Illinois ladies facing bc

Welcome back Adey............glad you enjoyed L. Michigan.  Bet it was nice....and even cool.  I prayed for rain the past few days we got nary a drop, but the temps. went down so that is something.  We really could use about four days of slow, steady rain though. 

Lynn -- you are having a normal reaction to this ugly disease.  I haven't any great words of wisdom.  It is not a pleasant journey to have to take......but I do feel that shared pain is a much lessened pain and just as Invisible says....we are here to support you and help you as best we can along the way.  Some days you are up, some down, but you will go through whatever you have too........and mark the days off your calendar and you will learn to be the master of what is going on. 

You will look back  ( I hope ) and be astounded at what you managed to do and get through and it will all become so worth it. 

Invisible.....I hope you don't need chemo......though many do very well with it.  Work all the way through etc. I'll be crossing my fingers later on this week for you. 

Hope you all had a great Monday.  See you later.

Hugs, Jackie

Lynn -- I used Naturally Yours in Willowbrook.  A little further west than where you are, but not too bad.  It is right on Route 83.    They had a great selection of wigs....   they are a full service salon, had lots of selection for scarves and head coverings too.  I was very self conscious about being bald, didn't want anyone at work to know that I was going through BC, so I wore  the wig every single day to work.   I found one that was reasonably comfortable.  I also made a couple of trips back to get it trimmed up just right and to adjust the fitting... it may not be perfect when you leave the shop the first time, but they were very helpful about working with me until I was satisfied. 

They also shaved my head for me... I am a terrible housekeeper under the best of circumstances, and didn't want to deal with shedding hair all over the place (I have three daughters and two long haired cats, 'nuff said!).  They had a private room for the shaving, my husband stayed with me the whole time.   

There may be some good places closer to you, hopefully someone else will chime in.   

Caryn!

Well if it doesn't rain it pours!  What a year this is turning out to be.  Today about 3pm, I was laid off!  I've now joined the ranks of the unemployed and I think I'm madder about this than I was about breast cancer!  I've updated my LinkedIn account and already have some leads.  Let's hope that I can get lucky in this matter too!  God wouldn't give me more than I could handle would he???!!

valerie0118 - I'm so sorry about getting laid off.  I was worried about you when you mentioned that this was happening to others at your job.  I went through a demotion due to reorganization last year. Had a 25% decrease in pay.  I was furious and hurt.  Angry because of the arbritrary nature of the decision and that my immediate supervisors had no control over the situation.  Then I got diagnosed with bc and refocused my energy.  Oddly, without bc, I'm not sure how I would have gotten out from the anger.  

So glad you are already being proactive with the job hunt, but don't forget about your health.   Does this effect your health insurance?  Hang in there because things will change.  A year later and I've gotten my position back with more duties and a little more pay.  

Hug to you. 

Oh Valerie....I am so sorry. I can't imagine how stressed you are feeling right now. I hope you can get a new job soon. Talk to your PS and see if he would work with you. My PS fit me int a packed schedule because we were moving out of state and changing insurance. They were very understanding. Good luck!

Julie.....a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY  to you and many, many more.

Hugs, Jackie

Good morning to all of you.  Valerie....I'm so sorry to hear your news and found the above quote before I read it.  Hard to imagine just what the silver lining might be in so many of the events that happen to us.  I don't think we get more than we can handle -- but now and then I DO think we get a little over-loaded.  That the burdens are not spaced very well.  There are times when you just have to keep the faith going that something good is around the corner..................so all you really have to do is find which corner.  It's perseverance and I'm wishing  you so much of that now. 

JanClare.....great to see you again.  You are living proof that new normals are great things and that life does go on and can become so good....and so appreciated.  You sound so busy and so ALIVE and well.  Yay!!!

Speaking of other faces we haven't seen for awhile.....waving to Laura GTO, Wendy13, Lago, and BJ.

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday. 

Hugs, Jackie

Sorry I've been MIA. For some reason this thread became unfavorited. Valerie I lost my job 5 months prior to BC diagnosis. At the time I was on Husband's insurance, which was Cobra since he too lost his job. When Cobra ran out we went on Illinois High risk pool insurance. It got pretty $$ (rates went up while on it) but still substantially less expensive than paying for treatment on our own. If you are worried your Cobra will run out and need info contact me. Believe me I understand the stress of being diagnosed and worrying about cobra running out!

Lynn I went to Naturally Yours as well. I wore mine twice. I think the real issue was it was too big. When my hair started to fall out they cut it short and thinned it down but that wasn't enough. I think once my hair was gone the wig didn't fit. I have really thick hair naturally. When I went back to have them try to adjust the woman said it was fine… then rushed out of the place because I was her last appointment. So be sure that the wig fits properly.

Virginia I think the trial is a great idea. I know I would have loved to do one. All the women that did this before so we now have the treatments available... I wanted to give back too. Once I understood about trials I was not eligible for any of the local ones and couldn't afford the airfare for the non local. I would look closely at all the SE of the various chemos. I know I was pleased that my onc typically uses TC over AC-T. She doesn't seem to like the SE of A BUT T has it's own special SE too.

ADEY

Happy Birthday to Julie and Caryn. Wishing you both a wonderful fun filled day.

