Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • Char2010
    Char2010 Member Posts: 532
    edited August 2012

    What a great photo of an awesome group of women - wish I was there :-)

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    All you gals are looking mighty fine -- top of the stairs....zap-Susan, then Rene, BJ-Michele, then JanClair in white with Joan right next to her and then Smerf-Pat. 

    Like Susan said.....there is nothing like the almost instantaneous feeling of great understanding and sense of camaraderie you feel in the presence of all these wonderful ladies.  Who'd thought something like breast cancer would just wipe out all the barriers and sometimes timid steps we take on the way to becoming friends with someone.  For some reason we don't become anything....we just already are.  So, I do hope all of you will try your best to make it sometime to one of these luncheons. 

    Happy Friday and looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

    Happy Hugs,

    Jackie

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.
    - William James

    Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
    - Mohandas Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi)

  • C-squared
    C-squared Member Posts: 514
    edited August 2012

    Great pic ladies!  Smile

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    Oh what a beautiful morning.  Our temps. are down nicely, so much so, it almost felt chilly outside this a.m.  Will make it much more pleasant as we continue to fight the flea infestation that just really overtook us.  Not hard to have happen in big yards with lots of squirrels--notorious for fleas. 

    But life goes on and we will resume control and enjoy this next week of cooler temps.  In fact, I hope they hold well as our yearly Balloon Fest begins on the 17th.  Will be great to have it cooler at that time.  It is normally pretty toasty then and people come out anyway....but if cooler, we should really have the crowds. 

    I hope you are all going to have an outstanding Saturday.  Once again....thanks so much for the picture. 

    Hugs, Jackie

  • blackjack
    blackjack Member Posts: 1,010
    edited August 2012

    Happy Saturday to all. Yes, we did have a wonderful fun filled laughter lunch day. Wished more of you could have joined us. Yes there is life after bc. Most of us in the pic are over 5 yrs out of tx and living life. So for those in tx hang in there. There is an end in site for you. Remember to take one day at a time.

    As always Jan is the big real estate queen in North Carolina. Can't wait until we can have a road trip down there to see all your new houses!! Party time!

    Joan, looking amazingly healthy and healing well from her back surgery. Love the white accessory to your outfit. Thank you for posting the great pic of us and making us look so good:)

     Susan, looking lovely as always and so glad you came. Love your stories about your grand babies. Keeping Paul in my thoughts and prayers.

     Julie, good luck on your new job and wishing you a  stress free office.

     Irene, love the dress no wonder your dd takes after you in the fashion department. looking good girl!

     Pat again thanks for helping me the other day. Couldn't have done it without you xoxo.

     I am planning an annual luncheon get together in Nov instead of our annual holiday party in Dec. It would be on a Sat for a buffet lunch in a private room were we can chat and have some fun.The reason for the change is that our group has grown and Dec tends to be a busy month for everyone. Plus weather is a concern for our downstate girls who would like to join us. I am open to suggestion from all of you if you would like me to continue this tradition or not as I have been doing this for the past 5 years. Please pm me with your suggestions. Would love to hear from you.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful fun filled weekend....Remember to be happy... be health ...enjoy your life.

    BJ

  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited August 2012

    Hey girls!! It is a nice, cool day - finally!  I am not missing the 100 degree temps!  It has allowed me to get out and work in the gardens - finally! 

    I hope you are all doing well.  I wished I could have joined you for lunch but I have a little one out of school so I had no sitter.  Next time when school is in - I will hopefully be able to join you fine ladies!  The photo was so nice...you all look so well!  No one would ever believe we are all united by BC by looking at that photo!

    BJ thanks for organizing the get together.  November works better for me.  I had something going on last time and could not make it.  I was bummed.....this year I hope to attend!

    Just a quick hug to all of those still in treatment or recovering from surgery.  I hope side effects are minimal and you get stronger each day.  Life gets better when you get through the treatment stuff.  Hugs to all!

