Positive Girls Club

livesstrong

Hey Everyone- Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Jule – glad to see you survived your hectic weekend, it does get harder as you get older, doesn’t it?

Made – Good Luck this week with your presentation and mammo. I have no doubt that both will go off without a hitch. I know what you mean about being swamped at work. I'm filling in for a girl who is out sick and its been crazy. My problem is my boss won’t let me stay late so I have to get it all done within my regular hours. Its tough.

FLlorik – Darn cancer, its sucks. So sorry to hear about your mets. Please feel free to come here as often as you like and you can always pm me if you chose. This is a great place to “let it all hang out” if you know what I mean.

Tricia – glad to hear you are doing well. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Cyndi - sounds like you & I had the same dx. I also had no node involvement. Are you just having A/C and rad’s? I have to say both are doable. With chemo just rememeber to take all your med’s on schedule – even if you feel you don’t need them – I’m talking about the anti-naususa(?) ones. They are a God send. Keep hydrated, eat lightly and if you get tired go lay down. Don’t fight it.

Beth - sounds like you are doing a bit better!! Hang in there!

Gotta go walk the dogs,
Valerie

Anonymous

Hi Everyone!

I am still wrapped up, but learning to do more within my restrictions. Yesterday she wrapped my 'trunk' and no, I'm not even an elephant! I was very mummified and told her it was hard for me to even drive! lol I am going to find a way to wrap my own body just at night. Magic, perhaps? lol



FLloriK, I am so sorry to hear about the mets. That has got to be devastating news....but you're right... people live with mets these days for years and years and there is no reason not to just do what you have to do and carry on as much as you're able. With God, all things are possible.

Welcome Cyndi, I am glad you found us, too! We need lots of bright, cheerful faces around here. Thanks for the great intro, too. I suppose I should give one soon.

Beth, great news on your picc line. I sure hope you can zap that infection without more difficulty. Hope hubby's gastritis is all better so he can properly take care of you.

Valerie... a belated happy birthday and glad you got to have fun. Your dogs are lucky to get walked. My poor dog just looks at me with disgust and finds a place to nap. lol

Tricia, glad your surgery went well. Just don't try to do to much too soon, or you might bottom out.

Made, sorry to hear you're working so hard, but glad your big project is almost done. I'm waiting for your NED news and to start watching you on TV. My one rose bush is blooming... I have to get out there and take a picture.

Jule, are you off in your usual flurry of activity? I haven't really been suffering with the lympho stuff... it's just tiring for me to get out daily because I have been staying home so much and Taxol really does cause some serious fatigue.

I have chemo on Thursay, then just one more. I need to set up my next appointment with the rads onc, so I can keep the flow.

I'll send in a positive or two on Friday!!

Thinking and praying for you all!

Miss S

This is a great song.

Anonymous

For now Im just bumping this up so that MeMee can join us without having to search for our thread...

Hi MeMee:)

I will be back a bit later to write more....Beth will be thinking about you for your appts today....

Oh and Valerie---Im not getting older....Im just getting better:)....

Love ya all
Jule

beth1225

Jule, you are the best. I know you will be just giddy with happiness very soon. I just feel it!

Hi MeMee!!! Come join us and play or vent or like Valerie said, let it all hang out!

PICC line came out without a hitch, the worst part was takign off the dressing. Let's go Levaquin!! I hope I am backig a winning horse on this one.

Off to the ps and dh to the gp for his gastritis and blood pressure "issue".

Have one great positive: We cuddled for the first time since May 7th and my surgery. Woo Hoo!

dkmaustx

Hi everyone,

I noticed Jule's post to memee over on the just diagnosed section and decided that I had to come and meet all of you. Thank you, Jule, for inviting me.

I've been able to make it through my diagnosis and treatment so far by keeping a positive attude.

My positive for this week is that I made it through the entire hour of my water aerobics class this morning, even though I just had chemo on Monday. It was my Third infusion with Taxol, seventh over-all chemo. Only one more chemo to go on July 2. Most of the time I've been leaving class a bit early especially on the days immediately after chemo. I try to modify the moves and go a little slower than most of the class and today I made it to the cool down and stretching.

Anonymous

Welcome Debbie,
Im glad you decided to come join us .....

I will start water aerobics on my lunch hour from work next week....I sure hope I do as good as you do....
Im done with treatment, just lumpectomy/rads/Arimidex but still trying to get back on my energy level since having a complete hystorectomy mid-April...am hoping the water aerobics will help...

Beth-I know your on the downhill slide now....how did your appt go today???

