Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Almost forgot. Jackie's icon reminded me of this picture.
It makes me smile every time I look at it.
0 -
Morning all! 9 on my deck so bundle up...at least the streets are clean and dry.
Webu...welcome to our little corner of the world! So sorry you are here tho. I too am triple +, did 6 rounds of carboplatin/taxotere with a year of Herceptin. Still kicking after 4 years! I was very lucky in that chemo really caused me no side effects. Very lucky girl was I!
Carolyn.....I sent you an email. Let us know how you are doing. My fort is open anytime you need it!
Smerf...OUCH!!!!! And was laughing at your "expensive" comment! I remember 3 days after moving out here I sliced off the tip of my R thumb with a mandolin and couldn't find an urgent care center so ended up at the ER, just asking where one was. They fixed me up as I couldn't do it with my L hand. And then I got the bill....WHOA!!!!!!!! I should have framed my thumb! Hope it is feeling better and yes, you'd be surprised how much we need our thumbs!
BJ.....hope today finds you feeling better!
Lago....weight lifting/training is great for LE. Slow and steady in the beginning tho...I went from 10-15# back down to bitty one pounders after surgery and slowly worked back up to 10 over the course of a year, per my surgeon. I don't use a sleeve for exercise but always for flying. With the fact that you have LE now, not using a sleeve while working out concerns me...don't know how it could make it worse. Just make sure to ALWAYS wear the sleeve AND gauntlet together. That being said...you already have great info from Binney. Please be careful tho!
Jackie...I am so glad you got your box! Yes, BJ is just wonderful with things like that!
Rene....I really am glad you were able to get your bx done and in the office. But of course....now the waiting game. I am loving Words with Friends! Hopefully too it was too much salt. That happens to me and my rings always get tight in the warm weather...or when I go from freezing cold and a warm house. Hopefully no LE for you...
I was dx'd with VERY early stage osteopenia a year ago...and it was my first bone density test...done after I had been on arimidex for 2 years. Fast forward to this past July and my onc says...well, we need to start you on zometa. HUH????? I had to remind him that this could indeed be normal for my age and we don't really know where I was to begin with. I also told him my fears re: jaw necrosis and he told me not to worry, that it was extremely rare. But then continued to tell me how important he felt it was for me and preventing bone mets. And really...don't worry about jaw necrosis. He only has 4 patients in his practice that that happened to. HUH?????? FOUR????? In your practice alone?????? I turned down the zometa for now...until I get my next bone density this spring. I have raised my D level, increased my strength training and am hoping that keeps me at an OK level. If I reach osteoporosis, or near that...I will probably do something then. Probably. Maybe. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH.......
Connie/Mich101....I thought you guys were doing "ok" on actonel. Sorry that is not the case. Were your se's mainly esophageal?
Ginger....LOVE your hair!
Marina.....How's your daughter? OK? So happy you got in that trial. My onc told me about it for info purposes but of course I would not have been included. I think the doc running it is a personal friend of my onc. Am hoping for GREAT results out of this trial...and of course for you!!!!!! On a selfish note...as this vaccine goes thru trials and if it succeeds it may be that one day I too could get this vaccine to add to my arsenal so a big THANK YOU for doing this not only for yourself but for all of us Her2 gals!
Adey, Onward, Elf, Char, Navymom, Joan, Laura, Jan, Rita....everybody else and yes I figure I am forgetting some but it is early and I need another cup of coffee. Have a wonderful Saturday everyone...don't know what I will be doing...but I will be wearing long underwear!
0 -
Joan I think I might be a 0 or I myself since the swelling seems to be almost gone today. I too think it's spending time at the computer. Guess we need to get up and do more.
Elf your husband's job will happen. We have been going through that for a long time and my husband landed 2 jobs last week. Believe it or not he went to a job fair at DePaul for those contacts! Prior to that he was doing all the networking, linkedin etc. Lots of bad luck. Almost getting job offers then the company gets purchased by another. Company all of a sudden not doing well and deciding not to hire. Lots of job discrimination… but he kept plugging and actually got these 2 great offers. It will happen. There are still jobs out there.