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    Good Morning All it's Saturday for those who wait for it (work) for me it's still Saturday, but whatever LOL

    Well Jackie another happy day for u--u wake up everyone with a happy time. Oh u have an actual big balloon fest like people in the sky? Oh is that neat especially if we have good weather, then ther WILL be more people enjoying it. Nice thing to look forward to--U know all the fest around here were bad cuz of the weather no one could stay outside that long and walk around so that was crummy-my kids went to one and didn't stay very lond even my grandson wanted to leave--that's hot. LOL

    Our windows are open for 3 days in a row--it's so nice.

    I'm draggin again today--not feeling so good--but I think I told u guys my dr. called yesterday and my #'s are still low and have to double up on some meds--at least I don't have to be in the hospital-so I go again next week plis the onc. I'm sorry if I repeated my self, but I tend to do that alot, I think u all understand LOL and are used to me by now.

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    Picture of the Balloon Glow  in our beloved park:

    I think I may have mentioned here before......this takes place at our only local walking park....which is to say there are trails all over it, a spiritual relaxing maize -- not sure I spelled that right, and Catfish pond.  Early evening the balloons  are brought in by trucks and vans, set up around the pond......and inflated so that we can have the balloon Glow at dusk.  There is nothing so pretty as to watch this as well as the reflection of all the balloons in the pond.  So many people sit in lawn chairs they bring to watch this.

    One of the really super aspects is that since we are a small community, we are not blocked off from the pilots and their balloons.  We can go up and talk to them, look in the balloons, even be on a chase team when the balloons are up and racing.  It therefore is an up close and personal experience which I'm told seldom happens elsewhere.  It is always exciting.  There are craft booths, food vendors.....the usual sort of thing one might see at a street fair etc.  On the first night......( not sure with the drought and terrific dryness this yr. ) there is always a rather GREAT fireworks display which is quite outstanding for the most part.  They get a bit elaborate which is why I never like to miss the first night festivities. I think they have been having this now for 23 yrs. or so......a great tradition.

    Camille, repeat yourself all you want.  We are just thrilled you come.  Hi to C-squared...haven't said that lately, but hope you all know that I always think about you.....even if I don't say your name. 

    Hugs, Jackie

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    Jackie---that is beyond georgeous and what a wonderful display for everyone to enjoy and to be able to actually particiapate is even better--fireworks (I still so enjoy) food---it's a magical fest--How nice-Allright we're supposed to have good weather for a while--we'll keep our fingers crossed--well mine are usually in that position LOL but here's hoping for a great time for all of u'r community---U Lucky Duck

  • DonnaDio
    DonnaDio Member Posts: 905
    edited August 2012

    Hello and sooooo good to see the lunch group!!! I miss all of you and hope to visit IL one of these days!!!!

    Sister in Pink,

    Donna C.

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited August 2012

    Hi Donna!

    Good morning everyone.

    Cami-  You crack me up.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited August 2012

    Waving from the Cape. Been here 24 hours and wouldn't you know today, walking down the Commercial St. in P-town I see Steve. I graduated from high school with Steve, known him since Jr. high. What's so funny about this is Steve lives in Chicago on the north side! We seem to have trouble getting together in Chicago but I always see him in MA. Never run into him in Chicago.

    Great photo gals. You all look awesome.

  • C-squared
    C-squared Member Posts: 514
    edited August 2012

    Ahhhhh vacation at the Cape.  Sounds good! - Lago, ENJOY!!!  Smile

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    Lago great vacation---hahaha u saw a friend that lives here in MA ---geeze

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Lago:  Too funny!  I hope you have a great time.  (Along that same line:  I was in England and ran into someone I knew at an art fair!)

  • Lynn27
    Lynn27 Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2012
    Joan thank you for posting the picture.  You all look great.  I really hope to be able to join one of these lunches, but with all the time chemo is taking from work, it will probably have to be after November before I can get away.  I so want to hear the voices behind the kind and supportive words I've been reading.
  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    Japanese Proverb
    Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.

