Illinois ladies facing bc

Anonymous

English - Welcome...glad you found us.

Mich101 - That is GORGEOUS! Wow...you are one talented IL girl! I still have stained glass for you...will PM you about it soon.

Irene - Best of luck with Zometa. I hope you breeze through it.

Wendrew - LOL!  Each census postcard cost us tax payers MILLIONS. Yikes...what a waste of moola!

Jackie - Our property is 6 acres! Lots of litter! I just have to stay one step ahead of them. lol

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Hope you all have a nice day! HI TO EVERYONE!

Thought these were good:

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

AND

With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and
wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it re-distributes to the rest of our bodies.  So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Mich101

Thanks to everyone for your kind words on the stained glass. I had bought a similar charm at Hobby Lobby when I was making bracelets a couple of years ago. I was wearing it and decided that it would make a nice stained glass catcher. My next project will probably be something with flowers and more colorful, haven't decided yet. As for selling them, think I'd rather just make them for enjoyment for now because they are so labor intensive. I tend to go through spurts where I find time to work on the projects and other times it seems I can go for months without touching it. Also, not to mention that I still need more soldering practice, but thanks all for your kindness.

Mich101

Bustersmom - so good to hear from you. As you said, 9 more to go - hang in there. Maybe you can find that product Susan mentioned for some relief. How's Buster?

I agree with Susan, you are my friends, that I like to check in on. I don't feel like I provide much support on this thread, but maybe posting my stained glass projects will help remind those going through tx, that you will again feel the strength and motivation to do the things you love.

Have a great weekend everyone!

buddy1

Hi Gals.  Laura I love your quote about why women gain weight.

Mich What a beautiful peice.  Its georgous.

Bustersmom I am so sorry your in pain.  It wasnt so long ago for me.  Did you get the cream they perscribe.  Its expensive but it helps.

English major we welcome you with open arms.

I dont post often but I read several times a day.  Love Buddy

P.S.  Wendy the corn is still dead.

IllinoisLady

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.
George MacDonald

blackjack

Happy Sunday Girls... Oh the weather up north was cold and sunny yesterday. There were golfers on the golf course, fishing boats in the water so spring is really here. Yeah!!!  The lake was so calm yesterday, but cold outside. It was good to run around the lake. Do you believe in angels? Yes I do. Last weekend up north I lost 2 very small diamonds that came out of my wedding ring. I cried because I didn't know were I lost them. Yesterday while I was vacuuming I saw a shiny piece of glass in the carpet. I thought my son broke a glass and when I went to pick it up , oh my god it was my stone. Quickly my dh emptied the vacuum cleaner and found the other stone from my wedding band inside. I cried when I found them, but believed my prayers were answered. So girls we do have angels watching over us.

Mich... you art work is amazing and you are very gifted. Thank you for sharing with us your talent. How about making a sun catcher that is a sunset. Just a thought.

Juliet...sorry to hear that you are having rad burns. Dembro soak pads are very cooling if put in the ref. I have some left over if you would like them. Just pm me. Hang in there.

Wendy...glad to see that you and dh are on the healing mend with your colds. Think spring and it soon will be a tops down fists up day. !!!

Laura... still cleaning the forest. I am sooo jealous of those great booze parties you are having. lol

Jackie....your quotes have been great . Thanks for sharing. Glad to see that you are feeling better too.

Zap...are you working now that spring break is over. I go back Monday..sigh.. counting down now till June. Glad to see that you are having fun in your retirement. Any plans to come up north to visit the lake.

Englishmajor....welcome to our little corner of the world.

Makmak.. glad to see that everyone is starting to feel better and baby too. I thought of you yesterday when I went into this imported yarn shop. I was blown away by all the beautiful colored yarns they had. It was like being in a rainbow. lol

Irene..how are you feeling. Better I hope. Did you start your painting project yet. Color minds want to know. lol

To everyone else I missed I hope you are all doing well in your txs.

Well I am off for my morning run..it is cold but nice outside today. Then back to school tomorrow. sigh...

Have a great Sunday and remember to be healthy.. be happy.. enjoy life.

