Illinois ladies facing bc
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A belated Happy Birthday to Susan!
And smerf, and BIG CONGRATS and welcome to the 5 Year Club!
I ran into a nurse I used to work with at a gathering last weekend. She was diagnosed with b.c. when we worked together, and this was a good 5 years before I was. She looked fantastic! It was encouraging to have her tell me that she rarely even thinks about her cancer anymore. I can hardly imagine that now, although, I must admit that I don't think about it as regularly as I used to. There is that time of your life where it becomes all-consuming, mostly during treatment, but even 5 years out, I have my moments. But, they are fewer and fewer, and like I said, it made me really happy to hear my friend say that her b.c. no longer "rules" her life, not even remotely.
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I look forward to the day when I don't think about BC every day. Personally, I just don't see it happening......Kinda difficult not to see the roadmap of scars on my chest, not to mention the missing nips. Maybe I just need to be further out from TX....sigh....
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smerf - CONGRATS TO YOU! Bubbly for celebrations does wonders! Cheers!
Irene - Good for you!
Navy - You're still a newbie. Time DOES heal all wounds. It took me a couple of years, but I was able to put it "behind me". Yes...I have my mini-meltdowns, but honestly, it has gotten so much better. I'm sending healing thoughts to you...cyber hugs too!
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Oh cripe...I think I may have TMJ. My left jaw seems/feels weird. When I open my mouth wide, the left side jaw cracks and I have a pain that shoots into my left ear. Why does everything BAD happen on the left side? bc was in the left breast, tennis elbow, left, broken toes, left, ovarian cyst, left. Cripe - what's with me and the left side of my body? Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...lol!
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Laura - I had to laugh after reading your post. Not about your TMJ problems (my son has a lot of pain in his TMJ too), but about your problems being Left-focused. I've ranted about how all my issues and pains seem to be Right-focused! My bc, my frozen shoulder, the benign tumor in my right hip, my right earaches... Too funny!
I could go there about the political implications, but I won't - even if I think it's kind of a riot!
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Char and all you ladies, please be very careful when you are taking any kinds of anti-inflamitory, three years ago I had siatica and doc said to take aleve twice a day for a week or two until it went away. I took it and it got better but I was feeling terrible, went back to doc and they thought I had touch of flu. Two weeks later I went back because I was so week I could not even go to the store without having to stop and sit. They did a blood test and my counts were so low they said they were lower than a cancer patient (who knew back then I would know about that). They put me in the hospital and gave me 4 transfusions and did an endoscopy which showed a stomach ulcer. I am not supposed to do advil, aleve or asprin ever. They did give me enteric coated asprin for six weeks after my knee surgery to keep blood thin, but stopped that as soon as possible. Please know that if you do too much of these Nsaids they can be dangerous if taken to often or for too long. Tylenol is only thing I can take that is not prescription. If you are doing chemo you have to watch the tylenol because it is processed by the liver just like chemo. Asprin and advil, etc are processed thru the kidneys instead. Just a warning to all you wonderful ladies because we don't want you ending up in hospital for something like this that you can avoid.
Hugs
Annette
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Annette - Ditto to the NSAIDS - I never knew they could cause such havoc.
Jackie - Thank you for the quotes. Love them.
Lago - So happy the nails are recovering.
Hello to you all.
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OK why are we still awake? Something in the air in Chicagoland?
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Irene - LOL 0
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char & lago & annette - Geesh you really were up late!
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Rene and Navy, I know it is difficult to believe, but you WILL get to a point where you don't think about BC much at all....as time goes by it just sort of becomes a part of you and with me I am so busy that really the only time I am forced to think about it is when I am having treatment or tests. Before my BC came back and I went on to Stage lV, I didn't think about it at all and then even after I became Stage lV and was just doing the AIs in pill form, I really didn't think about it either....was just like taking a vitamin pill or something and I will admit sometimes I was bad about it. I would be halfway to work and think Jeeze, I forgot to take my aromasin....here this little pill is keeping my cancer at bay and I forget it!!, but that is how incidental it was. Time really does heal all wounds and as it goes by and you realize you are still here and still doing OK, the BC goes deeper and deeper into the background.....at least that is the way it worked for me. Laura, sound like you may need a night guard....I work in the dental field and when people are under stress, which is certainly understandable when you have BC, you often grind or clench your teeth. All of my stuff is on the left also....coumpound dislocation of my ankle, knee replacement, mastectomy, the curve in my spine.....I think one side always seems to be weaker for some reason.
