ramols Wow cool about the last Herceptin treatment! You go girl! I thought about you when I saw this about tattoos after mastectomy although I don't know what your hubby would thhink about it since he thinks there should be some kind of nipple lol but heck this first woman could go around topless all the time and no one would know! http://www.today.com/health/pink-ink-tattoos-transform-mastectomy-scars-beauty-8C113737950 -
I feel like I'm in the company of Angels. So many good deeds. I'm proud to be here and so proud of you all!
Welcome Enerva. Wonderful group of women here.
We are back home. Had such a wonderful time. Can't wait to go back!
Hugs to all!0 -
Good evening my lovelies! For everyone keeping up with my surgery, I won against my boss. She apologized for reacting and being horrible last week. So I am officially good to go now. I have preop next Tuesday and 2 weeks from tomorrow I go into surgery. I am extremely excited and can't wait.
Juneau- I meant to tell you, You had me in tears with your story. That was so very sweet of you and all good things will come to you.
I spent all Saturday afternoon at Stephens basketball shootout and boy was my butt tired sitting on bleachers for 5 hours. On my way home I got pulled over and was issued a 238.00 speeding ticket. I can promise you I will not be going through that town ever again. That's just ridiculous to have a fine that high. But it is, what it is correct?
Hope you all have a great day! love you all!0 -
Welcome, Enerva
Ramols - love what you wrote, congrats on your last Herceptin on Wednesday! It does feel good! I'm still waiting to her when I get my port out
2Fried - I did share with him re: BCO and a few local resources
Chrisrenee - ouch! Re: ticket
Take care, everyone0 -
Here's what I sent to the Mods:
I can't tell you how many new friends that I have made because of the BCO site. I had snooped on the site for many months without ever posting. I ended up finding the 2012 sisters thread and posted my story there. I can't tell you how many of my "sisters" responded by telling me they understood where I was coming from, the anger, denial and eventually acceptance. I remember at one point making the comment that I don't feel like I should say I was a survivor, because I didn't have chemo or radiation. I remember my sister Juneau saying sarcastically," you're right you're not a survivor because you didn't have any treatment. Being on medication is treatment/ having iron infusions is treatment and having a bilateral mastectomy is treatment", and she was right. I am a survivor. Then I have the momma's of the family Scottie and Joanne- Who couldn't love these crazy women anymore than I do?! Then we have our resident Angel Believe! When anyone of us is having a rough day or feeling like we need a hug, somehow she knows it and a special package shows up in our mail. I couldn't imagine going through the last year without anyone of these amazing beautiful women in my corner. This website is truly amazing for all survivors/caregivers and women/men in treatment.0 -
Hey girly girls! Got to spend the weekend in West Virginia with my BFFs and it was wonderful to be together again. I wanted to post what I emailed:
"I can't think of a better place to go for support. The women on this site were supportive, caring, strong and amazing. If I was having a bad day they lifted me up. A happy moment they celebrated with me. A worry they shared their similar experience. This was my support group and these women are the reason I know I can fight this fight and KCA!"0 -
Christy.....you brought a tear to my eye girl....that was so beautiful. You know I'm always here for you.
So happy about your surgery and that things have been resolved with your "bitchy boss" . Yes, ouch
about that ticket!!!! OH, PS...you didn't tell me I have competition .....ha ha ha
Believe....Christy is right, you
are our angel here....❤️0 -
I'm an equal opportunity mom lover! I love all you women so much. I would be lost without ya'll, it's true!0
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Christy....I'll share you with Jo since you put it that way...0 -
Love you all! Just got back in town with lots of new beads and inspiration, too! Hard to believe that summer is over. It's even cool here in CA. Time to bundle up. Let's see what I can accomplish before we take off again. I can't imagine why anyone would ever leave these group. You are all part of my extended family. We can always count on each other!