I know Im not visiting with everyone today but I promise to get a longer and better post later this evening to include all of you......make that tomarrow evening....it is mushroom season here and mom and I are planning to go to the mountains after I get off work today to pick some.....but I PROMISE to visit with each and everyone of you tomarrow ...

Hugs to all of you
Jule

dkmaustx

Well, Jule, I was champing at the bit to get back to my water aerobics after my Lumpectomy and SNB on Jan 4 and port insertion on Jan. 25. The NP told me I had to wait until my incisions were no longer pink. I swear it took forever. By the end of March, I was finally able to get back in the pool. Luckily my club has lots of classes and there was a floor class called Stretch, Ball, and Tone (no aerobics) that met at almost the same time as my water class. I really missed my friends more than the exercising. I had to go in the the pool area to say "hi" a couple of times. They are some of the people who have helped me through all this with the hugs and cards and kind words.

memee146

Thank you jpann (Jule?) for the invite. This seems like a great place for me to be
This website and these discussion boards are my way of dealing with everything. I overlode myself on information

Since this is the Positive Girls Club, My positive for today is......... I talked to my oldest brother, who I have not talked to in Ten years today. Though it is sad that it took cancer to achieve this, it was still a positive for me.
Hope everyone else is having a wonderful day. ((((HUGS))))) all around!

mikeysmom

Welcome, MeMee and Debbie! This is a great group. I just found it myself and it's really helped.
Cyndi

Made

Welcome Debbie and MeMee!!

Miss S - how's that arm doing - I'm glad you are figuring out how deal with the restrictions.

Beth - woohoo on the IV being done. How are you feeling?

Debbie - Good for you on the exercise - I was saying to day I'll push wheelbarrels of dirt around the yard all day but refuse to exercise . I really need to find something I like before winter since my Yoga class has moved to our north hospital and I see nothing relaxing rushing up there and back.

My positive for today is - the presentation went well - people lined up to talk to us after words - I'm told that is a good sign. Tomorrow is my first mammogram since end of treatments and an interview for our hospital Annual Cancer Report (they want to spice it up - should be interesting)

Made

Jumping on real quick - I'll get back here tonight

1st Diagnostic Mammo since treatments all clear - everything looked good so I am NED

Anonymous

Kelly,
What wonderful news!!!! I came here to let you know my thoughts are with you today and what do I find.....you've already been and back with the MOST happiest news you could have...

Was your presentation video'd??? Would love to see it if it was....

Hugs
Jule

beth1225

Hi there Debbie and MeMee! Good to see you.

Hi Cyndi, I saw you peeking in!

Kelly, how wonderful! Dance with NED and enjoy him! I sugget red pumps but that's just me.

For anybody who may not know NED, it is not a person. It stands for No Evidence of Disease. 3 very magic words. When they told me when my path report fianlly got back, I was so relieved. That has stayed my positive through a very trying recovery from surgery.

BTW, visit with the ps went well. He said the infection is between the skin and the Alloderm (sp?) and not the implant. He says he is being "cautiously optomistic". Now we wait and see what the Levaqui does. Ringo the drain is still hanging in there. Has been less over the last couple days so am I hopeful.

took in a movie with Eric this morning. Did you know it is pretty empty with the first show of the day. Good thing because I still feel pretty lousy. His dad picked him up just a few minutes ago and I jumped on here to visit with my friends.

Hope to get on over the weekend. Depends on how much rest I can get. Just being out for a couple hours takes it toll.

Anonymous

I forgot to post my positive for the week earlier.....

I am happy to tell you all that I am finally planning a very quiet weekend at home ....this is a very busy time of year here and life seemed to steam roll over me there for a few weeks, but its time to relax in the quiet this weekend...

Tuesday (june 19th) I have my first 3 month followup appt with the rad oncologist...I was a little nervous about it before but now it seems to be taking from place ....I have no idea what takes place at this appt...do any of you ladies here know what happens? I think (mind you Im not sure) but I thought this Dr. told me that I would have some testing but only remember him saying a mammogram....does that sound right?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Hugs
Jule

Anonymous

My positive is my friend is coming for the weekend to HELP out!! Yay!

livesstrong

Welcome all Newbies!! You'll love this club. Lots of women in all stages of bc but you never hear any negatives.

Congrats Kelly on NED. Now THAT'S a positive. Isn't it a wonderful feeeling? Congrats also on your presentation going so well.

Miss S - egads, that arm of yours looks uncomfortable. Hope your friend is a help to you.

Beth - glad to see you got out of the house for a little bit, I think it helps with the healing.

