2013 Survivors!!!
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So sorry. hugs to you. I lost my sister in law who I half raised. she was 7 years younger than me. she died from glioblastoma in 2007 age 35. left behind 3 kids. This is a sucky disease.
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Oh ireland.... XXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's So SO sorry to hear. If it helps at all .... I had a friend with testicular cancer at 26. He lost one testicle but is happy and healthy today.
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Oh, Ireland...I am so sorry!!!
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Hi everyone......sorry I've not posted in a while .....been reading though and trying to keep up.
Ireland......I'm so sorry to hear the news about your brother......keep us posted please.
Momof3......Great news!!!!! and will be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for maddy.
Chrisrenee....yeah for NED!!!!! We do love him.....Congrats.
Kris...welcome....I had problems with my back for almost a year ....shoulder blades and the middle. What worked for me was a series of massage sessions every other week. More or less my back is fine now.
Juneau.....I think I mentioned before that it is not a good thing to focus on the scale so much. Keep doing the
wonderful exercise programmes you are involved in and only weigh yourself once every two weeks or even better, once a month. The scale does not always reflect what's really happening within your body.
I can't wait to come out of hibernation. This has been Canada's coldest winter on record.
Love to all....
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Lostinmo and Believe, sorry forgot to mention how lovely that you two met and what a great pic. Sorry it was so short.
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Ireland so sorry that you now have this to add but as Juneau says, he can beat it!
Scottiee you just have to live in the west~~one of the mildest so far. Just back from a 5 k walk and sunny and almost like spring~~well that is a stretch but it was not bad. Glad I did not have to leave the airport in Toronto Wed. night when I transited.
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Ireland ..so sorry..My brother had testicular cancer 23 years ago and he is 53 now and in perfect health. God Bless...
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Marian.....if the weather had not been so frigid and if i had been feeling better (been off work for three days) I would have come to the airport.....not sure how that would have worked though.
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Thanks for the thought Scottiee! It would have been a short visit as only 1.5 hours and half of that seemed to be taken with getting through security~~had to go through customs on entry. Hope you feel better soon~~cold/flu?
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So much to catch up on, thought I was reading fairly regularly - my apologies if I miss commenting on anything
LostinMo and Believe - so happy you were able to meet, thank you for sharing the picture with us, you are both lovely
Momof3 - glad you got a good report and that Maddie made it through her surgery OK, keeping my fingers crossed that you will get good news
2Fried - happy to hear it is thought to be cysts and that you are following up with having them drained by your BS and another look in 6 months, loved the happy dancers
KrisWahl - welcome, as others have said this is a great group of ladies
ChrisRenee - congratulations on NED
Tazzy - we will be in your pockets for your appointments in February
Ireland - so sorry to hear of the news of your brother's diagnosis - hoping that whatever treatment he requires goes well for him - how are you doing?
Juneau - agree with Scottie re: not going so much by the scale - it is just one tool to help us know how we are doing. I love what you said about looking at your feet and asking where they are ... Perfect, living in today is good
MarianElizabeth - glad you made it home safely, sounds like you are doing well
Nettie - I have had back pain since rads, I had a bone scan in May of 2013 to have it checked out, no mets but a couple of other issues; they decided to do a MRI and I had that in July - again, no mets. I continue to have the back pain, seems to be right in the spine as opposed to muscles surrounding but try not to let it keep me from living my life. Hope yours improves soon or you get to the bottom of what is causing it
Karen/Ramols - thank you for your honesty, you are two very strong ladies - glad that you are planning on or getting help - you both inspire me
Aruba - two broken bones in the arm is pretty significant - must have been quite the fall - take good care, glad you will have a follow up soon to see how the healing is going
Hugs to all and hoping everyone is able to find their happy this weekend
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Iteland - Sorry to hear about your brothers diagnosis! I actually have a friend that is dealing with her 14 year old son having it also. He had surgery the end of last summer but on follow up there are still cancer cells left so now he will be having more surgery and then radiation shortly. Why does cancer have to be so widespread?
Juneaubugg - I love your saying!!!!!!! I hope you don't mind if I start using that myself because I really need stop worrying about what may happen and just live and enjoy today.