Yes there is lots going on here but I have to do sort of a drive by because I have to get ready for my nieces bat mitzvah. Wore the wig last night for 5 hours. It was ok but I still prefer the scarves. The bangs cover half my face. Hey, I want to show off my eyelashes while I still have a few left. ;-)
Be back tomorrow. Keep warm everyone.
0 -
"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world."William Shakespeare
0 -
Morning girls...just a quick hi to all on the very cold Saturday. Well school is out for winter break yeah...but as for me I missed the last 3 days. Have not been feeling well so off to the onc for meds. Hoping to get this pain under control. I just need 2 weeks off !!
Carolyn...you are in my prayers and I do hope that you get some answers soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are. We are all here for you.
Welcome to all the new girls here.
Rene...glad you were able to get your biopsy done. Now check that off your list. My onc is looking at that new drug dembrosome?? for osteoporosis which I have now. Dexa in my left hip is bad so I really need something. I put this on my list for next year.
Jackie...Santa sent you and early gift. Hope you enjoyed the smiles and the goodies. Santa had you on the nice list this year. hehehe
Laura....thanks for following up on that call. keep me posted.
Wendy...how was lunch with the kids. Yummy !! Oh and I don't like to lose at words with friends hehe.
Lago...sorry to hear about your arm. I know if I spent to much time at the computer my left arm will get sore. I just elevate at night and it is fine in the am. Hope it is better soon.
Elf...are your kids seeing Santa soon. I bet they are so excited. Saw a really cute pair of sparkle silver flats and thought of you!! You are the sparkle shoe girl. Maybe Santa will put a new job under the tree for dh and you?
Smerf....how is your thumb doing? .No cleaning or house work for a few days for you. Please get well soon. Did you have fun in NY?
To everyone else I missed hope you are enjoying these last few days before Santa comes. I know I will not be visiting the malls as they are to crowded for me.
Stay warm and have a wonderful Saturday.
Remember to be healthy...be happy..enjoy life.
BJ
0 -
Morning.....after such a long day yesterday. Must have started out tired as I usually can do a little better with things.
Anyway -- Bj ( I'll write a personal note ) thank you so much for the X-mas box. It was such fun and just what I needed. I opened the tea and had some right away.....maybe that is what so soothed my hard day. Once again I did feel very much like I was there. To all of you who wrote out a card......boy, did I ever feel special. I have always felt so much a part of the Chicago area/Illinois Girls.....even though a little over 4 hrs. away. I'd say that I thank my lucky stars -- if I actually believed in luck but I don't. I just believe the universe often will provide exactly what or who you need in any given situation to help you across many of the hurdles you will face in your lifetime. Collectively you are all the who and always when thinking of you I feel sincere and very deep gratitude. You have all helped color my attitudes so tremendously --- gave me such a sense of peace and security that life would go on and sparked the joy once again of my personally wanting to do as much as I'm able for others.....especially the animal kingdom.
Hmmm, one of the hardest things for me to control --- getting a bit smarmy. So onto some other things......My ring is often tight in the a.m. when I get up and during the day I have to stay 'aware' of how loose it seems to have become. I've lost wt. and thought a time for two to have it cut down....but nervous for the above tendency.
Rene' --- hoping your test results please you. Glad you could get by with having it done in the office. Just the pits to have to wait. Rene'....that is an adorable picture with the penguin. I saved mine some time ago --- knowing we'd likely have some weather that would make it appropriate. I saved your pic because it is realy adorable.
Connie and Mich....I hate hearing your having Actonel/Fosamax reactions. Hope you can both find a middle ground. It is a serious problem.....and you are both so young. New things come up and maybe something better will be developed......soon, please.
Well I need to get going.....I need to take Maggie some breakfast. She won't get out yet. The streets are ok.......but still too much ice around her house. I told her not to go out as her driveway is on an incline. She did so anyway day before yesterday, came home, could not get her car up the driveway and had to crawl on all fours to her door to get back in her house.
