Illinois ladies facing bc
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morning! sitting here on the balcony, watchng the waves. Sun is starting to tint the sky pink....
Jackie....I agree with Rita...please slow down and smell the roses! Altho I know you are needed so many places you do need to take of Jackie first! What other xrays do you need?????? What else is wrong besides your elbow? I agree about water...it just works for so many of us....now there's a thought....why not walk down to your lake and sit a spell? Would love to see a pic of that....
Laura....how's sis doing? I assume she is doing better and better.....
Buddy...zometa is used in bone met patients, in osteopenia/osteoporosis and now for prevention of bone mets (if you have at least osteopenia so the ins. will pay for it). Great drugs we have these days...just a lot of se's too.
Smerf....thanks for letting us know that BJ is doing better!
BJ.....ok...get off the phone once in a while! I tried calling you a couple of times but I got a busy signal ! Could have just been where I was....
Back to Florida...went to Ron Jon's surf shop in Cocoa Beach and unfortunately for us 2 huge tour buses filled with teenagers had just pulled in....the store was a zoo! We left pretty quickly. We drove over to this new restaurant on the Banana River and it was wonderful and pretty good value as we were there about 5:30. I took some pix but with my phone so I have to email them to myself so I can put them on photobucket so I can post them. Jeepers! Things I do for yu guys! Today will be a pool/beach day as dh's niece is driving up from Coral Gables with her 2 kids and she is coming over to hang with us and then maybe a family dinner. Weather is wonderful...warm and humid but once again there is a wicked breeze so we have been very comfortable.
Take care and have a wonderful Sunday...Carolyn....still laughing! DH used Kohl's as a "gym" too! And boy oh boy did he come home with stuff! Told him it would be cheaper for him to get a membership someplace!
PS: Hi Ginny !!!!!!!!
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My view from this morning..... 0 -
My view from lunch Friday....or any day as this the beach in front of the hotel! Come on down and meet me for lunch later...... 0 -
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Good morning,
A bit late as I'm up to feeding and caring for the computer room kitties. First and foremost though: Bj, please add my wishes for an easy, speedy recovery. You are so important to us here.
Now having said that -- do know that all of us are important. Like Susan, I am sitting here with tears in my eyes -- and the meaning of them is just so immense. Most of you ( I bet ) do not know how rich you have made my life -- to see your names pop up on this screen means I get another golden opportunity to be with some of the greatest women on this part of this planet. It is worrisome though when someone is ill or seems to expect for various reasons they might get a negative test result. How fantastic then to get to hold Bj up for awhile with love,kindness and healing thoughts -- the same thing she gives to us. We are each other's blessing and the best cheerleader you could have.
Wendy, I am not surprised about your walk on the beach. Water does so much for us and if we tune in will in fact, give us many answers. Many times -- when I need water therapy I just put a vision in my head of a beautiful, misty waterfall. I slowly walk into it and the world just disappears and I am left there to heal and to get in touch with my spirit.
Still -- the minute it gets cool enough....I'm going down to Seaside Park and getting some up close and personal Raccoon Lake therapy.
Long day yesterday. Guess I can be totally and completely honest with you all. If I did not think this was all fairly temporary...I'm not sure I could do it. Shower at 10:30 after a long day again. I also ( in the middle of everything ) rushed home and cleaned out my fridge and freezer. Definitely an echo....but I forgot to turn down the fridge while cleaning and iced up my freezer pretty severely and made so much work for myself.
I am going to I think have to make some new rules here for some things....I don't like the late nights -- I'm all out of energy and it makes me grumpy.
Hope you are all going to have a scrumptious day ( I'm pretending I'm on the beach with Wendy ) and think happy, healing thoughts. Stay cool --- and if your out and about -- please in this heat drink plenty of water.
Healing Hugs, Jackie
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Good morning! So happy to hear that BJ is improving.
I cannot imagine you, BJ, in a hospital in a tacky hopsital gown with hospital people hovering over you. I imagine you up and about, looking great in your darling outfit and giving out the orders and planning the events with a cosmo in your hand.
