please help

livesstrong

SUE - YOU ARE DARN LUCKY I WASN'T AROUND LAST NIGHT MISSY - I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU A MOUTH FULL.  LISTEN TO YOUR SISTERS HERE - AND SCREW WORK AND GET TO THE DOCTORS.

 DON'T MAKE ME SEND THE FLYING MONKEYS.

AE

mzmiller99

Geesh - I couldn't have said it any better...or louder, livesstrong!!  You go, girl!!

Susan

my3girls

At work sisters..keeping it short. But a BIG HELLO to everyone of you!!!

Sue...darn you...get that doctor appt made!!! Have a good visit with your dad..and please don't give him anymore grey hairs!! lol

Sheila, I am sorry about your dear mother in law.  I will keep her in my prayers. Darn it...I hate BOOTFACE!!!

Thanks Jane dear...I am back on the dating train. I go out next Tues. with Jim...he is 6'2", 42 (younger..haha) and is a financial consultant for NY Mutual. He seems so very sweet on the phone..we talk forever!  We will see how that goes.  There is another guy who wants to meet me..he is 49 like me..6'4", but never been married....I am leary about those.  But hey..I'll have fun looking..right?

Ok..back to work.....be back soon.

xoxo

Lisa

Keymic

I am 40 and cancer runs in mine and I have just had a mastectomy . Don't be scared at all. You will be sore after but iut all gets bettr . we can get a fake boob to put in our new bra so what .Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

portiasproudmom

Hi everyone!  Just checking in to see if Sue kept her word and called the doctor.  Where are you Suuuuuuueeeee????

Welcome Susan and Keymic!  Hope you stick around. 

Hey, guess what I'm doing tomorrow?  I recently reconnected with an old friend from college who I haven't seen or spoken to in 25 years (thank you Facebook).  She lives about an hour away from me, and we're meeting for lunch.  I'm so excited!  She's a cancer survivor too--she had uterine cancer ten years ago, when she was pregnant with her first child.  I have a feeling we'll have a LOT to talk about! 

Hugs to all,

Karen

geebung

Karen - how wonderful to be meeting up with your old friend! I once bumped into one of my old classmates in my local supermarket and, although it had been about 25 years since we had seen each other (and it was a long way from where we went to school), we both saw something in each other's faces that caused recognition. I hope you have a great time. I will look forward to hearing about it.

Yes, welcome to Keymic and Susan - I have started a "little" list of everyone to jog my memory so I have added you both to it to help remember everyone. I'm glad you found this forum - but I'm sorry that you have to be here, members of a club that most of us never thought we would be joining. 

Lisa - your new friend sounds very interesting - good to talk to, tall, young enough to be energetic and enthusiastic, wealthy - wow - that's a lot of important boxes ticked! I have a feeling about you - I suspect that very soon you are going to meet your soulmate - it may not be this guy (it might be!) - but I just think it will happen! I hope you have a great date with him next week! 

Nancy - you make some good points about LE. The massage and associated therapies for LE are simply wonderful - they made a huge difference to me. 

Dear, sweet Sue - we love you and care about you! I hope you have made an appointment!

I collected my sweet Blossom from her "pet penthouse" this morning and she is giving me lots of love. I think it will be a few days before she will let me out of her sight! She is such a sweet animal. 

Love to everyone 

cloudhowe

Hi Guys, Nets here.

I thought I was going for my 1st chemo today. It was awful for my sister as she took our bro to the same room  for his treatment - his chemo was every day for the first course - the gullet is a vicious bootface. So she was upset today. For me, it was unthreatening and I was almost disappointed that the FECing treatment was'nt going to shrink the FECKER lurking in my wee (E cup!) unsuspecting boobie there and then.

So just bloods, bp and reassurances and the treatment starts tomorrow - 1.30 our time. Be on your guard you fecking wee jobbie (I refer to you to our venacular aforementioned 'jobbie' is scottish for poo ) my blessed FEC - my chemo - is going to gobble you up just like PACMAN chasing the baddies.

I emailed Sue and hoped for a response - insisted that she call NHS direct and they would taxi her to hosp 24/7. Even in England! Certainly she cannot dismiss any worrying symptoms. As a doctor dodger all my life, this is a lesson hard learned.

