Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi All,
Happy Fall. I've been enjoying the beautiful fall days.
Got a cute wig at Naturally Yours on Thursday. Then stayed at my sisters till today. The kids were happy to see me and wanted to know when I was coming over to sleep over again.
I'm getting my energy back. I've been doing some cleaning and some shopping - both of which tired me out before.
Happy Birthday Irene!
Hope everyone going through treatment is feeling well.
Take Care.
Carolyn
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~•♦•♦•♥• HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRENE •♥•♦•♦•~
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Hi Girls...It has been a while since I have posted, but have tried to read as often as I can. I am still dealing with a few issues, but doing ok. Looks like everyone is enjoying life and doing wonderful fun things!! That's what life is all about having fun and not looking back. Vacations, shopping trips, bike rides, lunches good for all of you for living life.
Happy Birthday Irene....wishing you a fun filled day. I am glad to hear that you finally got around to painting. I would love to see pics of the final project. I bet it looks amazing!!
Laura..thanks for posting the lunch bunch dinner date for all. I hope you all can come out and have some fun with us.
Carolyn...glad to see that all is well and you are feeling better. You go girl.
Zap...lunch with your teacher buds..how fun is that to reminisce with teaching stories. I was a teacher in a 3rd grade for 20 mins alone with a very rowdy class. aarrgg. I give you high praise for teaching our kids. Give me trauma any day. Band aids to the rescue. lol
Rita...going away for the holiday is fun. We alternate Thanksgiving and Xmas. It is the only time that we have family time all together. So off to the beach for us. It is sad that boating season is over but glad to see that you really enjoyed your pontoon boat. Boating season is only 6 months away but who is counting ! lol
Jackie...thank you for the lovely note. Yes I do love the Dash book. It is the book that keeps on giving. I love the website and thanks for sharing it with me.
Wendy...cleaning the man cave. I really need mine done as my holiday stuff is everywhere.lol A women's work is never done. lol I am taking next week off...lunch????? anyone.
Naveymom...sorry to hear about your vac....but being with loved ones is priceless no matter where you are.
Makmak..thanks for the alkaline diet info. Interesting reading. How was the pumpkin farm for Gabby? What is she being for Halloween this year. Need to see pics of that cute baby in her costume.
Lago... I think you said you live in downtown Chicago. DD wants to move down there?? Could you pm any safe places to ck out. We are just starting to look. So scary for me...
Will I am off to do my dreaded laundry and to get rid of this headache I have had for 2 days now.
Have a great Saturday everyone. Just think winter will be here soon......
Remember to be healthy...be happy... enjoy life. Hugs to all I missed and hope you all are doing well in your txs.
BJ
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Blackjack, always a thrill to see your name and the post to follow. You are always so upbeat.
Yes, it is good to reflect on how important this "place" is. So often I find myself talking about my "Breast Cancer friends" and good friends and family now know that means the Illinois Ladies on this thread. I call you "My Breast Cancer Blogger friends" which I am not sure is the right name.
If I can help plan for the Holiday Party, count me in. We can most certainly use my home, but I know we are seeking the best location for all people, so I will go wherever and help in any way I can. Paul and I are going to California in November and so the dinner will not work for me. We are going to spend time with my childhood friend and it is our first trip to California together.
Jackie, tomorrow I am going to the University of Chicago for the book talk on that book that is so you! I will let you know what happens. I am loving this book (Turquoise Ledge) as it appeals to my emerging spiritual side (naturally your side) and is helping me to discover that by golly I have one! I so want to go to New Mexico after reading this book. Only problem, she lives peacefully with snakes ........could be an issue!
Susan
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Hi Zap...Yes, we are a wonderful group of Ladies here. I was having dinner last night at Maggiano's and our favorite waitress came up to say hi and asked about all you lovely Lunch Bunch Ladies. She missed not seeing us. Then the manager came over and asked about us too. They wanted to make sure that we were all doing well. How nice was that!! I told them that we are all doing well. So I guess we need to make a lunch date there too. lol
I am so in the planning stage for our holiday get together. Suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated. Let me know what you all would like to do, meeting place is open too. Save the Date was emailed to you.