BJ

wendyk13

Morning...very cloudy and grey out there today.  And chilly.  Good day to stay home and cough.  Yep...both of us...still coughing.  World's longest cold for DH...he's at day 13 today.

 Juliette....The dembro soaks would be good!  I never burned ...I just used that ridiculously expensive cream, Biafine, which worked very well.  I think that is why rads frightened me so much more than chemo....it can burn you quite badly, but you have to keep going.  Hopefully you can get some relief.  Did you show your burns to the tech/nurse/rad onc?  Don't be stoic...

Laura...so, you are having drinking parties and I wasn't invited???????

Mich101....you don't have to post every day to be a great source of comfort and support to all of us.  We know that should we need you, you will be there.  And that is why you are all so precious to me...you all GET IT.

Rene....how was the Zometa?  Or is it this Friday?  Heard about your phone on FB...how did you drown this one????  My sister flushed one down the toilet a few years ago...really ruined the plumbing!

BJ....running around the lake?  Surely you mean Lake Como???  If you run around Geneva Lake...wow.  So happy your diamonds turned up!  You were very lucky.  I so remember being in our old house in the city and pulling out of the garage, waiting for the door to come down and I glanced at my hand...and the diamond was gone.  I freaked!  Would you believe that it had JUST fallen out and was lying on the floor of the car!  Wow.  I check the setting pretty often now.  I find if you run your hand thru your hair and any ring setting gets caught...it's probably loose.

And why do I picture all of you, sitting there, running your hands thru your hair right now?????

Had a lovely BD dinner with sister and fiance last night...restaurant is right on the Fox River and yes, there were boats out last night.  Lots of what we call "river bugs" out too....had to keep your mouth closed on the way to the car.

Up late for me last night, watching a stupid slasher movie, after we watched "Risky Business"...gosh, Tom Cruise was soooo young!  Quiet day for us....I guess a big part of it will be listening to DH complain about his spring break being over...

PS to Budders:  Thanks for the update on the corn....I am concerned and do need to know how it is faring.....LOL

Anonymous

Hey - guess what!? I actually found a Vitamin Water bottle in the forest. Yay!...Atleast some of the litterbugs are healthy! lol

zap

BJ, the school I work at  is off this week (starting tomorrow)  My next  long term sub job is around the 16th  as DH and I are going to DC the week after.  I kinda "built-in' a longer break for me, which is good.  I can only work "x" numbers of day or I endanger  my pension, which is something I NEVER WANT TO DO!   That is nice of you to offer the extra dembro soaks to Buster's Mom. 

Wendy, I loved Risky Business and have probably seen it ten times.  The egg!  Oh, how I remember the egg!  I will always remember the subway ride too and the four-minute soundtrack that goes along with it.  Okay and how about Tom Cruise sliding out with his guitar.

Great movie!

 Slow start here on this Sunday.  DH wallpapered the bathroom so he has accomplished something, while I have not!  Happy day!

ritajean

Hang in there Blackjack!  You're on the downhill slide of the school year now!  It won't be long and you'll have every day of the week to boat, golf, or do whatever you like!      So glad you found your diamonds. 

Susan....Just look at you!  last year at this time you were really hesitant about retirement and now you won't give it up for anything!  LOL  How I remember that feeling!  I am so glad that you have enjoyed this past year.  Don't you sometimes wonder when you ever had time to work????

Well, I have a couple of hours to myself so I'm going to spoil myself on this dreary day and curl up with Lisa Gardner's most recent book, "The Neighbor."  I'm about half-way through it and it's awfully hard to put down!

Have a great Sunday.

Rita

DonnaDio

I had such a great post written and now is lost.. happening too much for me.!!This computer is not strong and now cannot even connect with Kodak for my pics to post?!

I have a question Ladies,  i met with my SIL who was in from AZ  for lunch.. have not seen her since before my cancer DX. ALL she kept talking was how good i looked and as nice as it sounds, enough.. heard ya lets get on to talking about life lolol. then her MOM was with us, she is kind of hard of hearing and mySIL  says out of the blue.. hey MOM wouldn;t you like a a set of breasts like hers (meaning mine?!!! I just found it to be tasteless or was it me being sensitive? My question is, I am NOT myself ( whoever that is anymore) since my DX and cannot relate to anyone. I cannot open up or even talk to friends i thought were friends before the cancer DX. Maybe i need some counseling as i just `cannot listen to mindless talks and i cannot express how i am feeling as all is do different and I am just not the same person. Is this happening to anyone??? But my SIL.. it was all about the way i looked and it was too out there and felt like a improved version of the old Donna or something.

