Illinois ladies facing bc
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Heidi good news about the nodes---As soon as u'r able tell us all about how u feel. YAY
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Heidi....what great news. You have a lot of people breathing that sigh or relief with you.
Hugs,
Jackie
camillegal ~~~~~brainless ~~~~~we all miss a letter now and then. I too wonder which closet my brains are in from time to time.
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Here's hoping the weather forecast is right and the air conditioning can be turned off today. My electric bill is going to match the hospital bill soon.
Second MO opinion yesterday. The two recommendations match exactly except Gradishar (NW Memorial) says the non-treatment recurrence risk is 15% and Cobleigh (Rush) says 20%. While I'll be treated by Cobleigh (much closer and I like her a lot), clearly Gradishar is absolutely correct that the initial recurrence risk is 15% and so between chemo, herceptin, and aromatase, recurrence becomes 3.75%, which I like better than 5%.
Off to be measured for a wig this afternoon. (Naturally Yours, thank you everyone for the recommendations) Does anyone have thoughts on wearing the dang thing versus going "commando"? I'm a CFO at work and wear a stuffy suit, etc. and there seems to be an exceptional incongruity between being bald and a blue suit. Everyone knows I was out for BC surgery and most know that I'll be starting chemo soon. I hear wigs can be annoying but I just don't have the panache to carry off a scarf/turban. At home and around town, I'll be bare or wear a cap, but I'm unsure about work. I know I'll want the wig for some events, regardless of its discomfort, but every day at work? Vanity, vanity.
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Lynn I couldn't pull off bald. My head was not a nice shape. I did scarves except for one weekend (my avatar photo is one of those days). BTW did you ask Cobleigh about the discrepancy?0
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Popping by to say that we 'out-of-state' ladies are excited to be having dinner with some of you Illinois ladies on Saturday in Greek Town. Sounds like you are turning down the heat a little bit for us too, which we appreciate!
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The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings. It makes us patient, sensitive, and Godlike. It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller
Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross0 -
Heidi... Glad to hear that surgery is over, everyone survived and clear nodes! Yeah! You probably already know this, but daytime TV sucks! So just rest and recuperate. Let us know what your next steps are. Reconstruction, chemo,......?
Lynn..... I work from home and spent most of my bald time during the awful heat of summer 2010. So I was happy to be able to go commando most of the time. Inspite of some good scarf tying demos on YouTube, I failed to get the hang of it. In your case, the office and blue suit.... I can understand your dilemma. Co-workers will know you are likely bald anyway....so why bother?
I am coming along slowly after back surgery. I didn't know that I could sleep soooo much. Seems all I do is sleep, pop some Norco, and pee.... repeat, repeat, repeat. I still have about 7 pounds of fluid build up, so peeing is good! We just had a brief rain shower go through. The sun never quit shining.0 -
Wheeeee -- up to 105 again here today. Do think ( I so hope by tomorrow ) some rain is on the way as I think it would get us out of the triple digits we seemed to have worked back up to. Not too much fun at all. Haven't had to worry about ticks and actually haven't had mosquito invasion either. I think the bugs are dying along with the foliage. Well, there you go if you are looking for the blessing of something.
Ruth....I bet you will love the weather and the Illinois gals. Hopefully, weather will be just fine for your visit. Enjoy, enjoy.
Lynn, I too did not have a head shaped well so mainly wore scarves. As I was not good at tying I was able to get a few that were pre-tied. Of course I've forgotten the company now. They were not as nice as the ones you do yourself....but kept me going. I did have a wig that I mainly wore to work.....but my understanding boss did not have me come in all the time......wonderful that I was paid anyway. Scarves can be a God-send and if my gray matter would have functioned a little better at the time I think I might have learned how to tie my own scarves. Scarves, big earrings, and good make-up --- you could be pretty stylish -- but it is a matter of just what gives you the largest sensation of comfort for the situation.
I was amazed when I went to the Look Good-Feel Better Seminar. I walked in a bit late and here are all these bald ladies.....joking, laughing, and having what seemed the best time.......and I thought they were all so good looking. It was something of a confidence booster for me --- so you can pull off totally bald sometimes with good make-up and earrings etc. Though again....my funny shaped head nixed that from the get-go......I guess I'm saying just keep an open mind.......you could end up liking how it goes with you. I have a cousin, who now years later, keeps her hair short on top and keeps it in the "spiked" style that so many of us had when our hair was 'returning'.......some things may suit that you'd never come close to trying except for a situation like this.
