MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Momine

Meece, my dh is not much over 5'10" and I am very close to 5'8". He never complains when I wear heels

Meece

I think it was just a dating thing. Once in awhile DH will say "My you're tall today." But he doesn't complain. He's 6'1"

barsco1963

Eli - "Clearly I can see your nuts" LOL I must admit that the first thing I thought of when I saw the page topper was "breast prints". Maybe it's because there is a picture in the MRI waiting room here that shows prints of several women's boobs. I guess it is to raise "awareness" but I think it is just kinda weird.

As for "hooker" or "stripper" shoes, I would be ok as long as I didn't have to walk in them. It's been a few yrs since I have been able to wear them successfully. My poor old back just can't handle them - plus I look about as graceful as an elephant dancing a ballet when trying to walk in them.

jcolford

Oh you ladies really know how to lift my spirits. I really needed that today - I received news that a friend and fellow firefighter passed away suddenly yesterday. I'ts sad but being a firefighter was one of his greatest loves only coming second to his wife and family. Thank you for not only making me smile but I actually laughed out loud a couple of times (considering that I am alone in my office) it may make people start to wonder about my sanity.

barsco1963

jcolford - so sorry to hear about your friends passing. It is good to know that we can come here to have our spirits lifted on any given day. As far as others wondering about the sanity thing, well.......keep em guessing is what I always say.

elimar86861

When I had my cancer and then when I had to go get my rounds of poison, the clinic staff would always inquire, "How are you today?" I had to warn them that as long as I was in treatment, they would never get a "good" out of me, the best they could hope for was an "o.k." Well, today, I went to the MO and finally got to tell everyone that I feel GREAT. I stopped down at my RO's office too. He was out, but I visited with my rads tech and told him I was doing wonderfully.

I still have a few numbers on the CBC that need to come up a little, and I do have the stupid numb feet, but time is marching on and so am I. No looking back at the horribleness I have been through. I have to play catch up on things like dental, gyn, and my PCP (so he doesn't de-activate me after not going to him for 3 years) but other than that, I am on my own until next March. I think I will just sit back and enjoy my FREEDOM today.

The shackles of cancer cannot hold me!

barsco1963

March on and be free Eli!!

So glad you can honestly say you are feeling GREAT!

heartnsoul76

Elimar, what a GREAT feeling! Whenever I feel "free at last"" this song goes through my head. I especially liked the choir chiming in on this version - so gloriously over the top!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgBb4IYqoEE

jocanuck1951

yes, Eli Congrats!!! Freedom marcher 👠 you go!!! Jo

TessaW

I'm so glad you all are here! I think I've gained more info here than at the cancer center. I was told that because my cancer was invasive I couldn't have immediate recon. If they did recon immediately and I needed radiation they said the new breasts would be destroyed. Does that sound correct?

I did check on disability but was told I'd only qualify if they deemed me to need a year off. Pfft, yeah, THAT'S gonna happen! (insert sarcasm here )

I checked on the Pink Ribbon Fund. I don't qualify, but maybe someone else might? I have an app if anyone here needs info.

I work for a public school system so I qualify for FMLA, just not st disability. Staysane you're right. I do need to breathe! I get stressed and morph into cotton brain anyways. So, it's best for me to stay coherent.

THANKS FOR ALL THE WELCOME AND ADVICE!

TessaW

Eli ~ It's encouraging to see someone who's come out the other side. Congrats!

elimar86861

JoC, You have been absent from here for a while. (Don't think I did not notice!) You must tell us how YOU have been feeling.

HnS, I don't think I have heard that with the symphony before. Enjoyed the righteous Daltrey wailing in this version.

Today, I told more than one person that I had another 30 years left in me. Probably just my bravado. (But if that's what it was, I should have set my sight even higher!) I should try the visualization of my goal, but I have my eyes full of wrinkles just looking in the mirror lately.

elimar86861

TessaW, Yes, that sounds about right for the recon./radiation. I am guessing that your B/C might be near the chest wall? Sometimes, with a tumor very deep near the chest wall, they like to radiate. Or it may have something to do with how your nodes look in the surgical pathology. I don't have a response for you about getting disability. Maybe another Middie knows and will respond.

Also, I'm not quite out of the woods yet, but I figure if I can get three years of clear scans (for another cancer) at which time I will be about seven years out from B/C, then I will be doing pretty good. Meanwhile, going to live cancer-free until they inform me otherwise.

luvmygoats

You little overachiever Eli. Congratulations. Are the page toppers breaking free too???

Tessa - so what do the other disabled employees do or do they do without???? I know there is another thread on here for disability but I think it is for Stage IV. You might do a search for the topic. Wish I could help.

GrammyR

TessaW- Back when I first took time off work I had only been w/the company 3 years so was kind of pleasantly surprised re disability. I had to first use up all vacation/personal time and then I got short term disability I think during my 6 week post op plan. I did go back to work after 6 weeks and still getting chemo. I then worked another 18 months before becoming permanently disabled d/t walking and neuropathy issues. I did lose my health insurance for a while until I officially disabled for 2 years then Medicare kicked in along with SS. By then I was 61. It also help to have a very helpful and understanding MO.

Valjean

E~ Love hearing your 'freedom' news.

Anonymous

Catching up...

Momine, love the shoes! Can you walk in them?

