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2013 Survivors!!!

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  • Outdamnedspot
    Outdamnedspot Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2013

    Wow!  It's great to be able to put faces with names.  What a lovely bunch of ladies we are!

    I read here often and would love to address everyone, but by the time I get to the end I can't remember who said what!!!

    Sounds like we are all doing pretty good considering what 2012 was like.  Mcook...have you got the intinerary for the run yet?  

    Carolyn, loved your post and so glad for you that you have the family and friends that you really deserve.

    Joanne and Scottiee at Lake Erie...sounds like fun and the weather here in Southern Ontario is beautiful.

    Time to get outside and enjoy it.  Love and hugs to you all:)

  • shianne29
    shianne29 Member Posts: 282
    edited March 2013

    Cmbernardi sending tons of love and strength

    Gosh you ladies have been busy!!! For those that bake for happiness, I LOVE COOKIES lol



    I saw the cutest/sexiest hair style that I'm going to try to shape mine into as it grows... Michelle Williams.



    I've started using my elliptical again and on those nice days we are starting to get I go walking outside. I feel so much better, I think fresh air and longer daylight hours help a lot.

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 906
    edited March 2013

    Jo and Scottiee....LOL get runnin Joanne....good heavens I couldn't even keep up to you two shopping let alone running (or walking) along the beach.

    If Christine allows it, have one (or two) for me....have a great time girls!

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited March 2013

    Ramols: you do look wonderful.

    Karen: ha ha ha…. Bitch slap them to kingdom come – but I hear ya. I love B&W movies too.

    Carolyn: Happy to read your later post when you are feeling better. It is an cliché but really, tomorrow is another day.
    Luvmygoats: what a way to spend a 37th anniversary… and what a sweet gesture by DH.

    Believe: You are beautiful and I love your hair.

    Allurbad: you hair is gorgeous.
    chrisrenee: I think you could pull off a short cut… try it – it always grows again.

    Mcook: sounds like you had quite the workout – glad you got your happy !

    Well hello scottie – so nice to see you – another beautiful lady in our midst. Oh! and welcome to the 21st century J An electric broom – now there’s an idea.

    Hi flannelette.

    Hello Jo, schatzi

    2Fried: still nothing back about the mammo – I am thinking I wont hear until I see my onc on March 28 – along with all the other scans.

    Outdam – hello – good to see you too.

    Shianne: love her hair – but mine is still so curly and I really have enjoyed not spending hours on my hair so have let it run riot and do its own thing.

    So I have either missed out on lots of posts or not many have posted their weights this week.   Juneau I am sure you did... buy I cannot find the post, please let me know again - same for everyone else too - sorry to make you post your weights again if you have.

    Outdam lost 2 lbs this week.... and I am the lucky recipient of it, least my butt was Surprised  I guess that beer and wings are catching up with me.   Back at it next week.   I really have been quite naughty.

    Aruba                  170
    Belinda                136
    Believe                161.8     160.6
    Butterfly              1 loss
    Chrisrenee           237        237
    Cindy                  194
    GmaFoley            186
    Joanne (loss)       1.3
    Juneau                177.4
    Iatigger               213
    Ireland                178 
    karenZ                172
    Liefie                   158
    Mcook                 129 
    Outdamspot         196         194
    Tazzy                  153         155
    Websister            149

    Hello to all others I have missed saying hi to.  

    Beautiful sunny day here in the Okanagan... so I am going shopping, coming home and yay finally getting into the greenhouse and starting to plant for Spring.

    Have a wonderful weekend ladies.

  • cmbernardi
    cmbernardi Member Posts: 853
    edited March 2013

    @Believe777

    Hey There,

    I sent you a PM as you suggested.  I then went on to my Facebook account and shared the website you wrote to me about with all of my friends and family.  I tried to PM you again to tell you this but I got a response saying that "Believe777 is not accepting private messages".  Do not know what the glitch is but thought I would let you know.  Next I will set-up my PayPal account so that I can send my Mom & Sister both something special from that wonderful website.  Thank you for letting me know about it and for your kindness and generosity.  Peace!