Hugs to everyone and jumping in pockets as needed!
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Thanks for all the positive words. My sisters and I had a wine filled night with mum last night( my mum has had such a tough life and hasnt had any peace throughout her early life and now through out her retirement.) Somehow the night lifted all our spirits(not the wine obviously!!!!) We are ready now to stop feeling sorry for ourselves snd support Dec in whatever way we can. He has already booked me to shave his hair if needed......(he did mine!), hopefully he wont need chemo, however consult has told him to expect rads and at least one chemo....his op is next week so we will know more. Meanwhile he is in shock and trying to keep things normal...lastnight he was at the premiere of a show he is in.....and tonight it airs on TG4...couldnt help but think of you scottiee.....as the show is all about Robbie Burns!!!!although all in Irish????? Dec shot it in Scotland last year.....when he was dabbling in acting....he is now behind the camera and is a 2nd AD.....whatever that is!! Love to you all....hope its a good weekend for everyone.x
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Juneau put your scale in a time out! I did and it helped me not focus on the weight but more on the inches. Plus I went for a 're-eval at my gym with the nurse and even though I was up in weight half of it was lean body mass and I lost some inches. To me that's more important. Don't forget you could be building muscle. Keep doing what you're doing and don't be too hard on yourself. I wish I had 1/2 your willpower. I would love to see comparison pics from before you started and now. Bet you it's amazing!
Ireland I'm also sending positive vibes your way. A wine night always seems to help. Keep us posted.
Hugs to all.
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Ireland, for what it worth I have a friend that was diagnosed with testy cancer at the age of 17 back in the early 1970's. He survived, is still here and has a couple of kids....so all is not lost!
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Ireland: hugs to you and your family. Wine always seems to raise my spirits too
Juneau: love your talk to yourself - perfect. I cut out carbs 3 weeks ago and can already feel the difference - don't do enough exercise but when spring arrives me and a friend walk lots. Glad to hear you are busy.
Karen: I don't own a scale and like you I just go by my clothes and how they feel.
Scottie: you have had the most awful weather.... although a little cooler here than Vancouver like Marian said - its been a good winter for us,
Hello to all I have missed and have a great weekend xxxxxx
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Lymphedema ladies out there - a bit of help please! Been having residual issues with my left arm after finishing PT, but was finally feeling like my persistence with my exercises has been working it all out. I've been massaging what I think is a cord and making progress. But now I think I pissed off the lymph fluid gods. I woke up this morning with swelling in my wrist and arm just above my wrist - on the inside. I happen to have a compression sleeve with attached gauntlet that they fitted me for before radiation so I'd have something just in case. So i wore it today - although I took it off for a few hours in the middle of the day as my arm felt really achey. I think I'm putting it on correctly - but am afraid I'm mangling things when I try to take it off - and making things worse. Any tips on taking the sleeve off? I'm going to call the rehab center on Monday and beg to be seen by the therapist who worked out the edema in my trunk a few months ago, so hoping I'll get some professional guidance. But thought I'd ask. Thanks so much! I know I've been bad at keeping up on all the goings on here, so just sending you all big hugs!
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ramols- I pray that you don't have the return of LE. This crap is miserable. When I take my sleeve off, I generally try to do one movement, that way I don't stop in the middle of the arm and clog it up. Definitely get in to see someone though.
So my friend and former LE therapist posted a link on her FB page saying that congress has now made an LE act for Medicare patients. What it states is that Medicare patients be given the same rights as commercial insurance patients that Medicare pay for compression garments instead of Medicare patients having to pay for their own garments. I am so happy for this act it is much needed.