Thanks to Wendy and Smerf for keeping us posted.
Today is grandchild number ones birthday party. We got her this baby doll that sucks on a bottle and makes noises when it does. Weird but cute.
Have a good day.
Susan
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guess I might as well join the IL bc club {sigh}
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URGENT Question: We signed up and paid for a water filtration system, getting installed on Tues. Part of it includes a Reverse Osmosis filter under our sink for drinking water. My Dad is all up in arms as it is acidic and very bad for me.. but I don't trust that simply filtering the water will be safe enough to drink. Any advice as it's a huge commitment, including drilling a hole in our granite counter top!!
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Marina, I don't know a thing about the water filtration problem. I've always liked my Lake Michigan water's taste, and don't think about anything else. Be interesting to learn more if anyone knows.
Wendy, I love those photos. If I can't live vicariously through you with the lobster, at least I can through the beach pics. Count me in as one who loves the water anytime. Looking for another medical meeting in Hawaii!
Jackie, hey, stop and smell the roses a bit. I know it is lots of work to care for so many furry friends, but you deserve a little time for you. I loved you man quotes, and had a good laugh. Thanks!
Well, BJ has her Clorox wipes and just about has that hospital under control! She looks beautiful as ever, and if they don't let her out of there soon, they had better look out! She's getting ready to take over. Kidding aside, she very much appreciates all our good thoughts, and can't wait to get online again to tell us in person. I only live a mile away, and I might have to go over there and break her out if this keeps up.
Carolyn, we'd love to see your stitching when you're finished. Wow, a head start on the holidays sure should make this time pass a little easier. Glad to hear you are handling the chemo so well, and also that you are doing the walking. It really does seem to help.
Susan, congrats on the big birthday. It must be so much fun watching your little ones, and celebrating those milestones. It's what it's all about!
Time to curl up on the couch, and wind down for awhile before bed. Been just a wee bit busy lately!
Hugs to all.
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Morning! Watching sunrise and all the people taking walks/runs on the beach, hoping that one day DH can retire and that someday that will be us, waking up each am and enjoying the ocean.
OK...laughing....BJ cannot possibly be in a tacky hospital gown! Never happen.....
BJ.....sorry you are still stuck in the hospital, home today? I will text you later...no cute cabana boys tho
(Laura....any news on your sister?
Ginger...welcome! I read some of your other posts and you have already moved thru the surgery part and are on to chemo. Please tell us a bit more about yourself, only if you care to tho! This thread has been around now for about 3.5 years so there will always be someone around to answer questions or has had the same dx/tx as you. So sorry tho that you have to be here...but we are a fun little group, very supportive, with very big shoulders should you need us. We get together every once in awhile so if you are nearby, maybe you would like to come out one day.
Jackie....once again...listen to us?!!! Slow down, smell the roses, take that trip to the lake and enjoy! This is the only life here on earth you are gonna get......the frig can wait, ice ain't going anywhere!
Back to Florida....
Things didn't turn out yesterday as DH's niece called early am to say she couldn't come up from Miami as her two little ones came down with lice! We feel so sorry for her and told her that we would miss her this trip but please keep the lice down there! Ended up getting re-dressed (we were dressed for family day on the beach) and drove around looking at condos and then had a great lunch on the river. It was mid-afternoon by then so tried to go back to our hotel but we had totally forgotten that on Sundays they have a BIG music venue, "Jamaican' Me Crazy" and boy was it loud! And the lot was full. So...just drove around checking out all the little towns where we might want to live and have narrowed it down to a few. Drove down to Port Canavral and had some really great fresh fish. Back to the hotel....and in my jammies by 7:30, reading. I think I read about 3-4 pages and I was out. All this fresh air I guess. I do love it here but this humidity is something. Forget about good hair days...they never happen. Hmmmmmmm.....should have brought my old wigs!
Have a wonderful day all.....enjoy the day cuz this is the only 7/19/2010 you will have!
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"Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are
famous preservers of youthful looks."
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Hi Ginger! This is a nice place to visit.
