Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • conniehar
    conniehar Posts: 585
    edited April 2011

    Thinking of you Julie!  Hoping for some sleep for you.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011

    Julie wishing peace of mind and serenity for you this week-end. 

    Hugs, Jackie

  • CarylC
    CarylC Posts: 30
    edited April 2011

    I wanted to stop in and say hi and then caught up on older posts and wanted to say sorry to Susan and Julie, that you are both going through difficult times right now.  

    Joan, I hope you are enjoying your new look and that it wasn't painful!

    I have a meeting with the local oncologist on Friday to find out when my chemo regimen will start, then a follow up with the BS on the 15th to check on my port and my mx incisions.  Oh, plus I stop in there the 8th to have the stitches removed from my SNB - I think she forgot to take them out!  

    The port was so much more painful than I'd expected.  I can feel it "bumping" into my inner structures when I move, and sometimes I still have a hard time doing certain things, it seems way too big for me or something.  I hope I get used to it.  

    Hope it warms up and you all have a great weekend. 

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011
    There are two irrepressible urges that we all share: first, to solve problems, and second to help each other.
    Barbara Sher
  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011

    What a nice Saturday morning with the sun calling everything to wake up.  Hope it stays with us all day. 

    Caryl, I did not have a port but many here did.  I think they have child-sized ones but I don't know anything as to how choices are made as to what you get.  Hopefully someone will chime in soon and help you with that.  I don't recall hearing anyone describe having a port the way you have.

    We are getting some nice warmer weather.....but I think wind and rain could follow and would be more likely tomorrow.  At least it is nice to know we are gong to be pretty well on the way to sweet summertime.

    I'll see you all later.  There is fun to be had for now with some small projects that are waiting. 

    Hugs, Jackie

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2011
    CarylC I have a kiddie port (juvenile port). I'm small on top with no upper body fat so it still sticks out a lot. Yes it was a little weird and uncomfortable at first. It took a while to get used to it. Occasionally I will still feel it if I really do an extreme reach but for the most part it doesn't bother me anymore. I don't remember how long it took to feel comfortable but it was more than a week or two.
  • JanClare
    JanClare Posts: 267
    edited April 2011

    Caryl- I had a power port for over 2 years.  I go used to it, but there were always some motions where I felt it.  I couldn't run until it was taken out because it always seemed to rub against a nerve when I tried to train. For the rest, I just decided that is was worth the discomfort and was able to ignore it most of the time. 

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011

    Something I found along the way that I wanted to share.  I hope the strange marks don't turn up.

    If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope...

    If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope...

    If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope...

    If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope...

    If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope...

    If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope...

    If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope...

    If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope...

    If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings
    a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope...

    If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree
    or cook the turkey, then you still have hope...

    If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope...

    If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope....

    If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase...
    "yeah....BUT.." Then you still have hope...

    Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break... It sustains us when nothing else can...
    It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in...

    Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage... Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it...
    Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction....

    Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return...
    And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places...
    Never Lose Hope

    Submitted by: June

  • donnadio
    donnadio Posts: 674
    edited April 2011

    WONDEFUL as Always Jackie!!!!!!

  • navymom
    navymom Posts: 842
    edited April 2011

    Wonderful quote, Jackie.  I read it several times over. 

    Thinking of all of you that are dealing with sadness and worries....and sending peaceful thoughts your way..

    Navy

  • CarylC
    CarylC Posts: 30
    edited April 2011

    Illinois Lady, thank you for sharing that . . . it helps so much to be reminded of the many blessings I DO have!

    Edited to add:  The port issue is getting a bit better.  I have had to train myself to take my shirts off like men do, from behind and over the head, rather than by crossing my arms in front and lifting them off.  But hey, whatever works, at least I can undress myself :-)

  • Mich101
    Mich101 Posts: 489
    edited April 2011

    Jackie - That quote is very powerful, thanks for sharing it.  I have started a personal folder called "Hope" and I will continue to add to it quotes, comments, etc. that inspire me and remind me of the blessings everyday.

    Susan- I too am sorry to hear of your friend's death. I pray for you and your dh during this difficult time.

    JulieChicago-sorry to hear what you are going through. Hugs  and prayers for you.

    For those going through treatment and surgeries, thinking of you everyday and I hope for the best for you.

    Laura-good luck with the new opportunity.

