Illinois ladies facing bc
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Posting at the same time -- Buddy, thank goodness you finally got the help you needed. It was starting to seem like....tune in tomorrow to see who else tells Lisa she is just fine and that she will just have to wait to see someone about her hand. My goodness....talk about sitting on the edge of your seat. Hard to understand how anyone could look at the hand we saw and give such casual non-helpful and terribly off-hand replies. At long last....I think many of us...along with you will feel much better when we go to sleep tonight that you are BEING helped at last.
Will see you all tomorrow.
Hugs,Jackie
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Thanks Jackie I got desperate today went to see Onc but he wasnt there I saw his nurses they rote me a script for med. I then went to m surgeon he wasnt in i showed his nurses they said to come back later when he got there. so i had to get eferral from my primary and went back and here i am. he scared me whe n he said he wa safraid i would looses my hand. Hand surgeon very nice Going 2 bed love ya'll
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also the onc said therapy i said i tryed it i need a le special so i hink i am finally getting one
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Yikes, Buddy! With your HMO, getting a lymphedema therapy referral is an extreme sport!
Sure glad you're finally on some IV antibiotics -- hope they treat you like a queen! (Well, once they stop poking around trying to find your veins, anyway
). Be well!
Binney0 -
Annette - Hi there! Glad you checked in...I hope you CAN get together with some of the Bloomington meets. It would really be a positive thing. Hang in there...keep us posted...be well!
Pat - Welcome...best wishes to you. I am not far from you...if you would ever like to meet for b-fast, lunch or whatever...let me know. Hang in there fellow Illinoisan!
Budder - OH MY! I am so glad you are getting the care that you need and deserve. I was quite worried about you. Get some rest, drink LOTS of water...gotta keep those Lymph fluids flowing...keep your arm raised whenever possible and ask your Dr to show you manual lymph drainage massage that you can do while you are recovering. It's amazing how well it works. Just today...I gardened for 1.5 hours. As a result my hand swelled. I did the manual lymph drainage massage for 30 minutes and I actually saw my hand swelling subside. It's crazy...but it's a way of life now, for both of us. Binney is awesome...she taught me LOTS! You and I should be thankful for her concern and care and knowledge.
BINNEY - THANKS SO MUCH SISTA! I really appreciate your time, help, understanding, concern for me and Budder!
Jackie - Allergies are horrible...hope the "season" for them is short.
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I am totally EXHAUSTED...I just cannot address everyone here...my PT appts and work and outside gardening...etc...too much for me to handle. I met with my Ortho Sur today...she rx'd a script for an MRI of my elbow...yikes...more radiation/toxins! I am frightened by it all.
The swelling is down, but the pain persists. It's scary...my left arm when fully extended is about 2 inches shorter than my right arm. FREAKY to say the least...
Enough about me...hope you are all doing well...hugs!
DON'T forget...Dinnner Bunch is May 13th - Thursday - Pompeii - Schaumburg.
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Illinois Ladies,
Rita, it was so nice of you to do an IL thread. I miss the warmth & closeness of gals from Chicago. I was born and raised there and now live in CA. All of my family still live in Chicago. I used to work in Schaumburg. I loved that little restaurant that served hot home made bread with homemade soups & chili at the large mall there that I can not rember the name-- it may be Woodridge mall(chemo brain has me).
Anyhow, I thought I would post to say hello and invite all you lovely ladies to the "Network of Strength " breast cancer walk at Navy Pier in Chicago this Mother's Day. I have not seen my family since I was diagnosed and I'm so glad to be coming home this weekend to see my sisters and brothers. My sisters and nieces are doing the 5K walk. I finished chemo in Feb and have been on hormone therapy with Femara & Zometa monthly for bone mets. I was diagnosed with ibc/with bone mets 6/09.
I hope some of you are planning on attending and wish all of you success in your treatments.
