Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Thanks again everyone. Zap I learned in my 20's that if you aren't feeling confident then "fake it." Eventually you will feel that way. And remember we gals are much better at faking it the men.
Seriously if you walk tall with a smile you just feel good. I think it's because people will automatically smile back. Everyone loves to be smiled at! Most people look their best when smiling, don't you think?
Happy weekend everyone.
0 -
Thanks for the Vit D help. Still looking for possible answers to my bone problems. I think I can cross D off the list. Have a great weekend gals.
0 -
Susan - Thanks for the info and I will be PMing you. I guess it's a good thing that my son (and us) are so clueless about all things legalese! Being experienced in that kind of thing isn't exactly desirable - unless you're an attorney, of course.
Lago - I love your advice about "confidence." In fact, I told it to my DD last night when she was having some social issues to contend with. She's learning about the often awkward changes that happen to old high school friends once some people have gone off to college and put a little maturity on them - and some have not. Different stages of life = different challenges. Hopefully, she'll remember your advice, I think it's valuable.
0 -
0
-
It is always with excitement that I wake up in the morning wondering what my intuition will toss up to me, like gifts from the sea. I work with it and rely on it. It's my partner.
Jonas Salk0 -
Sorry for the two quotes right together. The past couple of days have been very full, but I'm cutting back ( I hope ) to normalcy. Still some on-going work to do in the yard. I need to get my table and chairs out......I think the worst of the stormy/windy weather is done. Hope so anyway.
Going to Marion tomorrow for my 3 month check-up. Apparently.....not sure how I missed this....the V.A. keeps you on the every three month schedule for 5 yrs. Hmmm, that could be good, but it has kept me hopping a bit.
Hope you are all going to have a wonderful stress-free, fun filled Sunday and are able to do only things that bring you happiness. Be checking in later.
Hugs, Jackie
0 -
Jackie....praying you have a safe trip to Marion and all is well...
I enjoy reading the quotes so keep them coming.......
Hope you have some time to relax a little also. Hope your friend
is doing well also. Marsha
0 -
Well, DD and I are in New Mexico. It turns out we are the perfect duo for traveling as we are both very flexible. The art work is wonderful, the food is great, and the sun is ever-shining. Rita and other golfers.....the golf courses are stunning (I do not golf but they look great) and you should plan a trip here for some golfing. We are in Sante fe but will be heading fo Taos later in the week.
Hope all in treatment are doing well. I pray for all of you every day. I am going to a bunch of missions so will light some candles for us all!
Susan
0 -
So, umm, hi -
I got talking with Juliechicago on another thread and she encouraged me to stop in here and introduce myself. My name is Bevin. So here's the short BC bio.
I found a lump, March 13, 2011, just about a month before my 41st birthday. Twelve days later I had a simple MX w/TE and SNB on the affected side. Followed by the trifecta of surgical SE's - frozen shoulder, truncal lymphedema, and neuropathy that made me feel like a blowtorch was pointed at my skin all the time.
So its been an interesting two months. I haven't gone to any support groups or even talked to anyone in person who has been through this and I've got a family history of BC nasty enough that there aren't any survivors in my family to talk to. Plus the only reason I was bavk in Illinois in the first place was helping out my parents while my Dad was being treated for bladder cancer.
Not sure what else to say, really.
Bevin
0 -
Bevn I am so glad you posted. I am so sorry you are having to be here but you will find a lot of support and the ability to ask anything or vent.
I too had almost every surgical complication possible. It delayed everything and caused a lot of physical and emotional anquish. It still does.
A support group is really helpful. Living Well in Geneva has a mastectomy support group twice a month on Wed. The group has been so helpful. It is so hard to talk to people about what we are experiencing when they haven't. It is hard to explain all the different layers to this disease. A mastectomy (not minimizing a lumpectomy at all) puts a entirely different layer on it all.
If you want to go to the support group at Living Well let me know. I will try to be there that night. I always go to get continued support and to help those in the journey.
