Illinois ladies facing bc

Ok I am nervous.. I have not had a BM since surgery and i hurt. Calling Dr this AM. I am sure this is a side affect from the anesthesia. I took some extra magnesium too!!

Laura..my aunt has a lead today in fact, on a Bichon!!!Paws crossed for her!!Thanks again, it is all ok!!!

Joan...as zap says and for me too, it is all a process and I completely feel for you and it is ok to feel frustrated and vent!!! It is a constant reminder we are always in the midst of something , whether it be appts, pain here and there, sleep issues etc..YOU are doin the BEST you can.We are here for the rest!

Hang in there Carolyn..  we are here for you and know that you are not alone!!!Wish I could take it all away for you too.

Ok.. hope things move along for me soon and will be healing faster than fast!!! Be well all and let it snow!!

Donna

DonnaDio I deal with constipation all the time with IBS… but never like what happened after my first chemo. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital! Ended up with hemorrhoids too. Once I figured out what worked I started early and kept things moving, even if it was slowly.

I have posted my recipe for constipation in the thread below. There are many other suggestions too. Hope something works:

constipation
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/763980

Yes there is a "thread for that"

Lisa....the chemo does get tiresome.....good for you acknowledging that.  I also started a lot of dread when it came time --- to be honest, a time or two I actually thought maybe I didn't want to do it after-all.  Thank goodness, sanity took back over.  No one would have actually let me quit anyway, and once you are done you have not only actively helped save your own life, but will be amazed at your own strenth  and ability on this road.  For some of us ( some say it was barely noticeable ) the chemo goes down a little hard and gives us some un-pleasant side effects.  Put into some perspective, it is not a very long time, in hopefully, a really long life to give up for good health and to be free of this disease  ---- even if it does not quite feel that way when you are going through it.  Good for you finding a friend to hold hands with on chemo days.  A true blessing.

The book sounds great too --- most of what you mentioned ( as you so aptly said ) could benefit anyone......I truly think the meditation is probably in-valuable if I had to pick out one thing.  Like you said.....try to do it here with my house full all the time with furry friends.  I'm going to have to learn to practise what I try to preach.  Keep up the good work Lisa. 

Hugs, Jackie

Rita, I am bowling today!  I only do it once a year but today is the event, so let's see how I do.  This event is in lieu of a  faculty meeting and all retired people are invited so it is super non-competitive.

BJ, the high rise is more secure.  I would look at it that way. Also, I start my long term on February 7 unless the teacher goes into labor earlier.   It should be okay as i have a Spring break in there and she is taking a very short leave (8 weeks) and then.....I am off to New Mexico!!  I am actually glad I am doing it as it is helping me to organize my time now with some long needed home decorating, my long list of books I want to read, and closet, cabinet straightening.  I am by nature such a procrastinator!

 Donna, I am sorry you are uncomfortable. 

For those who live in the Northbrook area, the Cancer Wellness Center on Revere  Drive in Northbrook is having a night of survivorship hosting quite a number of interactive discussion groups.  I got it in my e-mail but if you google them, you can read the news letter to see if any of it interests you.  I do not know yet if I am going.  It is for all cancer survivors.  You need to sign up if you are interested.  Good place!

Laura, I hear you about the weather.  IT truly is dismal.  I bet there is a center somewhere (gym, yoga place......) that offers some relief with sun lamps (not tanning salons), meditation, something for people  with SAD.  If I find it, I will let you know.  I think it might be called Florida or Arizona!

Take care

Thanks Everyone for all the info as I will try some of it now!!!!I lago..the link did not activate.. no worries!!! Funny three things that came to my mind. prunes, stool softners and milk of magnesisa.Do you guys know that milk of magnesia makes a great face mask..YEP.. have not done this, but heard this on TV!!!

Lisa....I KNOW.. it is a process that counting down is the only way to get thru it! You are doin it and cannot say I was ever ready for the TX'sd but boy did whatever I could to get ready!!!!Just find something little tolook forward to after wards.. a milk shake or something that makes you happy inside!!!

Have a new meditative tape I ordered from Frederick Winters for sleep and it just knocked me out. Cannot figure out how to download this on my IPod as this could be used at night.

Need to rest and get some STUFF moving here.Thanks. snowing...enjoy skiing  Laura!!! Thanks for the bichon info!!Kisses to Paulie.

Hugs All,

Donna

Hi ladies... well, I guess I must have really whined yesterday but thanks for all the good vibes.  I am doing better today and trying not to growl at my DH too.  He way too good to me.