Christy - good luck on your upcoming surgery. Bad luck on that ticket! I guess Texas does everything big.0 -
I am not sure I want to be a mom .... Can I be the big sister please.0 -
Yay Chrisrenee , so glad your boss got her head out of where the sun doesnt shine! Bummer about the speading ticket though. We will be ready to jump in your pockets in a couple weeks.0 -
2fried - thanks for that link; love it! Did find out from my lymphedema therapist (who corrected me and told me it is really just edema I have in the trunk, shouldn't say lymphedema) that I likely shouldn't do any tattooing in the areas I've had swelling. Makes sense. So my designs - once i eventually get them some day - will have to start on my right (prophylactic) side and ease their way over the left without really hitting much beyond the center. Oh well. Will still be awesome I think! Now - to get designing!!!
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The best thing about having my 1 year Cancerversary today is thinking back to all the time I have spent with all of you here.
Who knew something so terrifying could have a silver lining. You gals are the greatest! Hugs and Love you all!0 -
Ramols so you are giving new meaning to the term "junk in the trunk"! Is it still edema from lymph fluid? Heck that one pic of the lady with the tat that looked like a top-wonder if she can get away with going around topless all of the time . Be so interesting to put her in a crowd and see if anyone figured it out or if she'd get arrested for indecent exposure or anything.lol Oh well so you have to keep it more on the one side and just creeping to the other side; just don't do any creeping snakes. That would be too creepy. lol
ChrisRenee wow that ticket hurts! Glad you got the surgery/boss situation under control.
Websister That was so nice of you to share so much info with him. I bet he felt really good having info to give his wife in addition to telling her how well you are doing.
Believe Welcome back! Glad you enjoyed yourself and got some new beads and inspiration! Are there any type of beads that are hard to find or that you are always on the look out for that we could get for you if we see them?0 -
2FriedEggs - beads are easy. I have a million of them. It's the inspiration that is more challenging. I picked up an order for lanyards at my Vapor Store. Once that is filled I'm moving on to inspiration. Thanks for your offer. I should remember to take pictures of beads and not buy so many. We need a national no postage holiday:-).
Pocket Party Invitation on Monday the 21st at 2pm. This is my 6 month call back for a mammogram on my effected side. Still trying to confirm that they didn't see anything. Yuk - it will be easier with my Pockets full.
Has anyone heard from Stride?0 -
Aimee.....we love you too....❤️....congrats on your one year cancerversary !!!!!
Believe , I'm in, of course. PS....Stride did say that she would not be posting very often. I hope no news
IS good news!!!!!
2Fried....nice to hear from you.0 -
iatigger0 -
Believe - I will jump into your pockets on the 21st right after my MUGA scan at 0800.
iatigger - one year! Wonderful way of describing the support found here - a silver lining
Ramols - with you tomorrow for your last Herceptin0 -
I'm in but you'll all be coming with me to my MO appt!
Ramols I will be cheering you on tomorrow!0 -
I'm in for all the pocket parties no questions asked. well I need A LOT of pocket parties coming up. Next Tuesday is my preop appt with my PS and also preop appt for the surgical facility. Then the following Tuesday at 7am I will be walking in with Barbie boobs and rolling out with headlights!
Iatiger- happy 1 yr cancerversary! Isn't it strange how quick a year goes by? Next Friday will be 19 mos since my diagnosis, sometimes it feels like it sometimes it doesn't. Celebrate your 1 year!
Ramols- good luck tomorrow on your herceptin treatment. You must be so excited.
So I spoke with my coworker the one who needs surgery too, her surgeon has postponed her surgery until he can determine that what he needs to do isn't going to hurt her in the long run. So if I could get you all to keep her in your thoughts I would appreciate it.0 -
Busy Pocket Party week ahead! I'm with all of you everytime! The only time I got called back is when I didn't invite you all along - not taking any chances in the future. I'm so over all of this but I will never be over all of you! How great to be each other's Silver Lining.
Love our Cancerversaries. Congratulations iatigger! Ramols - last herceptin- hooray! Loral - beautiful graphic.
Has anyone in the US signed up for Obamacare? I'm hoping to stay with Kaiser but haven't gotten a price yet, I'm afraid to ask. My DH is eligible for Medicare this year. I'm on my own.0 -
I'm staying on my insurance through work. I'm scared to see what my premiums are going to be like. I already pay 900.00 a month for my coverage. I hope they don't go any higher.0 -
Not posting much but always reading to keep up. Off in the early AM to MSP~~Minnesota and Wisconsin for a week with old friends. This is my longest trip since dx 15 months ago. Also my big news is that my exchange with fat grafting and augment on my "good" side is set for Dec. 6th.
