Illinois ladies facing bc
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Good Morning! Hope you all had a good nights sleep.
Susie - As others have said...ask your Dr for a prescription for a wig. I think it's technically referred to as a Head Prosthesis (?). Many Ins companies will reimburse. I went the cheap route...only spent $40 per wig - but I got lots of compliments - even from strangers who liked my "haircut". lol I ordered them from www.PaulaYoung.com Good luck!
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Well...my arm is feeling better. the anti-inflams are kicking in. BUT...my rib(?) pain is NOT! Coughing without having excruciating pain is all but impossible...this is so weird. If it's this painful on Monday, I am going to my Dr. Thinking about taking a Vicadin...just so I can cough/clear my throat.
Have a nice Saturday!
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Morning! A little wet out but that's OK...last few days have been lovely.
Budders....what? A little cancer and LE and you dare to be depressed???? Oh honey....Susan is right...this was a war we were in and I truly believe that we all have suffered and probably continue to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Our lives will never be the same and we have all lost somethng, be it breasts or arm use but mostly our sense of well-being. It will always be there in the back of our mind now....has it come back, will it come back, WHEN is it coming back. Going to see a therapist just to talk this all out is a wonderful idea. I didn't go that route at the time I had my Black Day....as I call it. It was about 6 months after the herceptin was finished and I was still waiting to feel totally happy again, like before cancer. It was then that I realized that life would never be the same again....and I was horrified. In retrospect...probably would have been a good idea if I had spoken with a professional...but I just kept coming here and eventually almost accepted the fact that while life will never be the same, it can be good...even great. And notice I said "almost"....as I sit here I know in my heart that I still mourn for the "old Wendy". She died 11/20/2006 when she heard those words "you have breast cancer". The "new Wendy" is here now and while I still miss the old one, I take each day as it comes and hope for the best. So....you go ahead and make that phone call. Just do it. Privacy laws will protect you. You know...maybe it's just all that dead corn you have been staring out for so long....(aw c'mon...you know you smiled at that one!) Hugs!
SusieQ....I got all my wigs (yes, I did say ALL) from wigs.com. If you go ahead and join their membership club which is free...you get a discount on the wigs. Be sure and check the return policy tho....
EnglishMajor...you will absolutely love Lisa! hope you get to have that lunch soon!
Laura ...glad your arm is better, but now you have rib pain??? Yikes...
DH and I still having stuffiness and coughing so we are either re-infecting ourselves or this is now allergy-related. Also...I have developed what I have dx'd as...R thumb tendonitis!!!! What the???? I started with the anti-inflamm this am around 3am and will ice it and see how that goes. I see the rad onc on Tuesday and he's a pretty good guy...I will have him take a quick peek to see if I need to do anything else. Hurts like heck so I guess I will try not to use it much this weekend. What really hurts along with typing is using the remote as I do...good gosh...I will have to use my L hand to change channels! LOL
I'll check back and maybe catch up with the rest of you later....hope everyone is doing well and that you have a wonderful Easter weekend (if you celebrate that holiday...if not, just have a great weekend)
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Wendy --- I think that advice is wonderful and you said it all so well. I accept it, but actually I still don't really understand why it just seems like cancer is the one thing that inspires the fear. My bad thyroid did not make me fear. The stroke did not make me fear. I too miss the innocence. I never understood cancer ( the effect it could and would have ) before and now think it probably was a good thing I did not really have anyone around me that had it. I would have had such problems being sympathetic in the right ways.
Oh my, it rained most of the night. I think it's moving out, but will stay in the 60's which will seem chilly with the dampness -- and the fact that it was 82 yesterday. Well, this is what spring beginnings are like, so welcome to spring.
Nothing much planned for the week-end. I do hope Sunday will be nice for the wee ones and the Easter egg hunts etc. I think Dh is working so I will just have a usual work day so to speak. I do what I do 24/7, be it holiday or not. Just always glad that I can and hope to be able to for a long, long time yet.
I'll be checking in later with all. See you then.
Hugs, Jackie
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"I am not as good as I ought to be. I am not as good as I want to be. I am not as good as I'm going to be. But I am thankful that I am better than I used to be."
John Wooden
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Oh Wendy Thank you so much. I am actually crying reading your post. You hit the nail on the head. I feel normal now, that I feel this way. I have never been one for self pitty or to feel sorry for myself. I always try to look at the positive in everything. But this time I just cant. I want my old life back and its just sinking in, I will never be the same. Thanks I am gonna call.
Illinois lady Your awesome. I greatly appreciate you. I hope to go to the Easter Egg hunt for Dogs today. If not.. I think We will have our own.
