Illinois ladies facing bc

kjiberty

Great pic!  Even though I can only pic a few of you out!

camillegal

  JUST IN CASE ANYONE NEEDS ONE.

kjiberty

Cami--Another good one---I love it!

smerf

Hi Everyone,

Just want to express my appreciation to BJ for the wonderful get together. It was so much fun, as usual, and food, conversation and friendship cannot be beaten! Thanks also to Laura for the beautiful centerpieces, and to Irene for all her help.

Welcome to the newbies. Glad you found us, though wish you didn't have to.

Cami, I love your pics. Always good for a smile, and smiles feel good.

I too loved Call The Midwife. looking forward to the next season of Downton Abbey. Can't beat PBS for great programs.

Jan, it was so good to see you. It's been too long, but I think the beautiful work you've done on those houses is worth all the time spent. You're giving us all ideas!

I'm testing myself to see if I can get all the names right in our group picture. It's not easy, whether it's chemo brain or just plain getting old. I think I have it, though. It as so nice to meet all the new ladies, and it is the silver lining. I think Lago said that first, right?

Back to election returns...exciting this time.

camillegal

spunkyboobster

Cami-love that one! I'm going to have to steal it.

mdg

Here is the new addition to the family.  We named her Baci (bah-chee).  It means kisses in Italian.  She's such a little cutie!  Loving her.  I did forget what it is like to have a baby in the house again.  I have not gotten much done in the past few days!  I just took her for a long walk so she is sleeping so I can do some stuff around here!!!

IllinoisLady

Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it a charm.

 

Jean Paul Richter

IllinoisLady

How adorable Baci is, Cami.  Kitty just has to let her know that she was there first and basically is the boss, then things will settle out.  All my dogs and cats get along fairly well.....though some feel the need to "tease" now and then, you start to tell it is all in fun.

Saying hi to all and breathing a huge sigh of relief that the elections are basically over and we can all get back to life pretty much now.  I was close to MIA for a bit......sitting too far on the edge of my chair to effectively contribute much. 

It is overcast here, but the sun is shinning for me anyway.  Hope you all have a fantastic day and not too tired if you stayed up a bit late.

Hugs, Jackie

Timbek2

I love the puppy!  We have a one year old goldendoodle and he is my chemo buddy.  Always lays at my feet when I'm in bed and down and out.  I'm originally from the STL area so my parents just left from visiting.  It was so great having them here shuttling my kids around.  I am SO happy to be done with the big bad red devil!  Today is Day 6 and I woke with a headache but it seems to be subsiding.  I can't get over the inidigestion I get!  I am really really praying that taxol is better to me!  Especially since I will have it every week during the holidays!  I am dreading that the most.  I don't know how I am going to get all my normal holiday stuff done this year.  I do already have my Christmas cards though.  Did a family picture before my treatments started.  Smartest thing I ever did!  Does anyone have some bra recommendations that are pretty and fun?  I only have 2 bras that fit right now and they are white and boring. I think it would be a mood lifter to have something feminine to wear.  Trying to avoid underwire as I don't need it.  I am only about 130 lbs so my implants are just like a 38C.  Nothing too exciting but I have always been petite and that's just the way God made me  ANy help for styles from Macy's or Bergner's stores.  I know the implants are wide.  I want something comfortable too.  A lot to ask I know.  I did go to the bras thread but there was almost too much info there!  God bless you all!   I'm so happy to meet you here and not feel alone.  I live in a small town and at 40 none of my friends have had cancer yet.  People are either freaked out by it or just don't know what to say.  It's hard.  I never wanted to be the cancer mom at my kids' school but that is pretty much who I am at this point.  Have a blessed day!

Becki

momto7

She is so adorable  she looks like our dog  Lady we had her for 17 years before she died  you will have lots of fun with her. I have a Pomeranian  he thinks he is a pit bull lol  when i go into he hospital tomorrow he will probably lay on my bed and cry till I get home  he lays on my feet and sleeps there

camillegal

Oh Becki the red devil is vicious sometimes and going thru the Holidays especially when u have kids I'm sorry. But maybe on the days u feel OK u can do some stuff for the holidays and when u feel tired u rest and take care of u'rself. Sometimes for a couple of days after taxol (depending on u'r cocktail) u do feel a surge of energy use it LOL--

mdg u'r puppy loks just like my new dog--mine isn't a puppy but white feet and everything. OMG she looks like a mini Sox (our dog's name)

Thanks Jackie I needed to hear that. LOL

camillegal

lago

Timbek2 are you sure you're not a 36 D? I found the DNKY, Natori and some Maidenforms fit well. I need a fuller coverage bra now especially on the sides. The DNKY & Natori are sold at Nordstrom rack, Marshals and TJMaxx. Full price they can cost $60+. At discount stores they are $16-$26.

I'm officially deported as of 4 hours ago. Little sore and loopy but the loopy is going away.

I want to play with Baci

ritajean

mdg...What an adorable puppy!  He will give you lots of love and enjoyment!

Becki, I wasn't going through treatments at the holidays but my first surgery was the day before Thanksgiving and my second surgery was December 22nd.  Like you, I worried about getting through the holidays and doing all the things that we think we need to do.  As it was, I didn't get everything done but we still had a good holiday and those that love us don't really care if it's a "picture perfect Christmas."  They're just glad to share it with us.  Things will work out so don't stress yourself needlessly.  Hugs!