We are talking about an 88 yr. old woman, 5'3 who weighs about 80 pounds. She is quite frail and I'm sure it was horribly embarrassing for her. Obviously Maggie is headstrong and used to doing what she wants and is not going to give up believing that she can't ---sigh !!!! Hope she listens to me next time. I might add for the fun of it.......her car is a huge bright red Monte Carlo, Chevrolet. What a gal !!!!!!!!!!!! Ok really have to go.................I'll check in later on you .Hugs, Jackie
0 -
Have a nice Saturday, everyone. Keep warm - it's nice that the sun is shining.
0 -
Carolyn, Thinking of you today and hoping that you are having a better day. I am so sorry that you're facing another challenge. Keep fighting! My thoughts and prayers will be with you!
Rita
0 -
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
- The Buddha0 -
Carolyn - Hugs to you.
Re: Fosomax, I was dx with osteoporosis on my first dexa scan so my gyn prescribed Fosomax. I debated for a month and then finally started taking it. I too had some esoph. issues. The pill always felt like it was stuck in the bottom of my throat, burps that felt like they were stuck, etc. The side sffects weren't terrible, but thinking that this was just the beginning of worse esoph problems, I stopped taking it a month ago to see if there was a diff. I haven't talked to my gyn about it yet either. I continue to take extra calcium and D3, however, I'm still not exercising
(other than dog walks). I will see my gyn in Feb.0 -
Did anyone here about taking vitamin C, E, and Zinc after surgery to help in the healing. I was told this by a friend who suggested it. She said alot of doctors dont talk about it, so I wanted to see if any of yu gals have heard about it. Thanks Paula
0 -
Hi All Illinois Gals! Have not posted on here for awhile. I am still overseas but will be coming back to Chi city in early January. Will catch up with everybody and the newbies then.
Prayers for Carolyn.
I have a new development since my DCIS about 4 years ago. Last summer I developed a swelling in my left suprclavical area. My medical oncologist did 4 CT scans as the swelling could indicate metastatic cancer. I have to return for a repeat CT to see if micronodules in the lungs are anything. I think they are more likedly to be related to my past history of a couple of cases of pneumonia so I am not freaking out.
I have been doing my "Doctoring" at Northwest, but it is such a drive. Furthermore, there are a couple of things that happened during my hysterectomy and my recent cat scans that I was not very happy with them.
I was hopiing to go to an oncological surgeon in the Northwest Area, maybe like the North Shore Group at Glenbrook (close to my Sons home) or Evanston. I would like a second opinion on the swelling on my neck..
Please pm me with any recommendations for an oncological surgeon in the North and NW suburbs. Thanks See you at Maggianos in Feb. for sure!
Sharon
0 -
Hi Sharon, I pm'd you the name and location of my breast surgeon, but I think that you may be looking for someone who does all oncology surgery. My doctor does breast cancer surgery, but I do not know about the rest. She is in Evanston and Glenbrook and several of us know of her and her associate. Anyway, for what it is worth.
Regarding the discussion on osteoporosis. I have had two tests (scans???) for that and the first showed great bones (four years ago) and the last one last summer showed that some damage has occurred but not enough to go on the meds you are speaking of. I am glad we are having this discussion because that stuff sounds awful to me and so I better up my vitamins and get walking as prescribed by my doctor upon the last test. Of course I am grateful that there are meds to reverse bone loss, but it sounds like Connie and Michelle find it hard to even stay on the medicine.
Paula, I do not know anything about Zinc and healing. LauraGTO is very knowledgeable and will comment soon.
We are making Indian food (Shahi murgh-Chicken in yogurt with tons of spices) and the house smells like the halls of an apartment on Devon (I flatter my own cooking ability with that comment). Lago, I have a dessert recipe called sev ka murabba if you would like it. It is a carmalzied apple dish with pistachios and whipping cream and yum, yum, yum.
DH is putting up his childhood lionel train. He never can get it going but insists on trying each year and so we let him.
Have a good day!