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Happy Easter TO ALL!!!!Rain should disappear in time for the EASTER Bunny to hop into our yard and home tonight!
My hair is sooooo curly and wonder if anyone has this since chemo. I look like a poodle. Once get my photo uploader figured out in this computer, i will post a new pic!!Myhead is always itchy too!!!
Go to my self defense class today with some ladies i know. I am laughing already!!!!KUNG Fu is an understatement Laura!! By the way, how is your drinking problem goin these days.ALL those supposed bottles you were finding. .. I just knew..ok!!!
Wish i could think straight when i come in here!!!! I am goin on a 9 day colon cleanse after EASTER ..by Blessed Herbs. You need to look this up and see how it all works!! This is a legitate clense and came highly recommended. Just go look at the pics!!!!
Having 12 family members tomorrow for Easter, MIL wants turkey so that is what we are having..gobble gobble..???
Goin to get off and get this house in order since i have worked alot this week. Be well, stay healthy and with healing wishes to those in TX!!!!!!
Pink Hugs.. (lol),
Donna
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OOPs rita.. Sleeping real well and ALL natural supplements changed it all and all of my internal issues that prevented the sleep!!!AMEN!0
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Marina, I hope you connected with the doctor. Your dilemma is one I experienced after my dx. I had so many doctors what with BC that I didn't know who to call for what. I ended up in this Lance Armstrong Live Strong where I met with an oncology nurse and we went over everything (diet, exercise, weight and who to call for what symptom). She outlined it all (rad, oncologist, breast surgeon and primary care physician). What I am getting at is that if the doctor says your pain is not due to treatment (his area) then you should call your primary care physician. Of course it would be nice if that had been actually said to you if that is the reasoning.
I don't know, girls, did you go to the oncologist for all your symptoms?
Marina, when the treatments are over, ask about that Lance Armstrong program for survivors. I find it to be a be a great resource. It is for all people with cancer, but they pool your whole record together and they guide you through. Carol Martz is my nurse.
Rain, rain PLEASE GO AWAY!
Susan
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Thanks Susan. I got a hold of my Onc nurse and she told me I can take Advil.. of course this morning I got a surprize Visitor.. so the Advil is more than welcome.. annoying.. As far as the muscle pain.. or whatever it is. .it's NOT going away.. it gets really bad at times and hurts like heck.. and we have a full jam packed day.. and no nanny tonight or tomorrow.. she's off for Easter.. this will be interesting...
I got hooked up with a 10 year survivor with my same prognosis!! I am so thrilled.. she's only been in remission once for 10 months.. but she has been managing and living a full life!! I myself have started a huge war on this sucker with food!! I've never eaten so many greens and natural foods.. but they actually taste GREAT.. have to find a good source of grass fed beef as I haven't had any meat in a month or so.. just some free range chickens my Mom found in Gleview.. Anyone know any good beef suppliers? We are up for buying quarter cow but can't find anything online...
Hope everyone can still enjoy the day..
Marina
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http://www.tallgrassbeef.com/index.php?p=categories
Newsman Bill Kurtis is in the grasfed beef biz....
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Good Job, English Major.
Tall Grass Meats can be purchased in Highland Park at Sunset Foods and a number of us ladies live near Highland Park. I live in Northbrook and have a Sunset Foods is in my town too. Thank you for passing this on. I have to say I have not tried this yet, but will. My two daughters are so concerned with what we consume and my daughter with the two kids, really is concerned about meat, so I passed it to her as well.
Thanks also to Laura for the printable Whole Foods coupons!
A few of us teachers, along with my daughter with the children, are looking into a coop this summer. The farmers who farm organically grow the foods and then send it to us who order what we want in the burbs and we pick it up on Wednesdays. The organic foods are SO EXPENSIVE and I join others who are looking for organic foods at a reasonable price.
Again, thanks for this discussion!
Susan
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I am totallly with you ladies, I feel like I have somewhat lost myself since my 10/06 dx, and struggle to find me back, slowly realizing that person is gone and trying to adjust to who I am today.
Happy Easter everyone!
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http://www.blackwing.com/product_shop.php?pcnm=certified organic beef
Also, how does a Co-op work??
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Marina:
Co-op may not be the right term. Thiis what my daughter and my teacher friends are looking into for the summer.
Susan
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You do need a prescription from your doctor, mine called it a cranial prothesis - wig. It talkes a while, 3 - 6 months for the insurance companies to process it but I got reimbursement twice now. I went for and expensive real hair wig the first time for $900 because I knew the insurance company would pay up to $1000, everyone has to touch it and still does not believe it is a wig so I have to lift it up and show them. The second time I bought one for $350 which is synthetic but is adorable and I get tons of complinents on it. Got to a good place like Naturally Yours in Willowbrook, Illinois. They can match you up to a wig that is perfect for you.