Elimar, love the new header pic - breaking free? Congrats on feeling great, even if only one day at a time...

Momine

Tessa, yes that is correct about the rads potentially messing up the recon. Also, when you need extensive treatment, many doctors prefer to delay the recon, because it is very common to have complications in connection with recon and they do not want such complications to delay your cancer treatment.

I was initially told I could have immediate recon, and then they changed their minds when they realized how serious the situation was. My doc asked me to delay recon for two years. Those two years were up in September, but I doubt I will ever reconstruct. When they asked me to delay, I was a bit freaked at first, but now I am grateful to have had the extra time to think about it, research, look at pictures and also get used to just being flat (although I usually wear small, light foobs).

Momine

2nd time, yes, of course. I do not wear shoes I can't walk in. But it doesn't take long for my feet to hurt, when I wear heels. One exception are the ones below. I have even danced in those:

staynsane

Yay Eli! As one of your groupies pulling for you through your latest struggle, it gives me personal joy to hear how positive you feel. I'm sure I'm not alone. It makes the words "you can do this and you will get through it" have more meaning.

TessaW- I feel compelled to mention that my BS initially told me that it would be best to do recon later (rather than placing an expander at the time of my mast) because he was concerned that radiation might be indicated. But I'm a "git er done" kind of gal, and knew I would want recon and the thought of an extra surgery later to have the TE placed didn't appeal to me. He agreed that the decision could be made during surgery when the initial pathology came back. My PS was there, and the decision was made to go ahead with TE placement (sentinel node was clear and they were confident they had good margins). So I didn't know ahead of time if I would have a TE when I woke up, but I did. I'm an "over-achiever" in the recuperation department, and my recovery was really fast and painless. I have heard from women that the TE caused them a lot of discomfort, so like many decisions, this is a very personal one and you really have to listen to your inner voice and have peace, knowing you will make the decision that best suits you.

macatacmv

Hey Girls, wanted to report in that I feel just like the page topper,too. I had my BS appt. and mammo yesterday. And all is clear!!! I didn't truly realize how nervous I was. Today I feel like a different person. Lol. Coming up on 2 years out. 

Happy dancing along side you, eli.

elimar86861

I see that you are, mac. Congrats! (Are you a blonde? Because that one is not me.) Our Dx is similar...how many nodes did you have out, and how big was your tumor? Let's see if you are my Dx twin.

Eph3_12

Some of us are of the age to be able to answer the following:  Where were you 50 yrs ago today?

I was in 4th grade music class & it was announced over the loud speaker (the one that gave the air raid warnings!).  Mrs. Dyrud started crying & school was dismissed for the day.  I came down with chicken pox the very next day, so I was lying on the couch, home from school & saw Lee Harvey Oswald get shot & was on the couch watching the funeral procession.  It's all very vivid!  Ask me what I had for dinner last night? go ahead---here's the answer, who the hell remembers????  Why is that?

Sherryc

Eli--I checked in to check on you and so happy I see good news here. Wooooohooooo you so deserve it.

We are starting Thanksgiving tomorrow with our first get together. I am feeling very thankful for the friendships that I have made here and that I am now in good health.

Meece

My mother tells me i was a fussy eight month old cutting teeth 50 years ago today.

Where was I ten years ago today? Living my supposedly bulletproof life with no idea the following day the BC bullet with my name on it knock the wind out of me. But here I am, ten years later.

Still standing.

wyo

My mom said I was taking my nap when the word came. She remembers everything down to what she was wearing and what she cooked for dinner. It is amazing how some memories "stay" I actually have the same "total recall" about 9/11 myself

jocanuck1951

Lol...nothing slides by you Eli! I always try to keep up...yes keep my eyes peeled 👀 on you guys...saw that PINK diamond that Diane Queen of muffs was sporting <wow>!!!! I'm back and fatter from a 5 day vaca to Halifax, land of ships and fried battered fish & chips ack!! Murphy followed along and just as we were approaching the harbor from a short tour on the tall ship Silva the bow broke over my head as they were lowering the sails....heard the CRACK and watched everybody clear the deck except me...I'm looking around wondering...where did that loud noise come from..😬 so the first set of sails in the pic is nicely rolled but second set of sails where the lady in the purple shirt is standing you can see the BROKEN bow and that's where I was standing when it broke....captain said it never happened before and it was the last day on the last run...so...think twice ladies when we have pocket parties...do you really want me in? Lololol.

cakes

Eli - Yahoo!

Eph3_12

ABSOLUTELY love the topper. That one needs to be saved in my opinion!!!

Valjean

Congrats, macatacmv, on your great BS visit & mamm result!!

Hey, jocanuck, I consider you a good luck charm ~ standing where you were on that ship & not getting injured??!! I'd want you in my pocket for the best outcome anytime, girlfriend!

Packing this weekend to head to the Lake Superior country Monday to spend Thanksgiving with DD#2, SIL, & grandchildren. Looking forward to getting away for a while. Wrapped Chistmas gifts for the little ones a week ago, boy was that odd to do that so early. Have missed those kiddos terribly; they'll probably have to tell me to stop squeezing them so tightly.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their family, loved ones & friends.

I am very thankful for all of you.

♥

p.s. Love the topper as well. I am saving that to my Gallery.