Illinois ladies facing bc

C-squared

momto7~ have you hooked up with your local ACS (American Cancer Society)?  Also, there is a service called "cleaning for a reason" and I would encourage you to reach out to them for help.  You can access them directly at www.cleaningforareason.org  If, by chance, they do not have a chapter in your area you should contact your local ACS for help.

In addition, CONGRATULATUIONS on finishing your chemo!!!  Whew! Take a deep breath and relax.., you DID IT!!!  I reflect on this time last year and I think I know just how you feel?!?  I completed my chemo last May 31st and I canNOT believe it has been a year already!  You, too, will look back on this a year from now and be amazed at how FAST time flies!  I'm just gald that we can offer you our experiences and as a result that you can have faith in the road ahead. You are not alone!   

Hang in there momto7!  And embrace "the new you" without looking back!  It IS a new world.., and it's okay!!!

lago

Joan that was a typo. Only 2000UI a day on the D.

momto7

I  will thanks Hey anyone here that has reconstruction or thinking about it I see the PS June 25th  to see when he will do it he said I might not need tissue expander's  because of the weight i lost and I have enough skin

lago

momto7 I had recon with implants. I had to do expansions though. I never gain or lose weight above the belly button.

IllinoisLady

There is a wise being living inside of you. It is your intuitive self.
Focus your awareness into a deep place in your body,
a place where your "gut feelings" reside. You can
communicate with it by silently talking to it, making requests,
or asking questions. Then relax, don't think too hard
with your mind, and be open to receiving answers.
They are usually very simple and relate to the present moment,
not the past or the future, and they feel right.

Shakti Gawain

camillegal

Oh jackie that is so true, I have mediatated for yrs and digging deeply into myself and it is tru.

joan888

CateyZ2.... good vibes coming your way for your surgery tomorrow!

camillegal

Catey u'll be in my prayers.

spunkyboobster

Cateyz2-positive thoughts and prayers for your big day.

cateyz2

Thank you ladies, I will post an update when able.

I have to say everyone on this board have been so caring and supportive. I am now the 3rd in line to have the honor to wear "The Traveling Pink Shirt" ! Its a custom shirt with velco closures and pockets for the drains sent to me by a wonderful lady from South Carolina. The only stipulation is that I pass it on after Im done which of course I will along with my story!!!

C-squared

GO cateyz2!!!  That kind of spirit will get you through anything!!!  Let us know how you're doing when you can!  

LtotheK

Chicago lady here. My face took a hit from chemo.  The skin under my eyes is extremely baggy, and I've had it with people asking if I'm tired, and would like to consider undereye surgery.  Has anyone worked with a good Chicago plastic surgeon?  Recommendations welcomed.  I have also heard I might be able to do this via laser, not surgery.  Thoughts on recovery time and price also welcomed!  Thank you all and good wishes for your continued health and happiness.  

camillegal

LtotheK Hi, I'm sure someone will come on with sombody's name or PM u, personally I need it to but I wear make-up but all my life people have said that inherited dark circles blh with bags now that I'm old--er, but u'r right this has put alot of yrs. on some peoples body and skin that I agree. Good Luck

lago

You go cateyz2

LtotheK didn't I give you the name of my plastic surgeon? I'll email you the links

LtotheK

Lago, you did because you are a total sweetheart!  But you thought posting here would be helpful, too.

IllinoisLady

Hoping for no marks here....the site I use had updated so not sure if it will come out right.

Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your
head.
~ Ann Landers 

IllinoisLady

Had a wild night here last night.....started thunder, lightening and rain about 8:45 p.m. and just went all night long.  A bit cloudy today with more of what we just got done with heading towards us.  Sounds like Saturday will be rather wet as well. 

Very different from last yr.  Our temps have been up....well into the mid-80's most days as of late.  No idea what is come later on, but our Spring water table is up and then some.  Just hope we don't start high temps too soon.

LtotheK....you will get great help here provided with tons of love and empathy.

Peace and love

Jackie

IllinoisLady

“God always takes the simplest way.”
Albert Einstein

cateyz2

Well fellow Illinois Ladies, Im happy to report that surgery went well.

Also I was dreading the dye injection based on the pain some of you felt during the injection, but mine was absolutely painless. The anestiologist put a little bit of Lidocaine in shot before th dye so itsnumbed as its going in.

BS said my veins were really good so shouldnt have any problem with nipple necrosis. In addition he asked if I wanted to go home tonight or stay till Sunday am which I preferred. He also hinted that later in the evening I should reguest one more dose of morphine for pain and that would show need for insurance, Gotta love my BS.

