Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Wow Kerry good for you.  Once I get the go ahead I am going to paint our bedroom.  I can't stand the flat paint that we have on our walls. 

    So we are in a blizzard again, so we are stuck in the house but today DH is with us.....yeahh!!!!  I wish I could bend down if I could I really could get a ton done but oh well.  I will be doing what little I can.....

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    just checking in and catching up.

    a little comment about hair and cutting it.. I've found that trims can actually make it look longer.  It seems the very ends of the hair are the curliest and if you cut off that third of an inch or so, it is so much more manageable.

    I'm cold and busy in Kansas. We close on our property next week, then all h*** will break loose.. so much to do.

    build the house,

    pack and move

    fix this house up for sale.

    i probably won't have a garden.  There is a big tree in the back of the property that is totally covered with vines.  I can't wait to see what they are.  It looks like a banyan tree.

    prayers and good thoughts go out to all of you.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Apple it sounds like a lot of work but sounds like it would be worth all of the effort.  Make sure you take pictures of your progress. 
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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    i've started a blog..

    it got messed up and it's being directed to a new address. (like i know what that means).

    you'll be able to check in occasionally soon.

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2010

    I promised I would post some pictures from the medical mission I went on in the Philippines. Here are some. I have more on facebook!

    The hospital was very crowded. There were always people milling around in the hallway with family members scheduled for surgery. The pre-op holding room was very small. So after patients got their IV started many hung out in the hall until called to go back to surgery. If we were unable to get to all the patients scheduled for that day we let the patient eat that evening and stay at the hospital until the next day.
     Most of my working day was taking vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen saturation and pain.
     
    We many different kinds of surgery being performed: thyroidectomies, hernia repair, hysterectomies, cleft palate repair... The babies did much better if their parents were there as the child was coming out of anesthesia. This daddy is holding his 2 yr old son after a cleft palate repair.He is awake now, but still sleepy. What a handsome boy and happy pappy!
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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Cheryl - I have just seen all your photos on FB. Looks amazing. What a wonderful thing to have done!

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2010

    wow Cheryl! amazing!

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  • living4today
    living4today Member Posts: 215
    edited February 2010

    How awesome for you Cheryl! 

    You are all so inspiring!  It is so fun to check in and read everyone's updates. 

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Cheryl~ You are awesome!!!

    Apple~ Did you close yet ??

    How is everyone doing ???  I am doing good just waiting for the DITA to go.  i have one hip drain that is making me even nuttier than I am normally.  I have to lose 10CC's off for 2 days and it will be history.  I am healing well besides that and slowly my glue is coming off to reveal what my scars look like.  I go back April 29 for surgery (MICHELE and WEBBIE do you hear me :) ) I have to go to NOLA for 6 days this time and I am really hoping that I do not come home with any JP drains.  It doesn't help that I found out I am allergic to neosporin and I have blisters around the tubing from the allergic reaction.  It's always something but my girls look even better everyday.  My donor site is okay but my DH thinks it looks nice, when I look in the mirror my backside doesn't look like mine anymore.

    I decided that after stage 2 and I get the go ahead I am lacing up my sneakers and starting to run again.  I can't stand how out of condition that I am,  I think that I am going to start walking at least 3 days per week inbetween stage 1 and 2. 

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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  • Bethie1
    Bethie1 Member Posts: 393
    edited February 2010

    MAGICAL BOOBIES LMAO!!!!! TOO FUNNY!!!  At least with our unfortunate situations and the possibility of magical boobies--we can have them perky if we want and/or reduced-we are in control Right Furies???????

    Jaimieh--Hope you're feeling OK girlfriend!!! A compression outfit from boobies to knees.!!! ???? And this is because you had recon???? Ummm, I'm thinking about recon also, but have to build my sick time at work.  Gonna have the fat sucked out and move the rest!  I've also joined Weight Watchers at work, and lost 4 lbs since 1/29!!!! I need to anyway for heart, blood pressure, etc., and this just gave me the kick in the back end I needed!!!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Great Job Bethie :)  My compression get up is because of my reconstruction.  I have been able to get out of the bra.....let the girls be free.....but the bottom compression will be with me for about another month.  Honestly besides the little drain issue everything has been wonderful.  It maybe coming out today but I am scared about the pain of it coming out....  I am always scared....I am such a sissy.......