0 -
Bevin - I am so happy you found "us"...we will help you through this. You have been dealing with way too much...hang in there. I don't know what else to say - other than - the girls here are amazing. The strength and courage and support is great. We get together occasionally in Wauconda for lunch and in Schaumburg for dinner. I hope you will join us sometime.
-------------------------
ADEY - PROM PHOTOS PLEASE! ; )
0 -
"Trying times are not the times to stop trying."
Ray Owen
0 -
Thanks for the welcome!
I've been hesitant to try a support group - many of the kind, supportive things that people try to do for those who get BC have just flat-out irritated me. (I thought it was creepy when the Breast Care Specialist at the hospital tracked me down to give me 3 huge bags full of cancer books, pink pillows, scented lotions, moisturizing socks, bra coupons, sugar-free candy, ect.)
Plus I'm just not dealing with a fraction of the stuff I hear others coping with on BCO. My kids are grown, I am blessed to have insurance that means all these bills aren't a big stressor, and I'm not having to deal with chemo or rads.
0 -
Bevin, so good to meet you. You sound like you have had such a struggle already. I do hope your burdens lighten up. This is such a roller coaster, has so many parts to it, and so many emotions to get through that it is hard to talk to others who have not lived this reality.
I only had a lumpectomy, and very few problems other than feeling unwell for a short while, but I want to help in any way I can. Everyone here is very caring and VERY supportive. Hope you will come often, laugh, cry, vent. We really don't mind and will just be here for you.
Hugs, Jackie
0 -
Okay Laura!
So... the weather has turned, how about the next get together being downtown?
0 -
Thought I'd just say....I had my 3 month check-up today and everything was good. They were thrilled that I had lost a bit more wt. too. I think I have about 13 or 14 more pounds to lose and then I'll think about easing off. I actually was going to start a "ssshhh diet" but never did, but am still able to work things out by being sensible at least 3 days a week....sometimes 4.......still need popcorn at night a couple times a week though...and hard to pass up sweets if they are here.....but I am getting a bit more exercise.
Maggie is home. They found at St. Louis that she has a lot of nerve damage.....so it was not stents she needed after all. Now if I could just talk her into rehab therapy......but she is quite headstrong about what she will or won't do.
We finally got really dumped on a bit ago. I may run out now and do Maggie's and the cats. It seems to quit raining and is a little lighter. We got soaked getting in the house from the car. I had to change clothes, but hope it holds off for a bit. Had some wind that died down and hope that won't come back.
See you all later.
Hugs, Jackie
0 -
Hi there..
Welcom timekpr to the place full of amazing and very caring ladies!!
Thank you all for the very cute cards and your kind words.. I have been having a bit of a rough time.. and am trying hard to snap out of it.. Things are improving a bit.. and so will my outlook I'm sure!! (Especially after that next scan that will show total NED again.. lol)Gabriella has been sick for a week, I got her cold on Friday but I'm fine now.. all these vitamins do pay off.. I wouldn't have gotten it at all had I not been on an hour of sleep a night last week..
Went to a very tough but good play on Friday night.. hard topic -end of life issues and being a hardship to one's family.. though it was done as somewhat of a comedy and managed to cheer me up.. too bad my DH didn't go to see it.. Yesterday went to see 42nd Street at the Marriott.. love that place and the show was very good too!!
Staying very busy.. and it's helping me quite a bit.. Today however, I spent hours looking for they baby's swimsuits which I managed to misplace after our vacation.. I swear the swam away on their own.. a bit frustrating to have chemo brain!!! Oh well.. maybe I'll remember one day in the winter.. LOL
Hope everyone joined BJ in finding their beach chairs today.. What a beautiful day!!
Adey - Pictures please????
0 -
Hard rains here today....but all is clear for awhile now. Welcome bevin...so sorry you have to meet us all here...I have not been on this thread real long but they are truly very helpful. I hope to meet a few on the thread the week of June 13th when I will be in Lombard for 3 days....