I will be running not dawdeling to the hosp if I, or any of my family has the slightest cause for concern.

Still havent been for a wig fitting! My hosp appts keep changing so I  have had to reappoint twice, and on Monday, the stylist was ill, so I will be on chemo before I get a fitting. Life is not plain sailing.

BUT ... we have had 2 beautiful warm, blue sky SPRINGLIKE days here in Scotland - the daffodils and hyachnths are popping their wee heads seeking the sun - 10 dys ago, we has minus 16 degrees, blizzards and we - now, this is SCOTLAND - had no grit for the ancillary roads!!!

We get really cold up here anyway - Glasgow is on a higher latitude than Moscow (silly bit of trivia, we have a town - well village - called Moscow in Ayrshire, and a town called Houston in Renfrewshire. Your Houston? Probably founded by a Scot doncha think?) but this last month is the coldest that I have ever known. Takes a LOT for a Scottish school to be closed. Buhlieve me! cannot ever remember it happening to me in my childhood. Global warming,of course - respect the Kyota agreement.

But it feels like Spring looks like it's putting a wee tentative entrance. Ad it's getting lighter in the morning and it's not gettng dark till 5.30, so that lifts my spirits.

I'm desperate to get out into the garden - really restricted because of my shoulder, and was warned in the notes at the hosp that you have to avoid rotting vegatation - I leaf mulch over winter to nurish the soil and repress weeds. Bootface does restrict so much of what you want to do. But will do as I'm told. Oh God, me and my sudden January dx insomnia - just cannot sleep. After the hosp today we went for lunch, went shopping, visited my darlin Auntie Bettie ( my mum's wee sister who is a teenage pensioner who says things that make my neice blush) Then I went to buy her birthday pressie in Glasgow - 10 miles away from my village - got my lovely new NOKIA 71 - wow oh wow, came home, cousin Yvonne cropped by, we watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which I bought 3 years ago when it was published) with a bottle of Jacoks Creek. But it's now 1.44 am UK time.

Sue, if you are logging on, IN THE NAME OF GOD, let me/us know that you are attending to your needs. Sue I'm going for my 1st FEC tomorrow so I need you to contact me to wish me well. Enjoy your time with your darling dad. My brothers, sister and I ADORED our Daddie who died a few years ago. But even if you are in the Lake District, allow your dad the PRIVILIGE of escorting you to Carlisle hospital to check you out.

There can only be 2 things:-

1).You are a hypochrondiac (please GOD yessssssss....)  Best scenario. And remain so...   'better safe than sorry'. That is me. I always ignore anything that does not involve my skeleton, breaks etc... I thought that ilness was at least partially illusionary/indulgance/imagination etc

2) OR. You are ill, So there can only be 2 other things

2i) You have an infection of some sort -non cancer related - of which there many. Must must be addressed (Says I who have never finished a course in antibiotics .... BUT WILL NOW)

2ii) OR You have a cancer related infection, like somthing relating to you lymph biopsy - which if you have been reading the posts are perhaps likely, then clearly you need to read them, because I have not been down that path.

I had my biopsy - get my result on Monday, starting my acutual chemo tomorrow tomorrow 1.30 our time. If you do not resond you will have deserted me.

I am going to make this public Sue, as I put in the email I sent you.

You must cut down your hours at work. Your employer CANNOT, BY LAW, refuse to allow you this. Or demote you because of your illness. Or dicriminate against against you.

geebung

Nets, I enjoyed your post. The signs of spring are a good omen. Hope your first chemo goes as smoothly as possible and that you have minimal side effects.

Hugs,

Jane 

livesstrong

Evening Ladies -

The wind is howling like a son of a gun here tonight.  It sounds like the winds at the beginning of the Wizard of Oz.

I'm guessing our Sue isn't back from her visit with her Dad.  Either that, or she is avoiding us. I'm pretty sure she doesn't intend to go the doctors till next Thursday. Stubborn Brit.

Sheila - so sorry to hear about you MIL.  Colon bootface runs in families. Is it me, or doesn't it seem like everyone you talk to knows someone that has bootface?  Is is totally out of control - I HATE IT!!!

