Illinois ladies facing bc

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. 

Joan - I had osteopenia and was on Actonel for three years - stopped taking it around the time I was diagnosed with BC.  Last August had a bone density and no osteopenia - scheduled for another one this August - so we will see what Anastrozole is doing to my bones.  You should probably ask for another test just to make sure.

Good morning!

Good Morning Adey and everyone else too!!

Well, we came back from our trip to New Orleans.. Our flight was cancelled there.. so flew to Miami to spend a lovely 5 hours at an airport then on to NOLA.. We visited the College in 98 degree humid weather.. It is definitely not a good fit for Ellen.. Neither is the city. She enjoyed beign a tourist but not for 4 years.. So, I'm glad we went.. can't imagine her ending up there and miserable.. Of course flight back was delayed as well..

Have been having some scary tingling in my head.. not like normal headaches.. more like pressure in one or two areas.. so scary.. and don't want to call my Onc.. will mention at my next visit in 2 weeks.. Just don't want to know.. the possibility and treatment are just NOT appealing to me.. I can deal with the lymph node and radiation of my arm pit if needed.. but not WBR.. There is always something..

 Hope you all are doing better with LE as the weather is not as hot and nasty right now..

Makmak, I am glad you went to the school to realize it was not a good fit for your daughter.  I loved college-hunting with my two but we definitely visited some that were not right.  Then we visited some I loved and they didn't.  College was the best time of my life, so I love colleges and getting new textbooks!  Also, I too understand the concept of not wanting to know. The two week rule always helped me "shelf" symptoms.  Lago is of course wise to tell you to check it out, but I understand your avoidance to do so.  Even if you never had allergies before, you could now and that could show up in the head.  Everyone I encounter is experiencing allergies and today is very humid.  Just did a walk with DH and the humidity is awful.

Tomorrow is the routine mammogram.  The mri throws me for a loop so I can handle the mammogram.  Keep me posted on the bone stuff.  I have scans yearly and the last one was "so-so" and so I will not be surprised if it becomes a problem.  I guess I am up to get  that too. I feel I have gotten so high maintenance since I got BC.

Love to all!

Zap-you hit it spot on with the label of "high maintenance"  I feel that way, too.  I just got off the phone with the Gyne.  Discovered fibroids at time of BC dx.  Now having bleeding....going next week for sonogram and endometrial biopsy.  It's always something.  I am tired of being chopped on and poked at.

Navy

Afternoon....so sorry to hear Marina, but my vote would be to check it out as well.  Just on the off chance it could be allergy related and you could perhaps get a "fix" going a lot sooner. 

Navy....the fibroids are a bummer as well.  I had a fibroid ( big ) starting to grow more so at 51 just told the doc to pull it all out.....didn't think I needed it that much anymore.  Was getting tired of being in menopause every other month anyhow. 

Some good news for me.  Had my pcp appt. in Mt. Vernon this afternoon.  All my numbers are quite well....blood counts right where they should be.  They are going to get me a Podiatrist...yah, I will walk again yet.  Also going to check in with their nutritionist as well.  So, things are about as normal as they can be.  For some reason.....this visit had me not real worried, but feeling some concern --- must be the heat and humidity.  Good to know things are as normal as the apple pie I don't treat myself to, to often. 

Lately....I go buy those angel food cakes ( at the used bread store -- that's what I call it anyway ) but it is really the day old bakery.....at a good price....then get small cans of fruit in it's own juice or water.....slice the cake, put on some fruit and instant desert.  It satisfies me, keeps down the calories and I get a serving or two of the day's fruit allotment. 

Anyway....healing hugs to all.  Hope you all have a good night.

Jackie

Had my final radiation treatment today.  So it's onto the next phase.  Tamoxifen soon, but for the next couple of weeks, just resting and recovery, relief that I don't have to run somewhere for treatment every day.  

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of the wonderful women on this thread who have provided comfort, support and encouragement.   

Good morning, ladies!

I still have to talk to my b.s. (we keep playing phone tag) but I've pretty much decided that I am getting the prophy mastectomy.  Hoping to do a one-step procedure, but we'll see.  I think my foob might actually need a little adjusting, so perhaps I'll do it all at once.  I'm going to consult with a totally new PS for this since the last one I used isn't on staff at the same hospitals as my b.s., and I want to keep my b.s. I also want to stay at the hospital that my office is affiliated with.  Now to try and find the right time to schedule this around the vacation schedules of my co-workers.  I have a terrible time with post-op anesthesia and I'm hoping my recovery won't be nearly as long as it was last time.  I'm both dreading it and anxious to get it done!

I've had really annoying heartburn on a daily basis for a while now.  Have been taking double Prilosec (same as Rx strength), but it's still nagging.  Probably shouldn't be taking it with coffee.

Lisamed - I'm thinking an iPad needs to be on my list of things to purchase.  I had a mini-laptop that was great for travel, but the DD managed to drop it and shatter the screen.  I miss having it. 

BJ- I remember you talking about your osteo. and concerns about treating it.  There are several options out there, but my onc still feels zometa is the best for me with my history.  I'm comfortable with his explanations based on what I've read.  But, all these things are optional, and I really believe that everyone has to be comfortable with their own choices - even if they aren't necessarily the most recommended.  What's indicated the most my study numbers isn't always the right choice for everyone.