Marina, I do not know about the water. One of the reasons we moved here was we were in a town where we drank bottled water and we would receive notices in the mail that the water had traces of radon as it was well water. So I am just happy to have Lake Michigan water. You can drink bottled water (coffee in the morning was expensive) but showers meant using the village water. I think that has since been changed to Lake Michigan water.
Wendy, glad you are having fun in Florida and even looking at condominiums. From what I understand it is a buyers' market there (and Arizona).Well I guess it is a buyers' market everywhere.
Meeting with my walking buddy in ten minutes. I am trying to get back to a normal lifestyle with a bedtime way befpre midnight and getting up by seven. I have slipped into bad ways with ths retirement. It would be nice if a little of Jackie's work ethic transferred to me and a bit of my laziness went on to her.
BJ, thinking of you and hoping you continue to improve in health. You need to get back in the boat and then onto the golf course.
Ginny, I think of you every day. How are you doing?
To everyone else, have fun today if you can.
Susan
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Bj --- I'm meeting Smerf and we have a laundry cart -- if you do not have discharge papers in hand today we bring the cloth chariot ( laundry cart ) and home you go, young lady.
So good as always to read your daily on Fla. Wendy. I have to admit ( I think its the idea of the water mainly ) that I'm fascinated by Fla. Never been though. I think the idea of the Palmetto bugs -- might have that spelling wrong, and other tropical type creatures lurking too close to my quarters might get to me. Bet it is like other places -- probably don't see much of these things or they are only rampant in certain areas and not all over. If I am by water, I will probably find a way to tolerate most anything.
You all have me talked into at least a short drive down to the park and water. Still hot and sticky here so was hoping ( of course, it came yesterday morning when I could not go ) for a weather break. At least I can get in a little practice for the better weather. Things were better yesterday time wise. Susan and I did a Quisno's for a light supper ( Denny was working ) and then home to relax while she took care of her 11 kitties here in the computer room. I am fortunate that she takes night duty with them. They are doing well so far --- so guess this arrangement will be holding for some time to come. Susan continues to put in job applications but these things can be a slow process sometimes. She may have to venture ( something she was hoping not to do ) to some of the surrounding areas -- at least for work. We will see.
Marina -- we use reverse osmosis water here. Would not dream of drinking tap water. What they put in to kill the contaminants in the water is not so great for you either. Should have googled what municipalities put in --- they add bleach and chlorine of course -- who knows what else. This is also bad for your hair and skin so we as well keep a filter on the water going through our bathroom. Sure no one needs reminding -- but I have forgotten before -- our skin and hair etc. is porous. Anything being applied to our skin, or water we are bathing in etc. all of that ends up to whatever degree inside our body. Great huh !!!! Just when you thought you had covered all the bases --- you have to thing about stuff like that. I'd probably drink the tap water before I'd want to bathe in it. I have some idea that drinking it moves it thought my system in a more direct fashion. Egad !!!!! Enough already. Just something to think about Marina. For me --- and just my opinion....I would not hesitate to use a reverse osmosis system. I can feel the difference ( sometimes dh lets the filter go a little longer than it should ) in my skin and hair after our bathroom filter is changed. And our tap water -- if I have to drink it for any reason tastes to me like my idea of water that has sat too long in the bottom of a boat --- but I always use the osmosis water.
Hope you are all going to have a wonderful day. Pat, are you gathering up some blankets and big towels for the laundry cart. See you all later.
Hugs, Jackie
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Oh sorry, big time --- Welcome Ginger !!!This place has been a sanity saver for so many of us. There is just something about having this disease -- so unlike others, where you seem to feel a great need for the wisdom, help, camaraderie of others just like you --- before and after. You are you and the same, but changed too --- and it is of so much help and comfort to spend time with others who have been there, done that, and understand what you are feeling. Here is where we come to ask questions, rant and rave, throw double-dyed fits, or just have fun. It is a place where we can allow whatever emotion overtakes us. Hope you will come often. We will be here.