Saying hi to Mich 101.
Hope you all have a great day. See you later.
Hugs, Jackie
editing to add: Joan, you are amazing. Glad all sounds so good. Sleep is good....its regenerative and you'll be going like 60 in no time.
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Adey drive by! Vvrrooooooooom! Good morning all. (c:
Winking at robo.
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Oh lynn u have the same Dr. my sister has (Rush) she's been with her for 5 yrs now, just funny to hear her name.
Joan back surgery Oh my--Just sleep thru it and u'll feel better.
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Zometa SEs. Sorry, I don't remember who, but someone was asking about Z SEs and I said I was getting my first infusion the next week and would report out. Well it was delayed a week because ins wasn't lined up. Had it earlier this week. SEs are supposed to show up 24 - 48 hrs after. At about 45 hrs, my SEs are slight. Of note, mild nausea, a little more tired, yesterday occasional bone pain in an ankle/lower leg, and this am tight calf muscles. My "flu-like" symptoms are so mild, I wouldn't have noticed them if I hadn't been watching for SEs.
Was thinking about going for a walk, but heard thunder and now it's raining again. THANK HEAVENS! We needed a break in the drought. I wish everyone could have had the storms we had in the Chicago area over night. Couldn't sleep much because my doxie barked at the louder thunder claps.
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Doxie I'm still hearing thunder a little (wheaton area) western mu cat's in hiding and I know when I see her it's all over. LOL
OK I have to complain please--u all know I've been in and out of the hospital this month, well now I'm taking 4 new meds adding to my 18---well this isn't to bad and I'm trying to organize them day by day--first they all have the long long names, 2nd most f them are white and same size. except for a couple that are not coated and are huge. Now here's my complaint every pill bottle should be named what I'm familiar with and all different shades of color amd of course every single one warns may experience dizziness--i'm dizzy anyway so am I going to get dizzier--most of my friends just laugh and tell me I couldn't get any dizzier, even 2 nurses said that.. Well my new normal is changing all the time it should be trying to keep up with any type of normal.
OK--
zometa my sisters been on it for quite a hie she has said her bones and joints hurt at different levels and different days.
she does wallk about 1 mile a day--she used to do more, but i think that's still good. So good luck Doxie
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Just checking in. This thread has gotten bumped from my favorites TWICE now! What's the deal?
Heidi: Glad to hear you made it through surgery.
RitaJean: Let me know when you would like to meet for lunch if you are in P-town or even Morton area.
Lynn: I have been told by my kids/friends that I have a "nice' head (bald). My hair is starting to grow back (one can only tell when they get close to me). I am three weeks PFC. Anyway, I have worn my wig to work all but two days. Once a wore a really cute buff that matched my outfit and another time I wore a polka-dot scarf that matched my skirt. Of course, one of my clients had to tell me I looked like a fortune teller. Nice..... I do hate the wig in this horribly hot weather. I carry a buff (they are lightweight and great in the heat) in my purse, so I can whip it off in the car. My wig is very, very lightweight and everyone says they are shocked it is a wig--I get tons of compliments on it... I still hate it, though. Otherwise, I go "topless" at home.
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"Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there." - Norman Vincent Peale"I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution." - Wernher von Braun0
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Was that a great thunderstorm(s) last night or what? You can thank me for all the rain. I had my kids spend yesterday watering the entire yard.
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Good morning on this nice, bright, warm morning. I'm hoping for rain....I think maybe late this afternoon. We are finding a lot of 'nut' shells on the ground so the squirrels see it as very close to Fall as that is when we see this --- sigh!!!!....well, ok, whatever. I am alive to have this experience, wanted or un-wanted so I'll just play it through.
I have not lost you all from favorites, but I did catch myself twice hitting the remove bar at the top of the page, and having to turn around and re-instate. I also don't ever hit the preview button as that used to cause me to lose posts....but that was long ago. No longer sure of how anything works since they made changes to the format....which I learned pretty quickly to actually like.
Karen....I do like how you look in your wig, but I did only wear my wig at work. Part of it was that it wasn't real, and I was highly aware of that all the time -- always expecting I think to hear someone say...hey, is that a wig???? When I thought my hair was growing well, I switched to scarves ( pre-tied ) at work.
My hair came in sort of off white....I think the new hair was so thin at first, but after a couple of weeks the pigment took over. I was thrilled to have my hair come back, but got my same thin, fine, mousy brown--only about a half a shade darker than it had been. At least it came back --- it is all fixable at that point.