Susan
0 -
Jackie - OM! That story about Maggie...wow...poor woman! It's so nice that you continue to help her.
Irene - Everything's crossed for good biop results!
bj - Hope you're feeling better today!
Paula - Welcome! Don't know about that supplement combo - but you can go to www.preventCanswers.com Lots of good supplement/etc. help there.
Sharon - Wow...long time no "see". Good luck with your upcoming appts. I love my Onc. he has offices in Libertyville and Crystal Lake - but that may be too far. Maggianos in Feb.? For sure!
------------------------------------------------
Spent some time in the forest today collecting firewood to dry in our garage. It's only December and we have gone through a boat load already! lol
My 2 cents re: bone strengtheners: I have mild/medium osteoporosis and refuse to take anything synthetic for it. 3 years ago when I was told about it, of course, the rhuematologist whipped out his handy dandy r/x pad and wrote BONIVA on it. Not knowing then what I know now, I took it for 3 months. It was horrible. I could feel every bone in my body 24/7 - achy, crunchy, bones - awful. I did some research and proceeded to throw the pills in the garbage. I am way too young to be taking anything like that. More and more research is indicating drugs of this nature are being OVER prescribed. And I refuse to be a pharmaceutical guinea pig. Weight bearing exercises and VitD3 is all I feel I need, it works for me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! lol (Disclaimer: do what's right for you.)
0 -
Carolyn, thinking of you today, and sending hugs. Hope you are snug and warm at your sister's home.
Irene, everything's crossed for your good results tomorrow. You know all your sisters are4 waiting with you.
BJ, please feel better soon.
Webru, welcome to this thread. Ladies here are awesome.
Jackie, Maggie is so fortunate to have you. You are indeed a blessing in her life. I'm smiling at the thought of her red Mont Carlo. Go Maggie!
I don't have osteoporosis yet, but have lost some bone like most older women do. I would be reluctant to start drugs as many of you seem to be, but we must do the weight bearing exercise. Even with drugs that is a must. I've been usung a treadmill regularly, starting during chemo, but before that I would do jumping jacks at night in front of the tv. Also jumping rope in the house. I hate walking outside in winter, plus I can't keep up the pace while sliding around on the ice.
Sharon, so happy to hear from you, and looking forward to seeing you soon!
Paula, welcome! Don't know about zinc etc, but Laura knows I'm sure.
Susan, I love Indian food, and can close my eyes and smell the aroma in your kitchen. My DH too still loves his childhood train.
Wendy, yes I know the importance of the thumb. It is essential to a functioning hand, and they even graft big toes onto the hand if the thumb is lost! Even without being a nurse, I've had my DH drumming it into me for too long. This whole thing has gotten me out of some cooking and cleaning, but I think I'd rather be doing that then not. Stitches out Thursday, yes! And I still feel stupid.
Herllo to everyone, and I'm off to finish my shopping! Brrrrr
0 -
Hey Lago, how'd ya do with your wig this weekend?
0 -
Laura - I clicked on the website you recommeded and got a response that it does not exist. Please help.
0 -
It's .org
Nothing exciting going on here.. just a bit of a stuffy nose.. and a very chatty baby.. today she learned to ask for her milk.. so much fun to watch all this.. I hear snow in the foregast.. grrr!
Carolyn, wondering if you're reading this.. how are you doing?
0 -
makmak - thanks, should have tried.
Carolyn - thinkig of you.
0 -
Adey thanks for asking. It was fun. I did wear the wig. Still don't like it:
lago in wigAnyone hear from Carolyn?
0 -
Lago - you look great!!!
0 -
I don't have the power to make life "fair," but I do have the power to make life joyful.
- jlh0 -
lago - You look fabulous!
YES...sorry...it's www.preventCanswers.org
-------------------------------
Good morning girls!
0 -
Thanks Char… but I feel like I should be one of those heads in Adey's avatar ;-)0
-
Lago....I did not really like wearing my wig much either. Usually only wore it to work and hats and scarves the rest of the time. I did like the wig, it was frosted a little in front -- so seemed more as though it could be real hair. I always felt like something was SITTING on my head though and not the same sensation you get from a hat.