I am hoping to get to meet some of you next week. My traveling buddy has issues of her own, but talked to her this AM and she said all systems go....she was giving herself an infusion of IV antibiotics when I called and is going to be doing this for quite awhile. So one week from today we will be boarding the megabus.....this will be a new experience for me.
Well, I am off to PT and then working this afternoon. Have a good day, Illinois ladies. Thank you for accepting me...it's only a temporary thing, but since I am coming to Chicago saw it as a good opportunity to meet some new people. Thank you Lago for making the arrangements....am hoping your fingers recover soon....we can compare nails, but mine are almost recovered except for the thumbs.
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"Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus."Robert Brault
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Good morning everyone,
Interesting topic....the one-sided things. My stroke affected left side functions.....and though both breasts were biopsied at the same time......the bc was --- on the left. Oh well.
When I think about bc now, I often get any one of several reactions. Once in awhile, I'm amazed still that it happened to me, Other times a very slight scared/upset feeling.....and sometimes I still mourn loss of innocence but most of the time I really do feel, been there, done that, didn't like it and not going to do it again --- end of story. Guess the best way I could describe it, is that I'm aware --- but far from the red alert level that once was there. Best described I imagine as it is amazing what you can do when you have no choice. I didn't invite this into my life as such, but it arrived anyway and I'm going to have to co-exist somehow and get on with whatever living for myself and others that I can. I just don't intend to stop for anything ( including this ) before it is time.
Hope you all have a wonderful day. Sun is out and going to reach nearly 60 here. Not going to be a problem for me......so I very much wish the same for you. Enjoy
Hugs, Jackie
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Jackie - I agree...it is amazing what we can do when we have no choice.
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Dilemma: 10 years ago at age 40 I had my first Colonoscopy. No problems were found. Then, 5 years later right after my bc dx, I had my second Colonoscopy. Again, no problems. I got a letter from the gastro reminding me I'm due for a third one. I'm really thinking about skipping it and having it done in 2 years (unless I develop specific symptoms that would warrant it b/4 then). I don't have any gastro issues. Very regular BM,s. No complaints at all. I will call the gastro's office and ask their opinion. Any opinions from you girls (the non-MD experts)?
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Oh my, Laura. You are not gonna believe this.....I just brought DH home from having his first colonoscopy. He is 57. No symptoms, normal weight, works out and eats a pretty decent diet. Anyway, The surgeon came out and told me that he snipped a polyp that looked suspicious. He is hopeful that it is pre-malignant. Also said that if my DH would have waited another year, we would be dealing with a different scenerio.
I just turned 51 last month and I just couldn't put one more thing on my medical agenda last year when I turned 50. But I have already talked to my surgeon about getting my colonoscopy done. And will be talking to her again about doing and upper also since I have a strong family history of esophogeal issues.
So in short girl, think twice before putting it off.
Navy
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Laura I need to set up my first colonoscopy. Depending on your true history (including family) I would defer to your MD. In my case my maternal grandmother passed from colon cancer. Granted they usually look at first degree relatives I still would want to be on a 5 year schedule not longer. I think our breast cancer diagnosis might also play a part in this. I would be interested in what your MD has to say.0
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Must be that time of year, I just had my 3rd colonoscopy on Monday. Mother had colon cancer so I am on a 5 year. Laura don't skip it, just do it! My onc says not to skip any of the preventative tests, of course I also had melanoma maybe thats why.
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I need to do THAT (colonoscopy)) every three years as my dad died of colon cancer. I just would do it. Why take a chance? It is one day out of your year and yet it could add so many years onto your life. I hate them but always feel good upon hearing all is okay.
Parent teacher conferences tonight. Whew! Now I know why i retired. I am glad i took this on as it spells out to me that there is so much more in life than one's work I can see part time, but this is challenging.
Have a great day.
