Illinois ladies facing bc
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Today is just one of those days you wonder at the beauty of this time of year. I just love this season.
Today I care for my grandchildren as the closing on their new home is today. DH is their attorney and I am the caregiver, so this is truly a family affair. This is such a great day. They have been renting this house until they could find the house they wanted and the rental is a "tear-down" in every sense of the word. Slowly things broke (important things like a toilet and the fridge) and the landlord didn't want to replace them as he is tearing the house down at the end of November to build a monstrosity. So he gave them an allowance....but so what! It was becoming dreadful. So all is good now.
Have a good day. This is the time I went through chemo four years ago. It was a troubling time, but it is now in my past. Those in treatment; remember that. You will get through these times, yet know we know it is hard at times!
Susan
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Big number Susan so congratulations to you. I'll sure be thrilled when I get there and beyond. Wonderful as well that your family will have their new home. Good things to celebrate all around.
Joan -- new hair soon. It was harder I think for me just after it started coming back. I was peeking in the mirror constantly -- just to assure myself that it really was ON the way back. I don't think I TRULY defined myself by my hair.....but I most certainly didn't with a bald head so it does help to start you back to something more NORMAL.
Hi to everyone else.
Hugs, Jackie
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Hi ALL..
lago.... Glad to hear that all is going forward and close to getting one under your belt. I know some never have reactions to the neulasta shot. I know it is different for everyone. You are ahead just in your knowledge, keeping in shape and knowing everything we are telling you!!It helps!!! Your winning attitude is key and know that will bring you thru it all. WATER.. drinking it all the tine is key too, Here for you!!SO bummed we did not connect at the walk!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michelle.. late but with heart! Hope it was a great one!!!
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Hi ALL..
lago.... Glad to hear that all is going forward and close to getting one under your belt. I know some never have reactions to the neulasta shot. I know it is different for everyone. You are ahead just in your knowledge, keeping in shape and knowing everything we are telling you!!It helps!!! Your winning attitude is key and know that will bring you thru it all. WATER.. drinking it all the tine is key too, Here for you!!SO bummed we did not connect at the walk!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michelle.. late but with heart! Hope it was a great one!!!
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Hi ALL..
lago.... Glad to hear that all is going forward and close to getting one under your belt. I know some never have reactions to the neulasta shot. I know it is different for everyone. You are ahead just in your knowledge, keeping in shape and knowing everything we are telling you!!It helps!!! Your winning attitude is key and know that will bring you thru it all. WATER.. drinking it all the tine is key too, Here for you!!SO bummed we did not connect at the walk!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michelle.. late but with heart! Hope it was a great one!!!
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Hi, ladies... I just got off the phone with someone from IL who needs help and asked me to post for her here. I know many of you know Irina, a Stage IV BCO member, who was put in a nursing home in Highland Park about a week ago, where she's having difficulty communicating her needs to the staff. When I spoke to her today, she remembered that there's at least one BCO member from Highland Park, and she's wondering if that person (sorry, she couldn't remember your name) could possibly call her and might be able to help advocate for her at the nursing home. Her daughter, who lives in the area, works full-time, so has not been available much, although she was planning to stop by today.
Believe it or not, she doesn't even know the name of the nursing home she's in, but I have her direct phone number for anyone who might be in a position to help her. Pleaase PM me and I'll be happy to tell you more and give you her phone number. Thanks! Deanna
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DEANNA - thanks for posting. I know who she spoke with, and unfortunately she is on vacation - outside of the U.S. However, I "think" she is able to check in here to see posts, but not 100% certain, if so, she will no doubt respond. PM me with the #...I/We will do whatever we can. Thanks for helping her...
And just fyi...we have tried to help Irena in the past...it somehow never "clicked"/ we were all unable to connect with her. Best wishes.
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Thank, Laura. I've just PM'd you.
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This is quite sad about Irena. Yes, so many of us have tried to help, but there has been historically a communication issue with Irina. It is not a language issue, but something else. There was a time when I asked my DH if she could stay in my home after treatments as her oncologist is mine and she always seemed so desperate with that drive back to Rockford. He told me that would make him feel uncomforatble, and I think he knew intuitively it would be a bad idea to go that path. Hopefully her daughter ( a cancer survivor herself of childhood cancer) will rise to the challenge. Again, this is so sad and I wish I knew what could be more proactive. I am sure the nursing home will call the daughter to help her mother during these troubling times.