    Finally am making another stained glass piece. A pink BC ribbon, again.  I'll post a pic. when I'm done.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited April 2011
    CarylC I have had to learn a sorts of new ways to remove my tee shirts now that I have these big stripper expander foobs. Tongue out
  • makmak
    makmak Posts: 374
    edited April 2011

    Good morning.. I'm back from my vacation from Hell.. Amazingly everything that could go wrong did..

    My son broke his foot 3 days into the trip playing soccer.. The baby was great but then got out of control and cried for last 3 days.. AND.. My cough is back.. started the Thur after my Wed infusion.. and has slowly gotten to the point where I can't say a sentence without coughing.. I'm so scared.. my scan is in 3 weeks and I'm thinking the worst.. though PRAYING it's a side effect of Herceptin with the vaccine..

    I've read the posts from last week.. and am so sorry for all the bad news.. Susan, Julie.. UGH.. hate this disease so much!!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011
    You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. [info][add][mail]Vernon Howard
  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011

    Mak I am so sorry to hear the vacation had so many pitfalls.  Hope the cough clears up.  I too hope the scan goes well and shows..nothing.

    Mich...can't wait to see the new glass.  Love your idea of the hope folder.  I may just borrow your idea and keep a folder too. 

    Caryl...glad you are adjusting to the port.  I didn't mind not having one ( well, most of the time ) but hope my veins didn't take too much of a beating. 

    Going to be 80 here today but later wind and probably rain.  Well ---- it is what happens to usher in summer so we will take it and be happy.  Hope you all have a fantastic day and do things you enjoy.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited April 2011

    Julie - Thinking about you...hope you're making the best of this weekend.

    mak - Wow...trip from hell! lol Glad you made it home safely. Hope the cough has gotten better.

    ---------------------------------

    brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...it's cold and windy out there. Good day to stay home in my jammies!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited April 2011

    Hi gals!

    The sun is out but the wind is terrible here!  It's supposed to be 70 degrees but I think that the wind makes it seem cooler.  I had contemplated hitting some golf balls (and there are indeed several people on the course) but I've opted for a movie instead.

    Makmak.......wow!  I'm sorry your vacation was so horrible. I hope your son is doing o.k.  Hugs to you, Marina.  I'm with you.  I hate this disease.  Of course you're scared.  There's not a one of us that WOULDN'T be scared because that's what this disease does to us and our minds go instantly to the negative side when we experience a change in our bodies.  The mental anguish is so real and so terrible.  However, it could indeed be a side effect from the herceptin or one of the other drugs, so hang in!  We are all in your corner, "rooting" for you.  I will keep you in my thoughts and hope for good scan results. 

    I have registered Dave and I for the Peoria Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  It is always the Saturday before Mother's Day.  Mary Jane's daughter has started a team which we also call No Surrender.  I know this is a busy weekend for all you mothers out there, but if you're free, check it out. 

    Well, I have things I need to get accomplished before I leave this afternoon.  Don't let that wind get the best of you today!

    Rita

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited April 2011

    Michelle, what a great idea (a folder on Hope).  Do you mind if I steal that idea from you?  What a great thing to have handy when sadness befalls one we love.

    Of course we cannot know for sure, Makmak, but it seems the when it came up and quickness whith which it came up,  it would  seem pretty logical that that it is a side effect of the Herceptin.  The vacation makes home look like a good place.  Sorry about all that.

     Julie on all of our minds!

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited April 2011

     Stepping back in to call all Vintage Mvie Lovers!  We recorded Come Back Litlle Sheba and it is a great OLD film.  The woman who played Hazel the maid won an academy for it and it deals with subjects once taboo in the movie industry.  It is so good!

     Wendy, Mildred Pierce tonight.  I still prefer the black and white with stony-faced Joan Crawford, but I love the vintage chachkis.

    Take care!

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited April 2011

    Afternoon all....temps are great!



    Mak....I agree, sounds like Herceptin SE. Sorry ur vacay wasn't great...at least there wasn't any snow!



    Jackie.....lovely quote/poem! Hows Maggie?



    Susan....dvr ready to go! Also ready for "the killing", "the kennedy's" and desp housewives! Really...everything on at one time AND we will be out tonight???? Did u ever see the old movie "the moon is blue"? Now that was a shocking movie for it's time!