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I tell all my symptoms to my onc first then if it is not in his realm I go to my primary care physician. I have had vaginal infections from my bellybutton all the way around to the crack in back and hip to hip. It is due to the chemo but yet I went to a wound clinic. There are many side effects that the oncs say are not theirs but he has referred me onto the specialist I need. I have conjestive heart failure and have been having really bad dizzines, my cardiologist has me on 2 high blood pressure meds. Now even though the chemos sometimes cause fatigue and dizziness my onc says it's not enough to stop chemo. So I went to my cardiologist and discussed discontinuing my high bp meds, we did and I am feeling so much better.
YOU are in charge of your own health, be agressive, if you don't get the results you think are reasonable go to another doctor and double check it. I have had to be very proactive with my health.
Happy Easter to all.
Joann
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I tell all my symptoms to my onc first then if it is not in his realm I go to my primary care physician. I have had vaginal infections from my bellybutton all the way around to the crack in back and hip to hip. It is due to the chemo but yet I went to a wound clinic. There are many side effects that the oncs say are not theirs but he has referred me onto the specialist I need. I have conjestive heart failure and have been having really bad dizzines, my cardiologist has me on 2 high blood pressure meds. Now even though the chemos sometimes cause fatigue and dizziness my onc says it's not enough to stop chemo. So I went to my cardiologist and discussed discontinuing my high bp meds, we did and I am feeling so much better.
YOU are in charge of your own health, be agressive, if you don't get the results you think are reasonable go to another doctor and double check it. I have had to be very proactive with my health.
Happy Easter to all.
Joann
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Good Morning - Happy Easter!
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"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."
S.D. Gordon
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Morning....Happy Easter to all!
Just wanted to pop in, hoping everyone has a wonderful day and all are feeling as good as possible.
Marina....hopefully your pain is better.
Laura....hopefully you are feeling better as well.
Budders....sending you happy thoughts and hugs.
Still laughing from yesterday....I guess I just have a strange sense of humor...where else but this board could I check in and see someone asking where to buy a quarter of a cow?????? Not that I think it is a strange idea to buy grass-fed beef...but here we all are, cancer patients....shopping online for cows, of all things???? !!!! Just struck me funny....LOL, LOL!!!! I guess we are women first, cancer patients second - we do love our shopping!
Have a wonderful, happy day....and don't forget to laugh a bit. Just picture Marina, getting a quarter of a cow from the UPS guy.......and trying to explain it to him! Funny stuff......
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Okay, Wendy got me started with the UPS delivery, I pray this is not offensive to any one.
My best friend went to to the door when the UPS man made a delivery she was expecting. Her young daughter was excited that a package was coming and asked what it was. My best friend said, "Oh, this must be Grandma."
It was her ashes.Oh, maybe that is not so funny after all.
Have a great day everyone!
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Yes it's funny
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Susan - that was funny.
I had the most wonderful day yesterday! Got a facial, my nails done and haircut and color. My hairs stylist cut the price of the color knowing that I'd be eventually cutting it off for chemo. It was a heavenly day of pampering.
Hope everyone has a Happy Easter! Today I'm going over to my sister's house. My sister read my nieces a book called My Mommy's Having a Mastectomy - sustituted the word Auntie instead - since I'm going to be staying with them after the surgery. It'll be interesting to see how they react to me today.
Have a great day!
Carolyn
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What a gorgeous day in KY. I hope it's nice there in Illinois. My little guys are all napping right now afaer a big morning and a big day yesterday.
We went to Keeneland Race track yesterday for a breakfast buffet trackside and some kids events with the horses. Then we hit the Easter Egg hunt at the school where eveyone was a winner. Alex had T-Ball practice in the early afternoon so we went and watched. Then we headed to Boonesborough to the fort and everyone played a game of miniature golf. We ate at a nice place on the river...........outside where we could enjoy the scenery. Then of course we had the excitement of the Easter bunny this morning, church, and brunch with Easter dinner still to follow. I am enjoying every single minute!
I also agree that I've changed alot since my diagnosis. Sometimes I really mourn the person who disappeared and other times I'm amazed at how much more compassionate I am and how much I enjoy the little things now. Still, I can't always escape the fear and I still don't sleep well. Of course, that means that I read more! :-) And as for going without the sugar this weekend.........I'm not doing so well right now! Oh well............it's all about moderation, right, Jackie???