Chrisrenee, it never ceases to amaze me the cost of health insurance in the US. We may pay way higher taxes in Canada to fund health care but at least we know we will get it. Arrghh!
We do pay over $4000 a year for extended insurance thanks to the company in Saudi Arabia my husband worked for~~administered out of the US and it is the one reason I can even travel to the US! Without it no way at age 64 I would get travel insurance with all my pre existings now!0 -
Quick hello before work.
Wonderful time in San Fran - although getting home horrendous. Delayed flighs, missed connections. But we made it eventually.
Juneau - beautiful story - you are a treasure.
Welcome newbies, jumping pockets - will bring martini's.
Congrats to those with anniversary's.
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
Ladies - I did it. I finally finished herceptin! My emotions are a roller coaster right now - crying, laughing, etc. I feel like I can finally say I'm done with treatment. Amazing. I wanted to share a letter I gave to the nurses at my infusion suite. I'm sure some of you have felt the same way... Love you all!
To the Chemo Nurses at MSKCC Commack,
One of the scariest days in my life was the day I walked into the infusion suite for my first chemo treatment. I’d read the pamphlets, spoken with my oncologist, seen all the movies and done more Google research than I should have. Armed with all of that information, I still had absolutely no idea what to expect from my first treatment, and was scared out of my mind.
Thankfully – my new chemo nurses swooped in to the rescue. You helped me get comfortable, explained all of my meds to me and told me what to expect. With a skillful combination of frankness and tenderness – you gave me the real scoop on what the next few months would be like for me. This combination of honesty and incredible bedside manner is what separates chemo nurses from all others. It is what makes you angels sent from heaven to those of us in the chair getting hooked up to the poison.
Every single one of you has helped or touched me in some way, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve done for me and for all you continue to do every day for the patients who cycle in and out of the infusion suite. Today – one of you will hang my LAST bag of Herceptin. And I will walk out the door hopefully never to walk in again. I will not miss this room or anything about it. But I will miss the wonderful nurses who make it a tolerable and safe place.
So to those of you who have taken such good care of me over the past 14 months, I thank you for: working so skillfully and patiently with my battered ACT veins so I could continue through herceptin without a port; being able to distract me from watching the dreaded red devil flow into my veins; helping me navigate the maze of my at-home meds; knowing when I needed another warm blanket or pillow; always remembering my name and shouting out a hello with a smile as you walked by; remembering tidbits about my family and asking about my kids; and most importantly, recognizing that I’m a person beyond my cancer diagnosis and MRN #.
I won’t lie – I’m a bit scared to walk out that door today and know that I won’t have you ladies checking on me every three weeks anymore. But I’m ready to say goodbye and charge forward with the rest of my life – away from MSKCC and away from cancer!
With gratitude and appreciation,
Rachel Miller0 -
That was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.0 -
CONGRATULATIONS RAMOLS!!!!!!!!!! Your letter is exactly how I felt and similar to what I wrote to my nurses as I received my last chemo 5 months after I started. You brought me to tears in a Happy way today. Thanks for my Happy. When I see my MO I go back to the cancer center and even after 3 months between visits they still all remember me and smile and say Hi Amy and ask how everyone is in the family. They even remember my DD and her medical issues we were having and ask specifically about her each time. Anyone who works at the cancer center really is an angel in my eyes and although I hope to never need chemo again I know that they will be there waiting for me and that is very comforting!
Latigger - happy canceversary to you! I hope you did something fun to celebrate!
I am in pockets as needed and also have many appointments coming up to get ready for my knee surgery is 3 weeks. Next Wednesday I meet with my surgeon for a preop and would love to have as many of you with me as possible! I have been having issues with my family lately and it really helps having you with me and being here for me lately. My parents don't even know I hurt my knee let alone that I need surgery.
We have been busy painting our NC house, but hearing the waves as you paint is heaven to my ears. Buying the house was definetly a great thing to do this past summer!!!!!
Hugs to all of you!!!!0
