michiganders with bc

tg33

My name is trudy. 1-26-09 had bm with reconstruction. I am having hard days lately and need someone. I am from Midland Mi. I am 33 years old. two children, married and am the primary bread winner of the house hold. I would like to know how many of you are from michigan or close.

ktym

tg33, you may want to try posting on the MI survivors thread.  Hit active topics, under forum index it says get togethers, and the topic is MI survivors.

kimbly

my bil and sil live in Midland... I am in south eastern Michigan myself. 

gcpommom

tg33:  I am in MI, too; like Kimbly, I am in southeastern MI, between Detroit and AnnArbor.

Do check out the MI survivor thread as kmmd mentioned.  I've been corresponding with the women there since 2004, they are very nice, and have get togethers quite often. 

I am pretty sure there are some women closer to your area on that thread. 

Judy

suegmomof3

I"m from Midland as well - 44 yrs old and diagnosed wtih DCIS just like you.  I've sent you a PM with more info and some questions.  I started out with 180 CCs put in my TEs during my initial surgery; then 120 the first official fillup, then 90, then 70 ... so I'm around 450 now.  The goal is to reach 650 and I have 4 more fills scheduled.  I'm going to UofM for my treatment.  Where are you going to?  Drop me a note ... our boys are near the same age - mine are 10 and 8.

Hang in there - sue

tg33

 Sue- I am an RN at baymed. I am 33. I decided to keep it close to home. my ps. komarowski.  I trust the bs and know she is very good- dr. howell.

 I have complained about the symtoms of breast cancer for about 6 years to my OBGYN. She  did a MRI to see if I had a pit. tumor, the results came back neg. and she reasurred me that It was normal and that some women have these symptoms. That I had nothing to worry about. At this time I was going through nursing school. I was starting my family. I was on medicaid.(they only get paid for so many test) and I had no hystory of bc. So every time I had my yearly I would say the same thing. That I am still having these symptoms. Then I started working at Bay med so I had to change OBGYN to stay in my network. I told her about all that was going on and she said lets get it checked. Mam. x2, Bx, Breast MRI, 5 spots in the L breast and here I am...Jan 26, 2009 I had bil. mast. with the start of reconstruction. Dr komarowski started the fill with the bil.mast with 150 cc and 2weeks later decided that I could handle a 500cc fill..I am still off of work and I think the 500 cc had just about killed me. when I was in the office it did not hurt. When I got out to the car I think I said every curse word....and I do not swear much. I found out later that I could have asked to have some removed..A little late now...my pain is starting getting better..So I am at about 650cc. I do have to go in June to have replacements silacone and nipples. Then I am going to lasting lines in Midland for the tats.

We live off of waldo in town.  

Thank you for writting...please keep in touch...

Trudy

.

gcpommom

Sue:  I'm also going to U of M for treatment.  My onc is Dr. Hayes.  I have mixed feelings about going to such a large facility; they are always so busy, and I feel like my appts. are kind of rushed when I go in.  I must say that they are giving me good care, but I am not thrilled with my PA, she's not very 'caring' and I do not feel any sort of 'connection' with her, which is unfortunate since I have to deal with her 99% of the time.

Judy

jrgolomb

tg33--I am from Michigan.  I live inbetween Mt Pleasant and Big Rapids-about one hour from Midland.  I am in the middle of chemo treatment in Grand Rapids at the Lacks Cancer Center.  I am fairly pleased with my oncologist, ps and bs but am in the middle of discussion whether or not to take off my other breast.  I feel I am getting cared for, and I hope this will kick the cancer butt and I never have to deal with it again! 

My mammograms hardly picked anything up.  My MRi lit up with lots of cancer hot spots....receiving that phone call was the worst one to hear.  Keep in touch!

jrgolomb

tg--I also am the primary bread winner in the house.  I have been able to work so far, but have two more taxotere txs left and the first one was tough. 

As the other Michiganders have said, many of the get togethers have been in eastern michigan.  They are planning on a komen run for the cure gathering.  Just an fyi....

Hugs!

Valjean

I'm over in Owosso ~ I had my Rads tx at the new Cancer Clinic next to Owosso Memorial Healthcare.

I'm going to check out the other MI thread.