    Hope u are all enjoying this lovely warm Sunday! Julie....thinking about you...

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited April 2011

     
    I am going to keep my last post there unedited so if I ever get snooty you can refer me back to that post with all the typos......I actually am a decent English teacher.
     
    How are you feeling Julie and Makmak? 
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited April 2011

    Susan - A friend just commented on FB that Mildred Pierce takes place in the '30s but they are playing big band music from the '40s (HBO)? How funny!

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited April 2011
    Oh...and seeing as how you ARE such a decent English Teacher...we'll let you slide with the typos! lol  Wink
  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Posts: 226
    edited April 2011

    Hi everyone -- wow the weather was so pleasant here today.  We were out and about all day today after having to cancel a couple of days of spring break activities when we found out my son had strep.  He is doing fine now, we brought him in suspecting strep a couple of weeks ago, and the doc we saw dismissed it as just a very bad cold.....At his regular ADHD checkup, with his pediatrician, we discovered swollen glands and this time the strep test came back positive.  No wonder he was having so much trouble recovering from his cold. 

    Finally, finally we found affordable tickets to Million Dollar Quartet on hottix, and went today.  What a fun day to spend in the city.  We had lunch at Cafe Pompeii on the north side, walked around Lincoln Park a bit, then took in the show.   Everyone really loved it, it's a fun and lively show, good for all ages.  

    Well my mini-vacation is over, back to work in the morning, taking Thursday off for my very last chemo treatment.  Next Sunday night I will be looking at chemo in the rear view mirror!  have to figure out how to celebrate.  

    Julie -- thinking of you, hoping you are getting through the weekend with as little stress as possible.  

    Lisa

  • joan888
    joan888 Posts: 711
    edited April 2011

    makmak....sorry you had a stressful vacation.  As much as we like getting away, it always seems that there is still "no place like home" and I hope that you are resting up and feeling better.  Is your son walking around in a cast?

    Lisa... you had a lot of fun with your kids on spring break.  I still have not seen Million Dollar Quartet.  Last chemo, YEAH!  You've done well.

    Our DD from Seattle was here for the weekend and we had a fun time.  Did some girl shopping yesteday and then realized today how much that tired me out.  Four days post exchange surgery and I am hanging in pretty good, just have to pace myself as my energy level is not quite there yet.  Our DD is a healthcare IT director and involved with physician training and patient delivery concerns.  She is always glad to listen to my feedback on my experiences with the good old medical "system".  Hope that she shares at her conference this week.

    Well, I am going to do my best to lay low this week and try to keep my new foobs happy.  Pain is really minimal.  Just getting anxious to get back on my exercise routine!  Hope that weather is going to stay warm and I will be able to get out and do some serious walks.  That would make me a much happier camper.

    Julie.... crossing all fingers and toes for you.  Waiting is the worst.   

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011
    Honor your being,
    release each and every struggle,
    gather strength from life's storms,
    relax into the arms of spirit.
    - jlh
  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited April 2011

    Good morning from the land of thunder and lightening and pouring down rain.  Can barely see outside for all the water coming down. 

    Joan, hope you are able to slow things down a bit and let your energy level catch up with you. 

    Lisa...yay for Thurs.  Remember when that seemed so far off. 

    Maggie is holding her own for now.  I know she is not going to eat right, and just hope she takes her meds correctly.  I think she will keep taking the Lasix now though. 

    Big rolling thunder shaking the house......our weather sounded like all of this is reaching the Chicago area as well. 

    Hope it is not going to be too sloshly ( word ??? ) for any of us.  I'll be checking in later.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • donnadio
    donnadio Posts: 674
    edited April 2011

    mak mak...I think you need another vacation.. and one alone!!! ?What a fiasco!!! Hopefully the weather here will clear up soon and you can get some fresh air and down time alone!!!

    Quick hello and healthy wishes to all!

    Donna

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited April 2011

    Yea Lisa!  Won't it be nice to walk out of the chemo room on Thursday knowing that YOU ARE DONE????  You're down to that last one now!  I'm happy for you!

    Brrr... It's cold here today and very damp.  I wanted to work in the yard but opted instead to write questions and earn a little cash.  It sounds like it's going to warm up this week, though and that Saturday will be nice.  I'm SO READY for spring to arrive and to stay!

    makmak....Hope you're doing O.K. today.

    Hi to all of you!

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