Illinois ladies facing bc

zap & rita,     I've still been out and about, walking & such.    I spent the weekend out of town with girlfriends and we were active.    Not extra ambitious, but active enough.    My oncologist nurse (friend of 30 years)  suggested I call the 24/hour patient advisory nurse last night.   Having a slight fever, getting winded going upstairs, and coughing when I try to take a deep breath.....  she was fearing pneumonia or something similar.     After a litany of questions over the phone, they suggested I REST, eat what I can  (haven't been hungry) drink plenty of fluids (which I am) and use a vaporizer or steam shower if I can.     And call them back if symptoms worsen before my Wednesday appointment.

I slept well.    Feel a little better today I think  (haven't really been up long enough to tell yet). 

Onward/Steph -- I think most of us went through a period where we readily became deeply suspicious of anyone who sounded a little hoarse, or coughed and a sneeze -- now well, that produced real fear.  I thank the powers that be......I "came down" with nothing where others and their colds and other maladies were concerned.  First round of taxotere though I did get a case of esophageal thrush ( no fun -  definitely no fun ) and for all of my chemo's ( 8 in all ) I would go at least a week and not eat more than a spoonful or two of something -- the appetite was SOOOO gone.  It is cumulative as mentioned but you do get through it --- maybe a little ragged around the edges......but you'll look back later on and admire your own strength and perseverance.  You are saving your own life ( with some help ) and that is a mighty big thing. 

I think I have put this quote I used in before, BUT it is one of the ones that speak to my heart and when I saw it --- just couldn't pass it up.  Felt a little disloyal to do it.  If you remember it from before I hope it still has meaning. 

I'm headed for my usual Monday.  There is comfort in routine though I admit now and then I long for the days when I wasn't working 7 days a week.  Things will slow at some point and I will get to do more ( the really fun stuff ) in time.  As they say " Patience please Lord, but hurry".

Hope you all have a marvelous Monday.

Hugs, Jackie

Stephanie - Could it be that your red blood count is low? I had similar s/e's during chemo and mine were low. One injection of Aranesp did the trick.

Yes, remember being a germophob.  I was teaching at the time and wanted to wear a mask but I was trying so hard to keep on the job and a mask would have been poor PR.   That was when there was a whooping cough epidemic and I was able to get the inoculation for it easily even though there was a waiting list.  I did not have all the infusions you ladies are having and doubt I could have kept up if I did.  Number one was a breeze and number four was awful and so it goes. I so remember the shortness of breath upon minimal exertion and THAT freaked me out.  I did call on that and they said to rest up and not to take the mile walks I was doing. I was getting short of breath at 1/2 mile and I also recall the living under the rock times,  My head was just mush.

Marina, it is probably better that I don't know when you go for the scans this week so I don't bug you.  Please do know my thought and prayers for strength are with you.

I work half day today and I so love that!  Donna, do you love those assignment as much as I do?

Lago,what did you learn that you can share with us at the conference?

Take care,

Susan

Lago you crack me up.. but I agree I feel sometimes I know more than some of the nurses or Onc's.. based on my research and this board!!   My scan is this week, and I will definitely post as soon as I know which is the same day!!!

I am on board with the germaphobes.. As some of you know I still don't hug people.. (lots of good it did me as I sit here with a runny nose..) well.. Gabs is an exception.. the little stinker got us ALL sick!! me, my DH and Nanny.. won't let the older two come over so they stay healthy.. but at least we'll all get better by my vaca with DH in 12 days!!  

Basically during tx I didn't go out in public at ALL.. I did my daily walks outside and played with the baby.. only allowed the kids and my parents and in-laws over.. after they sanitized their hands.. This was all after getting sick in the first month of tx.. before my immune system went down even.. So after that I was OK..

I too like Susan took daily walks during tx and I did my stair machine and juiced to help my energy levels. I also only eat vegetables and a little seafood which I think helps as well.. but that's a whole other topic..

Beautiful out!! Really enjoyed my walk.. off to lunch with a friend...

Marina

If you're out and about tomorrow, wear a backpack filled with bricks! lol  ; )

Bracing weather: High winds to sock Chicago area

A high wind warning has been issued for the Chicago area Tuesday when a strong cold front could touch off one of the strongest storms to hit the Great Lakes region in decades, with winds clocking at more than 55 mph.