  • ireland20
    ireland20 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2013

    Hi ladies, looks like everyone has been busy! I'm feeling more and more fu@ked off.... I should be celebrating one year post treatment next week but instead I'm meeting wit yet another doc to organise more surgery. When does it end cant even book a holiday as i dont no how long i will need off . Mcook i to have frozen shoulder which nobody bloody warned me about and if im honest despite being due to start a new job on the 19 th i too would love a new career doing something completely new. I turned 45 yesterday and think i have to do something soon or i never will. Ok moan over thanks for listening or not!

  • mcook301
    mcook301 Member Posts: 314
    edited March 2013

    Ireland- I hear u on the job thing! As far as did you have surgery and TE? And if so have you had those exchanged? My doc suggested a cortisone shot but I have not went there. She said if I was going to get LE I was going to get it and statistically nothing stops it but I don't know what to believe anymore so held off on shot but might now because shoulder is still limited but better after TE were removed and I have some major cording going on. Kind of used to it now I guess and patiently waiting

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 1,790
    edited March 2013

    Hi Ireland.....happy belated birthday.....hope you did something nice for yourself!!!!

    Sorry about your situation at the moment.....remember deep breath and one day at a time. How are those beautiful kids of yours?

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2013

    Ireland - Happy Birthday, a day late.  Yep, lots of surprises with BC.  Just keep in mind the brave warriors that went before us.  I'm helping to put together a B'day party for my Aunt's 90th Birthday!  She to is a BC survivor.  Since we all intend to grow old together - get those surgeries done and hope that they make you feel better eventually.  It's not great but so much better than the alternative.  After the appts and surgeries, they tend to ignore us, so enjoy the attention and be sure to let them know how you feel - for the next person in line ... It just has to get better.  Mcook can be our inspiration with her great spirit and upcoming Marathon!

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 1,790
    edited March 2013

    Wow Believe....90 yr BC survivor ....that's inspirational !!! Do you have details of her BC?

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2013

    I will get details at her party, I know it was at least 5 years ago when she was diagnosed. . It's in August. Her son, my cousin and I are planning the event. My Mother will be 80 in August too. I'm planning that party too - so out of my element.

    Have to brag - my cousin (Santino) is Prince Charming in the production of Cinderella on Broadway. I'm also putting together an early present for my Mom to fly her into NY to see him. When I get dates and more details - if anyone is close to the City, maybe we can share a meal or cup of coffee.

  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 714
    edited March 2013

    The NYC trip sounds wonderful ....

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 1,790
    edited March 2013

    Believe....that's so wonderful....he must be good to be performing on Broadway!!!!

    So sweet of you to do that for your Mother....she will be thrilled....and as Jo says, a trip to NYC would be great. Congrats to your cousin!!!!

  • ireland20
    ireland20 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2013

    Thanks for the birthday wishes, my oldest girl was dancing( irish) at a competition yesterday so i spent my nite there although I did remind myself how lucky i was to be able to be there! Mcook I had a lumpectomy, the surgery im discussing on monday is removal of ovaries , i havent mentioned the bc to my new employes so its gonna be fun explaining the surgery!! The kids are great scottie my youngest turns 5 tomoro so big party planned at the local soft play centre. Believe if I get to 90 I will party all year long. Hope your mum enjoys the show. :)

  • Shari0707
    Shari0707 Member Posts: 260
    edited March 2013

    Hello all! Missing the action on this forum ..that being said I have not been well.. As I posted earlier I finished chemo and will have surgery march 28th... I find myself sick with worry about the path report... It's all consuming in my thoughts... I knew I had one positive node before chemo but I am sure there were more... And I never knew how many thus I feel like I never knew the extent of my disease.. I worry its worse than I thnk it is.. Worse than they have been leading me to think.. Tumor shrink in half and less "angry" but I had read that grade 3 responds better as well as being younger i should have had more of a response... What if my nodes r still positve after chemo? What does that mean? If those didnt respond to chemo then how will any cells int body have responded to chemo.. I hate feeling this way and helpless.. I depressed and cancer consumes most of my thoughts.. There is always something about this to worry about.. I know I am supposed to live each day. But it traumatizes me that my life may end because of this disease.. I supposed to have so many years ahead and I know there are no guarantees for anyone but I feel I have none ..sorry to b all doc and gloom and self pity is not a good trait and I know I need to b more positive but like I said I poisoned my mind with stupid statistical studies that have left me with nothing but fear.. I need positive thinking..... Also how long did pre chemo girls wait before surgery.. Is a month too long.. Can cancer grow again.. Sorry guys to b miss depressing .. I just wake up depressed that this is my life at 31. I saw two friend who I haven't seen since before diagnosis and they were treating me like I was dying! And cried ! It was terrible made me feel more sad and hopeless and I had to convince them I was going to b ok.. But what is so scary is that I really at this point do not feel that I will.. My parents r concerned not about the cancer but my mental state. I am worried about both! I am