Terri
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Morning...will be sunny today, high of 78. Looks like they have changed the forecast a bit as now I see rain for tomorrow and then a bit chillier each day. Saturday...sunny but a high of 56???? Oh well....
This will be a quickie...just wanted to stop by and say...
Budders....Count Blackjack and me in as 2 who dx'd you last week with cellulitis when we chatted on the phone! We are so happy that you just took the proverbial bull by the horns and refused to give up until you got that hand looked at. Binney's right....HMO's are an Extreme Sport ! Very thankful that DH and I have a choice as to what type of ins we get...sure it costs a lot more (and will be a LOT more next year) but I can go pretty much wherever I want, whenever I need to. Hope your hand is looking better this morning...please keep checking in, honey! I am sure you want to get home and check on that dead corn....
Laura....still cannot believe that you have LE. Thought of you yesterday when carrying in groceries. I now go thru the self-check lane and bag up my own...that way I distribute the weight so much better. Also started buying that liquid laundry det. Method that comes in a little pump bottle...seems kinda exp. at $15 (at Target) a bottle but you only use 4 pumps per load and of course the bottle is very light.
Time for me to stop typing again.....but then de Quervains doesn't seem so bad when I think of some of you guys...so I've stopped pitying myself (well...almost!)
PS: Hi Ginny!!!!!!
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Good morning gals!
Wow, Elf song...........I bet you look tall in those shoes! Pretty neat! I'd love to get in the "shoe groove" but my feet would kill me in shoes like that and I'd probably fall down! LOL Enjoy these fun shoes while you're young. I wore all the latest styles when I was your age and laughed at the shoes older ladies wore. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd buy shoes for comfort! And since I wear narrow sizes, I still have a tough time finding really neat shoes that feel good! You go, gal!
Wendy, so nice to wake up and see a post from you! I'm not so sure I like your Saturday forecast as that's the Race for the Cure walk in Peoria and we're planning on being there, but it sure was nice to see you here this morning. Maybe we will just have to walk faster to keep warm!
Oh Buddy, I'm so sorry that you're in the hospital and dealing with this issue but so glad that you got the help you needed. Hugs to you! Keep us informed. We care!
Yesterday was a work day. I moderated the Sectional Scholastic Bowl Tournament in Peoria and so today is play day. I've got errands to run this morning and then I'm off to golf this afternoon and evening. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
O.K. Susan, what other fun things do you have planned for this week and the weekend?
Rita
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Hey gals no reaction to the neds they ran itwith benadryl. now I feel like I was hit by a truck. MRI for me today. checking for hand damage.Rita enjoy your playday. Wendy I was thinking about trying that soap. I think there were coupons for it on targets website. scroll to the bottom look for coupons. I have an infectious disease doctor. eeewww sounds creepy dosen it.
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Hi Buddy!!!! Don't fret over the infectious disease docs........they know their BUGS! And can order the right combo of meds for you. I am hoping for a fast recovery for you now that you are going in the right direction. Sending good vibes your way.
Hello to everyone else. Another beautiful day.
Navy
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Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud and one the stars.
-- Frederick Langbridge
We can be sure that the greatest hope for maintaining equilibrium in the face of any situation rests within ourselves.
-- Francis J. Braceland0 -
Buddy, good luck with the MRI...........no hand damage needed! Also, part of my message was deleted and that was the part for you. I went back and edited it. I have no idea where that sentence disappeared to and should have looked it over good before I sent it, I guess. Hope all goes well for you today and that you are one day closer to getting rid of this problem. Hang in there!
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Good morning everyone,
Great to see a note from a former Illinoisan. I am 4 hours south of Chicago so no walk for me. I lived in California for about 25 years....then came home for good in 1997. Don't know about you Terri, but I so missed the seasons. Now when winter drags on I think -- I missed what. In fall, when all those nuts come out of the trees in the woods where we live, I start to think....I missed what. And then there is spring when all the pollens arrive -- but I did miss those things. Must be the rhythm of the patterns that you don't much get in southern California where I lived. Have to admit a rather large complaint and a bit of snarling has been know to escape my lips during some of the trying seasonal times....but I try not to do it too often.
