Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011
    MadMom it's not itcy, doesn't hurt nor is it bumpy. Just discoloration. BTW getting the tee-shirt on is the easy part. Getting it off is the challenge. I've been scared to try on some dresses for fear I would be in the dressing room stuck with it half way over my head!
  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011
    ~ Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. ~ share this  saying Bill Cosby

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011

    mdg  Just go up to MY HOME.....at the top of this page and go into edit profile.  You can make yourself an Illinoian right there. 

    Jackie

  • Adey
    Adey Posts: 2,413
    edited August 2011

    WendyTY...!

  • Adey
    Adey Posts: 2,413
    edited August 2011

    Okay.  What the foxtrot?!  I shrank that bad boy... oh well.  (c:

    Big healing hugs and vibes to WendyTY and Mak (heck, to us all)!

  • zap
    zap Posts: 1,850
    edited August 2011

    I love funnel cakes....!  By the way, all these cakes are so lovely! DD made a tiramasu cake....so rich!

     Big but gentle hugs, WendyTY.

    I love Fall too and I am beginning to feel her coming to Illlinois.

    Well, this is officially my five year anniversary.  Probably had the cancer way before this date five years ago, but this is when it was announced.  DH and I had just come home for a 20-mile bike trip in Wisconsin and I went to the doctors believing she would give me meds for a rash I had on the breast (not IBS but Pagets).  I recall that she jumped around the room (dermatologist and not a BC doctor) and didn't look me straight in the eye for the first minute of the conversation.  It all seems so weird right now.  The only good thing that came of it is that I met all the people here....that truly is the only good thing.

    Have a good one.

    Susan

  • joan888
    joan888 Posts: 711
    edited August 2011

    Zap/Susan... many congrats on your 5 year cancerversary!  I am looking forward to reaching that....in another 3 1/2 years!  I stopped at my local health food store this weekend and one of the clerks noticed my compression bandage on my arm and had to ask if I was a BC survivor.  Those darn sleeves seem to be an advertisement.  We had a really nice chat.  She had received the same diagnosis as me and just celebrated her 5 year cancerversary last month.

    So, I paid a visit to my LE PT for the start of daily treatments for two weeks and was really hoping that she was going to let me off the hook when she saw how much I have gotten the swelling down on my own in the past few weeks with exercise and sleeve.  She was all ready to call a truce but decided to do a little manual LD while I was there and we got to chatting about upcoming travel plans, etc.  I mentioned that I would be flying to Seattle next week.... that didn't bother her at all.  But then I mentioned that I would be flying to Italy next month......and out come the wraps!   Uggh!  I go back tomorrow afternoon and she will take them off and let me just go back to my sleeve for golf tomorrow afternoon.  The we will take it from there.

    LE PT wrap"

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011

    Zap 5 years Woo hoo! great news.

    I'm actually not counting from when I was diagnosed. I'm counting from surgery or my "NED" date. 2 weeks & 2 days till 1 year for me.  I know the next 2 will be the most challenging but that's OK.

    Joan you have a "mummy hand" All set for Halloween. Seriously I hope we don't get anymore hot weather again. That looks a bit warm.

  • mdg
    mdg Posts: 1,468
    edited August 2011

    Wendy we are renting until we find the right house. Packers are here....there are tons of boxes everywhere. I cant wait to be moved. We move in on Thursday! Chicago here we come!

  • Mich101
    Mich101 Posts: 489
    edited August 2011

    Hello Everyone!

    Happy belated birthday to WendyTY.  Hope your had a great day.

    Happy 5 yrs to Zap. My 5 year from dx will be Oct of this year.  I had my annual breast MRI today and for some reason I was more nervous than ever. Not sure why. (My boys were leaving to go back to school today, so that could have something to do with it too!)

    MDG hope your move goes smoothly and welcome to Illinois!

    To everyone going through tx, I hope you feel stronger everyday.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited August 2011

    CONGRATS ZAP!  5 YEARS!  YEA!   My 5 year mark is in November, so I'm right behind you and Michele. 

    I had to have an Elephant Ear at  the State Fair on Saturday as well as a pork chop sandwich from the pork producer's tent and a box of Sutter's taffy to bring home..........none of which is good for me, but it's a once a year treat!