Wishing everyone the best....Marsha
0 -
Thought someone might like to try this. It is what I took Saturday to a gathering. I saw the recipe, was intriqued and most of the time when I want to know if something is good.....I take it where there will be a lot of people. It went over well:
FROSTED SALAD
2 sm. pkgs. cherry Jello 2 cups boiling water. 1 sm. ( 6 oz) can frozen lemonade. 1 can cherry pie filling. 1 ( 8 oz ) can crushed pineapple
1 ( 8 oz. ) cream cheese. 1 cup sugar. 1&1/2 cups Cool Whip.
Dissolve Jello in boiling water, add lemonade, pie filling and pineapple. Pour into 13 x 9 in. glass pan and refrigerate until firm.
TOPPING:
Combine cream cheese, sugar and Cool Whip; mix well and spread over Jello.
See you all in the morning.
Happy Sunday sunshine Mak.
Hugs, Jackie
0 -
That sounds really good. I may have to try it for small group (church group).
Goodnight all...Have a good day tomorrow!
0 -
Real strength is not just a condition of one's muscle, but a tenderness in one's spirit.
-- McCallister Dodds0 -
Welcome, Bevin! I think you will discover that there are many awesome women on this thread who will do whatever they can to help you.
Great quotes, Jackie! I'm glad that Maggie is home and hope her condition improves. Your jello recipe sounds wonderful. I'm always needing something different for the church potlucks. Thanks for sharing.
Last night our local Breast Cancer Survivor Group met to write inspirational notes of encouragement to attach to carnations that will be given out to cancer patients during their cancer treatments at the cancer center today. It was a nice night and it feels so good to do something that might help make treatment day a little better for someone.
Susan....glad you're having a good time. We played a few golf courses in NM when we made our western trip a couple of years ago. You are right! They are lovely and so scenic!
Well, I'm off to get something accomplished today. I get to see my grandsons this weekend and I'm really looking forward to that! Believe it or not, I still have Easter Baskets to distribute. I'm way overdue!
I'm off and going. The sun is shining brightly here. I hope everyone gets out and enjoys the day!
0 -
Welcome Bevin - you have found a great group to vent to. I too felt kind of weird when they gave me all those goodies at the hospital. Am I supposed to be excited about this stuff?!?! My kids thought it was cool to get a bunch of stuff but I sure didn't.
Susan - glad you are having a great time. NM is beautiful country. We spent some time in Taos when we went to NM a few years ago. We were staying in the other direction (Cimarron) so never made it to Sante Fe. Enjoy!
Marina - glad you are slowly feeling better. You have been through a lot.
We have had some beautiful days this week! DH put the boat in last Friday so we are ready to go! I am looking forward to some girl time this weekend - heading to NYNY with mom and sisters! Fun, fun!
0 -
Welcome, Bevin. You have found the best ladies I have ever known, and the best support.
Susan, I love the art galleries in NM. So much fun!
Connie, enjoy NY. I like it too, but maybe because my DD is there.
Jackie, thanks for the quotes. I really like that last one. Recipe sounds great for potluck dinners. Good news about the checkup too. I am so hoping to go from 6 months to a year next time.
Lauren, I sure hope the shingle pain is fading away. I remember well how my DH felt when he had it. He really wasn't up for much for at least a month. He went to work, and then came home to bed.
Rita, there is nothing wrong with Memorial Day baskets! You are such a good grandma, and the boys are lucky to have you.
Julie, I hope you are feeling better. I can't imagine how much that must have hurt when you tore your stitches. Your mom instinct kicked in when you heard your daughter on the stairs. Fingers are crossed that all will be well.
Marina, it sounds like you are feeling a little better. Nothing like kids to keep you busy! Hope Gabby is feeling much better now, and you are getting a break.
I'm still rrying to catch up with reading back posts, and the pages with the funny names gave me a good laugh. When Ralph Lauren's son marries Lauren Bush will she be called Lauren Lauren?
Love and hugs to you all, and a special hug for those in tx.
