Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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sorry about the marks.....it was a site I've not used before.
Hugs, Jackie
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This Too Shall Pass Away
When sorrows come into your life
And threaten to destroy
The very things you treasure most,
Your happiness and Joy;
And when that crushing power
Threatens everything worth while,
And clouds of darkness gather
And you find it hard to smile;
Then lift your head and let the world
Hear every word you say.
With faith undaunted say to them:
"This too, shall pass away."When you are over-burdened
With life's toil and earthly care;
When life becomes so dreary
It seems more than you can bear;
When weariness o'ercomes you
And you yearn for peaceful rest,
And trials of the day leave you
Discouraged and depressed;
There is no song within your heart;
You feel you cannot pray;
Then turn your thoughts to gladness for
"This too, shall pass away."When fortune smiles upon you,
And your cup of joy is full;
When everything you want is yours,
And life seems wonderful;
When days and weeks go flitting by
With happiness replete;
And you desire nothing more
To make your life complete;
Beware lest all these treasures
Of this earth lead you astray,
And hear again these truthful words:
"This too, shall pass away."And so remember well these words,
Whate'er your lot may be,
For life is ever changing-
With such rapidity.
Our gladness turns to sadness
When the sunshine disappears,
And sorrows change to happiness
When God has calmed our fears.
Compared with all eternity,
This life is but one day.
We cling to life, and yet we know
"This too, shall pass away."-H.L. Frisby
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Morning everyone.....it is nice and sunny here this a.m. and just about the right temp. I am working with my computer ( really hope it is running ok at the moment ) in hopes that I can keep up again. I may have to have the Yogi people check it out. I have blamed this on the wet weather, but have not called the carrier.....sometimes they admit to problems.
Susan, I never thought of bursitis. That will make a good point of discussion I think. It seems to come and go or maybe I should say....often lighten up a little....hmmm. I'm thinking it is something that should not require too much fixing....so hoping Monday brings some good answers.
Gotta scoot for now. Navy, I read some excerpts off the web from one of those books you mentioned and I am interested.
See ya all later.
Hugs all around,
Jackie
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Good Quote, Jackie. Thank You.
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Hi Ladies, I always notice this thread on the top under active topics and it looks like an already established group, but I wanted to stop in and say Hi for both my Mom and myself. We are facing recent cancer diagnoses and will have treatment in the Chicago area. My Mom was dx with IDC and I with DCIS within weeks of each other. My mom is going to Northwestern and finishing up a battery of tests before her treatment plan is outlined and I live in the far west suburbs and will mostly likely have surgery out this way. Thank for reading!
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Hi Calico 1:
Well, that sure is a roller coaster ride your family is on right now. Something similar happened with a dear friend of mine. Her mom and her sister got diagnosed within weeks of each other. They have been through all the drama of surgeries and from what I undertstand, they are doing just fine now. I really believe that getthe dx is troubling, but once the plan is laid out, the individual feels so much more in control and focused.
I received surgery at Evanston Hospital but I am sure there will be many popping on here who were under the care of Northwestern. I wish you and your mom well and hope you find information, comfort, assurance here, as we have all in the past. The women here are amazing and help keep me strong.
Susan
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Hi Callico. I live not to far from Northwestern but am being treated at Rush. Wow not something mother and daughter should share. Good luck to both of you. Northwestern is actually the #1 hospital in Chicago.
BTW my colon cam went great. Slept through the entire thing. I had on little tiny polyp that they removed and will biopsy but I'm not concerned. Little ones are usually benign. That toxic waste they made you drink was icky. MoviPrep does make you linky Went to lunch with a friend when I got home.
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Hi Calico.....wow !!!! I'm with Susan. One of the things one would rather not share, but I am so glad you and your Mom were vigilant with testing. I hope you will come often, ask questions....if we don't have the answer, someone here can usually find a link to share with you to get one. We are great at hand-holding and caring for and about each other. This is sometimes a difficult journey, a little scary at times......so many of us stay here to do reach out and help because someone reached down and helped us.
Lago....good news. Glad it's done..........now let the eating begin !!!!
Hugs, Jackie
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ahhh Lago......gotta love the linkies. Glad your finished. Welcome Calico.
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HI Calico and welcome to a great group of ladies. You will find a lot of support here. My BS is the director of the breast care center at Northwestern and my PS is at Northwestern as well. I love them both. I consulted with an ONC down there too, but chose to do my chemo and radiation closer to home out here in the NW suburbs. Wasn't sure how well I was going to feel to be making the longer trips for treatments. Your mom is in very good hands there. Good luck to you also in your treatment plans. It is pretty scarey until you get through all the testing, consultations and decisions. Sometimes I thought the hardest part of that process was that these well-educated doctors would lay out all your options, then let YOU decide. I was so stressed out that I just wanted them to tell me what to do. Come back often and let us know where you are in your journey.