Well, I hope all of you have a great holiday.
Rita
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Susan, I like your sense of humor. Keep 'em coming.
Rita, I think that I am a work in progress. Some days I feel very emotional and anxious and somedays I feel great, calm and happy. But you hit it when you mentioned not being able to escape the fear. It's always there. In just the past 3 weeks I have two friends(not close but I have known these women and their families for 25+ yrs) Both Dx with BC. I am praying for them and feel down right pissed off that there is no talk of a cure.
Well thanks for listening to my rant.
I do hope that everyone is having a nice weekend. Pretty nice weather we have had lately.
Navy
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Wigs, Cows, Ashes - never a dull moment in ILLINOIS! Too funny!
OMGoodness! LOL Like Wendrew...I can't seem to get the visual of UPS delivering the Cow! Too funny! Two things...I hope it's cut up AND wrapped! lol
Susan...Oh NO! What if Grandma had gotten lost in the mail?! LOL LOL LOL
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On a serious note...I feel bad that the post trauma of this insidious disease wreaks havoc on so many of us so-called "survivors". For me, most of the time I feel like a survivor, but many times I feel like a victim. It truly is a roller coaster ride from the very beginning, for years and perhaps for ever. I hope that the summer months bring some comfort and peace to all of us veterans and newbies.
The past 48 hours have not been good. My arm is still painful...although each day it has gotten more tolerable/less painful. I've worn an Ibuprofen pain patch (r/x strength) on it and I continue to take the anti-inflam meds. As for my weird stabbing excrutiating rib(?) pain. OMG...it's been horrible. I cannot lift myself up when laying down and I cannot lower myself down to lay down. It really feels like broken ribs. Forget coughing or clearing my throat...man does it hurt. Taking a deep breath hurts as well - although I am not "out of breath" so to speak. Any quick twists or moves...YIKES! And yesterday morning I finally took a Vicadin. Bad move...I had 4 hours of severe nasaeau. It was awful. So..........my GP's office has a walk in clinic. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go. They have x-ray on site - although the thought of getting NUKED again...is NOT settling well with me. But...I realize there may be no choice. And of course - the ol' post trauma thing kicked in - THAT DARNED UNCLEAN MARGIN AT MY CHEST WALL! I keep thinking it's my ribs, but what if it's my lung! This is a legitimate concern - based on the location, etc. What if it's lung mets! Could it be pneumonia from that bad flu/cold I recently had? Pluerasy? Chostalchdronitis again? I did take anti-biots when I had that nasty bug. But is there a possibility it didn't work 100%? Cripe...I'm quite concerned and frightened. There goes the fear factor! And the three "W"s...worry, wonder, wait!
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Happy Easter everyone. Just checking up on everyone and doing some weather bragging. It has be in the 80's the past coupla of days. But with that we have tons of fir pollen. everything is covered with it. It shouldn't last too much longer.
Thanks to everyone who sent me the cards. They were very uplifting... This is my week off of chemo but need to do some blood work on Monday. Hopefully everything is okay.
Ginny
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Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry you have to go through this panic that we all get when we get those mysterious and concerning pains. My first thought is more about your recent bout with this horrible URI that so many people (including myself) recently endured. Do you still have any latent cough going on? I know I do and I am sure that I pulled something over my left ribs because of it. Hopefully, this is the same situation for you, or perhaps another round with the costochondritis. Try to not make yourself too crazy with worry, although I know that can be asking a lot. I'm glad you're going in to get it checked. Sending you lots of good vibes!
Susie - I also used JeromeKrause in Skokie for my wig. I went before my hair fell out and they custom made a wig (hand sewing highlights into it) to match my hair exactly. I was thrilled with their service, and my insurance DID cover 100% of the cost. Be sure to get that prescription and your receipt from the wig place should say the same.
Wendy - Wise words about how BC changes who we are. Fortunately, who we are now doesn't have to be any less than who we were. I'm a firm believer that we define who we are, adjusting accordingly with whatever life throws at us. I haven't always been at my best in my fight with BC, but I am not giving up either.
Well I did have my Zometa infusion on Friday. I was glad to get it over with, although still worried about SE's. I saw my onc before the infusion, and he made a bit of a joke. He said, "If you have any problems, just call me." And I said, "Why? There won't be anything you can do, right?" He replied, "Well, I'll feel really bad for you." Okay, my friend and I cracked up. Maybe you had to be there.
