Illinois ladies facing bc

Lisa - Well I'm glad to hear you got the surgery behind you. I also had an extended stay after my mast. because I couldn't stop vomiting. Bleh... I was in such a fog from all the meds, I can't believe you are already using your Blackberry! LOL.. good for you. Also, my daughter was 14 when I was diagnosed, and in hindsight, I wish I'd talked to her more about it. I was so afraid of scaring her, that I think we kept too quiet. It made her not as open to talking about what she was going through as well. She's in college now, and I have seen her get all teary-eyed a few times when something came up regarding my cancer. It's very hard to know that she's still so scared for me, but at least now I do try and talk more directly with her and bring her fears into the light.

Wishing you all the best with your recovery.

Mandy - I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this.  Recovering from a lung surgery and going through chemo?  You are definitely fighting like a girl!  Glad you found your way here, there is a lot of support to be had from these lovely ladies.

One of my coworkers is your age and lives in Lakemoor, and while she doesn't have breast cancer at this time, she did find out she is BrCa positive. So, her plan is to have a second child, then have a bilat. mast. and oopherectomy. She's determind to do all she can to prevent the beast from ever happening.   

Hi, I am new here too. I am happy to have found this forum. I was just diagnosed this past October. I had a lumpectomy on Oct 26 and a sentinel node biopsy. I am still recovering and have yet to see my onchologist-I couldn't get in until the 19th. I saw the radiologist though.She told me not to quote her on this, but the oncologist usually goes with 12 wks chemo and she will follow with 33 radiation tratments. I had two tumors and 1 node come up positive. So it has been a confusing time. I get info in bits and pieces. No one in my family has had any sort of cancer, so I have j have been learning as I go along, reading. Anyone I have around me that has had cancer has much different circumstances. It is nice to come across women that can relate.

Morning all.dark on deck but 50 degrees so not too bad.  These past few days have been so nice that I can't believe the Christmas tree will soon be going up.  Lots of people home yesterday and putting up decorations outside...looks strange to be in shorts, with Santa next door...

Mandy....so sorry you had to find us.  Wow.  chemo during lung ca surgery?  Didn't know they could do that.  And honey...you ARE a survivor!  You became one the same day you were dx'd!  I too am Her2+ and consider myself so lucky that I could get the Herceptin as it was only ok'd for early stage cancers in November 2006 and I started chemo in January.  So far I am doing well and feeling great.  You are so young to have to deal with all of this.  Too young.  But then, I guess we are all too young for cancer, no matter how old we are.

Lisa....in the hospital, following major surgery, with problems....and on your blackberry!  Now there's an IL girl for you!

Hopefor tomorrow.....welcome to our world!  Not much fun to have cancer, but we try as a group to make it easier if we can.  Come here often....we've been where you are.  And I see that you are in Carol Stream...I'm not far from you, just in South Elgin.  Where are you going for treatment?

Iago....yeah I know you can keep your license for 8 years but as we age, I think you have to go every 4 for the vision, and then for the written...and then when I am REALLY old, I think the road test.  I am seriously plotting on how I can "lose" the license and get a new  picture...LOL.  I looked at DH's from last year tho and he too looks orange and his was taken in December so no tan there either....must be the cameras.

Jackie...thank you for your service.  But I still get a bit angry that you had to leave home to have your rads!  I would think the VA could have arranged it differently.  But....the important part was that you got the rads.

Joan...today is the last rads, right?  Yay!!!!!!

My impression about scars and husbands....I really don't think most men care what we look like, or what is missing.  They just want us!  We are the ones who mind.  I have a small scar, hardly noticable, and it bothers me.  Not that it impacts my life, but it reminds me every day that I have cancer, or had it.  I think the biggest problem we all have is that we finish all our treatments and then we expect our old life back.  It ain't coming back!  But the new normal, once you get used to it, isn't so bad.  So wear a camisole, or a t shirt if you want.  And remember that intimacy starts in your brain.  You'll find your "mojo" again....it's still in you...just dig around for it!  From watching all those Viagra commercials...maybe all we need to do is sit in a bathtub, next to our husband who is in his own bathtub...obviously this is how is all works.

Oh c'mon....you laughed.  Aren't I right?  those ads all have bathtubs in them....very strange.

Off to shower and then to the gym.......have a wonderful day all!  Do something fun and remember to LIVE!!!!

Wendy - I don't get the Viagra bathtub connection either - especially in an open field with no running water - it must be an inside joke :-)

Book it Lago!  Off to buy a pretty scarf at Kohls or Target as I can't wait until 10.  Here's hoping I can stay awake.  Opera is a bit snoozie.  Have a great day all.