Btw, DS is probably going to resume his apartment searching next week or so.  He's been traveling a lot for work lately.  Now, they are thinking Lincoln Park or west Lakeview, still trying to stay near the expressways since 3 of 4 of them work in the suburbs. 

Joan - I need to pull out my dexa scans and try to pinpoint exactly when my numbers took the big nosedive.  I was on Tamoxifenfor 1.5 years before switching to Aromasin.  I only lasted 10 months on Aromasin because the joint pains were UNBEARABLE.  So I've been on the Femara since Dec. '07.   I did do another Dexa (we do them at my office, which makes it really convenient), just a few months after my 1st zometa and it showed no changes from the previous one.  I was glad the numbers had stopped dropping, but will be happier to see some improvement.   I'll have to check that date when I get to work today and ask about the appropriate interval time for testing to see accurate results. 

Iago - Good luck with your exchange surgery.  Do you mind me asking what option you are taking for nipples?  I had a skin graft on my foob with skin from my groin.   The skin does match the other one perfectly, but in hindsight, I wish I had just gotten the tattoo.  I'm just going with whatever is easiest for the other one.  I'd skip it all-together if I could, but I do want them to somewhat match.  

Oh, and I love that little frog gif!  Or is it a shell-less turtle.  LOL.

Mak - I love N.O., but I couldn't imagine living there, even for college.  I have a friend who is a native there and even she complains about the oppressive HEAT all the time.   I really did enjoy visiting colleges with my son.  Have you guys considered at Emory in Atlanta?  Gorgeous campus.   My son fell in love with Madison because he liked the campus so much, but he ended up going to U of I because of the engineering dept.  It ended up being the perfect choice for him and he absolutely loved his time there.  Good luck with the headaches.  Susan is right; people who've never had allergies before are suffering a lot right now.  But, I do always think it's best to follow the cardinal rule of 2 weeks - if only to end your worrying about it. 

Zap - Good luck on your mammo.  Sending you good thoughts and hugs!

Navy - Fibroids are notorious for causing bleeding.  Fibroids are like real estate- location, location, location.   If you have any (big or small) located adjacent to or impinging into your endometrum, they can certainly cause bleeding.  Endo biopsy isn't a fun test, but it'll at least ease your mind about that tissue. 

Jackie - Yayfor a check-up with good results!

Nana - Wow, a zoo play day for work?  I'd loooove that!  Maybe the weather won't be too hot and you'll end up having a good time. 

LisaMom - Congrats on finishing rads!  It's so great to get big milestones done and over with.  I never did rads, but I just can't imagine how much of a huge time-suck it is.  Especially if you're running around keeping up with kids.  What a relief it's over for you.  

Okay, resisting another cup of coffee (hee!) and going to get ready for work now.  So glad for these days when I can sleep in and start late.  I'm such a night owl.

Zap so happy you had a good mammo. As I said at lunch I've been told I'm NED and until someone tells me something different I'm not going to worry about it. I'm taking my estrogen sucking drug, exercising and keeping my weight down. There is nothing more I can do and I do believe that stress is something that should be avoided.

Rene I do think I'm going to do the nipple recon. I have time since I'm just going for the exchange on Friday. My PS does the procedure were they take it right from the reconstruction site. Since I did a double there is no issue with matching the existing. Of course they will have to tattoo the color. This is a good explanation of it although not my PS: linky  

The only thing that is making me think maybe not is I have been braless now since August 31st (no counting the training bra). I'm enjoying that and also thinking it might be good not to wear a bra with my LE. I do have several months to decide though.

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

The green guy is an alien 

Hi there.. 

Zap - yay on the good results.. since I sit in that same room.. I know what you mean..

Rene - do you take a pro-biotic? Or Papaya chewable enzymes? They do wonders for heartburn.. and are a natural remedy...  My DD is considering so many schools.. most east-coast.. but hasn't ruled out U of I.. and I'm hoping for Wash U in St. Louis.. both are driveable.. The flights are just such a pain these days.. always cancellations and delays.. She is visiting more schools this summer before applying.. her list is like 10 schools!! 

So.. my baby is sick.. got a call from daycare yesterday and got her late afternoon.. saw a rash on her face.. and PANICKED.. RAN to the Dr.. but luckily just heat rash from her fever most likely.. Not being immune to chicken pox myself I'm just petrified of getting them.. and tasking my immune system.. Well.. she went to bed with 102.6 fever.. scared us all.. seems better today.. the Dr said it will take 1-2 YEARS for her to get over all the diseases.. UGH.. this will be FUN!!

 Hot Hot Hot day.. wish we could play with water today..  Hopefully some of you are out there enjoying this weather.. I'd still take this over the winter...

Thank you for your encouragement.  I am so lucky to have all of you. 

Signed up for a writing workshop where I need to share my manuscript with others.  Talk about cougars in the room.  Jackie, thanks for that image. I waiver among  cougars and cancer and fellow writers in the small room and being the silly girl I am, I often think that I could tame the cougar, while I have no control over the other two, but that is silly, I think .  That is tomorrow, so here I go!

Take it easy girls in treatment and surgery.  Thoughts with you, always.

Susan

Oh. I do love it, Jackie.

On a more serious note than my insecurities, I hope all are okay after those storms.  Much of the town is out of power and we lost some big tree limbs.  It was really something and I hope this finds all my dear friends safe from that storm.

Susan