Topic: 2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "What's Next"

Dec 6, 2017 05:56PM OCDAmy wrote:

I would like to give my support team (friends and family) who have been there for me during this crappy year of my life sometgung meaningful for Christmas. Anyone have good ideas?

Dec 6, 2017 06:26PM OCDAmy wrote:

6-7 people.

Dec 6, 2017 06:39PM Tpralph wrote:

OCD, take them out for dinner? gift baskets or decorative Seasonal baskets?  OR, a lovely thankyou card with a little letter in each one- personalize it.

Dec 6, 2017 06:56PM 53nancy wrote:

Hi, Tpralph. Nice to meet another Ontarioan here, though I haven't lived there for years, Mind if I ask where you are? I originally came from Welland. I like the idea of personalized notes. I have many from over the years that I read often.

Eastcoast, I like candles, too. I like to watch them while I meditate, especially in the evening.

Linwentz, I plan to keep up with my new diet, which is Alkaline, plus a little more protein than I used to. I find I am doing great on higher protein, though I don't think it would be good in the long term. Saw my doctor today and my A1C was 5.9. Best I've ever had!!

Dec 6, 2017 07:31PM PauletteK wrote:

Amy, I didn’t do that much because I’m kind of short of time and energy, so I bought them chocolate. My husband won’t let me spend too much money this year because he said we will have higher medical bill from now on. Also I am not planning to go back to work, so will take early retirement.

Dec 6, 2017 08:30PM DodgersGirl wrote:

VL22, glad to see you here!!

I am planning a big vacation in 2018, too! It's a lot of fun sprinkled with that voice that asks "what if" and asks if I think I will be up to a big trip. So to quiet that voice, we joined the Y today. Hoping to make exercising easy over the winter plus RO says swimming is the best exercise to fight off lymphodema (which I don't have and hope it stays that way)

You are almost done with chemo!! That is such a good feeling.

Dec 6, 2017 10:38PM LoJo100 wrote:

The port was removed yesterday, without incident! I didn't even need twilight drugs, just local numbing agent. It was pretty amazing. As they rolled me into the OR, the nurses, residents and main Dr. were all congratulating me and saying what a good and happy day this was.

Then, when the port was officially out, the main Dr. declared to the entire room, "The port... is out!" Then everyone did a "Woo Hoo!" and "Congratulations" and I did too! I almost cried, as it felt like a big moment to mark the end of the big treatment.

Today I'm feeling good. Haven't needed any pain meds, not even tylenol. Much less painful than putting it in.

I take my first tamoxifen tonight! Onward and upward we go!

-LoJo

Dec 7, 2017 12:46AM PauletteK wrote:

hi everyone.... so good to see more people to join.

LoJo - life is going back to normal for you! Yay!!!

VL22 - you are getting 5err .... happy for you!

I would love to make plans for 2018, just need to finish radiation before I make any plans..

Dec 7, 2017 07:55AM Linwentz wrote:

Congrats to you LoJo with the port removal. As you say, onward and upward! It was wonderful that your team made a celebation of it!

Dodgergirl--how is your skin doing?

Two more rads treatments to go... although it hasn't been nearly as bad as I feared, I am ready for this chapter to come to a close. Almost there

Dec 7, 2017 11:16AM Gigilala wrote:

i just finish my Last radiation 30/30

😁😁😁😁😁

Dec 7, 2017 11:38AM DodgersGirl wrote:

Linwentz-- skin is healing!! Still going to RO's office for skin care -- just a few areas to tend to but the weepy/oozy old skin is gone!!

One week ago today was my last rad session so hoping a week from now that my skin is all healed.

Dec 7, 2017 01:49PM - edited Dec 7, 2017 01:51PM by LeesaD

I'll join in. I turned 49 in Jan. and said to my husband that I was going to start a year long project to celebrate my last year in my forties and mark my 50th trip around the sun and we would then plan something very special for my 50th. Well little did I know a few weeks later that the project was chosen for me on February 3rd when I was dx. Not exactly what I had in mind. It has really been the year from hell and I'm not sad at all to say good bye to 2017. Just had my ooph almost three weeks ago and I still have my exchange to do which I'd like to get in before my insurance resets on Feb 1. One benefit was I got a full year out of insurance coverage and it was a lot. My plastic surgeon will determine in a couple of weeks if I'm healed enough from rads to do exchange in Jan. Hoping so. So now I will turn 50 in Jan. Still haven't made plans as it's not as joyous as I hoped it would be. My husband says we will plan a huge trip and go big. It just might be in the Spring. Facebook released the year end videos today and I watched mine and they did happen to catch the few happy moments of 2017. Highlights of my son and husband and definitely the support from my family and friends. Other than that 2017 can go away now. Here's to a better 2018 for all 😘

Dec 7, 2017 02:26PM MarilynIllinois wrote:

Hello All, Thanks Dodgers Girl for starting this thread. It's a good opportunity to share reflections on this life altering year.

LoJo, how kind that your doctor and OR team celebrated the port removal in such a happy tribute! What a considerate group!

Leesa, I hope you can get back to planning and celebrating your upcoming birthday! I hope you will have a wonderful birthday and year!

I started out 2017 with the birth of a grandchild (my 5th). Then a routine breast MRI in March followed by 2 MRI guided biopsies. The recommendation was for a mastectomy. It was Pleomorphic LCIS. Pathology came back finding nothing invasive.

I was able to enjoy a lovely vacation in July with the whole family before surgery. And I am going to Disney World in January.

I am so grateful for all the online support of this community. All the information, tips, shared resources and experiences have been invaluable to me!

Happy new year to everyone

Dec 7, 2017 03:10PM DodgersGirl wrote:

MarilynIllinois-- welcome!! WDW next month!! Sounds like a great way to bring in 2018! I am planning a trip for later in 2018

Dec 7, 2017 05:29PM - edited Dec 7, 2017 05:29PM by 53nancy

Gigala, congrats on finishing rads. I hope your healing phase goessuperbly.

Dodgersgirl, am so glad your skin has started healing. I have two treatments left - Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday, I had a bit of rash. Calendula ointment took care of it. I applied it immediately after treatment today; now six hours without any ssues and just applied more.

Linwentz, one left to go. Yaay! Wishing you all the best on your healing journey, too