I'm off to teach a Wednesday night youth group at our little church.  It's cold and yucky here and I'm not too excited about going back out but I'll enjoy it when I get there and get going.  I have all girls this year and we are having lots of fun!

Rita

kjiberty

mdg:  Adorable

Timbek:  I like Wacoal bras as well.  

joan888

Timbek2 ... I am imagining you snuggled up with your golden doodle and feeling better every day. Hang in there, we will see you through your Taxol treatments. It is hard for our friends to know what to say and so many times they just say nothing or even try to avoid being around us. I was quilty of that response myself prior to my own diagnosis. I have certainly changed after my experience.



On the subject of bras, I have really good luck with Natori and Soma. But for now, I am back to bra less while going through another tissue expander. I love being able to get by with just camis though for now. I had another expansion today and just one more next week. Cannot seem to get rid of my darn drain! Maybe next week.



Momto7 ....we will have you in our thoughts tomorrow. Wishing you all the best for you going into surgery. Hope your surgery goes well. Your fur buddy will be there to warm your feet when you get back home.

mdg

Becki I can relate to holidays and treatment.  I was DX in early December and had a lumpectomy on 12/23/2010.  I decided not to tell my family until after the holidays.  I had my MX in January.  I did lots of unline shopping.  I got free shipping on a lot. As far as holiday cards...I slapped something together and sent it out.  I just didn't care.  It was so hard to deal with that and then act like nothing was wrong since no one knew.  My heart goes out to each of you still in active treatment or going through surgery/recoveries.  We understand...we are here for you.  Take it one day at a time.

So Baci is cute...does that mean anyone wants to babysit?? LOL!  I forgot what it is like to have a "baby" in the house.  Not getting much done these days.  Oh well.  I did take her to the petstore today and buy her even more toys.  My DH is really enjoying her.  He actually texts during the day to check in and see how she is....hilarious! 

As far as bras - I have a few from Victoria's Secret that I like.  I often just wear a cheap, Fruit of the Loom over the head jog type bra with regular bra straps (instead of the racer back style).  I think I bought them cheap (3 for $10) but they are comfy and no wires.  At home, I don't really wear a bra unless I have to.  I am loving that!

zap

Oh, such a cute baby dog!

On the subject of holidays....quite simply....if in treatment or surgery....keep it simple and let family help you keep that goal.  Let family know that you  cannot promise a thing but your pure love which may not come in the form of decorations, food prep,  gift-giving and parties....just love in the form of  ...just.... love and that your greatest gift from any of them....will be receiving the same from family/friends.  All good.

spunkyboobster

Love the Baci baby-my old hound just sleeps and eats.

I had my BMX last year 2 weeks before Christmas.  I did my shopping/wrapping early and let the rest up to the family. We all agreed it was the best Christmas we'd ever had-perhaps because we celebrated the true meaning of the holiday.

Have a great day everyone-stay warm!

IllinoisLady

Imposible is just an opinion. ~ Dan Deigan

IllinoisLady

Becki --- you didn't mention Omeprazole, or any other antacid....hope you have one.  Need to keep it up for a bit to get the tumy well under control.  I took mine for a long time.

Hope you stay well now...A/C is a toughie so glad you got through it.  Anything else should go a bit easier or so we hope but it should. 

Hugs, Jackie

Timbek2

No antacid unfortunately. I could take galviscon if I need it. The worst for me are the hemorrhoids. They get worse each round. Off to a sitz bath now. I take stool softeners. Eat bran. It still seems to catch up to me each round. Ugh. I pray the taxol won't be so constipating or I'm in big trouble!! Thanks for the advice. I appreciate your experience! It's such a looong journey. Just wish it were over already. My poor kids and husband. They need their wife n mom back. I really do miss my old life. I hope after all this I can get it back!

lago

Timbek Taxotere was constipating for me. Got the hemorrhoids the first round. After that I started taking Metamucil as directed on the package the night of chemo and continued till things moved normally again (about 4.5 days). I also did stool softener (do that anyway even now) ate lots of salad and my chili with beans in it. Milk of Magnesia didn't do it for me. Tried that first. Check with your onc though.

mdg

I got super constipated from the chemo too.  I would take stool softeners and senakot starting the day of chemo and continue taking them for about 5 days.  I was also on iron because I got anemic from chemo...iron also makes you constipation.  Good times hu?

camillegal

Lago I'm glad u'r done with the deporting. Hope u feel all healed very soon.

Oh roids I've never had them, but I sure know about them suppossed to be really rough. Soory.

camillegal

virginiab

Timbek--

I also had real constipation problems and neither the senna nor the stool softener drugs were helping. That's when my chemo nurse recommended Miralax, which resolved the problem and then my doc had me continue to use it daily through the rest of chemo. I kept using it for several weeks after chemo, then switched to milk of magnesia as a daily helper, and have been gradually reducing the dosage (from 4 to 3 to 2) over the past couple of weeks. You may want to ask about Miralax, as it seems to be a pretty benign drug: not habit-forming like the senna drugs.

Adey

You could try some good ole Castor Oil too.  Lubes it up. 

joan888

Well, just to change the subject..... something possessed me to buy a small bag of brussel sprouts at the store today.  I know, they are supposed to be good for us.  Several months ago we had a discussion going on great easy way to prepare them under the broiler with seasonings, but I am way too lazy to go back through this thread and find those wonderful ideas that were being shared.  Anyone give me a quick clue as to what to do with them.  I have never cooked brussel sprouts before.

Momto7.... hope your BMX went okay today and thay you are resting comfortably.  Stay in touch.