A squall of thunderstorms is expected to rake the area around daybreak, followed by strong winds throughout the day and into Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/blog/

Great.. just what I need to think about since I need to get my tx and CT on Wed.. oh well.. hopefully the doctors and nurses make it..

LOL

Hey Joan...hope your "injuries" are better. If not...have you tried a pain patch? dh uses them occasionally and swears that they "really work"...just saying!

Thanks to those of you who asked me to introduce myself... so nice to be talking about something besides cancer.

I am a mother of four, a 13 year old girl (she's a tumbler, cheerleader and dancer), a 12 year old boy (the intellectual in the family, plays the cello with the Chicago Youth Symphony -- can I brag here, is that OK?), twin 9 year old girls, different as night and day, one a talented soccer player, the other interested in the performing arts, mainly singing, she can belt out a pretty fair version of "Don't Rain on my Parade" -- again, is it OK to brag on here?)

I am married to a wonderful and supportive man, we have been together since college, we are now 47 and 48.  I am a transplant from Boston, though now that I have lived in Chicago since 1992, it's home. 

I work full time, in IT, which I generally enjoy but is sometimes too demanding, and I'm very worried about keeping up during treatment. 

I am from a family with a very strong family history -- every other female in my maternal family tree is BRCA positive, I am not.   My aunt lost her battle with breast cancer over twenty years ago -- glad treatment options have come such a long way since then, every other person in my family is doing fine, including my 75 year old aunt, who is, at this point, a 50 year survivor.  

Looking forward to connecting further..... I am still at the very early emotional stage of this disease (does that ever end?).  Still can't believe that it is happening to me. 

I love my kids so much, this will forever change the course of their childhood, that's the part that just makes me so angry. 

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!  Turning 50 was a little emotionally complicated, since it's 50! which used to sound SO OLD... but at the same time, I'm not in a position to complain about still having birthdays!  I know you guys can understand that.

My wonderful DH actually threw me a surprise party, and I still can't believe he (with the help of my kids) pulled it off.  So many old friends and family were there, it really made me feel so blessed.   

LisaMom - Sorry you are a new member here, but I'm glad you found this wonderful group of supportive ladies.  Of course you can brag about your kids!  Being proud of your kids is a one of the joys in life. 

I'm from the south shore (Randolph). Currently live in Lincoln Park. It's not quite as cool as Logan Square but it is still wicked nice or would that be pissa?

Today I was in the elevator and this nice older lady who always comments on my artsy jewelry said something about my short hair. She seemed shocked that I cut it off. I told her I had to cut it because I was loosing it but it will come back. She looked at me and said "breast cancer?" Ends up she too has been through this journey. She seemed very upset that I was going through this… more upset than me I think.

Lago:  I can relate to the lady in the elevator.  I sat and cried just 2 days ago as I read an obituary for a woman who lost her four year battle with BC.  The Obit.  caught my eye because I thought the name was familiar.  But after reading it I realized that I did not know her after all.  So I cried for a stranger and then I knew that I was crying for myself, too.  And I also knew that I was crying for ALL of us.  So the next day a good friend of ours calls to tell us that Franks wife passed away.  Well, I did not put it all together but that was the lady that I was crying about.  I had only met the Husband twice before and it was several years ago and I had just met her in June.  Since I have been diagnosed I know 5 other women who have also been diagnosed.  I just want a cure already!!!

Thanks for listening to my vent.

Lisamom and Lago:  So very fun to read your posts about Boston.  BTW I don't think I have ever said "wicked" to described anything quite like you two did!!      Thanks for the smiles

Navy

Good morning.....well, maybe not so good up North.  Storm came thru here a bit ago....my word.  I seldom wake up to just rain.....but there was so much hitting the roof that the noise was quite loud.  Wind -- nuts hitting the roof --- a lot of my roof is metal....so you hear it.  Tons and tons of leaves down too.....no  matter how many we had gotten up......we are covered again.

I know the wind may be a BIG issue up Chicago way today......hoping you all do ok.  I'll be thinking of you.  Storm passed here so only a mild breeze and it will continue to lighten up all day. 

Hugs, Jackie