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It is late. Paul and I went downtown to see a play and it was so intense that I need computer time to wind down. I may be doing an all-nighter playing Jungle Jewel, it was that intense. All about the Lebanese Civil War of all things.
Just a followup on BJ's email. I thought that Maggianos was great when we had that room for the party. A home offers so much too, yet work for the hostess. I personally am fine hosting it but frankly my home is off the beaten track for most of the women further west. I would love to help with anything, however, so keep me in mind. My big back to teaching is not until February so I will have time.
Good night (I hope)!'Susan
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Feel Unity with Spirit and All Creation
All things share the same breath the
beast, the tree, the man... the air
shares its spirit with all the life it supports.
- Chief Seattle0 -
Morning! Sun is trying mightily to peek thru and I think it will...gonna be a warm one and I did put on shorts...may even grill for lunch! Lots of big t storms last evening by us...
BJ...I agree...you have been missed here! Always nice to see a post from you as you are always so upbeat...nice too that the waitress from Maggiano's remembers us and asks about us.
Susan...sounds like last night's play was really something! Hope you got to sleep...
Rita...you still have your boat in the water? Smart girl, esp with temps so warm. When do you take it out? With a pontoon couldn't you just keep it in for a bit...can always dress in layers..and fish are always biting! Wonderful way to spend an afternoon or an evening too - watching sunset.
I too refer to you guys as my BC friends...easier to differentiate my groups of friends. I really don't know what I would do without you guys...always someone around to answer a question, which I have this morning....
I finished chemo 3.5 years ago and my eyebrows did come and go 4 times that first year. Other hair/lashes were just fine. This past month I have noticed that I am losing a lot of brow hairs! They are really thinning fast...but I do see little hairs coming right behind. Is this normal??? I know our lashes/brows have a cycle that they go thru but I really do have less than half of them left. Really strange...but since they are growing right back, not too concerned. Or is this part of the new normal??? LOL
I have about 15 bags of "stuff" that will be leaving my house this week...all from the basement. Some garbage, some for recycling, some Goodwill stuff. And that was only part of the dungeon. Why oh why do I same this stuff? I guess with an unfinished basement it just was so much easier to throw it down there and wait for some day. Well...some day is here and it is outta here. Worked all day on this and today I think I will just veg and do some reading, some eating, some reading, maybe a nap! Nice way to spend a Sunday...
Hope everyone is doing well...think about you guys all the time. Thank you for always being there...really is a comfort to know that my support system is only a few keystrokes away, day or night, 24/7
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@ IRENE
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Quick question for any of the gals that had their chemo treatments at Rush. Did anyone have a good experience? So far everyone I talk to says no. I'm wondering if I should look elsewhere.
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I guess it's good that I didn't choose Rush... I can recommend a wonderful place in Evanston if you like? Call, email or PM me gal! Beautiful day today, mmmmmmm....
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Have a nice day girls!
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Ditto
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Wendyk13... interesting how long lasting this chemo stuff has on our bodies. Really??? Still having eye brow issues. I never completely lost my eye brows. They only thinnned some and do appear to be thickening up again now that I am almost 2 month past chemo. I don't think that I lost any eye lashes until a month post chemo and then only a few. My husband uses Latisse for eye drops due to eye pressure problem. I've been borrowing some for myself after a friend who went through this last fall said that she has been having success with it both on her eye lashes and eye brows.
So, I am spending most of the weekend on the couch with an ice pack and heating pad and numerous cups of green tea. Still having alot of discomfort after my fall. Darn! And I was really feeling so good before this happened. Sure hope things improve soon or I will be off to see my PCP next week. Rads..... 13 down, 14 to go! No side effects yet so I am very grateful for that.
