Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away."
David Viscott0 -
Ginger, be sure to guard that dear head from sun burn!
Lago, I love Le Bouchon! I also love Chicago! We go to that restaurant with a couple who love it more than we do even! Tell us what you ordered!
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Wendy - so glad to see you post. I know you can beat this!
Ginger - glad you are going on the boating trip. Even though you may feel a bit lousy, it will take your mind off of everything. I went on a family vacation hiking in NM in the midst of my treatment!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Lago- I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday and thanks for the heads up on the art festival! I think you may see DH and I there, not that you'll know it. (c:
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are you going tomorrow or Sunday?
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Gosh, just joined this group a few weeks ago. You are all so prolific with your writings and updates. And so encouraging also. I need to check in more often to keep up.
Ginger/Stephanie- you must be starting to feel better after your chemo treatment last week. Sounds so familiar. Great that you are getting away for the weekend.
I have my LAST chemo this coming Tuesday and I already know that I will be a little "down and out" myself through the Labor Day weekend. And, of course, our 40th wedding anniversary (child bride, no kidding) is on Sept 4th. We are celebrating this weekend with all our kids and granddaughter here from Charlotte, NC and Seattle, WA. A special toast to that final treatment is in order.
WendyTy... glad to hear that you are already on to a new treatment plan and I am sure that you will do well. Would love to join you and Rita on the golf course next summer!
Happy belated anniversary to Laura too.
Joan
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Hello Ladies - Today was my last radiation treatment - and of all things, I cried when I was getting dressed. I think I was holding in all my feelings - going there every day and pretending like it is "nothing" - well, it is a pretty big thing isn't it?! I love all the things Chicago has to offer as well.
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Oh Char, first of all - congratulations on your last radiation treatment. Of course your going through all sorts of feelings and its ok. It's a good thing that you were able to get them out. Know that you have accomplished a heck of a lot. This disease takes so much out of us physically and emotionally but we are STRONG women and have/are come/coming through it!
It's supposed to be a pretty nice day today. Yesterday I was really feeling the cumulative effects of all the chemo of gone through. Some days it just hits you like a ton of bricks! Today I'm going to try to do some straightening up and get my nails done.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Enjoy summer while it lasts.
Take Care.
Carolyn
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Happy Saturday to all. Looks like it will be a hot sunny day for all of us here. Ohhh I do love that sunshine. Well I survived the first week of school with only a few drama's. Stomachaches, vomiting and tears were the special this week. lol I am so looking forward to Nov. break already. lol
Ginger....enjoy your boat trip. Water is so soothing for your soul. I went to Florida 2 week after my lumpectomy...bandages and all I laid on the beach and watch the ocean waves roll in. I needed that to make decisions about my tx and life. I am 3 yrs out and enjoying life. Having fun and not looking back. Yes there is life after all the txs we go through. Enjoy your boat trip !! I will be waving from the lake to you.
Joan...have fun with your family. Life is to short not to enjoy the things we love to do.
Char...glad to see that rads are over for you!!! You a rads grad now. Go out and celebrate. I too love Chicago and all the fun places to check out. My cousin is in from New Jersey and we will be doing the Chicago bar scene this weekend. Cosmo's !! Have a great weekend.
Connie....kids in school. time to rest up now. Looks like we have a few more weeks of good boating weather. hey!!
Zap...school start for you yet. Are you subbing a lot? FYI there will be a few craft shows up at the lake next weekend. Treasures to be found.
Laura....have fun in DC and you go getem girl. Hope you are dining at the White House!! hehe
Wendy... are you at the beach without me. I think you went looking for seashells and got lost.
WendyTY... I am glad you posted to let us know how you are doing? You are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this. Be strong. Hugs to you.
Rita....how is your boating. Hope you get to enjoy the water too.
Jackie...thinking of you often. Hope all is well and furry freinds are good.
Well to all I missed I hope you all are doing well and having fun.
I have to run as I will be late for my md appt. Oh I hate to go see them. I rather be on the lake.
Have a great weekend. Remember to be healthy...be happy...enjoy life.