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Susan,
I can't imagine going back to teaching full time! You don't realize how stressful and regimented teaching is until you are away from it for awhile. I LOVED teaching, too but you never really got away from it with the grading, parent correspondences, lesson plans, and the individual worries about students that weren't responding to traditional teaching methods. I admire you for taking on this temporary position after being away from it.
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Two numbers and they are not 60......try 71. I think I have passed and gone to heaven. Of course, it won't last.....but the inspiration of Spring it is bestowing is a wondrous thing.
Question: Isn't there a newer method of doing colonoscopies. The upset for me was trying to drink the gazillion gallons of liquids which after a while almost did not want to stay down.
Anyway.....I would do it. I think it is like radiation and chemo and other things we do. There are some of us who would make it through if we did not do all those things......but no one is able to predict just who and just why !!!! Anyway, I was thinking there was something where there was only a one day prep......that would seem far better to me.
Hope your all having a fantastic day.
Hugs, Jackie
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71 NO WAY!
awesome...
Hey Lago, Monday I'll be at Rush at Noon. Maybe we could do a late lunch?
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Adey I have an appointment with the pediatrist and not at her rush office at 1:15 on Monday. It might take an hour too. She located on the north side near Lincoln Ave & Belmont.
Ironically I will be at Rush tomorrow at 9.
BTW here are some picture of the park in front of my building around noon. Things are melting and the geese are pooping.
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I hate goose poop! They are so inconsiderate. (c:
Next time Lago but here's a thought... maybe we don't plan lunch around appointments! Duh oh.
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OK Just let me know when you want to come into the city.
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GASP! You don't want to check out the cosmopolitan restaurants in beautiful downtown Lombard?
Will do.Radiating in Park Ridge tomorrow and a follow up at the Block Center in Evanston, I'll be driving (maybe with the windows down).
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I could meet you in Evanston. (Ironically I was in Evanston for my LE MD appointment on Monday).
I can deal with Lombard, it's the drive that's not fun. Isn't that the evil 290!
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Hi girls! Thanks for all the colonoscopy info. I cld the Gastro and she said my least favorite 4 words: BASED-ON-YOUR-HISTORY...
Blah, blah, blah. But (no pun intended) she is doing her job.Navy - How ironic - the timing of my post and your dh's story. It really did wake me up! Thanks for sharing.
The Gastro said I can have it done at their clinic instead of a hospital. She said it's cheaper, faster and more private. So...I'll be guzzlin' the gallons next month. Of course...I'll share my misery with you girls!
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Lago- Don't be afraid of the 290, piece of devil's cake! I can't do an Evanston lunch tomorrow cuz I need to be home for DD1 to have the car for babysitting, she hauls the kids around. Figures!
Laura- There's a scrappin' weekend in Lake Geneva at the Harbor Shores 3/4-3/6, if you're interested let me know, I'm still debating.
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Got through the conferences. Another set tomorrow. One situation broke my heart. A mom was being pushed by her dh in a wheelchair. I knew that she had breast cancer with brain mets. The kid is a doll. She looked so weak, pale and did not say a word. Her dh did all the talking. I felt so close to her even though I do not know her. Her eyes said so much and I was miserable to think she would not watch her son grow up. I wanted to hug her, but that would not have worked and I know I would start crying. Bad experience but how brave and good they are to keep this conference. Then I had another parent and I taught their older son who went off to college and killed himself. She brought his name up but I knew the story so I just couldn't go there. I guess life is tough. I am sorry if this is depressing but I am decompressing with a glass of wine.
Laura, I was terrified to drink that stuff for the colonoscopy because I would start gagging. I told Lago my new system that works. Get those powerful peppermint life savers. Chew them and coat the tongue then take a bug slurp USING A STRAW. The stuff gets past your tongue. I hate that stuff. You can get the old stuff that is easier but doctors found that people were not drinking water and that resulted in kidney issues. Maybe you can ask for the original stuff and promise to drink water.
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Adey - I'll let you know. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
zap - I can handle the original stuff...I just hate the thought of it all. A few days prior I'll switch to a very light diet. That woman...OMG...how sad! It's just horrible, damn.
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Laura - Glad you will be doing the colonscopy. Think of it as an opportunity to cleanse your system :-)
Zap - How very sad - both stories.
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