Hope you all have a fantastic day. All southern Illinois rain dances appreciated.
Hugs, Jackie
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Just got back from my 5th tx of TCH. One more to go!
My dad has been moved to LGH rehab unite, which was a big relief as they say it is one of the best in the country. It will be long road for him - but I hope he can regain some of what he lost.0 -
Roi;a it'sgood to feel safe and happy for u'r dad--it's good for u'r stress--and #6 is coming soon---TC
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Roula: Yeah! I am glad your dad is on his road to recovery! Sending hugs and prayers your way! kj
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Wow so much going on! I'm not even going to try to catch up. Being unemployed is a lot of work! I think I've been busier than when I was working a full time job.
I just got news from my plastic surgeon that I have one more fill and then they will schedule my exchange and everything in August. Probably late August but that is 2 months ahead of schedule! I asked if they could move things up just in case there were complications or I ended up having to change insurances and all of the problems that happen with that. I'm so excited....just wish it could be even sooner.
So now my dilemma is I'm lopsided. The PS said they will write me a perscription to get fitted for a bra that will camoflage this but now I will only need it for a short period of time. Have any of you found a way to camoflage the lopsidedness other than a scarf and loose clothing? I feel guilty having the insurance pay for something that I will only need for a period of weeks. My old girl is droopy because they removed a lot of her stuffing with the lumpectomy/reexcision/radiation and the one under construction is sitting high and hard, lol. It is very obvious even with a scarf and if I have to go on an interview, I will be self conscious.
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Chemo class today. Port goes in 8/1. Chemo starts 8/2. I'm already counting down to 11/15 for the last session (not counting continuing herceptin).
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Valerie I don't know anything else but scarves or wraps for on side, but u probably will feel an unbalance if u don't do something.
And Lynn see U have u'r plan going on and that's good and I know u'll be waiting for it to be over. Thst's normal.
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Good morning everyone:
Life isn't a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘Woohoo WHAT A RIDE'!
Hugs, Jackie
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Aurora, Colorado
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Tonight I'm setting our walk team for strides against breast cancer (ACS). I'm going to put the team name as Illinios Ladies. Granted I do like Breast Friends or Breast Buddies too.
So if anyone has any idea or prefers Breast Friends let me know by 8pm. I want to get this together tonight.
HAPPY FRIDAY
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My first Zometa infusion was worse than I expected. I am down for the count and have been since the night of the infusion. I have horrible bone pain, a headache that doesn't go away, fever and clamminess. I am so tired, I can't lay or sit without falling asleep. I hope it leaves soon or I will kick it out! :-)
Nancy
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lago, I am partial to the Team of Titties...just kiddin, IL ladies is just fine. thanks for doing that!
nancy, what is the zometa for? honestly, I am too lazy to go back and read all the pages I've missed. Sure hope you get to feeling better soon!
lynn, good luck with your upcoming surgery and chemo. Before I started mine, I thought of the season we'd be in when I finished.
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Kjiberty...I will take you up on that lunch meeting in the near future. My middle grandson arrives on Sunday for a week. Once he is gone, I am pretty free for the rest of the summer and fall. Maybe we can even find a few others who would like to drive a few miles and join us. I will get back with you in a couple of weeks and we'll see what we can schedule. I'd love to meet you.
Nancy, I'm so glad to see a post from you and so sorry that you have been so down from the zometa. Hang in there. They say that the zometa works wonders.........once you get through any initial side effects. Are you from Quincy or do I have the wrong gal? Our minister was reassigned to one of the Methodist churches in Quincy and I often think about Mazy, who also was from there and who I have heard nothing about for ages.
Roula, so glad your Dad is doing a bit better. That type of stress wears on us! Hugs!
I hope that everyone has a great weekend.
I got out early today and walked my three miles. The afternoon heat has limited my afternoon walking.
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Nance so sorry about those side effects. U really have been clobbered. Dkd the Dr. say anything about SE if they would lessen?
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RitaJean: Congrats on walking 3 miles. I got in 2--but that was running around doing errands all day. I am thrilled to feel somewhat "normal" 3 weeks+ PFC. Life is good! Yep, call me when you want to get together. Send me a PM and I will e-mail you my phone number.
Chicago gals: Was this the day of your luncheon? How did it go? How many showed up?
Nance: Feel better soon!
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