I am really seeing that moving  to AZ may be just what is needed., a fresh start. Anyway, it is just me and i am sensitive and really still healing.

I am sending this out NOW before i loose connection again!!! BE well and thanks for listening !!

Hugs,'

Donna

NavyMom

Oh Donna.......I couldn't have said it better.  I feel like you do.  Very sensitive to everything.  I used to be a big chatter on the phone and now I hate when it rings.  I used to be a very friendly person and now I would rather stay to myself instead of engaging in any conversation.  I am not sure if it is BC or chemopause or what.  So many surgeries, so many drugs so many hours in Drs offices.  I just don't know........at least you are not alone. I feel crabby alot and can drop to tears in a heart beat.

 And by the way, your SIL was inappropriate.

Navy

zkacmom

Just a short update,  I have been having fainting spells.  I hada really bad on on Tuesday.  I went to the oncologistl  They did blood work and cat can.  Everything was fine.  I had a doctor appt with my reg doc and figured it the cmbalta(anti-depressent).  Wensday the onc agreed.  They alson took me off of Trilipix and something else.  I got a huge black eye from the fall.   I will send you a picture when my husban sends it and puts it on her..Now who is coming down here to help me.  I neep help just to get to the bathroom and getting something to drink...I am such a mess.  My legs are weak and sore along with my arms.....Also, any one can call me anythime after 10m.  It is on my public profile....

Ginny

NanaA

susan claire - I had a stage one cancer that was her2+ and did 12 weekly taxol and herceptin for a year plus 37 rads.  If I had not been her2+ would not have had the chemo just the rads.  I have a friend who had a her2+ cancer that did not have to do anything but the rads because it was so smal l.  She is 1 1/2 years out and doing great.  The weekly taxol is supposed to be the easiest of the chemo treatments and herceptin works great  with it.  I did not lose hair just some thinning.  I did have some nueuropathy from the taxol but it went away about  6- 8 weeks from finishing.   I had an echo cardiogram every 3 mo and  it never went below the high 60"s and mostly in the 70's during the whole year on herceptin.  I had some se's from the herceptin.  Mostly pain in the knees.  Anything that hurt seemed to hurt more and not heal while on herceptin.  I had some arthritis in my knees so they continued to be irritated all the time.  I finished my herceptin 2 weeks ago, so am looking forward to them feeling better soon I hope.

  I am estrogen +. I tried femara and had joint pain so bad I had to quit so the Dr has me trying aromisin.  So far the worst se seems to be insomnia.  I tried moving the time I take the pill to see if that helps.  My husband let me sleep in today and slept tills 9:30.  I can not do that everyday.  I need to get to sleep earlier than 1:00, but I have a reaction to alot of meds and don't really want to have to take a sleeping pill.  Anyone with a suggestion?

Wendy -  I have an appointment to see BS on April 6th about getting port out.  Usually they do in drs office, but I had a reaction during my surgeries to the local anesthetic that he used.  It took 3 surgeries to figure out what was causing it.  If we really do know for sure.   It did not happen during the surgery for the sentinal node.  I was put all the way out and they did not use a local.  The reaction I had with the other surgeries was a swelling in the lymph nodes of my neck.  I was warned to go to emergency room if had trouble breathing. Swelling did not happen until several hours later.  BS is going to decide how he wants to take port out.  I might have to do the hospital with a $150 copay if can't find another way to do in DRs. office.  My dentist who used lidocaine on me just recently for a filling said that the marcane the surgeon used is a longer acting local and uses a different kind of preservative in it and that could be what I am reacting to.    It  just can't be easy.  Nothing thru this whole thing has gone as simply as we thought it would.  I would say I am glad to be done but when you have check up with BS, pulmonary doc, onc, rad onc and thyroid doc it does not seem quite over.  I told my husband that I wish the CT to set up rads had never shown the nodules on lung, even tho everything has been fine, I have had to have bronchospy, pulmonary function tests, thyroid biopsy  and scan all because of the CT and everything has been clear or B9.  I have now had 3 more CT scans.  Had another last week and get results on 8th.  If no changes this time it may be 6 mo or year before have to do next one.  That will be wonderful.  I am waiting for the time the ladies at the check in desk at the clinic do not remember me any more I have seen them so often. 