    Sorry if this was written terribly I did it quickly on my phone since my iPad was confiscated last time I was at my parents bc they think all my research and this site had poisoned my brain.. Haha my phone has internet

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2013

    Shari - Shari - Shari - I hear your pain and I am so sorry you are in that place. When I was diagnosed, I found a sign that said Worry is a Waste of the Imagination. Einstein said that. Those were words I decided to live by. I picked out the best doctor team I could , I show up for all of my appts. And I picture myself as an old lady someday in the distant future. I get my advise from the wonderful ladies in this Survivors group. We are going to grow old together and you need to start picturing yourself with us. My former boss always said 'It is what it is'. We can't change a thing except our own mindset.

    Enjoy that iPhone! Lots if free mindless games. I'm sure we can give you game selections if you want to try them out.

    Now - I will let the pros respond. They all do it so much better than I can. It breaks my heart that you are having such a difficult time.

    Yes Ireland. At 90 we will party all year long. It's good to have goals.

  • Scottiee1
    Scottiee1 Member Posts: 1,790
    edited March 2013

    Shari.....things do get better as many wise women have told me in the past.....last summer I was a wreck.....lost tons of weight, nausea, vomiting, no appetite...had therapy, exercised myself into a frenzy, went vegan for a while......finally was forced to take an anti-depressant plus an anti-anxiety med when needed....they have helped me tremendously plus keeping busy and coming here to get the support of these wise women....And my new mantra is one day at a time....if I'm having a bad day then I look forward to the next one which I decide will be much better, and it usually is.

  • Outdamnedspot
    Outdamnedspot Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2013

    Hey, I will be in NYC for 5 days starting April11.  Woohoo! Can't wait.  Going with my two besties and staying in an apartment on the Lower East Side.  I'm up for meeting anyone who wants to get together over a coffee or maybe even something strongerWink

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited March 2013

    Hello everyone! so here's how my day went.

    OMG I LOVE SOMA!!!!! I had the best experience. Had a cute little college girl, I prepared her about having a mastectomy having implants. She told me great that just means we get to try on all kinds of pretty bras today. She started calling me Goldilocks, because of course I'm an inbetween size. I'm a 40C but the cup was way too big. So she went down to a 38B and put an extender on the back to fasten it. Perfect!!!! About 6 bras in I started having an anxiety attack, because I couldn't find one that fit and felt sure that I would walk out without one. She asked me if there was anything else I needed and I told her yes. That I would like to give her a hug for taking the time and not giving up on me. She had tears in her eyes and I had them rolling down my face. I bought 4 bras today they had them 2 for 59.00 after tax it was 134.00 and my sister gave me a 20.00 off coupon so got them for 114.00 not bad for 4 bras huh. I will post a pic of them.
    Got my pedicure and got slut red toes! hahaha. Then we went and ate at great restaurant had a great pasta carbonara dish with shrimp that was great. Here's what I came home with. Love them. My favorite is the black one and it fits like a glove.

  • Shari0707
    Shari0707 Member Posts: 260
    edited March 2013

    I will unfortunately and fortunately be healing at my parents from surgery in April. Otherwise I would b there in a heartbeat for support

  • Shari0707
    Shari0707 Member Posts: 260
    edited March 2013

    Thanks believe and Scottiee

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2013

    Chris - Want to see the slut red toes! You have such a way with words. Your new bras are beautiful. I haven't been to Soma in a while. I think they are a division of Chicos. They also collect old bras for women In need. I have had a bag ready for them for months. Better get on it.