    ETA: Oh well I get to wait until next week for the drains....  Not long at all :)

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    those are wonderful pictures CHERYL

    about my house thing.. we close Monday  and are getting excited.. you can check out the blog now

    http://stevermercompanybuildingblog.blogspot.com/

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Apple~ It looks like your new house is going to flow so much better after the renovations :)  I know you will be extremely busy but make sure you take care of yourself. 

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2010

    Jaimieh, I want to get back into running, too. But, so far every time I try I get terrible pain in my hips after. It is so frustrating! It don't know what it is!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    I think it's the beating that we took this past year with Chemo.  I normally go out and decide that I am going to start running and just do it.  I normally start at 3 miles BUT not this time.  I am going to start at 1 1/2 miles and do the run for 3 min. walk for 3 min and then work my way down to all running.  Drives me batty how out of shape I am these days...  So I have 2 1/2 weeks until I can start (as long as I have no drains and it depends on my compression issues) but as soon as I can I will be out again.  I am sure I can get a few weeks in before stage2 surgery in April.  Then I will get a break and then start again.  I need to be held accountable and something like WW wouldn't be good because I do not need to lose any just tone it up.   I sure hope it helps with the fatigue and maybe I will sleep better.  \

    Did I mention TGIF ???  I do not work unless I have a photography job and I am so happy that it is Friday.

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Has anyone noticed lately how touchy the board it ??  I have read more rude comments (not in this thread) in the last couple of days than I have ever here.  Do you think it's the weather and because most of us are still experiencing winter ??  Just rambling but you ladies are my "safe" zone.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    i think it's the weather. - many people get cabin fever about this time.

    i just try avoid negativity (aren't i special?)..

    seriously.. we're supposed to be happy and joyful - it's good for us.  It's  often a challenge, but easier if you plot your course.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Yep, there has been some nastiness on the Stage 3 board, funnily enough from non-Stage 3'ers. Didn't know it was elsewhere, but it doesn't surprise me. Put a group of women together, there will be cattiness. I try just to ignore it too.

    I'm going to start running when it is warmer too! We have a great fitness challenge with some the Stage 3 group, 30 min a day exercising to start, then gearing up for running. My goal is 5km (about 3 miles) by summertime.It is amazing how much more motivated I am now i am writing it down every day - i used to just go 4-5 days a week, now I go every day, often twice!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Jealous Kerry.....I want a fitness group......can you hear me whine....?????  BTW, I know some people have a problem with people who are not stage 3 reading but I read a little when it kept coming up on the active topics :(  It's a shame we should all be able to rant.......  Good for you with the exercise, keep it up. 

    I agree with the bunch of women together you get a bunch of squealing and complaining..... But we have some people who are posting bad information (not accurate) and doing some name calling.  I normally back out of it but not today....  I normally do not let things bother me but today what was said really bothered me.....

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    You know, the whole silly thing is nobody cares if non stage 3 people post and/or read. I would be happy to get comments from any of you guys. It is just people seemed to be barging in with their opinions, who weren't Stage 3, and feathers got ruffled. Hopefully it will calm down a bit now. Think we all need some Springtime!!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    I here you Kerry.  It's almost like everyone thinks that there opinion is the only opinion.  I will not tell you what I think of opinions..........

    I am glad I have you ladies.....I love you ladies..... :) 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Jaimie - "everyminute" is running our fitness challenge, if you want to be part of it, just PM her. Tell her I sent you!! We have a team on the Sparkpeople website.

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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited February 2010

    Hi gals.  Wow, it's been a bit since I checked in here (again). 

    Jaimie:  I am so happy for you, with your new 'girls'.  When you say your butt looks different, is that a good different or a bad different?  I would consider having that type of recon, since I don't have enough belly fat and don't want it from my back shoulder muscle.  Are you able to sit down?  lol, probably a stupid question. 

    Apple:  you sound like you will have your hands full for the next few months.  i bet the house will be beautiful when you're done, and you get to make it exactly how you want it, that's pretty cool.  Like Kerry said, don't overdo it (on yourself, not the house)

    Bethie:  Hi!  How's school going?  Good job on losing some weight, I can't even get 2 lbs off, what's your secret?