Hugs, Jackie
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Looking for some assistance picking the BEST doctors. I live outside of Chicago and currently meeting with Doctors in Chicago for Surgery and a PS. I need to have a masectomy and wondering if anyone here has recommendations for a surgeon and a PS. We have some of the best hospitals in the city, tough decision on who to choose. Any help is appreciated.
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Thanks for the welcome everyone!
* I've had this response typed out for awhile, but apparently got too posting-happy yesterday (when I joined) and cannot post more than 5 times in 24/hrs {sigh} so waiting for this to go through .....
I've been reading here for a few weeks now, just decided to jump in (and join in) yesterday. I will eventually pull out my papers and put details of my diagnosis, etc. on my profile / sig line.
I am a divorced 45/yo mom of a 21/yo daughter and 18/yo son. I live in central IL, between Champaign and Bloomington. Was diagnosed w/BC after a biopsy on April 30th. It is (was) lobular cancer, confirmed in the right breast and suspicioned in the left. I said take both! I have great faith and thankfully have always been a positive spirit with an optimistic outlook. I could really see that God was laying it all out before me as things went along ..... He was already taking care of things.
Simple examples: when I was diagnosed I was in the midst of my sons senior activities - his last baseball games of high school, his graduation plans / celebration, etc. Those were all welcome distractions which helped me not to feel overwhelmed by what I'd just been told. Next, was an incredible vacation which had been planned long before I ever knew I'd have cancer! My brother lives on Sanibel Island, FL and it has always been a place of peace and serenity for me. We never go in May - yet this year I'd found tickets cheap and early, and booked a trip for my kids and I (plus my sons gf) immediately following his graduation. Who knew that it would be the perfect timing - following my diagnosis and right before my surgery
We had nine of the best days of vacation ever. A long time friend of mine is an oncology nurse. In fact, she is MY oncologists nurse! And she took me under her wing right away, lining me up with the best of care in their nearby / amazing facility. I've also got an incredible advocate (friend) whom I called into action as soon as I got my news. Sadly, she walked w/her brother through esophageal cancer and he passed away just a few years ago. But she is one of those people who educate themselves to the max, reads everything, inquires about all, and absorbs the information. That is not me! LOL. But thankfully this gf has been to every appointment with me, taken endless notes, asked countless questions and helped me to make heads & tails of the overwhelming amount of information we're each given.
My mom is a retired nurse - so I've also been able to draw off her wealth of knowledge. Though she lives 11 hours away (in MS) she did not hesitate to come up for my bilateral mastectomy - which was on June 14th. That went better than I could have expected. My first surgery ever and I feel a little guilty in saying it was a piece of cake. My first chemo treatment was just last Tuesday, July 13th and I am set to go back on the 27th. Other than a headache and nausea that evening ... I have done ok since then. I don't feel 100% - describe it as just feeling a little "weird" but apparently that is normal. I really can't complain.
My chemo/rad is expected to last 4-6 months. I opted to delay reconstructive surgery until treatment is over and done with. I've always been small framed (A cup) and really don't feel that much different than I did before. I had a skin sparing mastectomy and my stitches will finally come out the end of this week. Many days I just go without a bra or inserts. The ones that I found were at Walmart and under $4! Simple little A/B pads to tuck inside of any bra.
Glad I found ya'll and decided to join the club. Yeah, none of us would have chosen it .... but we are here for such a time as this and I choose to make the best of it.
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Welcome to ginger and notsure! The girls here are great!
notsure - I did not have reconstruction...but I'm sure some of the girls here will chime in.
ginger - You have surrounded yourself with great help. Best wishes through chemo.
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Quick update: Sis is going home. She has a ton of meds and an in-home Nebulizer. The Coumadin continues to do its job. It was "rocky" there for a while. Her brain tests showed normal activity. Thanks for your concern.
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Marina - Home Depot sells an inexpensive water test kit. You send the sample to a lab and they let you know what's in your water. dh tests ours regularly. We have a well, spetic and softener. Our water has always tested perfectly balanced. I stay away from bottled water and drink tap water ALOT. We do chlorinate the well one time each year. Have you ever chlorinated yours?
