Pink: Not just for Pepto Bismol anymore

Ela73484

KAK

You betcha, rock Dahling, that's eggs-act-lee what I mean!  I'd write a longer post now, but I'm in desparate need of medicinal chocolate. . .

Jane_M

I've been in the hospital for the past week with a nasty infection - cellulitis of the chest wall.  When I came home, there was a large box waiting for me in my living room sent by my son.  He bought me a set of pink Farberware pots and pans, pink isotoner gloves and pink sock/slippers.  I love that boy!  It's the thought that counts.  The box the pans came in said that $3.00 of the sale went to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  He noticed that money went to the foundation, but didn't read the small print.  When my daughter told him it was only $3.00, he said he thought that for what they cost, they would donate more than $3.00.  But, $3.00 is better than nothing and they are very nice pots and pans.  The isotoner gloves are great, too....really soft. 

I'm glad that all this pink brings attention to bc awareness which might remind women to be more diligent in getting tests done, but I wish more people would look at where the money goes before they buy it.  

GramE

Mega hugs Jane.  Such a shame you had to deal with an infection.   Your son was sweet to send you the gifts, and any donation for research is good.   

A pink boa and a feather in one's hat or turban is the absolute  je nais sais quais with those purple heels and a warm sunny day to show them off.   You GO girl...!!!

Hugs for all,   Nancy 

KAK

Good grief, Jane!  I didn't know you could GET cellulitis of the chest wall!  You poor thing!  Was this a post-mastectomy thing?  Good golly.......

Listen, your son is very sweet to give you a present, but let me call him up & suggest that HE be the first one to use your new pots & pans by making you dinner in them!

Kathi

Jane_M

He expects his SISTER to use them and me to just look at them. lol.

According to both my oncologist and my surgeon, the infection was the direct result of an incompetent dentist.  Friday before last, I had a tooth problem.  I called the dentist and informed them that I was a cancer patient and I needed this situation handled specially.  I brought a copy of my current white count with me.  I asked the dentist to pull the tooth.  He would not.  He said he could "fix" it with a filling.  So he did.  The following Wednesday, the tooth itself broke.  I called the dentist's office and told them that the tooth had now broken, leaving a gaping hole in my tooth.  The receptionist told me they couldn't see me until Friday and then they could just look at it.  She said they didn't have time to fix it until the next week.  Once again, I informed the oh-so-helpful sprite that I was a cancer patient and that I had a very small window of opportunity in which to fix this problem.  All she would say is that they would "look at it" on Friday.  I told her that maybe she might want to check with the doctor to see if he thought that was ok.

I called my oncologist who, in turn, called the dentist's office.  He told them that they tooth MUST BE PULLED THAT WEEK.  He also told the dentist that he (the dentist) would have to prescribe antibiotics after the treatment, dependent on what happened with the tooth pulling.

I went to the dentist on Friday and, again, asked to have the tooth pulled.  This dentist is so caught up in the idea that, at some time in the future, I will have a root canal on this tooth and have it capped at a hefty price.  Pulling it would result in a loss of potential income for him. So, at this point, both my oncologist and I have told the dentist that THIS TOOTH NEEDS TO BE PULLED.  Nonetheless, the dentist insisted on putting another filling in (which, by the way served to seal in any bacteria that collected in that hole during the 2 days I had to wait to be seen), and he said that, if it fell out again, then he would pull it. He said that the reason 1/2 the tooth fell out is because it was "fractured."  Well, if he knew it was fractured a week ago, why didn't he do something about it the week before?  At any rate, after he filled it, he did not give me a prescription for an antibiotic.

To make a long story short, the following Monday I had cellulitis in my chest wall.  This was 7 weeks post-mastectomy.  There had been no infection during the previous 7 weeks.  My wbc was fine before I went to the dentist.  I believe both my oncologist and surgeon are right.  Doctors don't usually rat out other doctors. If they put it in writing in my medical record that this infection was caused by a dentist, then that's what I am going with.

KAK

Jane, oh. my. god.  That arrogant, stupid S.O.B.   I hope you can sue his butt off!  Or at the very least, lodge a formal complaint with the NY State Health Department or whoever the heck it is who oversees the licensing of dentists.  Many, many expletives are running through my head.....

Kathi

Jane_M

I hope dentists carry a lot of malpractice insurance.  Even my visiting nurse said I should sue him.  I have been thinking about it.  According to my doctors, I could have died!  The way I figure it, if a lawyer thinks I have a case, and agree to take it, it would be on a contingency basis.  They would only get paid if I won.  If I don't win, then neither of us get anything and I would be out nothing.  On the other hand, his insurance company could try to drag this out thinking I'll die before they have to pay me.

drcrisc

Jane - That story belongs on the bitch 'n moan thread!  Wow.  Incompetent is nice for what he is and did to you.  Sue his a$$.

Jane_M

Sorry about that, drcrisc...I probably thought I was posting on that thread...chemo brain.

GramE

>>>>>>>   Reminder to set your clocks back on hour this Sat night / Sunday morning:

 http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/daylight_time.php 

sueper13

I for one am glad the pink month is almost over!!

That being said, I bought a new Texas longhorns knitted cap that is pink with the steer horns embroidered on it today, because I liked it and I need it to sleep in (still not much hair, cold when I am not having a hot flash)............

kpopperwell

We have a store in the malls called Torrid.  They have some support breast cancer items. Their slogan is "Save the Ta-Ta's".  I thought it was weird but one of the items was called "Boob Lube".  I don't know why but it sent me into a fit of laughing.  It is an herbal soap to use in the shower to help do a breast exam.  What a gimmick but it was funny.