    Well, school was out this week, so we've been being lazy here.  Getting another snowstorm tomorrow night, so they may not have school Monday either.  Next Friday will mark one year since my mom died....can't believe it's been a year already...still in the habit of going to call her to tell her something, and then going 'oh yeah"..  I love my dad, but it's just not the same.

    I've been job hunting like crazy.  No luck yet.  I can always sub, but there's just not alot of sub jobs, or they're all grabbed up before I can get to them. 

    Well, I'm off to FB to play some games and make myself nice and sleepy

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Judy not a silly question at all.  I can sit just fine.  The only thing that I have a problem with is picking things off of the floor and tieing my shoes.  The incision site is tight and I am in a compression garment that keeps things TIGHT plus drains.  I tell you I am HOT!!  I would recommend this type of reconstruction to anyone.  While it is not a piece of cake it does not even compare to the expanders (aka...softballs) to me.  My scars are going to be lines...  my girls while there is very little difference in the 2 just rock.  After stage 2 I do not think there will be a difference because Dr. S is such a perfectionist. 

    My backside used to have a dimple at the top that DH used to call my tail (if you go to timtam's site you can see it) but it is gone now.  So something that I have been self concious of my entire life is now gone :).  I would like for my lower half of my butt to be a little bit smaller but I think that after stage 2 it will be because of the lypo that is going to be done.  I am VERY, VERY scared of the lypo. but once again I will just suck it up and try not to think about it prior.  This is what I get for watching all of the plastic surgery shows prior to my diagnosis.  I was told that Dr. S will also give me a mini tummy tuck at stage 2 so I am just hoping that I will not have drains. 

    I just keep on telling myself that come June I can go bathing suit shopping which makes me happy :).  I can by my new Kerry bathing suit....lol.... 

    So if anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them :)  You ladies know that I am an open book especially after all we have been thru together. 

    I hope everyone had a great weekend.

    APPLE~ I hope you are taking care of yourself.  I know that your new house is exciting but make sure you take some time for just YOU!!!! 

    Kerry~ I will be PM'ing everyminute.  Thank you!!

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2010

    Jaimieh, stick with it. You'll love the end result! I do not regret having my breast reconstructed. We did the exchange at the same time, didn't we Jaimieh? I remember hanging out in a discussion thread for breast reconstruction. I think that was when all the drain issues you had started.Frown You're on the right road now!Laughing

    I am so jealous of all of you who are able to walk without pain. I need to get off the coumadin so there are more choices for pain medicine.

    I am at the hospital with one of my son's friends. She found out this morning she has cancer. She is only 19 years old! A complex cyst was found on her ovary and in surgery was determined to be malignant. She has no support from her family so I have been with her so she is not alone. This is so tragic!!!

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited February 2010

    Oh Cheryl that is horrible that she has no support from her family :(.  We did go thru exchange's at the same time and while I have been thru that I do not regret it.  I just wish that I had a crystal ball that would have told me to start with a flap to begin with...lol.... 

    I can normally walk without pain but not with the drains...lol....  Ready to start exercising...just a little bit longer. 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Oh, that is awful, Cheryl. Thank goodness she has you. Heres hoping she has a good recovery.

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited February 2010

    Hi Everyone - Just popping in to say hi.   Wishing healthy thoughts for all!

    Judy - Thinking of you.  I also lost my mom not too long ago. (Dec/08)  Her birthday was on Feb 19th and it was a bit emotional for me.  I think losing a parent in the midst of all of the bc stuff really makes it hard to deal with the loss.  Just too much stuff happening.  I think I am starting to deal with it a bit more now.

    Take Care Ladies and be happy

    Do something you truly enjoy every single day

    Bev

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  • pinkribbongifts
    pinkribbongifts Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2010

    I also was a nervous wreck about chemo. My sister had died after complications. But I did it and you will do it. It really isn't as bad as you might think. Our imaginations and fears are our own worst enemies!!! You can do this!!!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2010

    Judy.. praying for you and Julia.. How's she doing?

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