BJ - HOW & WHERE are you?
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Welcome to ginger and notsure. This site is the best for wonderful women who are always ready with support and help.
Hey Jackie, what a great idea....BJ is small so we could smuggle her out in a laundry cart! By the way, she is holding court in snappie jammies as cute as ever. Fashion becomes her!
Wendy, I'm thinking of you with envy every day!
Laura, I'm happy to hear good news about your sister. Things are looking up!
Time to do some more planning for the event. Everyone and his brother has a different idea, and I just have a headache.
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Hi girls. Just wanted to say hi. I am glad to hear good news about BJ. I hope she is home soon. My son is in football pratice in the a.m. and camp at p.m. the next town over about 20 miles one way. Daughter is in drivers ed the town behind us. About 10 miles one way. I am running like a chicken with its head cut off. But I guess I wouldnt have it any other way. Looks like we have some rain coming our way. I made the tornado siren presentation. Thank you again Wendy for your help. It went very well. I am just waiting to hear somthing back. X O X Buddy
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P.S. Has anyone heard anything from Elf song
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Hi Gals,
Laura, so glad you sis is on the mend! YEA! Now we need to get Blackjack back in shape!
Welcome Ginger! I am in Bloomington so it sounds like we are pretty close to each other. Where diid you have your surgery and where are you getting your chemo? I am near if you ever need an "ear" or need to vent for any reason. Also, we have a group of gals in Bloomington who try to meet once a month for dinner or an activity. We're all BC survivors and call ourselves "The Bosom Buddies." Just let me know if you're ever interested in joining us. We'd welcome you with open arms.
Welcome also, notsure. I didn't have reconstruction either but I'm sure somebody will jump in and give you some answers.
Jackie, I love your idea of smuggling BJ into the laundry cart and bringing her home! :-)
Today I golfed in the ladies St. Jude golf outing. We sometimes don't really realize how lucky we are. They had a mother and her two children there. I think the girl was around 11 and the boy was 13. Both children were diagnosed with bone cancer within a year's time. They both did chemo and had surgery. The girl's surgery went pretty well but there were complications with the boy's surgery and they had to amputate his leg above the knee. He was sporting a new prosthesis. We know how hard it was for us as adults to get through this both physically and emotionally. My heart just went out to these young kids who have been through so much. I'm really too much of a "softie" when it comes to kids. I came home and thanked "the one in charge" that my grandchildren are all healthy. It certainly opens your eyes!
Buddy, I'm with you.........where's Elf Song?
I'll be back!
Rita
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Blackjack was on Facebook! Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
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Morning....this is a quickie drive-by...
Ginger...wow! do you have a great support team! you are so lucky!
Notsure...welcome! I didn't have recon either so can't help you but someone will come along!
Buddy...I saw Elf on FB and she got a new phone, but that's all I know. Maybe she threw a shoe at DH like Juliechicago did!
BJ....sorry I couldn't help you out last night...pretty sure you can take away what you put on! Home today???? I sure hope so....
Smerf/Jackie....you smuggle BJ out in that laundry cart and take her straight to the airport. I will pick her up in Orlando and take her to the beach. That will fix her
!Had a quiet pool day yesterday, and a fairly healthy lunch! Unfortunately DH slipped in the tub and fell out onto the floor, striking his head on the toilet. There is no mat or strips in the tub so we have just been putting down a towel, but he forgot. One foot in and that was that. He's OK, just purple now in spots! Hotel was told and they brought us a nice rubber mat. So...I put it in the tub and we went out. Now...fast forward to this morning...I turn on the water and step in...and of course I forgot to fasten the mat down (the suction cups) and I slipped...but luckily I was holding onto to this towel rack so I didn't fall, just smacked into the wall with my hip, which is now already changing colors.
I am thinking DH and I need to move into assisted leaving today.....
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Yes, Jackie, let's make this spring BJ day! The real Blackjack is missing her too much.
