Illinois ladies facing bc

lago

Joan That stinks you are still having issues.I really hope this CC repair will be the end of this. You've really been a trooper through all this.

only 3 days to heal. My port surgeon told me last week I need 2 weeks to heal from port removal. (I asked when I could go back to power walking). No exercise for 2 weeks. I got the "your so thin on top you'll pull the incision apart if you move your arms" speech.

camillegal

zap

Joan, you never even mentioned this during the walk.  You are a true warrior in all ways.  If I can do anything, beyond playing Words with Friends. as a distraction, let me know.  I am close. 

Susan

Rene23

Wow, what an incredible day we had!  Lots of well-deserved kudos to Lago for really putting in a lot of hard work setting things up at the crack of dawn, as well as being a great speaker and team leader.  My daughter and I got there reeeally early too, and Lago was already knee deep with the other volunteers getting the Survivor tent organized.  It was freezing in the early hours, but thank goodness, it really warmed up into a perfect day for walking.  Much of the walk was right along the lakefront and it was truly beautiful.  The most important part, of course, is how much money was raised for the American Cancer Society.  This group was well-represented in terms of generous donations!  I know that those of you who couldn't join us in person, were there in spirit.  Here's the link again to the album with pictures from the event that we've uploaded: http://s1275.photobucket.com/albums/y457/IllinoisLadies/

Joan - I had my original foob replaced for various reasons, 2 or 3 times.  Glad you were able to grab an earlier surgery spot.  I know it's a relief to get these things DONE and behind you.  

Katiep1388

Hi ladies i havent been on here for awhile, im now 24 yrs old and was just diagnosed with a local recurrence... I had AC and taxol and was on tamoxifen and still a lump formed - my dr.s swore it had to be nothing because I had a BMX but sure enough it was cancer, hanging out right under my lumpectomy scar... I started chemo literally a year ago so it's been under a year. I'm scared about what this means for my future... My mastectomy pathology was 100% cancer free ( I did chemo first) I had scans to confirm I'm still stage 1 and my lymphnodes are clear... But how does this happen? What does this mean? Does anyone know anyone who has gone through this?

lago

Katie it does happen. It just means that some cells they couldn't see with our current technology were left behind. Some people do get complete response to chemo but it appears more don't… they do get good response like you but not 100%. Just because you got a local recurrence doesn't mean the chemo didn't work. Chemo was for the rest of your body. Now that you had more surgery (and maybe radiation to come?) sounds like they got it all this time.

Scars can be challenging. Because the blood flow is not as good chemo may not have been able to reach the scar. Some surgeons like to remove and some don't.

*Hopefully someone can chime in with more experience with this than me

camillegal

Katie I was waiting for Lago to come into the conversation or one of the other ladies who are so knowlegeable. I can just wish u the best and hopefully this is the last time u go thru all of this. I'm sure more women will come in to help u.

IllinoisLady

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IllinoisLady

thanks guys

IllinoisLady

invisible2

Yay!  I finally figured out how to post pictures!

lago

I was just about to post it. Yay. Great shot!

camillegal

Great Picture Wow

kjiberty

Great pic!

camillegal

Good Morning all it's 3AM GRRRRRR. I'm here wide awake. I'm here with diarrhea again. GRRRRR again. LOL

camillegal

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camillegal

doxie

Katiep - so sorry you have an recurrence.  Lago is correct that scar tissue is troublesome because neither chemo nor anti hormonals are particularly effective there.  Thankfully this was local and caught early.  What is your treatment team suggesting?  How ER+ and PR+ are you, if that is ok to ask?

The walk was lovely on Saturday.  The chilly day turned into perfect weather for a stoll in the park.  Lago, the balloons on dowel rods were brilliant.  There was no way we could have kept together otherwise.  After we had popped them at the end of the walk, I turned to say goodbye to you and a few others and all were already lost in the crowd.  

Kudos to invisible2 for walking with us.  She was only two weeks out of chemo.  How many of us could have managed to do that?  And Joan who is still recovering from her back surgery.  

lago

Doxie sorry I missed you. I was actually in the survivor tent. I had to say goodbye to my old boss. He was the one (and his company) that donated the photo booth rental. It was a huge hit at the event. I'm off to the BS this morning for my yearly check up, then back to the daily grind of looking for a job.

camillegal

IllinoisLady

The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
-- George F. Will

IllinoisLady

Great ACS picture.  Invisible...wonderful that you could make the walk.  Interesting how something so rotten could motivate you so much. 

Cam -- I also loved your pictures this morning.  I stole them. 

Hugs, Jackie

camillegal

Javkie u can steal from me anytime LOL

C-squared

Great pics Camille!  Thanks for keeping me giggling!    I hope you are feeling better.

camillegal

IllinoisLady

All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile. -Chris Hart

camillegal

camillegal

IllinoisLady

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
~ Oprah Winfrey

kjiberty

Camilegal:  I love all your pics and your sense of humor!