Buddy,still so glad you are getting help with that hand. How scary to hear someone say you might lose it. I still find it remarkable so many people ho-hummed this problem. Bj, Wendy, Binney and Laura....thank goodness for your watchfulness and input.
Elf , I forgot to say how pretty those shoes were too. Not something I could wear either. Like Rita, I would probably just topple over -- my good equilibrium went with the stroke....but I got use to that. What I don't like ( with my little ahem age factor ) is that now when I fall, it's the ton of bricks very un-graceful style. Even here in the woods I hurry and glance around. What !!!! To see if a squirrel or raccoon saw me. Maybe a robin....Sigh!!!
Laura, you are far too busy, but despite toxins you probably should have the MRI because being two inches shorter in one arm is certainly not right and continued pain doesn't sound so great either. Something may need a fix and better to address anything sooner rather than later.
Donna, you seem to be getting a lot of work in as well. Who will look after your Dad when you move? Guess I can see why he doesn't want to move -- all his life and memories are in that house.
Hope you all are having Centralia's sun today. So far, somewhat of a strange year....off and on warm weather....interesting maybe to see what comes when the normally "hot" days arrive. See you all later when I check in after some work.
Hugs, Jackie
Rita, I am editing too. Forgot to say....I too was surprised how easy it was for me to "accept" what I always formerly thought of as old lady shoes. In fact, I welcomed them almost. Could have had a "Happy Shoe Party" nearly from the joy of being ok with passing up style for comfort and safety. Sigh !!! But, it's really ok.
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Thanks Sistas... Can you'aal vote for my Buddy he is a Golden its mostly for fun I think he wins a box of dog snacks every month for a year click on city type in Monee and vote . Thank you
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Nice to hear from everyone!Buddy, this has been a nightmare for you, but you are getting some answers.I have an HMO too and I never realized that this put me at a disadvantage. Maybe it is because nothing so dramatic has happened to me. Now that I am retired, I am not sure I can change to a PPO. This is really a frightening scenario. Doesn't this sniff of something connected to malpractice on someone's part? I mean to the point that a doctor was worried Buddy could lose a hand? I am on Medicare in three years. Is that dangerous. So I am happy Buddy is getting medical attention, but good heavens, she should have gotten it months ago. Baffled here!I watched the Jane Austin Book Club but it was just so-so. Redgrave had a small part. Jackie, I too remember Georgie Girl (I need to see it again to really remember it) and I do recall it was big when we were young.Got the word about my book. It has been with the editor. I have to rethink the whole ending. All was good until I ended it and that seems artificial. I knew that already. I began to get so tired of the writer's life and so I ended it rather poorly. I need a muse as I feel empty right now. Jackie, if you find any quote on finding your muse, send it my way!Wendy, you sound like yourself and that is good!Rita, have fun on your free day. Free days are more fun when other days provide work. I have to admit I am not answering the phone these days as I do not want to sub during the nice weather. They only call when it is last minute jobs and there have been plenty of those as I think the teachers are getting spring fever. Otherwise they send a list to my email and I get to pickThis weekend Paul and I babysit on Saturday night and then we are having a gang here for Mother's Day. Our friend with the cancer that has spread to his liver has surgery on the following day. The chemo did not kill the cancer, so to provide him some more time, they are doing surgery. I just hate it so much.Laura, hope all is better. You should have a job whereby you counsel women recovering from breast cancer. YOU ARE SO GOOD AT THAT and you know your stuff.Terri, nice to hear from you in California. Good luck on the Mother's Day walk on Sunday. I am not doing that one this year, but I will think about you and all the walkers and hope for a good turnout and sunshine.There are so many of us that I cannot mention each, but you are all in my thoughts.Susan0
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Yes Zap. I smell a rat. The RA doc and infectious guy agreed with surgeon i am so lucky otro loose my hand
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WOW...ALOT GOIN ON!!! Buddy.. Glad you are where you need to be and get some real answers now!!!This is a nightmare.Are you able to sleep ok? GLAD you are getting real help as this is again out of hand..no pun intended!lolol..Will vote for your golden too!!!!