    Well, it looks like I'm off and running again on Sunday.  My DIL called and asked me to babysit all 3 boys in Oxford, MS for a week.  She has to be in Chicago for training and recertification for her job and my son can't take off work so soon in his new job.  The 2 older boys are already in school and they know nobody there who they feel comfortable watching the boys so here I go.  I don't mind helping them out and I'll love taking care of the little guys but I'm dreading that long drive by myself.  Ten or 15 years ago, I would have hopped into the car without a second thought.  I never thought I'd get to this place in my life, but I guess it crept up on me.  So, I guess I'll take lots of pit stops along the way and just take my time.

    After several of you gals suggested that I download Angry Birds on my new phone, I took your suggestion.  Now that's a catchy little game, too isn't it?  Wendy, did you find the coupon app?

    Well, I hope everyone had a good day.  I went to Tuscola Outlet Mall and found a few bargains.  Then I came home and tried to get caught up with all the things that I should have done today.  Phew!  I never seem to get caught up anymore.  I really think I got more done when I was working full time.

    I'm off to find a comfy chair and a good book tonight.  Hugs to all of you.

    Rita

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011

    Quick question. Am I going to set of alarms in the air port with my port? Do I need to show them my device card before I go through the scanner? I assume the boobie prizes are a non issue.

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    K...which feel better, cotton, satin or silk scarves on a bald noggin??? I need to order some soon....

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011

    Loved listening to all of you who have or will be hitting the five yr. mark. Not sure about the statistics, but am l recalling this right, once you make it to five yrs. your chance of recurrence gets less and less, and that if you had one.....would it be considered a new primary.  Ok....I flunked that part because I've decided never to have it happen so just did not invest any time learning about all that. 

    Anyway....I'm so happy for everyone.....and thrilled for the amt. of life everyone is living  ---- going out with daughters to neat places, spending a week babysitting/mothering grandchildren.  Going to Hawaii on vacation ( Juliet, how's it going ??? ) and everyone doing the best they possibly can, lots of hugs and love for Wendy TY and Mak-Mak, and just going for it, no matter what the situation.  Not forgetting Nan, Lago, Laura, Rene', Bj, Joan, Adey, Lisa, Mad, mdg --  well, I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but I don't mean to. 

    Hope you all had a wonderful, productive day.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    Lago, I would take your card but I was told it would not set off airport alarms.....im worried about my foobs and was told I don't even need a card for the TE's??? Every time I walk into Target I cringe with fear of setting off the metal detectors.... LOL

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    YAY Zap!!!! Five years is awesome!!!! :) I love hearing how many IL girls are at 5 years....gives me so much hope for beating this! :)

  • joan888
    joan888 Posts: 711
    edited August 2011
    Lago... I flew several times with my port and it never set anything off.  I always get the special treatment though cause I look like such a terrorists, you know.  I always refuse the scanners and request a private pat-down... just to be a PIA.  Lately, I have been having fewer "issues" though although last week, I thought I 'd try wearing my compression sleeve through security.  Oh yes, I got pulled aside so they could swipe it down with those explosive detector wipes. It is fun to experiment with the TSA.  Wonder what they would think of my latest wrappings!
  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011

    MadMom I found that cotton was best but I did have a 2 rayon ones I did love (from Naturally Yours). The cotton was best because it didn't slip (silk was a nightmare) and could be washed in the machine. I did get a couple of rayon ones as gifts but for some reason they were itchy. I loved the scarves from Anokhi. You could even toss those in the dryer. They were cheaper at Naturally Yours then on the Anokhi site although I did purchase from the site because I didn't like the patterns at NY. I would recommend just getting a couple till you see what works for you.

    Now at the Looks Good Feel Better they said to get material with a little stretch. I had one like that. It really shapes to your head so you look like an egg head when you have no hair. Meh

    I would also consider going to a fabric shop and purchasing remnants. 

    Thanks Joan. So I'm going to get pulled aside because I'll be wearing sleaves on both arms. Great, and I'm flying out of Boston this time. You know the place where one of the 911 planes came from. I'll probably be stripped searched.

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    Lago... You can show em the new girls? LOL...id rather have a strip search than a cavity search!!!!



    When do you leave for your "chowder orgy", Wednesday??? I don't really like chowder.... I like lobster, but that's Maine isn't it? Have a great time!!!!