Marina...Gabby is exciting.....but do know what you mean. Does Gabby like the snow??
Big hi to Sharon. Glad your heading this way soon and looking forward to an Illinois Girls get together.
Carolyn, Purr--fect healing hugs still coming your way.
Hi to everyone else. Hope you are all well. I think we are going up to 40 degrees today and sure hope a bunch of that escapes to the North. I'm so glad most of our ice is gone. I did fairly well but Dh found himself in a ditch day before yesterday. He was able to go to 4-wheel low and just drive out of it. Yep --- I've told him many times he is too aggressive --- he was believing me that day. I was in my own car in front of him far enough ahead that I didn't realize it had occurred. He sheepishly told me later. Be checking back in later.
Hugs Jackie
0 -
Thinking of you Carolyn. Hoping that you check in soon. All of us "Mother Hens" wanting to know how you are.
Lago. I think the wig looks nice on you. I rarely wore mine. I took to wearing scarves almost all the time. I probably had 30 of them and tried to wear something different everyday. For some reason all I saw in the mirroror was cancer when I had my wig on. ??? Maybe there was something to having a head full of hair(wig) and not an eyelash or eyebrow in the picture?
Hugs to everyone.....Have a great Monday.
Navy
0 -
Lago, you look terrific in your wig, but also terrific in your scarf. I always wore my wig when I was out, but as soon as I got home it felt like I had a hat on, so I would pull it off.
BJ, hope you are on the mend.
Marina, happy about your trial. Baby is beautiful!
Stay warm, and take care today. Snow tonight.
0 -
Hi ladies -
Carolyn - thinking of you!
Sharon - good to hear from you. I hope you get some answers on the swelling
lago - you look beautiful in the wig. You looked beautiful in the scarf too! I hated wearing my wig, but wore it all the time for the kids sake.
DD is home sick today (our kids get out tomorrow). She has a fever. I'm sure she will be fine for Xmas, but hopefully no one else will be sick! I swear it has been a revolving door this season so far - someone is always sick. I sure could have used today to do a few last minute things!
Fosomax - my sister has been on this for several years with no side effects so everyone is different. I sure hope my bones do not get worse as I don't ever want to go back on the Actonel. I do try to do some sort of weight-bearing exercise every day.
Irene - thinking of you as you get your results today. Thinking positive thoughts!
Hi to everyone!
0 -
to mak mak OFF TOPIC
you wrote: "She says she's fine, but her Dad is taking her to get checked.. her stepsister is complaining of a headache.. I told Ellen NOT to get a CT unless absolutely necessary.. Of course I want her to be OK, but if she's not having any symptoms.. why expose her to all the radiation... Am I making the right decision???"
i got rear ended in 2006, didnt hurt, but 5 weeks of pain a few days later, i'm STILL in court with this....4 years later...to pay bills it cost, i got breast cancer dx the next month so i never found out i had spine damage til this summer....DO NOT SIGNOFF TILL SURE NO DAMAGES
0 -
zometa..............cholesterol
wendy and others, i guess the "keep cancer out of your bone" was a big thing to me, thus i went with zometa. I'm stage 3, might be more cause for concern...4 of 13 lymph nodes and lots of cancer on Maternal side. blackjack, i didnt catch name of the new zometa like thing, but since i had no bad side effects that my oncologist knew of...we agreed stick with zometa. He was going to call for it till he read it has the neck bad things, too like zometa could have.
in drs. office i read about red yeast rice, costco had it with coupon last trip so i picked up a bottle of that to boost my cholesterol, although the best to keep my cholesterol down from 250 is juicing fruit and greens daily...
dog love
and i adopted a 2 year old very active german shepherd mix.......loving it..just what i needed. she wants to go everywhere with me. She plays almost constantly with my "chemo dog" Tank, who is about 60 lbs. lighter...Sport, 13+ ish....ignores them both. Or tries to, and the cats? They have vanished from the living area. 8-) 8-(
0