"I am optimistic and confident in all that I do. I affirm only the best for myself and others. I am the creator of my life and my world. I meet daily challenges gracefully and with complete confidence. I fill my mind with positive, nurturing, and healing thoughts."
Alice Potter

I did laugh right out loud about the bath tubs. And you know what, it is wierd!

Mandy your attitude is wonderful. The journey has twists and turns and you will find everyone here so supportive and helpful.

I do think there is a difference if you have had a mastectomy versus a lumpectomy. But I agree they love us and just want us to be here.

I keep going back to my husbands comment it has been the best year and the worst year. Best because it has brought a much deeper love to an already good marriage. One of the hidden blessings in all of this I guess.

hopefortomorrow there are wonderful sites with so much information on breast cancer. See if your oncologist or breast surgeon has a resource for you.  I got a great book on breast cancer from my breast surgeon free, she just hands them out to all of her patients.

The Living Well Center in Geneva has a great resource library as well. If you are not in that area there may be a resource center for cancer patients and their families your surgeon or oncologist can tell you about.

Have a blessed weekend everyone

First of all.... welcome to all the new ladies.  Mandy, Zogo, HopeforTomorrow... did I miss anyone?  I am so glad that I found this wonderful group of Illinois ladies and I know you will be too.  Unfortunately, our group seems to be growing.... yes, too much breast cancer in the world.

I finished my last radiation treatment today!  Big YEAH!  It has been a long 8 months since diagnosis in March, BMX in April, chemo during May-August and radiation the past six weeks.  Someday I may actually sit down and count how many doctor appointments that was.... oh, well, maybe NOT!   Like many of you have said, it is not fun, but it is doable.  But, OMG, it takes so much patience.  And now waiting to get some hair back so I won't be freezing my bald head all winter.

I guess now is when I ask, "what now?"  I will be seeing my ONC on Nov 22nd and see what my next steps will be for me.  I know that he wants me to start on Arimidex soon and I am not looking forward to that.  I have not had any scans yet and wonder when that will be put on my calendar.  I still have my port and will need to do a TE exchange sometime this spring.  So, I surely don't feel like I am on any "survivor" list yet.

I was going to go to London this weekend with my DH, but his schedule got changed and the one day delay in my rad schedule kept me home.  So, we are going out tomorrow to celebrate the end of treatment.  Everyone have a wonderful, wonderful weekend.  I am thinking of you all.

Joan  

Joan - Congratulations on completing your radiation treatments.  I finished mine at the end of August and started Arimidex the next day.  So happy not to have a daily appointment.  Enjoy your freedom.

Lago- I give you two thumbs up for eat Kim chi right out of the jar...  wow...   I never been to Kang Nam..   I agree with you, I think we should have get together at the Korean restaurant..

Susan- Korean BBQ is you cook at your table and eat..  I don't know what kind of Korean food you tried in CA but most of American people likes Bulgogi (thin slice of beef and Veggies) and Chapchae...   If you goggle Korean Food, you will see all the pictures..

Joan- You should do the happy dance~!!!  Enjoy your trip because you dserve~!!

Buddy- I am very glad you are doing better...   You've been through so much and I can't wait for you to do a happy dance...   We need to set the date for lunch soon... 

HopeForTomorrow- Welcome and come often we are all here for each other..

Rajkumari- Nice to meet you and you've been a survivor for few years, that's great~!!

WendyK- OMG, yes, I laughed...  what's up with the Viagra commercial, it just so strange..

Carolyn- Sorry to hear that you still have a drain and you can't do the surgery..  hang in there..

Well, I had very strange feeling all day yesterday and I just didn't know what it was but I was keep thinking of my fil and felt like I need to call him but I didn't..  Then my sil called me this afternoon and telling me that fil is at the hospital... bummer...   I knew I should call him when my guts telling me to yesterday but I waited so I can call him with my dh and kids today.. isn't that strange or what??  He passed out after breakfast so sil and mil called 911...  He said he wasn't feeling good and asked to check his sugar level then it happened...  According to sil, fil didn't drink enough water and got dehydrated..  he is on low calories diet since Auguest and he lost 30 pounds and he thought if he drink more water, he will gain back so his been drinking one bottle (20 ounce) a day..  They did few test and everything was clean and normal, thank god..  but he is gonna stay overnight at the hospital and they found out he has little bit of sinus infection and taking med for that too..    I hope he learned his lesson from this.. 

Hey, guess what, I ordered brand new shoes and they are on the way from CA..  can't wait to try them on...  lol

Have a great weekend everyone~!!!

To be a person of true greatness...
Live with honor.
Respect yourself.
Respect others.
Act honorably.

Author unknown 

'

Morning!  Yuck.  49 and drippy and gray (or is that grey?) on the old deck this am but no snow like in the Twin Cities...9-12 inches DH heard...seriously?  Nope.  Not ready for that.  Don't care that the snowblower has been tuned up and is ready to go.  Nope.  Not ready.