Laura....sorry you are goin thru so much and emotionally can understand where you are in the MRI issues etc. Keep gettin rest, do all the good stuf you always know to do for yourself and it will all help in keeping you stromg to cope and be able to do what you need to do to heal from it all as well. In no time, you will be in your garden!!!!
Jackie.. Our move would be in time and somehow it will all work out.DAD is the one pushing the move for us to boot. I am sure all will fall into place as it is meant as it always seems to.
Well ladies.. enjoy the windy evening!!!Be well ALL and healthy wishes and thoughts goin. hang tough in spite of any trial you may be in! IT will pass!!!!Take it one day at a time and keep fighting and pushing forward.
Hugs,
Donna
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Good morning, Where is eveyone? I'm still in Hosp. Good news infection has not gone to bones. Elbow not bright red swollen more itchy I do have ligament damage in fingers can move 3 alittle index cant move at all. I think its gonna rain. Somthing to look at out the window. Donna are you sleeping better. Susan good luck with the writers block? Happy Cinco whatever it is clled. Love Lisa
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Lord of the far horizons,
Give us the eyes to see:
Over the verge of the sundown,
The beauty that is to be.
- Bliss Carman0 -
Buddy, good morning on Cinco De Mayo ( the 5th. of May ) day. The Spanish/Mexican people like to celebrate the day but it is not their Independence day...but the day they won a battle against the French. Sure glad to hear your news but wondering what it all means in the long term. Is this ligament damage something that can be fixed or at least greatly improved. Glad you are still there ( though hospitals are not exactly the Carleton-Ritz ) where you have people who can keep assessing this infection process.
Susan that is sort of a tall order. I think if I ever were to "write" I'd probably not even start unless I absolutely knew the ideas and feelings that would get presented at the end. I know you have to have a fantastic beginning so people will keep reading. I also feel ( how many times can you achieve that ) that the more "truth" that is in the book, the more people will be touched. Truth 'always' resonates and gives a sense of rightness, energy and continuity -- a deep reality that even if not totally understood can still be felt. That is my "secret" with the things I read. If it is true ... I basically sense it. Almost like a little bell sounding in one of the chambers of my heart and my body feels more alive at the moment I read something. I have learned to trust that rather gently but deeply convincing and pervasive sound/reverberation.
Carolyn, Bj, Wendy, Annette -- hope you are all doing well.
WendyTY how are things with you. Job still going fine I hope?
Also saying hi to Laura, Navy, Elf, Connie, and everyone. Hope you all have a really great Wednesday. And Buddy,so glad you are keeping us posted on how things are going with you.
Hugs, Jackie
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Oh, Jackie, thanks. That is perfect. The ending lacked truth. The book was written for young adults (generally 13-23) and the editor said that it became a "13" with the ending that lacked authenticity. So I lost a lot!. I knew it to be true, but just wanted to move on. I will let it rest for awhile and then tackle another rewrite. A writing teacher once told me that the first thing a writer should stop doing in order to be happy is to stop writing. It is too frustrating, especially if you are not naturally gifted at it. Of course she was teasing....I think!
Buddy, get out of that hospital soon!
Happy day to all
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Good morning Buddy! And good morning to everyone. I am glad that your news is on the positive side, Buddy. Any news as when you will be released? I hope it is soon. Nothing much new here. We are still on Baby alert. Actual due date is May 7th. But I am getting impatient and can't wait to meet this little guy. Hopefully soon I will be on here with the announcement of being a Grandma!