BJ
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Carolyn....we were posting at the same time. How are you doing? Are you almost done with chemo yet? Mani /pedies are so soothing. Also they make us feel pretty. Have a great spa day.
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Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the words of the
wise, and take all that is good as your own. With this as your base,
open your own door to truth. Do not overlook the truth that is right
before you. Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly
and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and
wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants,
and trees - should be your teacher.
- Morihei Ueshiba0 -
Good morning to all..
I'm back from Indianapolis with a lot of good information and actions.. Looks like I have a lumpectomy in my future!! He did feel a lump which I was kind of feeling too.. about 1 cm and the good news is he is recommending I get it out.. so it means it's a benefit to me..
So he recommended a surgeon at Northwestern and I'll make the appointment for consult on Monday.. I'm hoping to do this early October, in between my two vacations.. I hear the recovery is about a week or two.. (Please let me know those who've done it..) want it done before it gets a chance to grow.. though since I'm on Herceptin hopefully not..also told me about several new HER2 drugs in the works so I left very optimistic.. told me I have many years ahead of me.. just keep on eating right, excercising and hoping that Herceptin is my magic drug that keeps me going and going..
Otherwise, today we have no nanny as her grandbaby is getting christened.. so we'll go do groceries with the baby and play.. I can lift her now.. YAY!!
Looks like a beautiful day to enjoy!!
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makmak,
A week or two recovery was correct information on a lumpectomy. My Dr. called it a "partial mastectomy" but it's the same thing. Mine was Aug. 9 and I feel good. I have a small seroma at the site of my snb incision but even it is getting better. You'll do fine.
Juanita
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Yay for all your good news Marina. I think a lot of us had lumpectomies in this group. Mine was easy -- had pain pills, but did not use them. A few easy requirements -- like staying in and sleeping in a tight bra for awhile etc. My only discomfort --- removal of the bandages the first time --- felt like there was a bowling ball attached to my chest on one side -- but it passes rather quickly.
Char -- tears can and need to come whenever they do. A great emotional release. It is basically the end of the really active treatments -- and now once again you have to find your way around in the world on your own. Off-putting to think there is nothing else to do --- what started out as a long road is done and you are pretty much on your own. I bet you'll do just fine.
Joan -- last chemo coming up. Again -- seems like you have such a long road ahead when they first begin --- how fantastic when you finish. I was proud of myself -- a couple of times the thought flashed on me that I did not think I could keep doing it to myself --- but I did and I felt so strong, and able after. Good for you and Carolyn too.
A great big hi to everyone else. Off to get a busy day; started.
Hugs, Jackie
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makmak - sounds like you got some recommendations in Indianapolis. I had my MX at Northwestern last April. My surgeon is Dr Nora Hansen, head of the breast surgery department. All she does is breast surgery so she really knows what she is doing. Hope that you get her.
I am starting to get real apprehensive about that last chemo on Tuesday. Guess that I am just getting down about having to deal with side effects all over again just when I am really feeling good again. Darn SE! Have to keep thinking positive.
Have a good weekend everyone. Looks like it is going to warm up again.
Joan
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Makmak, it all sounds good. I had a lumpectomy and was back at work two weeks later and probably could have gone sooner. My margins were not clean so I was back to surgery, but even with that, I was back to work two weeks from the first episode.
Speaking of school, I have been offered a long term class (English) at my old school. It is a maternity leave beginning the end of January and until the end of the year. I can only work so many days or I harm my pension. I counted and would be within 20 days, so that is not the problem. I am just not sure what I want to do. A part of me wants to do it as it is my area of interest (English) but another part of me wants no commitments. Of course the extra income is an incentive, but I just really do not know. BJ, I bet you would tell me not to go for it! I have all weekend to wrestle with it.
I know many are in treatment and it is so hard! I think of you so much. Char, I was so relieved when rads ended. It is very emotional. Whenever I am in Glenbrook Hospital for things like a mamo, mri, etc. I have to sit near the place where I had treatments and I still get emotional about it! Congratulations.