((hugs))

Val

suegmomof3

Hey ladies, I wonder if we can get a "mid-Michigan" get together going somehow ... I saw that the other MI ladies got together for lunch recently, but I didnt' want to have to drive almost 3 hours one way to meet ....  something to keep in the back of my mind for later in the spring.  I'm still going to Ann Arbor for fills every week and those continue until early May.  Anyway, I'll post something on the other thread to see if there are other folks interested. 

GCPOMMOM - I think UofM is a fantastic place for treatment ... I noticed that my breast surgeon's appts are very brief and fast ... but my plastic surgeon takes whatever time I need.  One thing I didn't like - my bs called my DCIS precancer ... I'd rather hear it referred to as pre-invasive cancer but it still is cancer!  ah well ... symantics.  I just didn't want to go to a local PS for my reconstruction when the local guy did one or two a month ... the PS I'm going to in AA does them day in and day out - that's all he does.  Makes me feel much more comfortable.   Anyway - it's nice to meet some ladies in my area who are going through the same experiences as me.  Take care!  sue

Caseysmom

I'm in the Macomb County area (ClintonTownship).

Laura

RoxanneC

I'm in Southwest lower MI. Near the IN border. I don't usually check out the discussion boards. I've met many wonderful women, and a few men, in the chat room. Was dx in 06'. Had mast, no recon. AC x 4 , T x 4, 33 rads and 1 year herceptin. It's rough, but we are all survivors!

Roxanne

tg33

Welcome Laura--where is Macomb by Detroit?

Sue- A lunch would be great...Even If you and I get together some day since you live in Midland...anyone else interested?   As far as I am concerned DCIS is cancer..A lot of docters call it breast cancer and some don't..

VAl--welcome you do not live but 45 min away..

Jess--tell me...Is this the 2nd time for you having cancer? How long ago did you have your 1st?

jrgolomb

  TG33--I was dx in october of 08--my first. I think I will have a prophylactic (sp?) mastectomy of my other breast because I have multifocal cancer......

I would really appreciate a mid Michigan get together.  Midland is okay -it is about an hour for me......Let me know!\ 

tg33

Roanne I'm glad you have joined us. today was my first in the chat room I do enjoy them.. 

Jess- we will plan a get together. that sounds great...Porphylatic (sp;) sounds like a good idea..Hey I think of it like this..If you can get it out of your system before it is fully in your system then do it..good luck and let me know how it goes.

suegmomof3

It's great to see other women who want to meet!  I homeschool my 3 kids, so I prefer a weekend so I don't have to bring my 3 kids along.    I'm guessing Easter wknd is out so does any of the upcomign wknds work for us?  And what day do you prefer - Sat or Sun?  Lunch or Dinner?  We could do a city that's more central for everybody - jrgolomb, where do you live?  Would Mt Pleasant be more central for you? that's 30 mins from Midland.  tg33 - you & I could ride together if we end up going out of town a bit.  thoughts/input are welcome!

I haven't joined the chat room yet ... probably won't just because it's hard for me to find dedicated time to be on the computer for extended periods of time.  ah well ...!  I head to Ann Arbor for my 4th fill tomorrow - sue

jrgolomb

I live about30 minutes from Mt Pleasant.  It is not difficult for me to get to midland; I just don't know many of the places to eat there. 

Sue---I finished with my fills yesterday and am set to see the ps the middle of May to set up surgery dates!!  yahoo!  I will finish with my chemo tx April 30th......

Weekends are fine with me April 25th is probably the best date cause it is right before next and LAST!!! tx and so I will fee pretty good......

I go to the chat room every now and then. 

Look forward to hearing from you.

debk55

Glad to find this thread, I have been watching the MI surviors but during tx I have not felt like typing much or driving to meet them. It is good to meet more MI survivors.

Roxanne, I am in Allen Mi just about 10 miles from you. Where did you do your tx??  I am going to St Joe in Ann Arbor.  I amDOne with AC x 4and Taxol x 12 and continuing on with avastin as I am in a trial.  I will have to checkout the chat room Ihave not ever been there It is good to meet you.

tg33

Sue- good luck on your fourth fill...getting closer to the end...

Jess- congrates...last fill..

Deb I'm glad you decided to meet here..

Sundays are best for me...Lunch or dinner what ever ..