Found out they removed 2 lymph nodes and both were negative for cance3!!!!!

Still waiting for PS to stop in

dltnhm

Catey,

So glad your surgery went well and hallelujah hurrah for the clear nodes!!!

Doana

lago

cateyz2 glad everything went smoothly. You will be surprized how each day you feel so much better.

midwestdoglover

Hi, Thanks to Diana, am checking in from the Southside of CHicago.  I get my Chemo in Tinley Park, Illinois, over by I-80

Invasive lobular diagnosed 2/2013, had lumpectomy...Then had a bit of cellulitis, really red breast, had antiobiotics for 2 weeks, so a bit late starting chemo

will need the tax chemo when done with the A&C, and then a months radiation, and hormones after..it was stage 3

interesting i had benign biopsies in  1989, one on each, they gave u a 2 inch scar back then, this biopsy looks like a bug bite, thats all

had 2 yrs breast density showing, finally MRI showed it, and then biopsy

nice to meet everyone!

IllinoisLady

Welcome Midwestdoglover, and glad you chose to join us.  Sorry for the reason naturally, but it is the only reason any of us would come to THIS club.  This disease ( so terrifically sneaky at times ) does present a lot of twists and turns to get through.  I was checked for several years for a cancer that I might have had for a long time, and could have gone a lot longer with it I think.  Turns out a second tumor ( not seen until lumpectomy for the FOUND one ) was the big problem. 

Anyway, we are glad you are here.  There is loving support here, great friendships, lots of questions answered, and plenty of hand-holding and good suggestions for dealing with se's that may crop up. 

Peace and love

Jackie

ETA: catey....glad things went well.  Onward and upward for you. 

midwestdoglover

Hi All!, thanks to Diana, checking in from SOuthSide of Chicago

IL3 diagnosed in 2/2013, lumpectomy, got a late start on chemo.....had a bit of cellulitis in that breast

lago

welcome midwestdoglover. You sound like you're doing OK. We gals are here to support you. BTW I had a call back 4 years prior with US. Everyone said it was nothing. 4 years later 6.5cm (IDC + DCIS) tumor in the same spot. Only missed one mammo. Came in with small amount of blood coming from nipple… that place still said suspicious but not typical of breast cancer. Changed treatment centers. Radiologist told me at biopsy that they were doing the biopsy to prove their diagnosis of breast cancer (bases on the same mammo/US). And if that didn't prove it they would do something even more invasive to prove it!

Sometimes these things are hard to read. Other times the scans are only as good as the radiologist reading them. I was being screened at the "blind radiologist" screening center in Chicago

Keep us posted on your chemo start date

dltnhm

Midwestdoglvr,



You found us! I haven't mastered linking on my phone if I've already started a message on BCO. So glad you could find us :0)



A sweet gal (sorry - memory fog)organizes a holiday get-together in November. That's when I met so many of the gals in person. From time to time ladies meet up. I've not made any smaller gatherings - but have had some one-on-one meet ups!



Everyone else,



She (Midwest) is having quite a time with her chemo actually. I'd call some of it rather harrowing. Again - no link - but the thread's title has anaphylactic shock in the title. So pulling for you and praying for you Midwest!!!



Hugs!

Diana.

lago

dltnhm I am not keeper of the list. Not sure who has the most current but it's not me. I just updated it once in the fall. Just can't do it. Too much going on especially right now. Took a full-time 6 month temp gig, plus freelance and this year signed up to be the chair of the survivor tent as part of the planning committee for the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk ans a bunch of other stuff. Doing some design work for some other breast cancer organizations too.

Oh and I'm still organizer and team captain of the Illinois Ladies team for Strides/Chicago. Will post more about that later. All are welcome. Walk is October 26 in Chicago this year.

dltnhm

Sorry lago. I thought you were. I already knew everything you do; I read the thread. Just was mistaken. I'll edit my post.



Diana

spunkyboobster

Catey-Yay!!! all good news

Midwest-welcome to our little corner of BCO-I hope things improve for you. {{hugs}}

joan888

CateyZ... Glad that your surgery went smoothly. Take enough time to rest. Those darn drains are annoying, but they will go soon.



Welcome Midwestdoglover. Glad that you found our wonderful discussion group. Lots of support here so come back often. Fresh fruits, especially watermelon helped me get through chemo. Oh, and Edie's frozen fruit bars.



I think Lago did the last update on the contact list. I should have that somewhere and would be willing to update it. I would need anyone who wants to be added to send me a PM with your contact details.... Name, screen name, address, phone, email, diagnosis date, etc.