I am seeing two differenct PT's these days.  My BS wanted me to make another trip back to my LE therapist when I complained of numbness in my arms at night.  I am sure that it is carpul tunnel again or perhaps that I happen to have rock solid TE's crunching my arm when I sleep on my side.  Anyway, my LE therapist agreed with me since I have what appears to be a tiny, tiny bit of swelling in my dominant arm.  She did have some fun taping me up anyway.  I left there with tape across the back of my shoulders to make me sit up straight at my desk (darn, I am such a slouch) and while she was at it, she decided to throw a little more tape on my arm that is a tiny bit larger than the other.  So tomorrow, off for a quick session with my regular PT who is trying to get me some relief with my disc problem.  Now, how did all this get started?

My husband says that we are off to Phoenix on Sunday afternoon with some friends for a few days.  I guess I should not complain about that, but I am soooo darn busy with work right now, it just is not a good time.  He is on vacation, I am not.  But I need the Vit D!!

Donna... hope that you get your Bischon soon.  We have been dogless for several years now and do enjoy not being tied down to dogs and kids anymore.  But there are so many times, that we have come close to caving in.... I really missed all our pets last summer while I was going through chemo.  Would have been so nice to cuddle up to a furkid.

Jackie... I know I had a couple moments while going through chemo that I had also considered not continuing.  Like you say... you do come to your senses rather quickly though.

Laura... yes time to get the northwoods group together again.  I have a friend who is interseted in joining us... maybe we will be hearing from her on this thread.

The raods are really slick around here... be careful.

FU!  Cracked me up.  I saw it in the appointment book at the PS and had just watched the movie Fired Up.

Just realized I need to renew my passport as it expires next month and I'm hoping to be cruising on spring break.  Boy oh boy, I am so going to be Uncle Fester for 10 years!  Not a pretty picture but I will happily use it.  (c:

lago....got the stool softners and loaded with probiotics. Drinking some ginger tea now too. thanks for the great tips!

Hi ladies -

Carolyn - glad to hear you are doing well and got good news.  Yay on the port and clinical trial!

lago - glad you are done with chemo!  Happy dance.

Lisa - hang in there.  Jackie is right.  When you are done, you will be amazed at all the strength you had! 

Marina - I remember going for my first hair cut.  I felt weird as it was so short but it really did feel better once it was done.  I didn't have a regular stylist at the time so I just walked into Hair Cuttery.  I ended up with a gal whose son was going through chemo for leukemia (sp?).  That was three years ago and I still go to her.  Her son is in remission and heading to high school next year. 

Had my mammo on Monday and they said everything looked fine.  First time they didn't do an US just to "be sure".  For some reason it wasn't that painful this time either.  I don't have a lot of faith in mammos anyway since it didn't see my 10 cm tumor.  But I keep going.  I have all my round of Dr. appts now coming up.  Can't want to get them all over with.

 Have a great night everyone!

Thanks everyone. Still waiting for things to get better. The nail/nail beds are still a major issue. I wish I had some idea as to when they would feel better. If they lift any higher they will look like they are floating above my fingers/toes. And to be honest they really are disgusting.

blackjack high-rises can be a little safer but she should never have a false sense of security. You still don't know who lives in the building… or who their friends are. Some people let others in even though they don't know them too assuming they do live in the building. We haven't had too many issues in my building but there were some thefts a few years back. Yes people would leave their doors unlocked. Makes it easy for a thief to just go in and help him/herself.

But the view is awesome. Once lived on the 34th floor in Lakeview facing NW (on LSD). Could see Wrigley field from our apartment. Loved the view and watching lightening storms over the lake in the spring.

Hope everyone else is doing OK. Looks like sun today.

One thing I really have noticed about my two daughters living in the city (one now lives in the burbs) is that they got street smart  very fast,  The one in Lakeview now was brought up in this bubble but she sure knows how to handle herself now and as far as I know, has not had any sticky situations that got out of hand.  She has, of course, had sticky situations, but she has handled them. It is a good experience!

 I am going to the Lincoln Park Zoo tomorrow for breakfast  with the daughter who lives in Lakeview.  The breakfast was with the Baboons last time and this is with the Frisky Felines.  These are fundraisers and they serve a gourmet breakfast, give a great lecture and then open the  doors for us to view the cats.  I would prefer a safari on the velds of Africa, but this will have to do.

Take care!

susan

Zap- that sounds wonderful, I will have to check it out.

Lago- thought of you today at my FU as it was at your favorite place and mine... Rush.  I go again next week, maybe we could get a meal?

I want to thank everyone for their encouragement.  I'm hanging in there.  I'm very fortunate (so far) to have minimal SEs physically, though I think the steroid crash is doing a number on me emotionally.  I really hate that.  I'm usually a very even-keel person, but not lately!  Only five more tx left now. 

Joan -- thanks for the tip... i did ask for something yesterday....  she prescribed a low dose of effexor.  Just picked it up today, and hating to add one more medication, seems I'm taking them by the handful now!