    Bertrand Russell
    Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

    Unknown Author
    Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.

  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited August 2012

    Hey.....Donna, once again I had been thinking about you and then find your post.  I'm so glad you "lurk" and say hi from time to time.  For all who might wonder.....Donna and hubby transplanted themselves to Arizona, but Donna spent lots and lots of time here in Illinois.  We miss her, but you got to do, what you have to. 

    Lago, lucky for you I had so much work to do or I'd have stowed away and come with you.  It is peculiar that you can only "see" your friend when you leave home.  If you ever REALLY need to see him, you know how to do it. 

    Lynn -- keep trying.  It will happen.  Took me four years....but it won't take you that long.  I live 4 1/2 hours from the Chicago area which is what took me so long.  You will never regret it.

    Worked hard yesterday and will too today, but a few play hours are in here as well.  Going to lunch with my friend Gloria.  She is the nutritionist ( retired ) and like most retired people works harder now that she is home full time then she ever did at work.  She is always fun though and I enjoy the time we spend.  You have to have someone face to face to tell all your 'troubles' too.  I tell her mine, she tells me hers.....then POOF, they are mainly gone.  I try not to let mine hang around too long anyway. 

    The war of the world is still going on in my yard........thought about getting an exterminator to handle those darn fleas.....but I am stubborn and I think we are almost there.  I have never liked saying Uncle and when I am victorious it will be all the sweeter for the persistence.

    Hope you all have a truly nice Sunday.  I'm wishing you all well.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Jackie:  Thanks for your "words of wisdom" this morning!  Hope everyone has a great day.  Looks like we're going to get some storms here...  

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    OK ladies STUPID QUESTION TIME--there are 2 actually but I can just remember one.

    OK when I read on the bottom of our post explanations--I have hardly anything cuz I know not much--and it say (for instance) nodes 0/3 or 10/20 what does this mean exactly and what , if anything, does that have to do with stages or is it just a matter of how many nodes were bad and also where they were locsted for stages.????

  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 615
    edited August 2012

    Hi cami! There are no stupid questions here. We were all there at one time or another. Nodes are used for staging, which is done by our medical oncs. 0/3 means that there were no positive nodes out of the three removed. 10/20 would mean 10 out of 20 were positive. These all refer to the axillary, or armpit lymph nodes. Nodes are just one of the criteria used in staging for tx.

    I just wanted to say how much fun our lunch at Maggianos was last Friday! You all are the best ever, and the conversation was just about every subject under the sun, as Susan has already said. Thanks for posting the photo, Joan.  {And remembering the camera}

    Have to go fix some dinner for DH, before the closing ceremonies start. I've got lots of catching up to do here.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    Smerf thank you, but as u see how long I've been dealing with BC I should know alot more LOL I just don't.

  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2012

    Moved my daughter into her new aparment (5 blocks from her  "old" apartment) yesterday-5 hours/4 people/the steepest stairway in Lincoln Park. Got a good workout, but now I am sooo tired I am going to tuck myself in early tonight.

  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 2,017
    edited August 2012

    Ooops....Belated b-day to  Spunky.  I now this is coming late, but I do wish you a wonderful year ahead....full of fun and health!

    Susan

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited August 2012

    No camille he lives in Chicago like me but we both grew up here in MA. We graduated HS together. He promised we will get together soon in Chicago.

    I missed Spunky's BD too. Here are some candles to blow out  iiiiiiiiiiii

    Looks like I'm headed to Newport, RI tomorrow for the day.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited August 2012

    e too, Sorry SPUNKY hope it will bring u a great year.

    Thnx Lago u probably said that and I forgot---Sounds like u'r having a great time Good for u.

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited August 2012

    Happy belated birthday to the boobster!

  • C-squared
    C-squared Member Posts: 514
    edited August 2012
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Spunky!!!  Smile
  • hawk
    hawk Member Posts: 305
    edited August 2012

    Happy Birthday Spunky!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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