Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Ladies, I am done with radiation! Now just Herceptin/Tamos. I feel well!
0 -
Ladies, I am done with radiation! Now just Herceptin/Tamox. I feel well!
0 -
Yeah, nancy. Getting done with radiation is very freeing! Is that a word? I will have to check it out with WWF.
0 -
Just a quick "drop in" to welcome all the newcomers to the thread! This is a great place to come for companionship and support before, during, and after your journeys.
makmak....also wanted to tell you how excited I am about your good scan results. You keep up the good work, gal! YEA!!!!!
Jackie, I'll be heading past your turn-off again tomorrow. We're headed down to Biloxi and Gulf Shores for a little golfing with some other good Illinois friends.
I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful and surprising Illinois weather. The flowers around my house are gorgeous and I'm off to mow my grass.................in MARCH???? Wow! It's been a lovely early spring.
0 -
Nancy-Conratulations!
kcshreve-welcome. I have a great PT-will PM you her info.
Where'd that warm weather go? Brrr.
0 -
Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is.
-- Blaise Pascal0 -
Good morning ladies.
0 -
Happy Friday. That was a big storm wasn't it.
Onward you can blame it on what ever you want except "old" cause you're not old.
NancyJill, Yay on the no more rads
Still haven't heard anything on the job but the last time she emailed me (Sunday) she was still out of town, had a few more first round folks to interview and would let me know one one or the other. At this point I don't want to be a pest. But if I don't hear anything by the end of next week I will contact her again. I mean that would be a month already. I doubt it will come to that. I really liked her.
I did have a phone interview Wednesday. I think I would need to drink 3 gallons of coffee a day to work with this woman. Granted it's hard to know on the phone but I just don't think I'm hyper enough for her. I am deadline oriented but I don't get all jumpy. Also I don't drink coffee. Recruiter hasn't gotten back to me so I'm guessing she wasn't all that into me either.
Adey how's your ass feeling?
0 -
Lago, maybe she is out of town on personal vacation and really doesn't want to deal with work stuff. I know it is aggravating and you want to this job. Wish I could offer more than this.
Joan, hope all is well.
Susan
0 -
Happy Friday all.
Lago, agreed with your strategy of calling next week to catch up with the interviewer. Hoping for good news for you.
This weekend starts my offical marathon training with the galloway running group. Will be down in Lincoln Park every Saturday morning. Chicago ladies--let me know if anyone is interested in meeting up for breakfast on a Sat. I will be down there from this weekend through Oct.
0 -
Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!
0 -
I am so glad to find this forum again. Does anyone know anything about Dr. Song in Chicago?
0 -
Eine, he's my doctor. Love him. PM me if you have any questions. I have trouble keeping up with these prolific ladies and might miss a few posts or a dozen!
0 -
Hi all! I'm new to this forum and happy to find some IL locals. I live up in Gurnee and am going to Advocate Condell for treatment. My oncologist is with North Shore Oncoloy & Hematology in Libertyville. I have been through SNB, 7 weeks of Taxol followed by lumpectomy last Friday (because it appeared that the Taxol was not only NOT shrinking the tumor but it had grown). I will be resuming chemo (AC) on April 19th for 4 treatments. I carry the BRCA2 mutation and will be having a DMX this summer. I actually received some good news today from the pathology report..., the tumor was actually much smaller than we had anticipated.., the best news I've had since last November when my journey began!
I hope I can sneak into the forum and join you in your journey. Please share some info about yourself (if you don't mind repeating your story) &/or ask any questions. I look forward to it!
0 -
Hi Cathleen and welcome. First of all, I love Maya Angelou. I am a former English teacher and favored her as a poet and writer in general.
Frankly, the best I can offer to you (I am five years past dx) is that I not only alive, I am thriving. I had chemo, surgery, radiation and have been on pills to keep the cancer at bay for almost five years. There are many women on this forum, however, that are currenlty in the mix of treatment and younger. They will chime in quickly.