Lisa - you go girl - a younger man - good for you. Hope it works out.

 Nets - I have to admit you loose me sometimes but I love reading your posts. Sorry you had to wait another day for FEC'en chemo. Just drink lots of water and if you are getting the red devil don't freak out if you pee red.  Take your med's on schedule - its very important - especially the anti-nausea drugs.  Which, by the way, work great! Good Luck - I'll be thinking of you.

Karen - have a great time with your friend.  I have connected with a few of my old friends and its been great.  One even had BC - and is doing fine.

Nancy - I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.  I had no lymph nodes removed so I don't have to worry about lymphedema.

Jane - whats the latest on the fires?  I know they were questioning someone - was he charged?

Mel - it's been so nice seeing you post - you are just the sweetest.

Big shout out to all the newbies - we really are a gentle group EXCEPT WHEN OUR SUE DOESN'T LISTEN. Stick around you'll see.

Well I'm off to bed - sweet dreams everyone.

AE

Almost forgot - UB went to the onky today - was suppose to get his date for the PET scan - seems he has to wait because he has BRONCHITIS!!!!  I swear he is as stubborn as Sue.Now he has to wait till he's better.  grrrrrrr.

portiasproudmom

I'm sure you're right, AE.  Sue is avoiding us.  Stubborn is an understatement.  I'm NOT shouting, Sue.  Just frustrated.

Nettie, I'm sorry that you were led to believe your chemo would start today.  I know the feeling of just wanting to GET ON WITH IT!!  We'll all be with you tomorrow, cheering you on!

Jane, snuggle up with that sweet little kitty.  I'm sure she missed you HORRIBLY!  You're such a great "mommy"!

My little Tinker can barely walk anymore.  Her rear legs just collapse on her.  It's so sad.  I'm feeding her all sorts of treats, and loving her up.  I don't think she's suffering too much at this point;  She's never had it so good.  I guess I'll know when it's time.  Sigh......

Hugs,

Karen

PS  What's up with the bronchitis, UB?  Did you do that on purpose?????

geebung

Oh UB, I am so sorry to hear that you have bronchitis! I hope you get better quickly and that your scan will be good and clear.

AE, the fires seem to have abated but the aftermath is utter devastation. I have never been near a bushfire (I think you call them wildfires there) and find it hard to imagine just how dreadful it would be - to people, animals and everything its path. I don't know how fire fighters can stand the extreme heat of the weather coupled with the unbelievably sweltering furnace. With a fire this huge, there is really nothing that can be done to stop it. There is an Australia-wide charity drive to raise funds for the victims of this tragedy. Oh yes, they are charging a man with arson. If he did it, he must have a very sick mind. Some fires are started by lightening strikes but quite a few are intentionally lit. 

Karen,  Tinker is lucky to have you as her special human. It's so sad that she is deteriorating but I am sure you know what is best for her. She is no doubt enjoying being spoiled rotten!

Ok, I am going to shut up my laptop and do some house cleaning. What I really want to do is finish my drawing that I started in art class this morning. I wonder how disciplined I will be?

footprintsangel

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to see how Sue is doing, I wish you all the best in your

challenges. I need to get ready for my breathing class tomorrow. Lisa good luck with your

new gentleman, NancyD I have full body lymphedema cause I have had colon cancer too.

They are cutting back on my help and are not paying for my machine. I wish I had your help.

To all the new people Welcome, This is a very caring group. God bless you in your fight.

Remember; Tough times never last, But tough people do!

NancyD

footprintsangel...good lord! What does full body lymphadema feel and look like? I do feel lucky that I have gotten a good therapist, but my insurance won't pay for it forever.  I will have to learn to  massage the areas that are effected, and once the insurance coverage ends, do the maintenance myself.

nettie...I'm with AE on this. I can follow your narrative in context, but if someone threw one of those lines at me out of the blue I'd have some trouble. And here, I thought I was so good on UK dialects after 35 years of Masterpiece Theater, EastEnders, and Irish relatives. HAH, definitely not enough Scots in the mix. I love it!  Oh, and re your garden and the compost...you could still work it if you wear good gardening gloves and a surgical mask, or one of those form/fiber masks that block noxious fumes. The thing they worry about is exposure to the bacteria that's present in the mulch, breathing it in and having it turn into a nasty infection due to your lowered resistence. And I definitely agree that the lighter mornings and evenings are helping to lift spirits—I actually had to wear sunglasses this morning as I walked due East and the sun glared right between the buildings of Manhattan.