Jon and I are remodeling our bedroom. So far we have painted our bedroom and we painted it a lilac purple color I love it. We are waiting for our carpet to be installed this coming week. Jon has put recessed lighting in our hallway. We went today to go buy a new bed, it's gorgeous and should be here in the next week also. But my favorite thing during this entire remodeling, is having a freaking lock on our bedroom door. We have been in out house almost 13 years and we've never had a lock on our door. Haha makes this "moments" a tad bit tricky. Lol
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Thanks Chrisrenne! Fingers crossed they will squeeze me in on Monday. If not - I have an appt. with my BS on Thursday so maybe I can squeeze in with someone after that. In the meantime, I'm going to try wearing the sleeve and not obsessing. Kind of kicking myself that I didn't keep up with the exercises she taught me, but my truncal edema was so mild and I know the exercises for the manual drainage are typically different depending on where the fluid is - so I didn't think it was so important. Lesson learned... Will find out what to do and make sure I do it every day from now on! Have a great day ladies!
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I search this sight almost daily to see if there are any other ladies out there experiencing the type of pain that I'm having! I was not diagnosed with Lymphedema (thankfully) but I do think that I have something going on! I have extreme pain in my lumpectomy breast upon touching, even the slightest touch. I did have some cording all down my ribs (treated by OT and chiropractor) but my biggest worry is the pain in my back. It's not excruciating pain, just a knawing, but the fact that it's there and nothing seems to help has me worried out of my mind that the cancer has spread there! And yes I have informed my MO, but he seems to think it is from swelling and damage done by the radiation, thus the OT! I just wish it would go away! Also, the OT and chiropractor are working on it, but I only see them once a week! Maybe I just need to be patient, or maybe I need to go more often, just not sure!!
I find on these boards from what I read, that it seems that more ladies had mastectomies than lumpectomies, so it's hard to find others in the same boat as me! I have visited the lumpectomy lounge, but no one there seems to have this issue!
I guess I'm just venting this morning as once again, it's just really stressing me!
Hugs to everyone!! Since I work full time, I read but find it hard to catch up but I do try to comment if I read something that I think I can contribute to!!
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Ok ladies - here are the photos of the house... I didn't go down to the hottub... it was too dark outside by the time I thought of it, and the bedroom is just of the bed (Chrisrenees fault) - but you get the idea.
Here is the view upon entering: The green area with the "LONDON" print up to the right is the kitchen and the burgundy further down the railing is the dining room. The pellet stove is to the left with the TV about. Sliding doors to deck from Living room and also dining room.
Here is the view behind you when you walk in (which is up the stairs to the bedroom on the right. (sorry the one is a bit blurred - and the colors in THIS first one above is the best representation.)
Here is the bedroom (well bed):
Then as you enter the room and look UP to the kitchen and dining area.
Here is a full panoramic of living room taken from standing in front of the stove:
There are skylights in the livingroom (2) and one in the kitchen (my
pots and pans are hanging around the opening) and one in the upstairs
bathroom (not pictured).
Here's is the now famous stove:
Then you go down stairs (which are right after you enter - a bi thidden in the panoramic living room shot - all you see is a cut out in the wall near where the railing going up is) and to the left is my exercise/dressing room: (regular and panoramic)
and to the right at the bottom of the stairs is the guest room:
(this is more my husbands space to put his guitars in, but the dresser has more of my clothes in it!
I didn't take photos of the two full baths either. They are located at the top and bottom of each stairwell.
Well that does it - I can check this off of my list. Hope you love it as much as we do. It was worth the wait... (and the added responsibility I feared so much - thanks Liefie for the push).
To those of you struggling today - hang in there. I'm having a shit day - scale went up again and i"m frustrated. But already half the day has passed and my feelings of self loathing of this body of mine aren't going to kill me. They are just feelings. My reality is that I am a strong, beautiful, compassionate woman that is working to the best of my ability at any given moment to take care of myself, to honor my mind, body and spirit. I don't WANT TO, but I'm going to spin class tonight.... in SPITE of the voice in my head that doesn't want me to practice self love. And because of all those things... I am a survivor. This was a gift from a fellow survivor (she had her DMX 6 months before me) that was given to me the day after my surgery. I thought I'd share it with you all.
xoxo
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Thanks for sharing your new home Juneau and so happy for you and your DH. Glad to hear that you are going to spinning regardless of how you feel about it and that has inspired me to change out of my pi's and go for a walk and a yoga class this afternoon! I was a total sloth for my month away but since back I have gone to 4 yoga classes and have walked 3 times albeit a bit slower than usual.