Life is getting back to more like normal was before except I wear out quicker now.  Our grandkids were here yesterday for a family easter dinner, since with step kids we can never all actually get together on the holiday itself.  It was good seeing them all.  Ages 14 to 4.  The girls all seems to be growing like weeds.  Boys not quite so much.  I remember that being later for them.   We have girls 2 - 13 and one 12 and then one 8 and one 6.  Boys on each end.  14 and 4.   (also have 2 step kids not here yesterday 14 and 16). We had a house full.  Our solution to easter baskets and eggs so that everyone finds the same amount, is everyone has a different color basket and they can only hunt for eggs the same color as their basket.  I have baskets and eggs in 9 different colors.  I works out great.   I just fill the same # of eggs of each color.

Hope everyone is doing good.  I am waiting for our warm weather to return  Annette 

IllinoisLady

Ginny......wow, you are having a real struggle and my heart goes out to you.  Honestly, I don't know what to say except that hopefully eliminating some of those drugs will hopefully get you back to yourself.  I know that you have to work at finding the "right" combination for your mets and  seems like that is being tricky.  Your are definitely in my thoughts and prayers so very, very much.

Donna -- that was very in-appropriate of your sister-in-law.  We never really know how anyone will "behave" when they deal with us, before, during or after.  I'm sure she thought it amusing -- just a puzzle to me of her thinking you would too.  Having cancer is many things, but far from amusing though we don't lose our ability to laugh.  She was also perhaps a little braver as you were "family", but it was still tasteless.  I'm to the point where I probably would have said something to the effect that it was an extremely serious situation and that sorrowfully I could not share her sense of gaiety about it all.  I'm sure you understand that I'm still recuperating and many things just are not funny to me. Like me you are probably mild if not meek about many things -- especially when they are not expected......but with me it may be a little bit about having had cancer but also about age and raising the bar just a bit more than I have before because it was time.  We can only give so many free rides before it is time for others to share the responsibility of proper behavior etc.

Anyway on that note, I'm going to go take care of Dh who is hungry.  See you all later. 

Love and hugs, Jackie

zap

Ginny, sorry for the hard patch you are going through.  I think Jackie has a good point   You are on all sorts of meds and your chemistry can be messed up.

Donna, was your SIL nervous or anxious about seeing you?  I say very stupid things when I am nervous, but I would have to  be really nervous to say something like that. Of course you know her best, so only you can understand why she said such silly things. Maybe she wanted to keep it frivolous and so she focused on what she saw rather than what you are feeling.  That is a sign of grace....knowing what another needs/feels rather than be limited on how they look. I try so hard to keep that in mind, now, when I share time with people who have had pain.  It is hard.  You have to have a mind set and be prepared for whatever.  It sounds like your SIl is not there yet.  I have to say I am closer now than I was before I had my own scary time.

Have fun ladies!

Susan

Carolyn422

Hi All,

I did just have an allergy.  Nose is fine now! Yeah!

Ginny - I'm so sorry to hear that you're having problem - sending you a hug and prayers.

Marina - when I went to the PS they told about a book that one of their patients was reading, I thought I'd pass it along.  I ordered it from Amazon.com since none of the local bookstores had it.  It looked interesting and was about this woman's journey through bc.  It's called A Random Interruption.  By Suzanne Zaconne.

Wendy - sorry to hear that that cough still lingers.

BJ - glad to heart that you found the diamonds.  I do believe in Angels.

Oh you gals will get a laugh at this.  I've been tired lately.  Took a nap today at 2:00 pm.  Woke up at 6:30 - thought it was AM - thought it was Monday!  Even started taking my Monday morning medicines!!!!  Almost called in to work and said I'd be late.    Then realized it was Sunday night.  Thank goodness.