Susan...I was soooo laughing about the Viagra comment.  Now...you guys know I absolutely LOVE my husband but to say he has 2 left feet when it comes to dancing would be a compliment and he knows this.  So, I read him your nephew's comment and we laughed and then I said....wait for it...maybe he should take some Viagra.  Well...complete silence, realizing what I had just said to my husband of almost 33 years...and then the laughter came, gales of it.  Thanks for starting off our Saturday so great!  Take Viagra and Dance!  (OK, yes, it is Cialis as Iago pointed out to me so well...actually I did know this but everyone gets the jokes about Viagra...even a small child)

Jackie....still want to know why TWO bathtubs and I love the newer one where she's washing dishes and he stops her and then all the water starts flowing.  Heck...if DH came into the kitchen and stopped me from doing dishes...I would let him finish up and I would go sit on the couch with my feet up.  Heck with the bath in the woods....dishes first!

Joan....aren't you glad its over?  Arimidex is a pain, literally...but it's only for 5 years and if it can help, I think its worth it.  I have a bit less than 1.5 years and I will be glad to be done...I think.  Once again I think I will face the "what now" question.  But as Scarlett said, "I will think about that tomorrow".

Elf...so sorry about your FIL, sounds like he will be just fine tho.  DH and I rented "Sex in the City II" last night and I was so thinking about you...those shoes!!!!!!  I really need to go to DSW and get some heels...those bronze sparkle heels she had on with the white dress in the beginning?  Really need those.  Now...the questions is...will you teach me how to walk in those things????  LOL

Laura...yeah...you need to send out the search light for Connie!  Maybe Mich101 too...I miss them!

Carolyn....I am really sorry that your surgery got pushed back.  BUT.....better safe than sorry...you wouldn't want to go thru this all over.  How's work going?  Hope you are getting enough rest on the weekends...

Buddy...glad too you are doing better but another surgery is planned?  Listening to what you girls have gone thru with the Mx and recon makes me once again realize how easy I had it.  I was a lucky girl for sure in cancerland.  Hey....dead corn????  Send me a pic! (newbies...this was a joke from last fall/winter)

Mandy....your kids are so young.  And did I get that right?  Two different cancers?  Did they find the bc while they were dx'ing and tx'ing your lung cancer?  I see you live in Wauconda...DH and I discovered Lindy's Landing this year...we personally think the burgers there are the best and we LOVE their potato salad.  Yum.  It's a pretty fair drive for us but during the warm weather we don't mind as we sit outside and watch the lake/boats.

Onward/Adey/Navymom....sounds like you are all doing pretty well and are getting on with life.

Ginger....hope you are enjoyng your weekend!

Everyone else.....hope your Saturday goes well.  I am off to meet DH at Panera's for a BAGEL, but only one cream cheese!  Not falling for that again!  Stay warm...and dry!

Hi Ladies,

Haven't been here for awhile.  My four year check up was a disaster.  Perfect Mammogram followed by a bad check up and two biopies later...I'm back in cancerland.  I know have six PILC tumors on and in my left breast.  I will start AC on Wednesday and follow it up with more chemo making my trip 20 weeks of chemo. After that they will remove myl left breast along with all the skin.  I will have skin grafting from my back, stomach, butt, etc.  whereever they need to get enough skin.  I see my plastic surgeon on Tuesday.  Then after the surgery they will hit me with chemo or hormones. It all seems so unreal to go from a little Stage I, Oncto score of 9, no nodes, 1 cm small cancer to something that they can't even stage.  The Tamoxifen and the Onco totally failed me.  I am scared to death of chemo and all that is ahead of me.  I trust my doctors but live in fear again for my life.  I hope none of you ever get recurrences.  My PET scan was clean except for a thyroid nodule which they are going to biopsy the day after my second chemo injection.  God help me...sorry to be a downer but wanted to update you old timers from 2006.

Take care and live life to the fullest,

Nancy 

Wendyk13 - Its very possible we crossed paths and never knew it. We too sit out on the deck by the bar. I'm not sure exactly what shoes you are talking about but I'd get them. Life for me right now is NOT about being practical its about being HAPPY! That awesome vacation, the fancy piece of furniture, re modeling the bathroom etc. If ya can swing it DO IT!!!!  

Illinois Nancy, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through right now.  It does not seem fair, but this disease never was.  I do  ( at least I think ) recall you.  I started posting  in late 2007 just after diagnosis and lumpectomy.  I will be praying your current tx. plan gets you back to where you want to be.  I'm sure many others here will be adding prayers as well.  Please come often.

Hugs, Jackie