The infusion itself wasn't too bad: another IV, and a slow 30 minute drip time. I felt fine afterwards, and all through the night. Then the floor dropped out. I woke up around 5am on Sat. morning shaking with fever and chills and terrible upper body aches. Yep, just like the flu. The fever eventually broke, and I spent the rest of the day on the couch in a painkiller fog. For whatever reason, it was my upper spine, shoulders and chest that were most affected with the bone pain. Ugh, it wasn't pleasant. I kept reminding myself that this was GOOD and hopefully this meant the stuff was working and actually was going to build up my bones again.
Thankfully, I woke up today, sore, but SO much better. I took 3 ibuprofens and went to a family Easter dinner. So, not pleasant, but do-able. I'm hoping the next one, in 6 mos., will have fewer side-effects.
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It's 1 o clock in the morning...do you know where your IL neighbor LauraGTO is? lol
Well...no sooner had I finished writing my last post here...I was on the phone with my Mom (retired nurse) when I felt the need to cough. I was able to "bring it up"...but only got it half way up when the stabbing pain in my ribs became so intense I could hardly breath. I had some flem (yuck) caught in my throat. I set the phone down...spasms in my rib area were horrible...this lasted about five minutes...the whole time, my Mom could hear all this on the phone. dh came running up from his basement "cave". He was so freaked! After a while I was able to get it up and it subsided...but I was literally doubled over in agony and in tears. I have NEVER felt pain like this. At that point...honestly, I thought - this is it...I'm a goner...this has got to be lung mets/or something far worse than broken ribs. We went to the ER - the Dr. was great. As he's examining me...he asks how long my arm has been swollen...OMG...I looked at it and was shocked! It was twice the size of my other arm. I think I've been so worried about the rib thing...I didn't notice it and I'm convinced it swelled very gradually (I am usually quite observant). He ordered blood work, chest x-ray and chest CT with contrast. (They gave me pain meds in the IV.) Chest x-ray was fine. Blood was fine. CT was not. It showed a severe muscle tear. I was relieved - knowing it wasn't cancer. The muscle tear is in the plueral area(?). And he said I have to see a LE, PT to avoid the LE from spreading to my hand. And as for the tear...TIME heals all wounds! Yikes...can I purchase some patience somewhere - Vanna keep the vowels...I'd like to purchase some patience! Two to three weeks minimum for the tear to heal and who knows how long for the LE, PT. I think what happened is that I caused the LE while lifting the damn cat litter container...tore the muscle near my rib cage and the muscle became even more traumatized by coughing. UHGGGGGG...domino effect. But I can handle this...it's not life threatening! lol Thanks for listening to me...I'm a tired, crabby, rambling fool right now. He gave me pain meds to get me through the healing. Good Shepherd Hospital is amazing! I had all this done and was outta there in 3.5 hours. They really have their act together (as in the past) - and everyone was so nice and understanding! Off to bed...be well girls...
Irene - I am so sorry about the s/e's! OMgoodness...you poor dear. But you are one tough IL girl...you picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and went to Easter Dinner. Good for you. I am so happy your next one won't be for six months. And...you could very well have torn a muscle like me! I hope not...it's not fun! Hang in there, Irene...hugs.
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Morning girls..I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter /Passover weekend with family and friends. I spent my holiday in the hospital with my mom. She developed low blood pressure which cause her severe dizziness, dehydration, weakness and a host of other issues. Easter dinner was not the same as home but doable. I did see the Easter Bunny visiting the peds ward..sooo cute.
Rene...hope you are feeling better soon after your Zometa infusion. Drink lots of fluids and take your meds. It will help with the joint pain. How is your color selection coming along?
Laura....oh you poor girl, chest pain, LE, swelling. Please take care of yourself. No more forest and drinking for you. lol Aren't you starting your new job soon. Be well.
Wendy....hope you and dh are feeling better soon too. Back to school today for dh..
Rita...hope you had a fun time with your grand kids. Have a safe drive back. Wishing for a dry week for golf. lol
Jackie..hope you had a great weekend. Are you having as much rain as us too. My sister is fostering a 6 week old lab mix that that they found on the side of the road. It is so cute. She is taking it to the Pads shelter for animals so they can put it up for adoption.
Carolyn... a spa day.. relax and enjoy. Glad to see that you finally have a surgery date. Good luck.. and if you need anything please let us know. Just take one day at a time.
Welcome to all the new girls, to those in tx hope you all are doing well.
As for me I gotta run, back to school today aaarrrggg, but June will be here soon.So I guess I will start my count down. lol Hope you all have a wonderful week. Try to stay dry as it looks like we are in for a wet week. Oh rain go away.!!! Spring is here...boating season is just a few weeks away yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember to be healthy...be happy...enjoy life.
BJ
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