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Lago...glad the colon cam went well...
Welcome Calico....this group is very helpful and full of inspiration & information.
Jackie...love to read your quotes....I'm back in our neck of the woods...I'm tired...that's a long trek....but I did enjoy it....
Went to Weber Grill for supper Wed evening...my husbnd loved it (they have gluten free menu - he has Celiac Disease) It was soooo good. Thanks Susan for selecting it!
Navy...I am getting ready to check to see if I can find those books on amazon or ebay next...thanks for the suggestions....
Marsha
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I got the Dancing in Limbo at the libary and it is most helpful. It would work especially well for someone who finished treatments and finds herself or himself feeling at loose ends. Yet it is also good for me who at five years out and still thinks about it nearly daily. Apparently that is the new normal and one should not feel "stuck" if one still thinks about it during the day. Thanks, Navy, for telling us about it. I would certainly suggest you check it out from your library.
We are gearing up for Father's Day here. All is well.
Susan
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"A man's errors are his portals of discovery."
-- James Joyce0 -
Good Afternoon Ladies...
I have been fighting with bloating...etc. and very much dislike that I have gained back 20 lbs of the weight I had lost during Chemo...we stopped at the Tuscola outlet mall on the way home and I was so depressed trying on clothes...so I have decided to get back where I was and get back into those clothes I bought when I lost the weight...If the weather cooperates I will be in our pool for exercise and also plan on walking....
I bought fresh fruit, fresh veggies and am having grilled chicken and veggies for supper.
I made a one egg omelet with fresh spinach & mushrooms in it for brunch.
Wish me luck ...I go back to work monday and someone is always bringing in food....I will take some veggies to munch
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Zap, glad you are finding the book helpful. And Nana, there is a thread for TNs that are trying to lose weight called TN ten pound take off. It is a great support but I have been on it for months and still have the ten-plus pounds hanging on. But thought you might find it enjoyable to join in. Waving to you, Laura.....
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Hi girls...it's been a while...have lots going on. SO SORRY I couldn't make it to the lunch. I was so disappointed! In ALL the years we've been meeting, I have only missed 2 get-togethers...quite a record.
My LE is steady - thanks to the weather and constant manual Lymph massage.
Joan - Glad your surgery went so well.
Calico - Welcome. This is a great group of gals - always helpful and sincere.
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Hope you can all make the most of today...back later.
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE CARDS AND E-MAILS! You have no idea how nice it is to know I'm surrounded by you.
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Laura how's the LE doing? I'm pretty sure I now have it in both arms. Bleh.
Well I'm off to do myi power walk in the park. I only have a week left before they make me "take it easy" Yes Friday is the day I get my boobie prizes!
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Laura you were editing while I was keystroking.
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Good Morning IL Ladies,
I have a need to share with you that exactly a year ago I was getting my last chemo treatment and felt really, really bad. This morning I went for an excercise class, ran errands and am looking forward to meeting with friends tonight. So happy to be a year out from that chapter of my life.
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Happy dance Char. What a difference a year makes.
One year & one week ago I had my diagnostic mammo. No official diagnosis but I knew it was bad.
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Welcom,e Calico. I'm sorry to hear that you and your mother are both dealing with this disease, but I'm glad you found us here.
Susan - I'll have to see if that book is available to d/l. I recently finished "The Paris Wife" and really enjoyed it. It's a historical fiction about Hemingway's first wife, Hadley. I'm always looking for good book recommendatiions.
I had my Zometa infusion yesterday. This was my second one, the first being a year ago. My onc had wanted me to do it every 6 mos. but I balked at the 6 mos. visit. After talking it over with him again, I felt very comfortable that doing it again was the right choice for me. I will likely do another one in January. I know it's all very much a personal decision, and your own doctors might have different recommendations.
According to my onc. there are 4 primary studies regarding zometa and b.c. patients. 3 of the 4 do show some degree of lower recurrence for post-menopausal women. The 4th study was a combined pool of everyone and that's why the results show different stats. Basically, he still feels the reduced bone loss is the primary reason for me to take it while I'm still on Femara (my dexa numbers dropped a lot after starting AI's). Any amount of reduced recurrence risk is just a happy bonus. I also asked about the newer injectable treatment option since the pharm.reps for that were recently at my office for a luncheon. He still prefers the zometa since the new stuff hasn't been studied for b.c. patients, and there is a sm. immunosuppressive component to it. The injectables are easier on the kidneys, but if you're kidney functions are normal, that shouldn't be a problem. Also, I believe that the injectable is only, so far, approved for osteoporosis, and I'm not quite there yet.