Happy Birthday to Irene. Everyone have a good Sunday.
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New here, freshly diagnosed. I live in western suburbs of Chicago. I'm looking for recommendations for a talented but warm oncologist, preferably affiliiated with Good Samaritan hospital though any of the western suburban hospitals will do. Someone who listens.
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Hi Lisamom and welcome. I live quite a bit south but someone will be along soon to help you out with recommendations for your area. Hugs to you. Come here often. These ladies are great listeners and very smart.
Navy
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Lisamom- Welcome. I am in the western suburbs but go to Evanston for treatment. No help there. (c: But "onward" found an onc she likes very much and that is very accessible that works out of Elmhurst Hospital. I'm sure she'll be along soon.
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lago... once i was in the chemo room , it was fine for me. I do not know what a good chemo experience would be as I wanted to be sure ALL was understood for a triple negative patient and Dr Cobleigh was the one. You will get different opinions but it is what you feel and what you need in your upcoming weeks. I cannot say it was a bad experience, they just did not have the warm and fuzzy ways and having the skill and knowledge was more impt for me.
happy birthday irene.., may it be a GREAT day!!!
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I feel like ca ca.
I think it's finally catching up with me. Wiped out for days now. A few cold-like symptoms (need to take my temp!) but just blaaaahhhhhh!!
I'd had it randomly until now, only lasting a day at the most. But this is different. NO energy
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Stephanie - My heart goes out to you and others! HANG IN THERE! "It" is accumulative...but...it's do-able. I know EXACTLY how you feel (been there, done that)..as well as many of the girls here. Don't lose sight of the end of treatment. It may get worse before it gets better. Gawd...I hate what this disease does to women (and men)! Remember: ILLINOIS girls are TOUGH!
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Lago - sent you a PM regarding your question about Rush chemo.
Stephanie - being wiped out is definitely cumulative. Take it easy. If you must to do something try to do a little bit at a time and then rest. Things will get better.
Take care!
Carolyn
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I figured it would eventually happen. I'm 11 down, 5 to go .... and have been going and doing non-stop since surgery in June, so I shouldn't complain. Just not used to it {sigh}
I will start taking it easy and being more selective about my activities.
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Hang in there Stephanie! I only had 6 TX. The first two were such a breeze.... I was feeling pretty smart. Ha! The last one actually did not affect me as much as 4th and 5th. Guess that I was just more prepared for that last one. I work from home and am a very active person. I began promising myself a morning and afternoon rest break when I actually laid down in the bedroom and listened to my guided imagery CD which evertually put me in a deep sleep for about an hour. It really, really helped. You'll find something (daytime TV sucks)!
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Daytime TV sucks. What not into Gene Simmons Family Jewels or Billy the Exterminator! ;-)
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Afternoon ladies and a warm welcome to Lisa. These ladies are fabulous at helping you get answers and as well with major hand-holding. I'm 4 hrs. from Chicago so I can't give you any input with your question, but hope you will check back often.
Steph -- sorry to hear the chemo is going down a little hard. Your body pretty much tells you what it needs. After all the insults of killing off a major amt. of cells for several weeks it is not too surprising. You'll work it out it sounds like -- just be willing to pamper yourself to whatever extent is necessary. This is a little un-planned time out. When you think about it.....not so bad for the life-time you have already expended and not so terribly much for the rest of the great life time you intend to have. As is said --- this too shall pass -- but do be kind to yourself -- it won't hurt a thing and may help a great deal. Been there, done that, and it's the pits.....but when your in the pits pretty soon you'll notice your looking up.
Joan --- I too hope you are up and about feeling better soon.
Wendy --- seems unusual about the eyebrows and lashes. I lost all of mine -- totally, but after awhile they came back and I haven't paid much attention to them since. What I do find odd, but believe me, I'm really ok with it, is that the underarm hair never returned. Sm hairs on my arms returned....as well as everything below the waist, including legs......but I no longer shave my arms. Oh, the moustache... well, I never actually had one and thank goodness I don't now.