HI EVERYONE.....yes it is me BJ stopping by to say hi to all my old and new girls here. Sorry that I have been MIA for so long. Life has been so busy since school has been out and I am trying to squeeze everything in until I have to go back in early Aug. As Jan so elegantly put it yes there is  a fun filled life after bc.

For all the new girls here...you too will have a new normal life after all txs are completed. Now you are filled up with fear and anxiety. Relax, breath and take one day at a time. We are here for you.

Jackie...yes we do need that rain as my flowers are wilting because of this heat. The humidity is the worse and I could do without that. Your quotes are wonderful as always. Miss you

Jan... life is crazy busy for you too. Where is your new place? Do we need a road trip to check it out.

Zap...how are you and Paul doing? Hope things are going well. Did you check out the art fair in Chicago... I did it was great. so many treasures to fine.

Adey...welcome back. How is your running going? I had a sl set back due to fluid build up from truncal edema. Cause was the humidity and running when it was sooo hot. not good. So now I need to run when it is not so hot. Any chance you want to try a 5k in early Aug with me. Let me know.

Lago...I spent last weekend in Chicago... now I know traffic is awful. Crazy drivers. But love the city and lake.:)))

Lisa....how are you..enjoying your new job.

For the new girls here I host a Holiday party every December. It is a luncheon held in Schaumburg were we all get together for good food, fun, and laughter. There are many new ones here that I have not met. I have trying to see how many would be interested in coming. I know this is very early to start to think about holiday parties but I would appreciate old and new if you could shoot me an email or pm if you would be interested in coming. It takes some planning and finding a place to hold a large group. I am open to suggestions, so if you think I should continue doing the holiday party please let me know. I am open to changing the date to maybe early November if that is better with our Chicago weather. Something to think about.

Well off to run now....have a great day.

Remember to be healthy.... be happy....enjoy life:)

BJ

Hi all,

Just chiming in with a response about the wig.  I went to Naturally Yours also and my experience was great.  I was there until really late at night.  She did "adjust" the wig to fit after she shaved my head.  Also, I wore to work every day for about 6 months.  I have heard other not so great stories also about there, but I just wanted to post my positive experience there.

Lisa

Morning beautiful ladies!

Got a full nights rest! AC chemo 3 was last Thursday and for days I experience four hour nights...and can not fall back asleep. But yesterday a soaking bath and Tylenol PM works for a full nights sleep.

I have a sensitive left big toe...weird, so trying to moisturizer and massage.

I crashed on Tuesday after again. With each infusion, no matter what nausea meds I try I get emotional, weepy and completely drained of energy on day 6.

Only one more AC to go and then on to 12 weekly taxol/herecptin.

I have to start walking, I know it will help my energy level, but I'm tired and afraid of pushing myself when no ones around. Maybe today I'll try the treadmill!?!

Enjoy this beautiful Illinois day!

I so appreciate all your advice, wisdom, encouragement and joy!

Gracedembraced don't beat yourself up about the exercise. Do what you can do. Even if it's only 10 minutes of a not so brisk walk. As far as being tired and drained… that's what chemo does for most of us. I know I never had really bad fatigue but several days would either need a nap around 3 or 5pm and/or still crash by 7pm. I never slept as well as I do now on chemo either as far as a full night goes. Hopefully Taxol with be easier on you. I did TCH so I really don't have experience with either.

Julie forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday


(Caryn already got her BD linkie on Facebook)

Adey & Lago.....great cakes.  Makes me want to go out and get one and it's not my birthday.  Graceembraced.  Lago gave you good advice....don't push yourself too hard.  Chemo is making a lot of changes very quickly and you are bound to "feel" it and then your body tells you what to do about it.......so rest as you need too, and set up a comfortable pace for emerging from the chemo effects.  If you are having some do nothing days.....take advantage, they won't last.  Of course, the up and at them part wants to complain --- but it is only a temporary situation -- be kind to yourself.

I think that un-favored thing because of where it sits is easy to get bumped accidentally.  I have done it a couple of times.....not sure if that is what happened with you Karen & Lago.  Also think when BC.Org is doing things sometimes something can disappear or appear. 

Lisa it is interesting how we sometimes connect or don't as the case may be.  I went to a wig shop and though they were 'extremely' nice and were so very willing it seemed, I just didn't end up with a positive feeling.  I kept the free wig I got from the "Look Good- Feel Better" session at our local hospital here in my home town.  It wasn't the best fit......and for the most part it LOOKED like a wig.....but somehow I thought I'd feel better that way.....admitting without having to say much of anything ---  that I needed to cover a hairless head.  I will say the top had some blended 'frosting' and that did make it seem less wiggified.  I'm sure my spell checker will laugh all the way to the Internet dictionary but that's ok.

Hope you all have a great day......hoping for rain this week-end.  It's cooler but it would be nice to have the dust settled.  I've seen a couple of trees in people's yards that are taking on the look of Fall already.  Sure not liking that.....and hoping some rain might help.

Hugs, Jackie 

Heading out for vacation.  Hope everyone does well and has an easy time with treatments. I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts.

Joan-sending prayers for your back surgery.

Those of you going to the greek town get together dinner and related festivities-have a wonderful time, sure wish I could be there. Take lots of pictures!

I know I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back.  xoxo