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Laura, that's a funny reference (down like) because I just told friends this week I have "baby bird hair". It is growing in rapidly - much to my surprise! And I'm in the midst of Taxol treatments .... so I sure hope it holds tight and keeps growin'! Sad thing is - from what I can tell - it looks white 8-)
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Steph --- don't be too alarmed....the pigment will wake up before you know it and it will be whatever amazing color it may be --- mine was the same mousy brown --- just mildly darker and still as thin and fine as it always was -- but Oh the Joy of having REAL hair again anyway. I was not stunning like you are as a bald person --- funny shaped head and all --- but thank goodness not super vain.......so I made it through with scarves etc. I went through winter though.....so getting hair back to keep me warm was a total and perfect delight.
Hugs, Jackie
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Laura... yes, I think that I am seeing some down like stuff coming in. I sort of kept a little of that all through treatments, but I was hoping that it would start to look like more by now. Stephanie, what I do see of mine appears to be white also! Ooops. I had been a highlighted blonde for so long, who knows! This is going to be interesting. I just have to quit checking the mirror every 2 hours! I am just glad that I am really starting to feel so much stronger every day now. Tomorrow morning, I am starting back with my tennis league. I hope that I can last a whole hour and half on the court and that my doubles partner will have a little patience with me.
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Hi All,
I just had my very last chemo yesterday! Yeah!!!! It was a great day. Saw the radiation oncologist and was told that I don't need radiation - another Yeah!!! This will be the last weekend I feel crummy.
On the otherhand, my neices are a little sad that this is the last time Auntie will be coming to stay. I reminded them that I don't need an excuse to come and stay with them. I can come back and stay anytime they won't.
Hope everyone in treatment is feeling well.
Take care!
Carolyn
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Carolyn -- fantastic and how great that you can skip the rads. They are a fairly boring part let me tell you. Now it is onward and upward for you. In some ways.....waiting to get your se's out of the way for the last time seems somewhat slow, but before you know it --- it will all fade and you'll feel such a sense of accomplishment -- you really did it. Anyhow, very happy for you right now. Talk to ya'll later.
Hugs, Jackie
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Hi ladies! I'm woefully behind here, as usual, but I still wanted to touch base with everyone and say hi to all the new people. I'm glad you found your way here to this supportive and caring group of strong Illinois survivors.
I finally got my daughter moved back downtown for school. She attends Columbia and absolutely loves it there. It's nice that she can easily come home for weekends or just Sunday dinners too.
My DH and I recently returned from a fabulous cruise to the Mediterranean. This was a dream trip and definitely felt like I was crossing some things off my bucket list. There were a few works of art that I've always dreamed about seeing one day, and I managed to see several. I missed traveling with the kids, because I know they would have loved all the places we saw, but I have to admit, it was really special to just have that time away with my DH. This trip was to celebrate both of us turning 50, him on the cruise, and myself in a few weeks - and also to celebrate my 5 years since diagnosis. So we threw caution and credit cards to the wind and just DID IT. I have no regrets, it was worth every penny
On the health front, I'm playing phone tag with my surgeon so I can get an order for my breast MRI, which I've been doing once a year, alternating with a mammo. He said that he thought I'd be fine with just doing the mammos from now on, but I'm just not comfortable with that yet. My tumor was never seen on mammogram, but lit up like a Christmas tree on MRI - so I tend to feel more secure covering the bases diagnostically. He's a pretty easy-going doc though, so I'm sure he'll shake his head and just give me the order, even if he think's it's overkill at 5 years out.
Also made an appt. with the Plastics doc who did my original mastectomy/expander placement. After 3 recon surgeries with 2 other plastic docs, I realize that the only scar that I have that doesn't look horrendous was that original mastectomy one. So I'm going to have a consult with him and see if he can tell me why. I know I have hypertrophic scarring issues, and they are starting to hurt again, on top of being terrible looking. He is out of network and doesn't bill insurance at all, which is why I didn't use him for my recons initially - but I'm willing to pay to see if he has some ideas to help all this scarring.
Carolyn - Congratulations to you for finishing chemo. *WHEW!* It's such a relief to put that part of treatment behind you.
Bj - I'm finally going to try and get my DH and son to start that painting we talked about so many months ago. I can't wait for it to be done. Will send you pics!
Hugs all around,
Irene
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Irene: I went to Columbia College. Actually taught as an adjuct there for a few years in 2005-2007. What program is your daughter in?
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"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."
John N. Mitchell
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There is light during chemo. I have been pretty much normal since Wednesday and am loving it! I am looking forward to meeting some of you on the 8th. Take care all.