See the second PS surgeon tomorrow. 

Have a nice evening All!

DonnaDio

Ginny...You poor thing!!!Had youever fainted before? I wonder if it has anything to do with blood pressure too low or something? Glad they are checking the meds out!!!

Annette..I am glad life is getting a bit more normal etc. It  helps. Being tired and worn out at times is common, at least for me it was and still is. I have learned to honor my body and not to push it when it feels like a ton of bricks!!I still grately suffer joint pain but seeing the right Dr and chiro Dr is helping immensely! Good thougths goin!!!

Thanks Wendy and Susan.!!! IT was all a time I wish i could of responded as it was a comment that dismisses i went thru a traumatic and life changing time and no one has the right to under estimate that by saying something they think makes them feel better. I did not want the whole lunch to be about me to begin with and as i see it, there is not a soft place to land with friends and have to be prepared for anything.!!! LOL.. anyway.. i just find relationships are different today and thought i had more meaningful ones prior to my DX.

I work tomm and looking forward to it.Two different schools and will be eating a dashboard lunch!'

Be well and sweet dreams!!!

Donna

DonnaDio

O Navy.. sorry missed your post!!!!YES.. you said it... cranky and feel that disconnection when the phone rings etc!!!Look forward to meeting you at our April get together!!!!Let;s grrrrrrr together...lolol!!

JanClare

Just wanted to say to Donna, Kater, Navy- and all of us that have ever felt that way- that's why I love getting together with my fellow BC sisters.  THEY UNDERSTAND.  And we can talk about anything and everything, without feeling like we have to explain everything, or "be strong", or listen to careless, thoughtless comments!  Hugs to all of you.

Ginny, I'm so sorry to read about all that is happening.  I wish, wish, wish, that you were closer, (or should I say that I was closer), because I would be happy to come over and help. 

elf_song

BJ- glad you found the stones and I do believe in Angels..   without Angels I probably won't be here...  they watched over me two times before my dx so I am very thankful~!

Ginny- I am sorry to hear that you are having such hard time and hopefully your doctor will find out exactly what's causing it..  hang in there

Donna- what in the world your siw thinking??  obviously she wasn't thinking hard enough..  I hate that when people say things without thinking or they didn't even realize that was wrong.. she was very insensitive..  I hear you and NanyMom, I got more cranky and sensitive too since dx and I don't like it..    Hopefully we can all get it out when we meet for lunch on April.. 

Carolyn- I had same experience one time and I did jump out of bed..  

Annette-  I can't imagine that many kids in one place, I thought having a two boys is more than enough, yikes~!   

Bustermom- good to see you~!  sorry about your skin though, I did get burn but wasn't serious, I hope your skin can hold it little bit longer and hopefully no damage to implant.. hang in there, you are almost done..

I think I can make it to bed right at midnight, wow...  that early??  well, for change, I can..

See you all later ladies and smile~!~!~!  

elf_song

BJ- glad you found the stones and I do believe in Angels..   without Angels I probably won't be here...  they watched over me two times before my dx so I am very thankful~!

Ginny- I am sorry to hear that you are having such hard time and hopefully your doctor will find out exactly what's causing it..  hang in there

Donna- what in the world your siw thinking??  obviously she wasn't thinking hard enough..  I hate that when people say things without thinking or they didn't even realize that was wrong.. she was very insensitive..  I hear you and NanyMom, I got more cranky and sensitive too since dx and I don't like it..    Hopefully we can all get it out when we meet for lunch on April.. 

Carolyn- I had same experience one time and I did jump out of bed..  

Annette-  I can't imagine that many kids in one place, I thought having a two boys is more than enough, yikes~!   

Bustermom- good to see you~!  sorry about your skin though, I did get burn but wasn't serious, I hope your skin can hold it little bit longer and hopefully no damage to implant.. hang in there, you are almost done..

JanClare- I agree with you totally~!!  That's why I come here without no pressure... 

You Ladies ROCK~!!

See you all later ladies and smile~!~!~!  

IllinoisLady

A hug delights and warms and charms,
that must be why God gave us arms.
~Author Unknown


Hugs are the universal medicine.  ~Author Unknown


A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange.  ~Author Unknown

Anonymous

Morning!