Jule - well, its about time you have no plans for the weekend,LOL. I"m sure your followup rad's appt. will be fine. All the rad ocn did with me was a examination. I was in & out in 5 minutes. I actually had anothr appt. with him today that I blew off. I had no complications when I was going thru treatment so I figure what is he going to tell me today. Sometimes, I think they just want your money. I go back to my regular ocn next month and then for another mammo in August so I think I'll be fine.

My positives for the week are -

Got thru another week of doing my supervisor's job.
Had lunch with a GF who I hadn't seen in ages.
The girls at work thru a birthday party for me this week.
We are doing a Biggest Loser weight loss program at work and my team came in first this week!! I lost 3 lbs!!

Have a great weekend everyone,
Valerie

mikeysmom

Kelly, congratulations on NED!! And thank you Beth for explaining what that was!! I look forward to my dance with NED!
My positives for the week are: I found a great wig (so I feel prepared--not sure how much I'll wear it). My son's baseball team won the division championship (he's 9 so it's Little League), my friend's cousin who is a 13 year BC survivor is in town and I met her and she was such a great source of info and support.
Have a great weekend everyone!!

memee146

Congrats to every one on all the positives
((((HUGS))))) memee

Made

What a great weekend - my house is almost all clean (my father's day gift to DH - it was starting to get on his nerves) plus I got some time in the garden (skipped the family room (or should I say the kids room as we don't enter it except in emergencies ). DH had a good Father's Day and I had 2 days of down time that I desperately needed. Tomorrow is my first 3 month follow up with the Radiation Onc - don't expect any surprises. And Wednesday is my interview with the TV reporter. I'd hoped to get my hair cut but I never like it the first few days after so I think I'll wait. My Dear Son has some weird skin going on so I'm trying to get him into the doctor tomorrow and then Tuesday we drive for 2 hours and spend the day on a golf course - it won't be as relaxing as I want - we have to bring Kiernan (our 6 year old) but she's a good traveling buddy (has to be with teens as siblings).

Miss S - my dog doesn't get walked either - he's so happy just to come out front when I'm gardening - though he plays a mean game of keep away in the back yard. He's completely back to normal - Thank God. I love the song you posted - Thank You. Hope you had a nice weekend with your friend. How's that mummified arm doing - starting to go down and behave itself? I continue to pray that you work through the lymphodema quickly.

MeMee - I'm glad you and your brother reconnected - its sad but maybe the best thing about Cancer - we (and those around us) realize what is important.

LiveStrong - Its Awesome you lost 3 pounds last week - way to go and that was with the stress of doing 2 jobs.

Cindy
I'm glad you found a wig that you like, when do you start chemo? Tell your son Congrats on the championship!! I was always so glad when baseball was over - I'm such a bad mom . I found during treatment that the kids really helped keep things normal - God Bless them.

Jule - my 3 month with the radiation oncologist is tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes - I have a much better sense of my october appointment with the medical oncologist - she's ordered a CT and blood work so I expect well talk about that and how much I love/hate tamoxifen. I'm glad you had a relaxing weekend!! How's your son doing with his ankle?

Ok - time for bed for me

Have a great week all.

mikeysmom

Kelly, I start my chemo this Friday. I am a little nervous--actually a lot nervous! I'm having a port put in Thursday and don't know what to expect there either. Can anyone who's had one put in let me know what the "installation" is like?
Cyndi

Made

Ask here http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=chemo its where the women going through chemo post (but be careful - like the hormone therapy page usually only those of us struggling with side effects post - you never read I love Tamoxifen). But everything I've read the insertion of the port is a breeze but without any experience....We'll be thinking of you on Thursday and Friday!! Thoughts, prayers and more prayers being sent!!

Made

Jule - radiation onc appointment consisted of asking if anything had changed since last time - doctor did a breast exam, some spine thing and then admired my scar. Won't see her again until December -here's hoping yours is the same!!

mikeysmom

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers too! And I love your signature line: If God leads me to it, God will lead me through it. I am going to put that on a paperquilt if that's okay with you. I'll send it to you if you want:) Just let me know what colors you like...
By the way, today I have very short, very blond hair! My hairdresser cut and colored it for free and since I'll only have it for a few more weeks anyway I just let her do whatever she wanted. I love it!
I'm not stressing out about the port or chemo anymore--no point in worrying about what I can't change.
Cyndi

jasmine

Hi Everyone

I joined this thread way back when it started but didn't post alot. Do you mind if I rejoin? Here's a little funny to get everyone's day started.

My boyfriend is not happy with my mood swings. The other
day, he bought me a mood ring so he would be able to
monitor my moods.

When I'm in a good mood it turns green.

When I'm in a bad mood it leaves a big ugly red mark on
his forehead.

Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond.!!!