    I'm definitely NOT buying silk...i forgot I won't have anything to help keep a scarf on my head soon... BOO!!!

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited August 2011

    I'm leaving Wednesday morning. Yes they have lobsters in MA. Cape Cod without lobster would be a little wierd. Maine isn't that far away.

    You could always try dress tape for you head. Tongue out

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    Oh yeah, the tape that keeps boobs inside a dress??? That's a good idea....that's what my daughters most afraid of, my wig flying off while we are waiting at the bus stop! Ha ha...I'm afraid of that too!!!



    Yum, lobster sounds good right now..... One of my all time fave treats!!! Enjoy some for me! :)

  • Rene23
    Rene23 Posts: 290
    edited August 2011

    A belated Happy Birthday to you, WendyTY.  I hope you had a lovely day.

    mdg - Good luck on all that packing, and unpacking.  Welcome to Illinois!

    Zap! - Big congrats on hitting that 5 year milestone.  

    Lago - I've had the range of TSA experiences when flying with my sleeve.  I've been pulled out just to have the wand run up and down my arm, but I've also waltzed right through with no one seeming to even notice.  They do seem familiar with it though because I've never been asked what it's for. 

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited August 2011

    Morning! Gonna be another glorious day...bit chilly right now at 55 tho..



    Susan...Congrats on #5! (of course that also means you are 5 years older! Lol!)



    Rita...have a great time! Yep...count me in as someone who is leery of doing some things now that would never have crossed my mind 10 years ago...age? Cancer? Don't know. And I too never seem to get things done and I'm home alone all day. If I stopped reading that would free up hours but....too many books, too little time! I LOVE reading!



    Mich101....I'm right behind you in November with Rita for my 5 yr. I have my next mamm/us on 9/26 and I am dreading it. Tho I was never "excited" to go, these appts seem to get more worrisome for me. Now that your boys went back you and DH have the boat all to yourselves...a nice romantic sunset boat ride tonight????? :)



    Jackie...I don't know the stats as my onc never quotes them. I do know he was happy to see me pass the 2 year mark after completing Herceptin tx tho.



    Lago...thought you already went! Well...have a great time! Port should not be a problem.



    MadJenn...I too was worried about wigs flying off especially since I have a convertible. Trust me, they don't move! You'll be fine.



    Mdg...good luck with the move! You will be right next door so if you need anything, speak up!



    Time to get off my chubby butt and get to the gym...Happy Tuesday, all! Enjoy this fab weather!



    PS to Rita....angry birds is sooooo addictive! Do Words With Friends (there's a free version) and then you can play scrabble with BJ and JanClare and Rene and ME!

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    I love Words with friends!!! I have a feeling it's going to help me a lot sitting in the chemo chair!!! Scrabble is very relaxing to me.... :)



    We leave for Bloomington tonight....I can't believe he's leaving the nest, it's really going to be weird without him around everyday.... He claims he's "never going to live here again....college right to the real world". Ha ha ha.....can I get that written in blood?

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011
    That fortitude which has encountered no dangers, that prudence which has surmounted no difficulties, that integrity which has been attacked by no temptation, can at best be considered but as gold not yet brought to the test, of which, therefore, the true value cannot be assigned.
         - Samuel Johnson, 1709 - 1784
  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011

    Pretty day out today.....cool last night and this a.m.  Last few days it seems I look up in the afternoon as I'm sitting here in my little office and checking email, etc. and there have appeared three or four deer right outside my window.  They nibble on some of my plants ( that come back every yr. anyway ) and acorns in the yard.  Such pretty animals that I would not have the heart to make them stop.  I have enjoyed my plants all year so far -- so if I deer needs something to eat, so be it.

    Wendy...hate to say this ( such a bad memory ) but there is a two yr. mark.  A friend up in Naperville's Oncologist told her this about her tx.....that she needed to get to and past the two yr. mark.  Interesting. 

    Hope you are all going to have a fantastic day.  I'll be checking in later.  See you then.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • makmak
    makmak Posts: 374
    edited August 2011

    Good morning.. Definitely is a beautiful day out!! I've been taking full advantage of these last few days by meeting friends for lunch.. running errands, excercising.. and doing tons and tons of research..