Ginny - OM...I'm so sorry. You are dealing with so much right now. Hugs...I hope things ease up a bit.

Donna - I really think that alot of people simply do not know how to "talk" to a person who had a cancer dx. I'm not making excuses for her...but some people are uncomfortable or nervous. And the others are right on...that's why it's so great that we have each other!

Elf, Annette, hi to all!

bj - Wow...I am amazed you found your gems. That is great news. I can imagine how upset you were.

Carolyn - I did exactly the same thing...years ago! But it was actually a Saturday and I actually did call the office and told them I would be taking a sick day. The girl who answered was LOL!

------------------------------------------

QUESTION: About a week ago, I lifted a plastic tub (I think about 25 lbs.) of cat litter up and into the back of my SUV. OUCH! I instantly knew I did some damage. I felt a "snap" - in my "bad" lynph arm. It's on the inside of my arm between my armpit and my elbow. It feels EXACTLY like the pain I had for almost a year after my lymph node removal. It feels like "cording" all over again. Any suggestions? I want to avoid going to PT...but I probably should have it checked out. It's very painful...do you all think heat would be okay? I haven't "done" arms at the Y...trying to baby it so to speak. This just gets me so mad! lol Even "to the touch" it's sore. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... 

EnglishMajor

Hi ladies

Happy Monday. Is it Thursday yet? (We are off on Friday.)

I will be considered for a mx in two weeks. As there is a possibility I won't have it, I've held off saying anything to most people. (I was supposed to have one last summer, but then the bone mets were discovered.) Anyhow, I do find that having cancer is probably what's it like to be in the army--easier to talk to other "vets" as the "civillians" mostly don't get it. 

Carolyn--I know Suzanne Z. She is a good friend of one of my coworkers and also lives in the western burbs.  She self published her book (all proceeds are going to her treatment center). The book also includes end of chapter comments from Dr. Song, Suzanne's PS. 

JanClare

Laura, Get thee to a doctor!  You may have a partial tear of the bicep tendon!

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00031 

Possible Symptoms:

* Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm
* Sometimes an audible pop or snap
* Cramping of the biceps muscle with strenuous use of the arm
* Bruising from the middle of the upper arm down toward the elbow
* Pain or tenderness at the shoulder and the elbow
* Weakness in the shoulder and the elbow
* Difficulty turning the arm palm up or palm down
* Because a torn tendon can no longer keep the biceps muscle tight, a bulge in the upper arm   above the elbow ("Popeye Muscle") may appear, with a dent closer to the shoulder.

Anonymous

JanC - Thanks for the info. I'm looking into this possibility. Dang! This type of injury does not heal quickly! Arghhhhhhhhhhhh! I will be taking an anti-inflam and ice it. If it's not better in a few days, I'll call the Dr. I hate this type of cra*! lol

Hope you're all having a nice day!

ritajean

Oh no, Laura.  Keep a close eye on this.  Usually when I have this type of pain I alternate between heat and cold and that sometimes helps.  If it continues to hurt, I agree with JanC........get to the doc!

zap

Laura, I hope the arm is okay.  I sent you a pm.

Now it is my turn.  I came home yesterday feeling dreadful and stayed in bed all day today.   I am so reluctant to complain too much as I know so many here are suffering far worse things than a virus, but I so hate to be sick and cancel stuff.  Just hurt all over and a funny throat....no fever.  I rarely stay in bed with things, but I am on the negative side of the energy number line! 

  Michelle, we are so blessed to have you.  You are a quiet  yet strong presence here.  Your glass pieces are so beautiful and we always know you will support us.

Elf, so sound so dear.  How lucky those boys are.

BJ, I had nearly forgotten about angels until your stone story reminded me that they do exist. Yea, angels!

Okay, I am fading!

Susan

 Okay, back to bed!  It is going to be in the 70s soon. We made it through another winter in Illinois.  We are strong!

DonnaDio

Laura... Like Jan Clare...See a dr!!!nothing to fool around with and have no idea what i would do or recommend. You do not want this to be a injury and ignored and it starts blocking things down the road. I have a great chiro woman DR down here and wish you could see her.@!@!!