    Outdamnedespot - I will let you know the dates we will be there. Hopefully we over lap.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited March 2013

    Shari- good luck with your surgery. Go into the surgery process with an openmind and a positive attitude on it. The more positive attitude you have the better. Make jokes about it if you need to. Quick story about my post BMX after my drains came out. I'm walking down the hall to our bedroom have my towel around my chest. My husband start laughing and i ask him why. He says" we really need to hurry up and get you some boobs". I was stunned because i was only10 days post BMX. I said "why", he says " because your towel is under where your boobs should be". I had/have no feeling where the incisions are, so i never felt the towel slip. Make jokes about it. If you don't you will drive yourself crazy. I will try to post a topic I had on my FB page before I went public to all my friends. I laughed more on that one post while waiting for my surgery day. Remember it's ok to laugh, it's ok to joke and it's ok to cry and mourn the loss of your breast and your hair. It is part of what makes us human and brave. We fight to stay normal and who we were before. Parents, especially moms are strong creatures. During my bra shopping today, my momma was in the dressing room with me the entire time. While I had to try on one more bra my mom had pulled my fitter aside to tell her thank you for helping me. While we walked out the door, my mom was hugging me and crying with me for my "first bra". My mom told me at the beginning of my journey that we were going to beat this. Never once was it YOU are going to beat it. It was always WE. Just my thoughts. Love ya!

  • Shari0707
    Shari0707 Member Posts: 260
    edited March 2013

    Thanks chrisrenee.. We r going to beat this ! I am trying to be positive.. I so traumatizes by this whole experience at the moment though.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited March 2013

    Shari- I understand about being traumatized by it. If you weren't you wouldn't be human. Seriously. I am still traumatized everytime I look at myself in the mirror and see the incision line across my breasts. I would kill to have my breasts back as long as they weren't trying to kill me. You will get to the point where you are ok with whats going on. Not saying that you are going to LOVE everything about your journey. For me, some of the best things about my journey are 1. I am very fortunate to have wonderfully talented dr's by my side. 2. my family has stood by me the entire way. 3. I have met so many AMAZING women on this website. Ladies I'm proud to call my friends (sisters). Without those 3 things I would not have made it through this, as well as i think i have.  We are all here for you and each other.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited March 2013

    Believe- here's my slut red toes! ( plus my kiddos pics hehehe)

  • shianne29
    shianne29 Member Posts: 282
    edited March 2013

    Shari, first of all {{HUGS}}!!!!!

    Second, go to the discussion board called "you know you're a cancer patient when" you really do need to laugh about it and that page will have you belly laughing. As chrisrenee said, its ok to mourn, cry, stress and worry, we all do. But it shouldn't consume you. Have you talked to any of your drs? Maybe a course of anti anxiety meds are needed to help get over this bump. Don't worry about the chemo not doing its job, it did!! Maybe the tumor didn't shrink as much as you hoped (lord knows mine didn't) but that doesn't mean it didn't work on your system. Chemo is systemic, meaning its working on the WHOLE body where as rads are local, meaning that will treat the area specifically where the cancer is/was. No sense stressing about the path until you get it, believe777 said it "it is what it is". When your path comes back you will do what you have to then, for now let your mind and body recover from chemo so you go into surgery strong and calm! Btw, 4-6 weeks post chemo is standard for surgery then about the same post surgery for rads to begin. This is not an easy road we are on, but we are all with you, in pockets, on shoulders, in your heart. We will beat this!!!



    Chrisrenee I LOVE LOVE LOVE the yellow bra!!! It's so beautiful.

  • cmbernardi
    cmbernardi Member Posts: 853
    edited March 2013

    Yep Christy,

    Soma is the BEST!  Beautiful choices.

  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 693
    edited March 2013

    Shianne- thank you! I fell in love with it when i saw it. Had to get it. haha

  • Believe777
    Believe777 Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2013

    Chris- terrific toes. Red is my favorite color. I will have to copy you - when it gets warm enough for sandals. Does your DH love them? You brighten up our site. Bras & Toes, we are easy.

    Shiann29-well said advise for Shari. You three - Chris, Shari and you are too young to be here! Life isn't fair but its still good.

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