 Karin

KAK

Sue & Karin, LOL!  Sue, I want to see a photo here of you in your Texas longhorns pink cap with embroidered horns!!   Could be the start of a whole new fashion trend!  (Could also be part of the costume for the BITCH Squad!!)

I'm also glad that pink month is over.  I cherish my pink feather boa, but I've had enough.  There was a local BC Awareness Day here yesterday & someone asked me why I wasn't wearing pink (I was dressed in orange & black for Halloween).  So I just sorta snapped and I whipped out my fleshy pink prosthesis & said "I AM wearing pink -- forever."

Kathi

pinoideae

pinoideae

The fight against Breast Cancer has many faces; mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends.

Remember those who lost the fight, celebrate those who survived, encourage those who are fighting.

rock

 Now THIS is an effort I could support (and I don't even quilt!): http://www.quiltersofsc.org/artfullbras/artfullbras.htm

KAK

rock, that's awesome!!   BethNY had info this past fall on a similar art show that goes on every year at one of the universities -- can't remember which one -- that I think her sister works at.  I might have to start on of these around here.  My art buddies would be all over this.

How are you, by the way?  Ready to leave on 1/12 yet??  Is that you in your new avatar photo signing copies of the book, by any chance???

lvtwoqlt

rock, those are great!

iodine

Oh, those are really da bomb!  I sent the link to all my girlfriends and relatives.

StarWish624

I have seen some of these products. But, you know, there are times when I just want to let it slip from the front of my mind, and take a step backwards. Sometimes, I just want to forget, for a while. Sometimes I  have to put down the (heavy) load of breast cancer, and enjoy a 'normal' day. I want to chose WHEN to do this, not the manufacturers. So, I say, give us survivors a break, sometimes. A little distance can help in the healing. This is how I feel (even though the sale of those products  add money for research and such).

KAK

I think a lot of us are right there with ya, StarWish.

I was really glad I made myself continue my holiday tradition with my local family & once again had Christmas at my house this year.  It was a little hard to rally myself to the task & I had to forego a lot of things, like sending out Christmas cards.  But cleaning the house & making another nice Christmas dinner & being with people who love me no matter what really made me feel normal & wonderful.  Also, I work as a homecare PT & I had a lot of fun seeing my patients on Christmas Eve Day, because they all "felt sorry" for me that I had to work.  So, we had a lot of laughs over my milking everyone for sympathy & lots of cookie & candy offers & it made me feel good to make someone else laugh & feel better who has more difficult health concerns than I do right now.

Jane_M

I was bored last night so I surfed 74 pages of "breast cancer" stuff.  Did you know they sell little breast cancer urns (like would fit on a key chain) for cremation ashes?  WTH! How gross is that?

Hood1980

I thought I'd bump this thread up!  There should be lots of new stuff out for Valentine's Day!

Hood1980

Hi Ladies,  Here is something I can get behind that is pink.  One of our BC sisters, Alaska Deb passed away and there is group that started a showing of pink for her funeral to show their thanks and support.  This is on the metastaic & recurrence page - A pink rose for Alaska Deb. 

I saw earlier today that Deb's service will be Sat Jan 31 at the Soldotna Bible Chapel.  

I am sending a single pink rose vase and thought perhaps others might like to do so as well.

I just ordered one from Tammy's Flower's & Gifts (in Soldotna AK)  and was assisted by Rachel.

I "warned" Rachel that she may get lots of calls ordering single pink rose vases for Deborah Clonan's service.  Rachel already knew the service is Sat at the Soldotna Bible Chapel.

The cost of the rose, vase & delivery is $26. 

If anyone else is interested, the florist phone number is 907-260-5355.

I will also post this info on the Circle thread. 

EWB

Apparently, concerned that there would be a large # of vases- can also order a single pink rose for $10, will be put together with others order. I believe they were up to 30-40 flowers.

Hood1980

Bumping for NatureGrrl

KAK

Ladies, you know what's right around the corner...Pink Month.  This thread needs to be bumped so we can weed through the pink stuff & keep it in perspective.

Once again this year, I'm starting to get asked if I'm personally participating in every stinking breast cancer fundraising event within a 200 mile radius, and I'm starting to get really cranky about it.  Someone who should really know better asked me yesterday, after she'd just asked me how I was doing with my fatigue (answer:  lousy) if I was doing a local Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk.  Oh, yeah.  I'm too tired to eat sometimes, but I'm gonna bug everyone for pledges and walk 4 miles.  

Have had a few good comebacks suggested:

1)  I already donated a breast to breast cancer.

2)  No, 4 miles is too easy.  I'm training for a trialthon.

3)  Honey, I ain't walking, I'm running as fast as I can from breast cancer every day.

Feel free to add to this list.

Also, we need to see some new pink stuff, goofy, wonderful, insulting and otherwise.

Rock?  Ottter?  We have to keep your fine efforts going.

bettysgirl

I want to see the day when they start selling special blue power tools for prostate awareness...how many men do you think would swallow that pill?

4) sorry, I'm all out of boobs to give.

kdeit

Hey Kathi,

As you know, I DO have a Making Strides team, and broke my ankle Thursday - tripped and fell while packing up the fundraising table at the end of the day.  So - I think I'm gonna ask for a pink cast.  I'll post a picture when I get it.   I'll definitely NOT be walking this year - maybe my team can push me in a wheelchair?  That might be easier than last year when I walked pulling my portable oxygen, LOL.

Anyway - I do agree, some things are just TOO much, and we need to be sure that funds ARE going to research, education and assistance to cancer patients, not just to the company's bank account.

Love & Hugs, 

Karen