The first time, I did feel "flu-y" the day after the infusion, and still a bit wiped out the day after that. This time, I am just more tired than normal today, but no fever or bone pain stuff. Fortunately, I'm off today, so sitting/laying around doing nothing isn't a problem.
I also discussed having the prophylactic mast. with him and he is totally supportive. Now to talk to my b.s. about it, as well as checking insurance coverage.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Rene, I heard someone else loved The Paris Wife.....need to get it. I am in two book clubs. One is reading the Tina Fey book and it is suppose to be funny and the other is reading Barbabra Kingsolver's The Laguna.
On the topic of book clubs, my daughter is doing a "Virtual Book Club" which sounds fun. She and her friends are pretty busy but they make time for reading. Among a group of perhaps eight people, they choose a book and then go back and forth through email posing questions and responses. I will tell you how it turns out. I personally love REAL TIME DISCUSSION.
Take care! The Wheaton French Market today was fabulous. Crowded but fabulous.
Susan
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Affirmation: I Honor My True Self - I grant myself the Honor of being ME. I am unique in all time and space. I am beyond perceived scarcity, obligation, and the need for approval. I am Honored that Spirit has chosen to create ME.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Hi all,
I cannot believe I have not posted since before my trip to Mexico in March. The time is just flying by. Sometimes I think that is good thing, just that much faster that I am further away from what I call the "year of my cancer". I was diagnosed in January of 08 and finished treatment in October. Other times I look at my kids and cannot believe how big they are and wonder what happened to my "little boys".
We had a great time in Mexico and I would highly recommend an all-inclusive, adults only resort. All we did was eat, drink, and lay by the pool/beach. I felt it was just what I needed at that time. I am going with a girl friend on my first trip to Vegas in October, so I have something to look forward too.
I am on the LE train also. I finished up physical therapy in March, it has not really been any better since then. My problem is more my hand, but the forearm is getting pretty bad also. Even with a glove, the sleeve makes my hand puff up so bad. I do not wrap as much as I should, but it is realy a major annoyance to me. I know this sounds silly, but I am so private, I just cringe when people ask and I have to explain why I am wrapped up to my shoulder with wrapping. I pretty much just say I have swelling issues that I am trying to control. Sleeping with the wrapping is not any better than trying to go about my day with it on. I will say it is not painful, but really annoying. It almost feels weirder when the swelling goes down, almost like it has been traumatized.
Juliet, I wanted to let you know that I have been feeling pretty much the same exact way that you have been feeling. For me a large part, I think, is allergies and sinus issues. There are just some days I feel like crap. Also, for right now, I appear to be back in menopause, and that has just been for the last couple of months, so I think that may be contributing also. Then of course, my imagination starts thinking of other things it could be, and that brings on the anxiety, which I think makes everthing worse. I did get Claratin D today and am going to start taking that every day. I hope it helps.
lago, I forgot to mention, did I possibly see you at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont in early March. We took my little guy there for the World of Wheels Car Show, and I thought I saw you there. You were having a conversation with someone and my husband and son were already ahead of me leaving, so I could not stop. Plus, I was not 100 percent sure it was you.
I have quite a bit of time off in July and I am so looking forward to just hanging out at the pool. Between the weather and baseball, we have been there much yet this year. I am hoping to get out there tomorrow.
After reading all the posts about good books, I realize I must start reading more. I have the iPad and it is so easy to get wrapped up in other things, like games, music, etc.
I hope we have a dinner get together soon, and that I can make. I miss seeing you ladies. I know both Donna and Elf have moved and I will miss seeing them at the Komen walk.
Take care everyone.
Lisa
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OMG Lisa that was me. I was meeting a gal from Kansas City that I met here on BCO. We had our BMX the same month and started chemo the same day. Her husband is Fritz Schenck/Spritz by Fritz. I guess he's pretty well know for the cars he does. They had a booth at the show as well as one of his cars on display. I bet you never expected to see me at a car show.
Funny but I was just thinking about the Komen walk yesterday too. Thinking this time I will know who you guys are but sad because Donna & Elf won't be there.
This week is going to be a big cleaning and cooking week for me. Seems the thing to do before surgery. I like to have stuff frozen for dinner. I don't know how much I will be allowed to do right after surgery. My biggest fear is I will be stuck indoors till my husband gets home from work. Not sure I will be allowed to open the steel reinforced, floor to ceiling door on our condo.
Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. I'm hoping the rain holds of till tonight.
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My Chosen Family
You are my family, but we don't share blood.
You are my family by choice.
The most powerful bond is the one that we choose.
I choose you as my friend, and rejoice.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Jackie...Love the quote.
Wow we had quite a rain here early AM....
Wishing everyone is doing well today...
My DH and I had the twin grandsons (20 mo's old) from noon until 10PM yesterday..they are so much fun but really wear me out....they did have small nap in afternoon and went down for the evening at 7:30...