Karen...I feel so sad about TInker. Our last dog, a golden retriever, also had hip/leg problems at the end. For about a week, my brother was carrying him in and out to do his buisness...this for a dog that was smart enough to open the porch door and let himself in and out. But it was evident Van was also in pain, besides the indignity of messing in the house a few times (you should see how he hung his head when it was found), so it was clearer to us when it was time. Spoil Tinker all you can in these last days/weeks.

Lisa...I'm living vicariously through your dating, lol. I just can't see myself dating until I have my recon, and that's still some time away. Let's hear all the juicy stuff!

Hugs to everyone. You're all in my thoughts. 

cloudhowe

Hello girls,

Well got FECed today.

I took 4mg Valium and dihyracodine, with permission after the assessment yesterday, before I went in. Absolutly no pain or discomfort. Keepiing a very detailed diary, both for my benefit, and for research for the hosp, as this seems to be a quite unusual cancer. So far. Will get a more detailed prognosis on Monday from my wonderful surgeon.

Got FECed at 1.30, it's now 5pm. Absolutly no symptoms. Onc nurse said that everyone's different. Don't you just get tired of hearing that??? Or am I alone in that. Everyone's on standby in case I feel ill. My nephew is staying over tonight 'just in case'. What he dosent know is that he will be painting my bathroom ceiling! Well he kinda knows.

Tomorrow is another day and GOD ALONE knows what/if effects will kick in by then. I've tried to do as much as I could before this treatment started, but still wake up - usually in my chair - in a panic. Like have 'what have I forgot?' I know this will resonate with so many of you.

I know I ramble on, and please forgive me but this is my wee release, during those sleepless weeks since Jan. And I have been able to share fears that I could not have done with my family or friends.

Perhaps Sue is in that great African river - De Nile. The fact that she hasnt posted for a few days .. might just means she wants a wee break from bootface. God I hope so.

So my dear friends, that's the story thus far.

geebung

Nets, ramble as much as you like - I love the way you express yourself! I'm so glad you have good family support. I really, really hope that you don't get any bad side effects - that would be a great way to be "different".

Sue, I hope you check in soon!

geebung

Nets, ramble as much as you like - I love the way you express yourself! I'm so glad you have good family support. I really, really hope that you don't get any bad side effects - that would be a great way to be "different".

Sue, I hope you check in soon!

1Cathi

Yeah -more baby pic's  -this is not Margo (her sister) with Uncle Capone (love this pic)

geebung

He looks as though he might swallow her! Look at the size of his mouth compared to her body! Seriously cute though.

livesstrong

Nets - WOOHOO!!!!  One down!!!!  How many more to go???  Sounds like so far so good - hang in there.

Cathi - that pic is adorable!!!

Oh Sue - WHERE ARE YOU?????

1Cathi

Yes Sue, where are you, you were seeing dad on Thursday and you were going to see DR. Friday??????

Come Out -Come out where ever you are.

Don't make us send AE to the UK to kick your hinny straight to the Dr

suecco

Hi ladies,

I was invited by livestrong aka valerie aka AE!!!!!! to join you girls here.

Im another Sue!  Im 37 (too near to 38) and from the UK - Liverpool!

Im not a newbie, infact Im now a metster, and Im having a pretty crappy time at the minute and could do with girlie company!

Its a long long story, hubby being a total tw#*, scarey chemo break, I got it all going on here!!!

Anyway, hugs to you all

Sue x

PS cute puppies!!!

1Cathi

Welcome Sue,  so sorry you are having a "crappy" time and with a hubby thats a tw# on top of it.  Well you can share all you like with us,  this is my most favorite thread on the entire site,  just so supportive and uplifting when we all need it.

WELCOME

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO -Cathi

livesstrong

Sue - I'm soooo glad you found us!!!   The other gal here from the UK is Sue as well!!!  Please stick around, we'll help in anyway we can!