A BIG thanks to you all for all the lovely birthday greetings. I really appreciate them all. My kids have been visiting me since my birthday, and one is still here! By the way, 66 doesn't feel bad at all.
0 -
Hi all. I am 5 weeks post-op and finally starting to feel a little better but really frustrated I can't walk my dog, garden and bike like everyone else in my dang neighborhood. I'm actually kind of in a peaceful phase right now. Do you think it will last? Surely it can't be that easy to get over.
Makmak my son has had an awful cold with cough and I've been avoiding him like the plague. I can't get a cough right now - I'll rip out stitches. How the heck can they get that sick this time of year, I don't know. Well my son was at Six Flags so I should have known he'd come home with someone's germs. Also, I laughed about your bathing suit issue. Look in an old suitcase. I found a 10 year old T-shirt I bought at the Mirage in a garment bag one year. Obviously I never use that garment bag.
Bevin I never wanted to participate in a support group either where I have to go and physically be there. I have better luck in forums like this. Hey you guys got socks and candy and lotion? All I got was a bag with a book in it. The book actually was quite helpful but I'm going to throw that bag out. Don't want to see it again because it has bad memories, you know.
Do any of you work? If so, how was it going back to work, physically. I think I'm going back to work next week and I'm not sure I can physically handle it. Plus my start day is the same day of my son's graduation so it will be a long, long day.
0 -
Hi TwoHobbies -- I work full time, and took about four weeks off after BMX. Felt tired that first week back, but gradually got used to it. I continued working through chemo, and now am in rads. Mentally for me, working was a help to my mental state. I am lucky enough to work for someone who is very understanding, as are my co-workers. I also have a sedentary office job, lots of sitting.
Good luck, it's do-able to work, and for me, it helped. There were a couple of days in there where I left early because I was pretty worn out, but overall, I am glad that I worked.
0 -
I had wonderful employer during my treatment....worked full time taking off half a day during chemo days and did my rads early morning and then went to work and worked my 8 hours...they were wonderful allowing me to take a day off now and then if I needed it. It was a very busy customer services position...it finally got to be too stressful for me and I applied for a less stressful position that was a slower pace which I'm working at now....but it was doable for me to work and I think it kept me going....I am one year past all treatment and am finally starting to feel as though my brain is clearing...some days a little foggy but soooo much better.
I still have a lot of anxiety....which I take 1/2 xanax in morning and 1/2 in afternoon which helps keep me calm...I am presently taking Vitamin D3 5000IU daily ...any one have any other suggestions for fighting the anxiety...? I decided today to check to see if there is a local support group and got a phone # so I may call them and see what I think of their group....
I have always been a worry wart ....it does help to read this blog....thanks for all your support !
ATeamNana - Marsha
0 -
Bevin, were you in the Y Me forum for awhile. It's such a pretty name and your story sounded familiar. Glad you came on board here. The ladies are wonderful. I truly would not be where I am today without these gentle, beautiful women. Truly, they have made it so much easier. So, welcome.
Lago, I believe my hair is longer than yours, let's have a contest. Winner gets to carry my wig in their purse to the next luncheon....
Still havent found a new oncologist but am going to start with some rehab for my lower legs (hard to put socks on) and began femera today.
Whens our next outing, I need some hugs . . : )
0 -
Onward....((((((HUGS)))))))!
Bevin and timekpr...welcome and so glad you found us. I too have found these wonderful ladies to be so much support. Hope that you do join us at a luncheon sometime so we can meet you personally.
Rita.... that sounds like such a wonderful thing your group did for cancer patients. I am sure they were appreciated. Makmak.. hope that you continue to feel better. And Twohobbies... be patient and continue to heal well.
I just got back from my girls weekend in Phoenix. Had a really fun time and nice break. Now it's "catch up time" with work and home. Bring on the warm sunshine.... please.
0 -
Please have an outing the week of June 13th...in the Lombard area...I so want to join one of the luncheons....
Onward ... good luck in your search...
Night all ... I'm off to bed and hopefully sleep. (I don't do that very well)
0