Have a good day everyone!
Marsha
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Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men in our lives!! It looks like it will be a humid and sunny day up at the lake. It was very busy on the waters yesterday, a bit choppy but refreshing. My kids are here up at the lake with us and my ds will be grilling for dinner. Yum can't wait for the the surprise dinner he has planned for dh.
Irene....glad to see that your infusion went well. I too am looking at getting one. But have been dragging my feet about it since last year. I have osteoporosis from my Dexa scan, not bad but because of the thyroid they recommend it. So it will be up for discussion next week.
Laura...thinking of you and hope things are getting better. Remember to take one day at a time. How is your arm doing?
Lago....glad to hear all was good with your coly. Getting ready for exchange soon, cooking and cleaning then it will be rest time. If you are up to it I will be visiting my dd, maybe a lunch outing for you if you are up to it.
Calico....welcome here and sorry to hear that you and mom are going through this together. Come often for support and questions.
Lisa...glad to hear from you and yes there is life after bc. I know for me living my life and having fun is a big part of the healing process. We only have one life so live it to the fullest.
As I say busy is good.Nana....glad to see that you had a wonderful time at lunch with the girls. Yes we are a very chatty group but lots of fun. Hope you can return for our annual holiday party in Dec.
Joan...how are you feeling? resting well after your surgery.
Jackie...loved your new quotes this week. How is Maggie feeling?
Julieb....thinking of you and hope you are feeling better. The lake is here for you. Just let me know.
Juliet... how is mom doing? and tx plans yet for her? hope she is feeling better soon.
Zap....the lake will be having lots of festivals in the up coming weeks here. Lots of treasures to be found. Let me know when you are coming up and maybe we can do lunch up at the lake.
Well I just wanted to stop by for a quick hi to all. Off to run now around the lake. Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday with family and friends. Jackie's quote today says it all...My Chosen Family. Thanks for a wonderful quote today.
Remember to be healthy... be happy and enjoy your life.
BJ
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Good morning everyone.....hmmm, yesterday --- huge whopping storm came through and we were without power until 5 p.m. I really think it was more due to all the previous rain and windy storms and a tree toppled and pushed a power pole with transformer way over. Our water table is so high here and I think a lot of the trees are " loose " and is not taking much for something to happen.
Lisa...I'm sorry to hear you have the LE too. I don't think about it --- probably should, but only had 3 lymph nodes out and when I was measured for my sleeve Donna said she had never measured anyone that had such good numbers. I am grateful for that. Still, I know that if it comes.....it seems like it tends to sneak in after you have all but forgotten that it could.....so I do worry as I do some repetitive things daily. I know what you mean about wearing the sleeve as it tends to perk interest of those around you. Not a great thing.
Nana.....I think we are not totally through with the storms as yet.....but if we are lucky they may stay more south ( well, I always hope ) but then someone else has to deal with them which isn't great for them either. We are so far having such a "stormy" time of spring and summer. By the time it all settles out......roast and bake time.
Hope you all have a great day.....especially the Dads...................
Hugs, Jackie
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BJ let me know when you're in the hood. If I'm up for it,they will let me, and I can pull the door open I'd love to meet up with you. If this week just let me know when. 0
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Waving hello to everyone. Having a relaxing weekend while still recouping from exchange surgery last Wednesday. But I am feeling soooo much better since yesterday afternoon. No more real pain so just back to my usual AdvilPM to make sure I get a good night's sleep. My energy has been so much better now that the anesthesia fog has finally worn off. I have a post-op appt with my PS down at NW this Wednesday so I will get his opinion on how things are healing but everything looks good to me.
Rene.... just wondering if I should ask my ONC about doing Zometa infusions. We have never talked about that. My DEXA scan was done near the beginning of chemo just over a year ago and he didn't seem concerned. But now that I have been taking Femara for 7 months, maybe I need to get that checked again?
BJ... sounds like you have alot of fun on the lake. Which lake are you on? We are just a couple blocks from our lake, but we got rid of the boats and water toys a few years ago. The kids loved growing up with all that stuff and they miss it when they are visiting here. Sometimes we think about buying another pontoon boat, but then we think it would be easier to just borrow someone else's. Call us lazy! Our DD and family and DS and wife will all be here in a couple weeks. Our 7-year old grandaughter will be here for a couple weeks, so I am sure I will get in alot of beach time then. She loves it down there.
Hope everyone is enjoying the day. Sounds like it will be a stormy week. I am finding that I do not handle the heat and humidity very well since going through all this BC mess so I just prefer some cooler weather. My LE seems to be minimal lately... wondering if the latest exchange surgery actually helped the situation. Whatever, I still keep after it as much as I can within the restrictions following the surgery last week.
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