Beauty of a day today, but we are sitting here waiting for rain that is due tonight. This is one of those Fall days that should be spent at the orchard drinking cider and picking out apples to take home. Hope you all had a super day.
Hugs, Jackie
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Family Jewels... love it! Well, like it a lot. (c:
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Welcome to Lisa. I loved my onc (Highland Park) but I am not sure he is warm. Hard business to be able to remain warm for long, but he certainly was professional and I have total confidence in him. He is giving a talk at the Cancer Wellness Center in November (Northbrook) and if you would like to check him out, pm me and I'll send the details. It is about follow up the latest treament aftre surgery and may be just what you need to hear. But perhaps with your surgery so soon, that might not work.
Stephanie, sorry it has hit. I cannot remember if you are working or not. I know it may sound impossible, but my family forced me to get outdoors and walk. I actually felt better after those walks. So hard to do, however. I guess the chemo has to be ugly to kill ugly cells.
Susan
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Stephanie, I agree with Susan. Short walks really helped me during chemo. I came back with more energy. Just start and go a short distance. I think you'll see a difference in how you feel. Between that and a few naps, you'll get through it. It is just so hard for us to shift gears downward when we've been such active and busy women.
Welcome Lisa! I'm in central Illinois so I can't give you suggestions about oncologists and treatment centers but I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas from the northern gals. Come and see us often. This is a great group of gals. They certainly helped me through through the bumps of this journey and we'll all do the same for you. Tell us a little more about you when you have the time.
Hugs, Joan! It sounds like you're doing everything right to get back moving again. I feel for you. I have a back that gives me fits every so often. Besides being painful, it's just so hard not to be able to do all those things that you want to do and that need done.
Shopping day tomorrow with Mary Jane so I probably won't be checking in! We're really getting serious about our Christmas shopping! :-) We're heading for Springfield this time!
It's thundering and lightning here now. The new kitten doesn't like the thunder.
Well, I'm off here for the night! I hope everyone had a good weekend.
Rita
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Hi All, Day 6 Round #3 of A/C. Two days down, feeling a bit better but foggy this morning. Had major stomach pain this week. Never had that before. Feel like a slug.
Welcome Lisa, I sent you a PM on my Onc. And I also sent one to Laurie, sorry, chemo brain, just delete. Joan, hope you are on the mend. And NavyMom, count me in on your disapointment. We canceled our trip to Aruba due to treatments. Oh well, I guess I would rather stay in the states until treatment is over anyway. LIE!
I am going to really try to do some walking each day. Have to get out of this house and anytime someone takes me out, all I hear is coughing and want to run back to the car. I think I am getting germphobic...Hopefully will be posting a pic of my new bald head today. Love you guys. Caryn
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Just lost my last post..grrrr. Ginger,Stpehanie, and Joan.. HANG in there!!!!There will be no pattern in feelling good , having littlle or no energy. all of us repsonds different to chemo and especially accumulatively. IT is so important to have peace in honoring where your body is at and rest when it is needed and be ok on that. I felt so much anxiety as I wanted to do more or be up and not couch ridden etc. This is jounrey where you are to have self care and to be not pushing anything!!! I know it is so hard and do what your body is telling you, it will make all of the tx;s that much easier!!!(if that is possilbe!!)As you get thru each tx, it is that much closer to the end!!!!
lago....Do what YOU think is best. I always went to the chemo nurse for questions or a fellow. I also went directly to Dr cobleigh when i had a very high fever and called her after my neulasta shot!!Be at peace what is best for YOU right now.. it is your jounrey!!!!
Will be off today and have alot to do as have some meals to do for a firend whose dad just died, getting ready to go to a nephews wedding and then goin to NY this weekend to see my DAD .Things are changing there and we are always on edge to know what we will be able to do if we can still keep him in his house.
Hugs,'
Donna
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