Susan
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Wow.. thanks everyone for the great advice.. Including those who PM'd or posted names of Doctors. of course now I'm even more confused because they ALL have amazing credentials.. I guess first I need to figure out if there is anything to cut. since I can't feel it too well... Will ask on Monday for the radiologist to re-review my CT.. since there were no comments made about my breast..
I totally relate to crying after completing rads.. though for me it was after my last chemo in July.. When they told me after my scan that they are taking me off.. I freaked out.. as you all remember me posting..
Been a long and fun day.. I got to hold Gabriella again!! so healing and amazing.. she is 9 mos today!!
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Susan.. If you have reservations with school as when i get a class offer like that, i usually go with ny first gut feeling. Why work everyday and that is a long enough commitment to follow when you may want a day to you as you earned this time! Just athought.
GingerHope it was a good boat day.. what gorgous weather and what a good way to get out and get some fresh air.!!!!
Lago...YOU are enjoying outside time too.. and remmebert those events downtown!!We went to the Yanks-SOX game last night and did some tail gating too and had a good time!!KEEP up your gret attitude as it will serve you well as this jounrey continues!!!
Joan...Congrad's for the last chemo.. just know, it is all goin to be ok as you got this far and know it is always that apprehensive feeling.. the releif will be felt after that day regardless!!! Alll here for you!!
Have a good weekend and best of everything for ALL in TX, appts and etc!
Donna
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The duck and mussels were awesome last night. My old boss was there. Of course he didn't remember me (it was 27 years ago) but was flattered I remembered him. I asked him about the waitress he was dating (I did remember her name). She's his wife. They have 3 kids. He actually walked us out and talk to us for a bit outside. Really nice man.
He was so funny. He said he was old and his wife is so much younger than him. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I'm only 1 year younger than his wife and my husband is only 2-3 years younger than him. (My husband looks a lot younger than he does).
I did stay in most of the day and cleaned. Today I am going to the art fair. It's just too nice to be in. I will work out again too. These are my last 2 days to work out for a while. I still have bathrooms to clean and laundry. I want to get as much of this crap done before hand. My husband does laundry but does not fold or at least I don't call that folding. He's good at other things. I'm so happy he can cook.
My sister is coming in on Friday for 2 weeks. That should really help. She cooks too!
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Zap....on the subject of subbing. Don't be mad but I would go for it. First just to visit with friends, then the kids and finally extra moola for my trips. Since it is short term I would have fun with it. Just my opinion....
Makmak...glad to see that you finally got some answers. Now it is decision time. Hope all is well with baby and the nanny is finally working well.
Just though I stop by for a quick hi....waving from the lake. It is hot and sunny up at the lake today. Just right for me. So I hope everyone has a great day. Stay cool as it looks like it will be a hot one. Thinking of all of you...
BJ
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~ Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being. ~
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Morning...gonna be hot for the next few days but it's better than snow and ice! Which brings me to.....
Susan....yep, working back full-time sounds like fun now BUT....when it's Feb and it's below zero and snowing and the streets are covered in ice...do you REALLY want to get up and go to work??? Just asking....the money would be great tho and it's something that you love to do....but you can always continue to sub as you wish and still leave lots of time for grandbaby-snuggling! JMHO....
I am so far behind that I will never catch up! Lots going on around here at my house this past week but finally things are calm. One of the things we did was join the 21st century and bought a flat screen for our bedroom. We had a 19" 22 year old samsung which was still working perfectly but it was getting increasingly hard to read the little cable guide print from the bed. Wow. You can see everything now! We haven't gotten HD yet tho but the picture is fine the way it is so we might not upgrade. Now of course DH is hinting that we should get a 42" for the FR. But I keep saying....when the one we have breaks and not until then!
Hope everyone has a wonderful day....and good luck to everyone in tx or going for surgery/rads this week. Hope you all do something wonderful and happy today....I will catch up with everyone next week!
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Thank you for your ideas on working the five months. I didn't phrase it correctly. It would not be for 20 days but actually for 90 days. I can work a total of 120 days without harming my pension. I would have Spring break off. We are biking today and so that gives me time to mull it over again. I have to admit that working THEN helps to provide the structure I need to get big things accomplished NOW. I have wanted to update the house for so long but I keep procrastinating. Knowing I have limited time and that I will be making extra money to pay for things, I feel like going ahead NOW.