I had cytoxan (sp) and Taxol but after the lumpectomy and not before. I guess treatments and approaches change with new knowledge. This is simply to welcome you and to reassure you that soon women in the midst of treatment will "talk" to you. This is just such a nice place to be with, that one finds it hard to leave even years after the big drama. I find that I am always finding out something new on this forum and it is not always limited to cancer. So tell us about you and come often.
Susan
0 -
Welcome Cathleen! Glad you found this group of great ladies! I joined this group in August when I moved to the west burbs from metro Detroit. Diagnosis is below. I did TCx4 and finished last May. I used cold caps to keep my hair through chemo. My BMX was in Jan 2011 and I did reconstruction with TE and implants....just have to get tattoos at this point. I have a 5 year old son and I am into exercise big time. Feel free to get great advice from these knowledgeable ladies. SOrry you are on the BC train but glad you found us
Hugs!0 -
Hi Cathleen. I live in the zoo. Well not exactly, I'm across the zoo (in Chicago). I'm know for my linkies. I just read a few articles today stating that some hormone positive tumors don't respond to taxol but do every well with hormone therapy! I have a feeling that is going to be a good gun for you.
I had surgery first so I have no idea if any of the chemo actually worked on me… but I have no idea even if I needed chemo. I could have been that percentage that would do just fine with surgery alone (in my case it was about 40%). Granted I wasn't going to risk not doing it. You have every reason to believe that hormone therapy and AC will work. (A is a really big gun. Kills the crap out of a lot of cancers not just breast).
^ also know for giving unsolicited advice and support. If you're not interested just ignore me.
0 -
Welcome cathleen. You found a great place here on this forum. I have been hanging out for almost a couple years now. I was diagnosed March 2010, had BMX with immediate reconstruction the following month at NW, followed by ACT and 28 rads. Whew!
My PS appointment yesterday went about as I expected. I had prepared myself for this eventuality. Yes, the cellulitis appears to be gone, but PS says its time, after 3 cellulitis infections on this radiated side, to move on with a revision lat flap surgery ASAP. The skin on this radiated side is just too darn thin and will be a continuous problem. He's concerned that the whole incision could just burst open and then it will be an emergency and take 2 surgeries to correct.
If PS were not leaving on vacation this weekend, I am pretty sure that he would have wheeled me off to surgery today. Instead, he is keeping me on IV antibiotic for another week to keep the infection at bay and I can get my pre-op physical next Tuesday. Then I get him when he is fresh back from his back woods vacation. I have orders to keep the body calm, no stretching, lifting, blah, blah, blah in the meantime. I feel like a ticking bomb. They delayed someone else's surgery to get me in ASAP so I am due in surgery on April 11th, Wednesday at Prentice. Thing is, I feel fine, except for my back of course. Would love to go for a big bike ride with this wonderful weather this weekend, but I will have to settle for a walk.
Only one more IV with the standard IV pole tonight, then I get to switch to an Eclipse IV... its more like a ball and chain. Really. But I will can just toss the thing in my pocket and go out to the movies, dinner, whatever while the IV is running. Really cool. My home nurse pushed for me to be able to get it as she says "you are so active and don't need to be strapped to an IV pole." YES!
0 -
Welcome Cathleen! This is a great thread!
I am still waiting for the review of my films. My pathology 2nd opinion at Rush came back today with the same diagnosis I got a Central Dupage. I went for my BRCA blood test this week but after reviewing my insurance company criteria I have a strong feeling they will decline to cover it.
I am down the dumps today because this process is taking so long. Plus my sweet Clementine (my tibetan terrier) needs surgery on her hip. She was just diagnosed this past week with severe dysplasia. She hasn't been able to walk for the last week. I've been carrying her up and down the stairs and only allowing her outside to potty. She needs this surgery (she is in so much pain) but the recovery time is very long. I have a consult with the vet on Monday. Why does everything happen all at one time? This pup is in my heart. She's a sweet girl and I can't stand to see her in pain. I had a good long cry last night....more for her than me.