I am getting used to the foob and augment though I find yoga poses on my stomach just plain weird as the foob does not "give." But I know I will get used to it as one more thing BC has had me do. My physio was very happy with everything when I saw him Friday for the first time in 5 weeks~~no cording, signs of L/E and ROM coming along.
As always I read all your posts and appreciate so much what you are all doing and saying.
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Juneau - wow, you are all moved in, including pictures on the walls! Love your red accent walls. Wishing you many, many happy and healthy years in your new home. Thanks for sharing a piece of your happiness.
Ireland - sorry to hear about your brothers diagnosis. Thankfully they are making good strides in finding a way to treat this and will someday even find a cure. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to your entire family.
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Juneau - Love the house pictures!!!! Also Love your attitude!!!!!!!!
I am very anxious for my BD and MO appointments tomorrow, but trying to tell myself that I have been good so far and there is nothing different to make me think they will find anything. I will post tomorrow night letting you know how I did.
Hugs to everyone!!!!!
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Juneau...Very cool house, thanks for sharing..........
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Juneau - wonderful, love it!!!
Momof3 - in your pockets tomorrow!
Stay warm everyone!
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juneau - love the pics! amazing how much you've done hanging things up, etc since you moved in. Very impressive! I just gave that same exact pillow to a colleague a few weeks ago after her lumpectomy and as she ramps up for chemo. I'm trying these days to remind myself that I'm a survivor - but between the swelling in my arm and the fact that i've been staring at a prescription from my gastroenterologist for a CT scan of my gallbladder that includes a good look at my pancreas - I'm struggling a bit. Long story short I had a second attack of some kind last week that was a monster. Went to the gastro the next day. Got a sono and found stones in my gallbladder, but also found thickening in one wall only - which can sometimes be cause for concern (translation - tumor). After reassuring me a million times on the phone that he doesn't think I have gallbladder cancer, he asked me to get this scan so they can get a better pic of whats going on. So I'm doing it through my MO's office. And after picking up the script and seeing the word pancreas on it - I'm close to losing my mind worrying about spread to my pancreas. But I'll hold it together and likely get the scan this week if I'm lucky. So soon enough this will be over and it will boil down to a simple procedure to get my gall bladder out. Juneau - I'm using your "feet in today" conversation to keep myself grounded. Anyway - I should go to bed now. Love you all. Sleep well and find your happy!
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Juneau, you have quickly made that house into a home! Enjoy!!
Ramols, Momof3.. In your pockets. Glad you will have results soon. Scanxiety is the pits!
I go to the orthopedic Dr. for my wrist tomorrow. Xrays etc but nothing like going for BC follow ups not even close. DH on a business trip but dear friend in from Chicago for a visit. She gets to zip up coat for me since I cant. Brrr!!
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Ramols - I am sorry about your gallbladder issues and will be in your pockets whenever needed!!!! I remember when I was having gallbladder issues and they only got worse the longer I waited (I had just had my 2nd child a few months before and it was thought to be mastitis at first). I am also praying that they get you in sooner rather than later for the scan and then surgery!!!!!
Aruba - I will try to be in your pockets tomorrow in between all of my appointments! I am praying for good news for you as well!!!
Hugs to everyone!!!!!
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so I had 3 good appointments today. Thanks for being in my pockets. My MO is switching me from Femera to anastrazole to see if my aches and pains are better on this. I will fill it tomorrow and hope that the SE are less on the new med. As she said I can always go back if this one is worse than the Femera. On another note she told me about a new study where they give you Zometa once every 6 months through IV for 3 years if you have had chemo within one year already and are post menopausal. It can keep metastic bone cancer away. She is leaving it up to me if I take it since I am 1 1/2 yrs out from chemo, but she said if it was her she would do it. I am seriously considering it, but wanted to see if any of you have heard about this. It is relatively new but promising. The IV only takes 1/2 an hour once every 6 months. What do you guys think?
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Juneau: thanks for sharing your house with us.... may you and DH spend many more happy, healthy years there. A true home !
Hugs and jumping in pockets where needed. Cant respond to all - very tired tonight and its only Tuesday (8.30pm). Well here's to an early night.
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