Wendy, at least you are in good company for assisted living down there. Yikes! It is probably a little better than your Dh versus the zipper, though. Now that was painful! I hope you have a great day today, and enjoy the sun which we are sadly missing today.
Glad to hear Elf was on Facebook. Hope she's feeling better.
Rita, what a story. Kids are so resilient and remarkable, aren't they? Every time I was having a rough time during chemo I would just think about how many kids go through it with a smile. I'd say to myself get on with it, girl! If they can do it so can you, and I did.
Ginger, you really do have a wonderful support system in place. Add us to your list, even though this is not a club any of us would choose.
Notsure, I had tx here in the northern suburbs, but there are many good oncologists in the Chicago area. Maybe someone who lives closer to you can advise. Keep in touch!
Off to brunch planning. This thing is taking on a life of its own.
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MORNING GIRLS!
I talked to bj yesterday evening. She "sounds" good and is getting better everyday. She said to say hi to everyone here.
Rita - Those poor kids! Wow...how ironic. Can't help but be more convinced than ever that Cancer = environment. It's wonderful that you are involved with such a remarkable organization. Keep up the good work!
Wendrew - OMG...I'm sorry...but I just could not help but LOL reading your post. Holy moly! lol Too funny...of course I'm glad about no serious injuries, but when I visualized the "fall"...couldn't stop laughing.
Here's a funny one too. Last week, I was bored, so I decided to gather all my purses from my car, bathroom, family room, etc. and clean each one out and hang them all in my mud room. I had on a light yellow, long silk nightgown and had my slippers on. I got my black patent leather purse from my bathroom, had it on my shoulder and was walking to the kitchen to clean it out. dh came up from the mancave and asked, quite sincerely, "Oh...where are you going?" Well, I lost it! I could not stop laughing! Help! What planet are they from?
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Cute story LauraGTO, I have one simular, every night and I mean every night I get up at some point to use the bathroom and my dh always asks me where I'm going!
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Good morning girls. Laura and Salty you crack me up with your stories.
Welcome new gals. It's so very nice to meet you. I know the wait to post multiple times is so very frustrating.
Wendy..I have another question..Are the Zometa like meds used for all 3 listed..Osteo/Prevention of bone cancer and treatment of bone cancer.?? Sorry I keep asking but I know I will be faced with the same decision soon. What were the other similar meds? Thank you..Clueless Buddy
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Hmmm,not about the hubby, but reading did remind me. At our local McDonalds when I ask for a water glass, the one counter clerk always looks at me and asks --- Water ??? I decided next time she did that I was going to say No -- Urine Sample. Guess what !!!! So far she hasn't done it again. I guess our world has gotten so complicated with all the technological things -- the "easy - common sense" things and answers seem almost unreal.
Anyway we seem to be going into some major at times storms. Only thing --- it is not going to bring us any cooler weather. Just thankful most of the lawn was cut a couple days ago.
Ginger -- it sounds like you sure do have all your ducks in a row and are a get it done sort of person. I do understand perfectly what you mean when you say you can see a hand in the design of how all these things took place for you. It is interesting to say the least to see where you have been, where you are now and know that while perhaps skewered a little here and there, it all leads to a path that was meant for you which has meaning and definition. There is a lot of comfort to be found in that.
Wendy -- you are still too funny. Glad no major harm done, I like sending Bj on to you. I think she would do well on your beach --- just please make sure she gets a bath mat --right away.
Welcome notsure --- I did not have recon either. Only a small lumpectomy so I can't help out, but glad you are here. I'm know in our group there must be a couple that have done or are or will be doing this....so hang in there.
Well, need to work on some other things for a bit. See you all later I hope.
Hugs, Jackie
p.s. Wendy, I needed a chest X-ray and a back X-ray. Dr. Herb said the chest was routine but when I told him my back had been hurting he wanted a picture of that as well. My aspirin therapy took care of that sooooo, but I will do the X-ray since it was ordered.
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Men are from MARS! When I walk into the house with numerous grocery bags, mine alway asks, "where were you?" Well, I went to the mall, and then someone left all this food in my car!
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smerf - TOO funny! We should write a book!
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