 Men, what can I say?  They are a strange breed.

AE

Anonymous

Gosharoonies Sue! Do you ever fit in here...we have chemo, we have surgeries, we have lumps, pains, and things that go bump in the night. AND we have abandonment, divorce, dimwitted and clueless partners....it goes on. Welcome! (Liverpuddlians especially welcome)

On that weird note, hello all. LIfe is weird. I'm in a never-never land of all the things my son collected, reading his amazing college creative essays, unearthing his dozens of adventures written for D&D....he was a locally famous dungeon master...unending paisley shirts...

It's so bittersweet...like an autopsy of his soul. I've washed and folded at least 30 shirts that are in great shape for Devin to check out. What he doesn't want will go to charity. I'm quite immersed in selling some SACDs that he purchased from Japan and arrived after his death. They're pricey, and the wife can use the money. The online Quadrophonic community has been amazing...almost as good as here!

Sue got totally yelled at on Facebook by Val, Karen, and I, and promised to see the doc today. She'd better do it or she wll suffer the consequences.

Cathi, my heart melts every time I see Margo. That is way too cute. Bring her along when you come visit, okay?

Nets, you are a hoot. I'm glad you found us. Keep that attitude, girl! When I was married in the long, long ago, my married name was Campbell, and hubby was very into his Scottish heritage. I did calculations once and came up with 1/8 Scot, but heck, the name clearly qualified. Therefore, we named our first son Cailen after Cailen Maol, an ancient knight or king or something. Cai was very proud of his name, and dreamed of visiting Scotland one day.

Nancy, I think a good physical therapist is worth their weight in gold. Sadly, insurance tends not to agree. Sunglasses! What a treat. It's amazing what light does to the mood. Today is sunny here, thus this long epistle. I do so enjoy your visits.

Ay, Carumba!!! I'm starting to sputter...not as much gas as I thought in my tank..Jane, you are so precious to me...keep it up. Karen, I know that you are going through with Tinker...been there done that. Imagine carrying a lab down the stairs to the back yard to potty, then back up. So hard. Sheila, I'm thinking of making a quilt out of Cai's paisley shirts. Am i nuts? Weird? Mel, honey, I hope you are finding as much light in your life as you bring to this board. You are amazing. Lisa, great attitude. I'm right with you offering support and courage as you step out. So much to say. So many women (and a man) that I love who are in my heart but not in my fading awareness of this moment. Oh, well. Gotta stop somewhere!

Nitey nite from me and Agnes

1Cathi

Judie Agnes is precious, I love my Roxie to, she will be a great big sister.

Well I finally realized today why almost 49 year old woman do not have children, I had the 2 grandchildren alone  together from about 8AM-3PM, Alexcis 5 & Brandt 7/mo.  Mom had to work and dad had to go to his grandmom's funeral. They are both great kids mind you,  Alexics is a ball and she was a wonderful baby, Brandt is just precious, I swear all he does is smile and talk (loves neck kisses too) - buttttttttttttttttttttttttttt, no matter how good they are, MAN THATS WORK!  I have not had 2 small children together for 26 years,  I am out of shape - LOL. 

livesstrong

It just dawned on me - 2 years ago today I had my last rad's treatment.  My war with Bootface was over and I won!!!

Makratz

1Cathi, you look FANTASTIC!!! you are a grandmother?  I know what you  mean about the work as I have two boys!  I am 42 and you look younger than me! 

livestrong - Congrats on your 2 yeats since rads.  It's been 3 months for me...and counting!

portiasproudmom

Oh ladies.  I'm devastated.  This has turned out to be a horrible day.  My mom needs a biopsy and I had to have my little Tinker put down this afternoon.  I don't know how much more I can take. 

RIP, sweet little weiner dog.

Through tears,

Karen

Makratz

Dear Karen,

Sorry to hear about your loss.  I had one as a child, named Munchkin, the year Dunkin Donuts (in the Northeast) came out with munchkin donuts.  God,  I loved that dog.  Find peace!

honeygirl

Oh Karen , my eyes are crying and my heart is breaking for you. I'm so very sorry. What a precious little furbaby. You were so good to him. Even though his time has come , you made it the best time of his dear life. Hugs to you sweet Karen.