    Research of course means finding things.. found 4 Trials in Indiana which add something new to Herceptin to make it work again.. Though I don't think I can take the time to do this now, I have an appointment in a few weeks to talk to the Onc there who I had seen a year ago for a consult about all the options.. definitely feels good to have these OPTIONS!!! 

    Of course also spent a few days researching supplements as most of  you know Oncs do not want you using them.. and I don't agree with that approach.. So between my books, my friend who is on Gemzar and her list from her Naturapath and a call to the Block Center I finally have my new list.. which I think my Onc will not be pleased with.. but unfortunately there will never be FDA sponsored studies to help my cause.. I just can't afford to get constantly sick from Gab being in daycare with 24/7 colds or viruses.. UGH UGH UGH..

    I too am looking forward to the day I celebrate my 5 year anniversary since diagnosis.. and hopefully with NED at my side!! 

    I have NOT downloaded Angry Birds though it is on my PC from DS... I can't afford another addiction right now.. LOL..

  • joan888
    joan888 Posts: 711
    edited August 2011

    Lago... last week was the first time I deliberately went through TSA security with my sleeve on.... and just to push the point, I wore a sleeveless shirt.  Every other time, I had it in my purse and just stepped into the bathroom after securtiy to put it on, or I was wearing a long sleeve shirt so it was not noticeable.  And this was in Sioux Falls, SD airport which has more escess TSA security people standing around than any where I have ever seen.  It is amazing what I have seen go on there.... and I am sometimes convinced that it is all in the name of job security.  I used to think that Seattle was tight, but Sioux Falls has them beat by far! Go figure....

    Makmak... good luck on your Gemzar treatment tomorrow.  Hope that it goes easy on you.  Did you have to get a new port?  MaryjRN.... hope that chemo went okay yesterday.

    I am off to my LE PT soon to get this darn bandaging off and get back into my sleeve.  It is too hot today to be wearing all this stuff on my arm.  I had to turn on the A/C last night!

    Just sharing a story from our local paper today

    http://www.nwherald.com/2011/08/12/with-each-step-pink-ribbons/ap9j13b/

  • MaryjRN
    MaryjRN Posts: 43
    edited August 2011

    My second treatment went fine, but all of my liver enzymes are elevated, 10x the level that they were just 2 weeks ago!  Went for an ultrasound today and I have to see him again tomorrow.  Thanks for all the well wishes.

    Mdg...hope the move goes smoothly and I'm glad you went on a vacation.  House chaos will always be there, but spending time with family is more important.

    Jackie...I tried cheese curds at the Wisconsin State Fair a few years ago, along with the cream puffs.  And fresh chocolate and strawberry milk. Another trip there is definitely on my to-do list.  Maybe next year.

    Madis(Jenn) ...that's great news about wearing the clothes you want. Your stepson will really appreciate his little sister (and you) when he's gone.  The college kids enjoy getting mail, even from little siblings.  Most tape cards from home up in their rooms.  Is he going to ISU?  Mine leaves Saturday. She is a senior at U of I.

    Susan...Congratulations on your milestone.  My mom is an 18 year bc survivor and that is what she referred to her 5 year out date.

    Joan...I have found myself talking to everyone that looks like they are going through any cancer or if they have a t-shirt advertising it.  It's good for me at least!Laughing

    Rita...I have actually worked the Pork Producer tent before...  Illinois used to be the #2 state for pork production, before all of the huge mega farms started in the Carolinas.

    Lago...I guess I never thought about cotton being better.  It sure makes sense.  Have fun in Mass.  My daughter lives there and it's such a beautiful state.  I get the pat down because I have a knee replacement. I don't think they are a big deal.  I don't want terrorists on airplanes.  We all know how that ends.

    Heading out soon for my Neulasta shot.  I forgot to ask yesterday about letting  them bring it home so I could do it myself.  It is a 1 hour round trip. 

    Have great days ladies!

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited August 2011

    Joan....while not a huge "pink" fan, I really enjoyed that piece out of your paper.  Got a little misty eyed a couple of times.  I enjoyed the five rules she had......it keeps her positive and that is pretty much the bottom line.  None of us really know what the end of our story will be....or just as importantly when the time for the ending is set.....being positive isn't a cure for anything.....but what an incredible tool to help in looking for the best answers to your health needs and daily life. I think it goes far to get and keep hope and inspiration alive and well. 

    Hugs, Jackie