Navy
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Sorry, me again. This is so wild. I have been worrying about this HMO vs PPO issue what with what happened to Buddy. In my mail (how timely) I just received that annual option to switch to a PPO. The cost to do so is very significant (as you may all know) but I told Paul about how some of you feel about an HMO and he suggested we switch if I am nervous about it. I emailed my doctor (he uses an electronic messaging system and asked him if I would better off with a PPO. Does anyone have any STRONG feelings on which is better? It is such a coincidence that I wonder if I am not being guided somehow to make this change.0
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Zap please pleaselet us know what the Doc says
Nurse in for blood I say should I take my socks off he says why I say cuz I have lymphadema in my arm he says he will use the other one i say u cant go above my hand IV says then I'll use u r finger. I say cant u use my feet like everyone else he says he dont do feet he willuse my thumb. he blew the vein then had to go to my foot so i got poked ywice cuz he wouldnt listen He was gonna let a student to it. I said no. I only have a few good veins left in my feet.It took 8 trys in my left arm and hand to get the IV. Man this is fun.................
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Terri - Hi and welcome! The girls here are awesome. I will possibly be at Navy Pier on Sunday...I'll let you know in a day or two.
Wendrew - Glad you're back! I missed you. How's the hands and eye doing?
Budder - You poor thing! Hang in there...try to be a patient, patient! There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs to you!
Susan - Wow...your book is in the works. I am so impressed that you are involved in it. Can't wait to read it!
EVERYONE - HI THERE! Hope you all have a nice day!
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Hi Laura,
Hope to see you at Navy Pier this weekend. It looks like it will be a bit cooler this weekend there; I better bring something warm. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there.
Terri
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Susan, I have an HMO and have never had any problems. There are lists of specialists in the book that they provide us. You can also go on line to the Illinois Retired Teachers site and check out the doctors in your area that are in your plan. I went to Springfield to the breast surgeon and she was accepted by my plan. OSF is the choice in this area, but I suppose that varies depending upon the strengths of the doctors listed in your plan and in your area. The website and enrollment book do offer a list of physicians in your plan. If you're pleased with their credentials, I think the HMO would be fine. If you find them lacking in knowledge and skills, then you might want to go to the PPO. I have also been referred to a great dermatologist under my plan and was very pleased.
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Hi all:Rita, very smart explanation. Thank you!My primary doctor got back to me within one hour with my HMO/PPO question. I was quite impressed he got back to me and took time to explain it. The essence of his response was that under a PPO, I would have a greater array of referrals without going through him. Then he said that the treatment he has given to me and the treatment offered by the doctors he has referred me to in no way was "different or inferior" to that that offered if I were on a PPO. For Paul and me it means a $4583/year increase to change to a PPO. As an attorney in business on his own (no employee benefit program) I support his health care (explaining why it is so costly as it is mostly for him). I took the HMO initially to save money....BUT!Rita, as a teacher you probably received the same letter I did (from CMS) comparing the two programs. Paul is leaving it up to me if I want to change as he understands I need peace of mind. I got nervous when I heard the HMO fears. So now I am not sure, but have about 20 days to make up my mind.Insurance issues have always been worrisome for me. I suppose it is something we should worry about!Thanks, Rita!Susan0
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Susan,
Based on the network you use which the same as mine, I think the Dr's there are in both HMO and the PPO and it's a pretty good selection of specialists. Not all HMO's are as good.. sometimes you get a very small choice of Dr's to pick from and the referrals can be a pain.. that was the case with my kids' insurance so I switched them over to mine which is a PPO.. I keep choosing a PPO 'just in case' I get something too weird and then need to be treated by some specialist.. so in my case, having the diagnosis that I do.. I am more comfortable with a PPO..
I'd recommend you go through your list of specialists and make sure you are happy with the range of who is available.. then maybe you can save yourself the money and have peace of mind!! It's something I struggle with every year when it's time to make the choice..Good luck!!
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