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Hi all, Unfortunately I lost track of this thread and just saw it again when it appeared on the "active topics" list. I'm sorry I haven't kept up and thank all that responded personally to me. I spend most of my time in the Stage IV forum as that is my diagnosis but of course the "illinois ladies" caught my eye.
I am giving a speech on Sunday for the American Cancer Society's Bark for Life event here and have posted it under the thread Bark for Life in Stage IV forum. The event centers around the caregiving qualities of our beloved canines and they asked me to speak again this year, so I've created a speech that touches on metastatic cancer which seems to be a neglected topic in the media. I mention this all so you can be aware of the event as they now have them around Chicago and suburbs after beginning with one last year.
take care all,
Teri
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Teri,
I went and read yout speech and just found it heartwarming.
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Iago - She's in her 2nd year there and is a Fashion Merchandising major... so far. Last year she had a class in Visual Merchandising and fell in love with that. This semester, she has a class in Design and claims to love that too! She initially wanted to work in show production, but I think she's going to stick with the more general Fashion Merchandising for her major. She also models, so this curriculum is a great fit for her.
What did you teach there? They have some really amazing programs. I wish I had them as an option back when I graduated high school. The film department is really cool. I know a guy who graduated from it a few years ago and he's working as an editor in LA now.
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I taught in the Graphic Design department. Columbia College is dangerous for creative people. There are so many interesting classes. You really do want to be a student for ever there.
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Just stopping by before I hit the sack..
Carolyn- double Horay~!!! for you~!!! done with chemo and no rad.... I am very happy for you..^^
I remember when my hair starting to grew back... I wanted to curly hair but that didn't happen and I got same straight dark hair back, oh well...
DH had another interview today, this is the 7th within 4month and it's up in Oregon... We'll see what happen and we both love Oregon...
Hi to everybody~~ and have a great weekend~!!!
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Gee I hope when my hair grows back it comes back straight again. I have no idea what to do with curly hair. My hair dresser of 13 years won't know what to do with it either. ;-)
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Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.
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Good morning. It's cool and I think over the next week or so will stay that way. I think we are doing one of those quick change things -- the ones I don't like. I like to go slowly into these changes -- not basically overnight. Sigh !!!!
Elf, I think Oregon is a beautiful state and I bet your kids would love it there too. Well, you know 7 is a lucky number. Lets hope this one takes.
Cook-out --- which may end up inside tonight at my BIL's. Doubt whether anyone expected the coolness. I had already decided on a hot dish so things should work out fine.
Hope you all have a great Saturday. Talk to you later.
Hugs, Jackie
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Lago, do you know Fred Nelson? He was in graphic design at Columbia.
Susan
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Carolyn - GOOD FOR YOU! No Mo Che-mo!
Teri - That's a great organization. Thanks for being a "voice" - (my Mom is a court appointed advocate for abused and neglected animals.)
lago - I went to Ray Vogue Design School - back in the day - lol! Back in the 80's it was on Michigan Ave across the street from Sax 5th Avenue. I studied Illustration and Visual Merchandising.
elf - Best wishes to dh!
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Morning! Wow.....cool out but so sunny and beautiful now that the leaves are changing!
Just wanted to stop by and say a big "YAY !!!!!" to Carolyn for being done with chemo!
And no rads? Lucky girl!!!!!!Yeah...I remember the down fuzzies....that came first and fell out and then the hair poked its head out. I think the fuzzies were sorta like the first wave, doing a little reconn to check to see if it was safe to come out! Mine came out a bit curly/wavy but it didn't last. It grew back a bit thicker so that was nice to see. Don't do what I did tho....start checking under your arms! I was half-way thru rads before I noticed that it had grown back. I was mortified. I actually apologized to the rad techs!
Gotta scoot....lots on the agenda today....hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy our wonderful fall weather. And Jackie....your hot dish for tonight will be very welcome!
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Morning! Wow.....cool out but so sunny and beautiful now that the leaves are changing!
Just wanted to stop by and say a big "YAY !!!!!" to Carolyn for being done with chemo!
And no rads? Lucky girl!!!!!!Yeah...I remember the down fuzzies....that came first and fell out and then the hair poked its head out. I think the fuzzies were sorta like the first wave, doing a little reconn to check to see if it was safe to come out! Mine came out a bit curly/wavy but it didn't last. It grew back a bit thicker so that was nice to see. Don't do what I did tho....start checking under your arms! I was half-way thru rads before I noticed that it had grown back. I was mortified. I actually apologized to the rad techs!
Gotta scoot....lots on the agenda today....hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy our wonderful fall weather. And Jackie....your hot dish for tonight will be very welcome!
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