Thanks for listening. I am not very upbeat today. I love that I can get this out and I know you all will understand.
0 -
Joan that stinks but at least you have a plan.
Cathleen my sister's dog had hip surgery (huge german shepard). He did fine. He was pretty old at the time. If you insurance declines it make sure they fight if for you. Did you do this at Rush. I found the genetic counsler there useless. So glad I never had to deal with her again.
0 -
Lago - I am sure it was the same genetic counselor at Rush. I read my insurance paperwork and saw that I didn't qualify. She said I did so I decided to get the test. Then she said, "if for any reason your insurance declines this the lab will call you directly". I thought...wait...you told me they would cover it. Argh.
0 -
Just an FYI from me to whoever might be interested. When I was in my ONC's office a couple months ago he had a compliementary supply of books that caught my attention. The book is called "Lily Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey". Evidently Lily (the drug company) has an annual art competition and produces a yearly book from a collection of entries in the competition. I leave this beautiful book on my coffee table and pick it up every once in a while. The competition this year is open until April 30 and I just thought that someone here might be interested in competing or at least just enjoying the art work. www.lilyoncologyoncanvas.com
0 -
-
Thanks, Lago.
0 -
Hi again all and thank you so much for your welcome messages. Interesting there's noone up north (so far) except me.
Susan- thank you for the words of encouragement!
mdg- I was just looking at your blog - very nice! And I wish I had known about the cold caps. Too late now but I am interested in attempting to save my eyelashes & I've ordered an OTC product- not cheap either!
lago- isn't that what this site is for.., unsolicited advice? Where in Chicago do you live? I used to live in Forest Glen (Cicero &Peterson).
joan88- but I must hear about the dance pole!
Cathy- is there anyone in your family that has ever been tested? If so, it's a much less expensive test. Regardless, your insurance should still cover it. Keep fighting!
0 -
Cathleen I really do live across the street from the zoo/nature museum… Lincoln Park0
-
Cathleen.....welcome. Sorry it is a late one. Glad you are here. Joan... !!!!!!! major SIGH for you!!!!!!!!
Lago....too funny -- we don't solicit your linkies either but everybody loves them. Keep on being you....your appreciated.
Hi spunky, Laura, Wendy, Susan, mdg and everyone else. I'm home again late and once again three-quarters brain dead.
Good news.....the garage finally thinks Dh's truck is ready at long last. I have been wearing out my welcome with friends and relatives for three weeks while the truck has been laid up for rides. I was about ready to bring out the dueling pistols over this but maybe won't have too.
Hope tomorrow is going to be all that they say.....a beautiful summer-like day. See you then.
Hugs, Jackie
p.s......I am your quote lady Cathleen.
0 -
Hi girls! Just checking in...
Welcome to all the new girls...sorry you're joining us, but there's lots of support here.
Cathleen - I'm near Lake Zurich along with 2 other girls here. Another girl is in Gurnee and another is in Crystal Lake. So yes...we do have some northern Illinois girls. We might get together for lunch next week. If you're interested, PM me your e-mail address and I'll include you with the plans.
=============================
Working a photo shoot tomorrow...
Have a nice weekend everyone!
0 -
Honor, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Choice,
Vision, Action, Celebration, Unity -
The Values of an Inspired Life.
- Jonathan Lockwood HuieI do not need anyone's permission to be my true self.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Welcome Cathleen - It does sometimes seems that everything happens at once. This is a fantastice place to vent and get great advice.
Joan - ((hugs)) your surgery and my mom's will be the same day right now. Hers may be the day after. Praying for for.
Corrine - So proud of you training for the marathon!!!!! I am still walking and maybe jogging a half mile here and there! I have to hold my boob when I run so it doesn't bounce at all!!! I am sure I look like a fool but I don't care. I am going to try a new sports bra today!
Invisible - I just had my BRCA testing done as well. At the beginning, they said I wasn't eligible. After treatments, I saw a different doctor who said I was eligible to be tested and referred me to a genealogist with Advocate in Oak Park. I got the test last Wednesday.
0