Anonymous

AlwaysHope,
Of course you can re-join our group.....I use to love reading your post and still read them on some of the other threads...

I think sometimes my man thinks about like that guy!!!! Need a mood ring to figure me out!!!! I hadnt thought about that...I remember them from when I was a kid and have started seeing them in the mini marts around here again...
We will leave out comments about the diamond as this is a relatively new relationship!!!!
If I could figure out something to replace the statement about the diamonds I would send that too him, Im sure he would get a laugh out of it ....Oh heck, maybe I will send it to him just the way it is....gotta keep them wondering:) (Im sooooo bad)..

Kelly-my rad appt went similar to yours....Doc did a boobie check, asked a few questions then said see ya in 3 months and at that point we will do a bilateral mammogram...I thought he had said something about doing a mammo at this appt but he said things are healing well and there doesnt appear to be a reason to do a mammo so didnt want to squish things and hamper the healing process.....

Mikeysmom-my thoughts and prayers will be with you and I will be standing there holding your hand via my thoughts as you go through both processes Thursday and Friday...Please let us know how things go for you and if there is anything we can do....

MeMee-you've been awful quiet-how are things progressing for you????

Miss S-hope your visit with your friend was great....hows the arm doing?

Livesstrong-Proud of you for the weight loss!!! WAY TO GO!!!!hope all is well with you and your family.....you talk about me being so busy----a couple of jobs and a family to take care!!!

Sorry if I missed anyone ...if I did you are in my thoughts as we get past today as it is hump day for those of us who work and we are on the down hill slide for meeting here again on Friday...I really look forward to seeing how everyones week has gone and the positives are ALWAYS WONDERFUL.....


Hugs
Jule

livesstrong

Mikeysmom - I had a "port" installed and the whole thing was uneventful. It was same day surgery and they took me in and covered me up from head to toe. It looked like I was wearing a berca!! They dab iodine all over the area, give you a shot, monitor your heart and BP and put it in. Your awake during the whole thing, but don't feel a thing!! The whole procedure takes about 30-45 minutes, but you have to wait in post-op for awhile. I hope someone is going with you, its a long day. Once its in it does feel kinda strange (a big bump) but I am soooo glad I got it. It was a breeze everytime I went for a treatment.

As far a chemo goes, if your going alone bring a book or some music or anything to make the time go faster. My appointments was 9:30 and I usuaually finished by 11:30. It all depends on the amount of patients and nurses that are there. If your getting A/C the adrimisen(?sp) is administered by the nurse and is red, and chances are you'll be peeing red that day. The first day or two you'll be fine, just remember to take your med's the way the doctor ordered. Even if you feel you don't need them, take them. The anti-nausea drugs especially.

It is ALL Doable!!!

Keep us posted,
Valerie

mikeysmom

Valerie, thank you SO MUCH for the info. I love that you were so specific about both. Now I know what to expect and that relieves a lot of the stress.
Everyone else, thanks for the prayers and concern. This is such a great group and really a help to a "newbie" like me.
Cyndi

dkmaustx

Hi Everyone,

I got a nice surprise today. My water aerobics class (the Aqua Angels) goes out the lunch about once a month and today's hostess made me Angel of the Month. She said I was such an inspiration to all of them going through my treatment and staying strong enough to continue coming to class. I nearly cried (good tears) because I was so overwhelmed. We had lots of fun at lunch, too. I was wearing my Blonde wig today and one lady came in after most of us did; she almost asked who I was, but she heard me say something before she asked. A month or so ago I wore my Salt and Pepper wig, the same lady almost did the same thing that time, too. I told her that I'd wear the third wig (medium Brown) next time to keep her on her toes.

Cyndi-my port insertion was a little different than Valerie's, but it was easy compared to other surgeries I've had. I had the twi-light sedation and don't remember much about it except that my hubby and I were home by 12:30 pm. It was so nice not to have the rolling sensation that I had 3 weeks earlier after my lumpectomy.

mikeysmom

Thanks Debbie. I get mine tomorrow and I hope it's as easy as yours and Valeries.
Your wig story was great! I had a similar experience today. I was at the dentist yesterday for a cleaning and found out I had a chipped filling. I went back today for the repair. Yesterday I had long dark blond hair but in the afternoon my hairdresser cut it off for me and colored it light blond. The receptionist looked at me today and said "You look kind of familiar..." I had to tell her who I was and that I'd just been there the day before. Imagine her reaction when I'm bald next time:)
Cyndi

livesstrong

Cyndi - Good Luck tomorrow. I would watch going to the dentist during chemo. I think its not recommended. I would let them know whats going on so you know what to do.

Valerie