BJ, you are on the boat early. Do they have religious services on the lake (ha, ha). Actually they did when we stayed at Waupaca....my kind of services!
Ladies in treatment, I hope today is a good-feeling day for you.
I saw Halloween paraphernalia at the stores. That gets me excited! That is one of my favorite holidays. Life is so good!
Susan
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Halloween! Cool. I should be able to go as Sinead O'Connor by then. Need to develop a voice though. I love halloween.
Mandinka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9c03aHny-s&feature=relatedThe Emperor's New Clothes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c0jxooNClM My other thought would be this costume but I'm afraid I might be going through hot flashes (chem induced) by then and it may be too warm: http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/sock-monkey-costume/index.html
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I had a fantastic time @ the lake over the weekend! The guy I dated for much of last year, asked me to go and hang out with friends he's known for 30 years! I was a little nervous on our way down but they were fantastic. I tied a scarf on before we arrived and Paul laughed - he said it's whatever - he didn't care one way or the other. By Saturday morning I was comfortable enough to be bald and it was no big deal.
Having just had my 4th AC treatment on Wednesday, I was not 100% but I was sure to drink plenty of juice and water, ate well (they had TONS of good food out all weekend!) and I even pulled a blanket out of the cabin and napped under a tree for awhile on Saturday. It was wonderful. Plenty of time on the boat provided breezy relaxation and entertainment while people tubed &/or skied.
It was an unexpected treat for me - I feel blessed to have been included and enjoyed it so much!
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"Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with."
Robert Leighton0 -
Hey Ginger...............so glad the weekend went well for you! It was probably good therapy and fun, too!
Susan, you amaze me! I wouldn't even be thinking about a 90 day commitment now. I'm too spoiled and I guess I've gotten lazy. Also, like Wendy pointed out, I hate to get out in the snow and ice early in the morning if I don't have to do it. I also learned something about you today. I didn't know that you had to have two surgeries to get the clean margins. That was the same for me, too.
Congrats on finishing the rad program, Char. I cried as I walked out of the chemo room for the last time. I thought it was probably because my security blankets were all gone and now I was not going to have any treatments to continue fighting this. Maybe you are right though. The emotional impact that we go through is so traumatic and maybe I was just letting out a combination of emotions.
Well I have a busy day planned so I need to get moving. Hugs to all of you!
Rita
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A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
- Charles Dickens0 -
Ginger -- how cool is all I can say and what a wonderful guy your friend ( former beau ) is at this point in time.
I was going to say it takes a big heart to stay good friends after a ??failed??relationship, and it does. I did it with my ex husband and we are good friends to this day -- 45 years later or so, but we did have children together and that was really my reason. Saying that though....it is what the world is really about -- being able to have differences, sometimes major ones, and still see the value of a person. Wish it could work that way more often
Rita -- I found myself just a bit amazed --- that we still learn new things from each other and possibly new ways to look at what we previously learned.
More and more I ( though for some reason just this last blood test just shortly past ) feel my new normal as stable and I don't think much of the negative impact that often went on during my txs. It is refreshing for the cloud of gloom to not be there and to look forward to things I can do and want to do and feel little restriction.
Hoping you all have a great day and I will be thinking of you.
Hugs, Jackie
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Good Morning!
Yes, I did have the two surgeries. I also had vascular invasion which is very spooky. I would not really know that if I had not participated in the Livestrong program whereby you get this three-page printout detailing the whole path report. I was in a daze at the time. Some times I wish I didn't know that, but I guess that is part of being an adult....knowing!
Went biking with friends yesterday. HOT but relaxing.
Ginger, it sounds like you had a most wonderful time! I am so happy for you. It probably took some courage to say yes to the idea, but it not only worked....it sounds like you had a great time!
Rita, you are not one bit lazy. You just don't need as much direction as I do. I am still not sure and will make up my mind this afternoon. about the work.
Have a good week!
Susan
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