RoxanneC

Deb, It's nice to meet you, and yes, we're nearly neighbors! I had my surgery at the Community Health Center of Branch County (in Coldwater) and my tx at the cancer center there. I had my rads at the Battle Creek hospital. I had AC x 4, taxotere x 4, 33 rads, herceptin for 1 year, and have been taking tamoxifen for 2 years with 3 to go. I use my real name (RoxanneC) in the chat room. Hopefully will see you there sometime.

kimbly

tg33, my bil is a PA at Baymed I think.. he has changed jobs so many times I have lost track.  I will check with him to see for sure. I am in Grosse Pointe and my tx and drs are all at St. Johns Vanelsander Cancer Center.  I just had my first 3 month check since finishing the tx and herceptin and got a completely clean bill of health.  I just had surgery a few weeks ago to remove ovaries. I am so done with surgeries.  We have a great YSC support group through St. Johns. I think there is another that meets in the Pontiac area as well.  We are forming a team for the Race for the Cure in May.  Midland for me is 2 hours 20 minutes or so away, kind of a trek.  I also read the michigan survivor thread once in awhile but havent really jumped in the conversation.

tg33

kimbly congrates on the clean billof health..I bet that is a releif..keep me informed about the race for a cure..I am glad you have goined in here...

Sue how are you doing..I was wondering if you know who I am..I am an auctioneer for furlo auction survice.. have we met before?

jrgolomb

TG33--Furlo from Saginaw?  I've heard of furlo.....Tellme more!

suegmomof3

HI there ... I'm ok - still in some pain from my last fill but getting better. It usually takes 3 to 4 days before I feel "normal", whatever that is these days!  I have heard of Furlo Auction Services ... are you related to Mick Furlo the singer?  I used to go see him play in his band years ago ... now I think he's singing for Groove Circle. I'm a huge live music fan and actually manage a band here in mid-Michigan called maybe august.  Do you ever do the auctions for Trout Unlimited fund raiser banquet?  So when are you scheduled for your exchange?  June seems to ring a bell....  sue

jrgolomb

Sue---I know Mick Furlo as well!!!  I used to go listen to him all the time.  In fact , my daughter's dad ran sound for him for years!!! 

suegmomof3

Small world!! 

tg33

Mick furlo is 2nd cousin and mike furlo is my dad from furlo auction service ..My exchange is in june. I'm told it will reduce the discomfort..I sure hope so.. I am tired of all this..you know after a while it wears you down...

A couple of weeks ago we went gedi mind trip..We used to see them all the time..Now it is a reminder of the good ol' days...lol  sometimes it is nice to pretend your 21 for a night.haha. I do like listening to music and having a drink with friends

jrgolomb

I have an idea of our gathering!!!Some day when I feel like being "21"---far cry--okay late 30s-- ....wanna go listen?????  I will have my exchange sometime the end of June.  My hair will hopefully be a least a trendy short cut by then (hope,hope,hope)!

Speaking of fills, I at first used valium to stop the spasms I experienced at night.  Will be sooooo glad to have the te outta my chest.  I have one more tx of chemo-april 30th, a few weeks of ses to go thru and then the final step. 

This is a hoot!  TG do you remember the Italian restaurant they had in Saginaw?  That was a Furlo place wasn't it? 

tg33

There are many rest. owned by the Furlo's now and in the past. I would love to gettogether and go listen and laugh and enjoy your company.. I agree I am looking forward to the exchange I am tired of all of this and want it to go away...I am told in two years I will feel almost like this did not even happen..I look forward to that..You know this is  test of our will and strenth and everything else I tell you..

I hope everyone had a good easter!!! My 7 y.o and  9y.o had a great time...3 easter baskets i tell you they are spoiled by easter bunny and grandparents..That is okay though...

jrgolomb

TG and all other Mid Michiganders---Well , someday soon we need to get together.  I used to live across the street from Mick for a year or two in SAginaw in the early 90s.   ANd yes, I had forgotten Furlos had/have many wonderful restaurants.

I am glad you enjoyed Easter.  I loved Easter when my daughter was little  So did she....Now we are a bit more laid back.  She did help me color Easter eggs, but felt as a 16 year old , she was a bit too old to hunt for them on Sunday. 

Keep in touch !