Class of 2010

Options
1…2021232526…37

Comments

  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    perky,

    Keep in touch Post-Op.Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited March 2010

    Perky...good luck tomorrow!  Remember...we've all been through it and we're all here...alive and well and we're all talking about our futures and how we are moving through the healing process.  Everyone's path is going to be unique to their own journey...even yours.  Even though your surgery is almost the same as another persons...your recovery and your results and so many other factors are going to play into what unfolds for you.  If I can say anything to you right now, it is this:  Focus on right now and not next week. 

    This really is a case of one step at a time and for you and me and many others like us, we get very impatient and we want to know everything right now.  This creates stress.  When our cells understand we are stressed out...they cannot fully fight the cancer for us as our bodies are telling them to help out in the stress relieving area.  Give your cells all the energy they need to fight the cancer and don't distract their attention to other areas.   I really believe if you can re-frame things for yourself like this, it would allow you to attain the inner strength you are seeking to help you get through this in one piece.  Remember, we are here for you...and we will be thinking of you tomorrow...you are not alone dear sister.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • etk02038
    etk02038 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    Linda- Not doing the scans isn't an insurance thing it's the oncos opinion
    that Breast cancer is a "predictable cancer". If it didn't go to the lymph
    nodes(I did have isolated cells in sentinal nodes) then they got it all.
    In her opinion. I'm not sure I'm buying that!

    Lauriez...glad you made it thru your bx ok. Good luck with the results.

    retrievermom...love your puppy! My big guy is 11 now.

    Elen...good for you for taking the FMLA. No employer likes it, too
    bad for them.

    After 3 months I am still dealing with the unreality also. It pops in my head at the oddest times. Jeez, I have cancer. It doesn't run in my family, I was waiting to get Alzheimers which does! Go figure.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    LaurieZ - Love the stories about your kids, mine are the same ages, I have a girl that is 9 and a boy that is 11.  My daughter, our chatty one who thinks way out side the box most of the times asked questions non stop for the first 10 min or so when we told them and then my son just looked at all of us taking in all in.  When we asked him if he had any questions he thought for a second, looked me right in the eye and said, what if they don't get it all.  It broke my heart, but we had to quickly explain that the doctors were going to do the best job possible getting it all out.  He then said okay, can I go play my dsi.  Now if any adult asks him how his mom is doing, he always says " she's doing much better, thanks". I love their innocence.

    Ellen - I agree with you on the friend thing, it has amazed me at how my friends have shifted.  There is one person I had to cut off contact with because she was spreading my health report all over town, even to people I didn't know, even telling her kids stuff (who are in the same grade as mine) before I had told my kids even though I had told her we hadn't told the kids yet.   I have had other friends back away, but I think it is more out of being scared for themselves.  It use to be our mothers or grandmothers who got bc not our friends who are young and our age.  I think some of my younger friends are just worried about the future.,

    Mom2eaj - Happy birthday to your triplets!  You live in the next town over from me, we should try and meet sometime if you are up to it.

    Perky - Good luck on your surgery tomorrow!

    Ellen (again)- I loved your rabbit comment, thanks for giving me something to chuckle about.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pickles
    Pickles Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2010

    Wow, what a journey! Just got my last drain removed this morning! Who knew I'd be celebrating such a thing, but it really is great!



    It's these strange things we go through that are hard for some people to understand.

    There was a woman in the waiting room at my PS office that had hers out a week ago, I swear we would have high fived, if I could get my arm up that high, when I walked out and it was done. We may be having a Mx bra burning party at my house when this is all over! She definitly got it.


    When I got home, my neighbor stopped by. She's a home health aid, doesn't make a ton of money, but she'd crocheted me a beautiful blanket for when I start Chemo. Needless to say I cried...I'm second generation Italian/Irish, emotional is my middle name, She definitly gets it.


    Some of my friends are scared they'll say the wrong thing, my sister is trying very hard to figure out a way to make it all about her, my sis-in-law is amazingly supportive, as is my brother, my husband deserves sainthood.and I love them all. I just don't let the negative ones get me down, and actually find some of it funny! I mean who in their right mind gets jealous of someone with BC!


    Realizing I can learn a few things about myself and my relationships with others is in my "good side effects" column.

    Be strong!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited March 2010

    Hi Pickles!  What a great outlook you have.  I totally want to hug you and love you.  You've made my day today.  ((((((((((((((((((((( HUGS ))))))))))))))))))))))  to you and a ((((((((HUG)))))))) to your kind neighbour.

    Your sister made me laugh.  I've run into that a bit...but not from others...but from me.  I'm so jealous of pink sisters who have a smaller cancer or lower grade than me.  LOL.  I want to trade places with them...but only for a minute.  Jealousy is such a cheap emotion.  My husband said that to me many years ago (that jealousy was a cheap emotion) and I thought it sounded quite classy.  I've always used it since then but if truth be told...he is the one who said it first.  LOL.  (see...I'm even jealous that he came up with it instead of me...OMG...I'm such a piece of work... LOL)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • perky
    perky Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2010

    Pickles - you cracked me up! We have the same sister, seems like a lot of us do. None of it makes sense but you have to laugh sometimes.  I have a friend that had endometrial cancer 25 years ago who seems to be acting jealous and keeps telling me how I should feel and act. I would be more than happy to let them have all the attention or whatever else they think they aren't getting because they aren't going through this right now. Sheesh!

    I think my emotional storm is almost over. I realise it isn't about the surgery as much as dealing with finishing up work and the red tape that goes with that. I don't like to fail and I don't want to lose my job over this. Just had the "Talk" with my boss about everything and cried after we hung up and now that that is out of the way, I am starting to finally feel like I am getting my game face on and ready to kick this cancer to the curb.

    So what did you do with the bra that you wore to the hospital? Leave it, frame it, donate it to science? Take it home and put it back in the drawer out of habit? I am a DDD and I don't think that bra will be going back on!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    I say we pick a day and burn them all on the same day.  Cool

    It is funny what people are jealous of, I had the TRAM surgery so my stomach is now flat (had a little stomach before that but not too bad) and I keep having people tell me that they are jealous and wish that they had my flat stomach.  Are they kidding me, I would take back my chunky old tummy and size D+ boobs any day to be cancer free.  I know they don't mean it that way but it still irks me.  I am cranky today, my stomach wounds from the wire suture are not healing very quickly and it is making me crazy.  They are saying that I am not healing because I  am now anemic and not eating enough protein.  Not sure how much protein is enough but I am eating it at every meal.  I went to the health food store and bought iron pills and Multi vitamins because the onc, wants me on those now too.   I am off to Florida tomorrow so hopefully the warm sun will help my healing and my mood!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dublin4
    Dublin4 Member Posts: 158
    edited March 2010

    first fill...so far so good.   just a little tight.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    LauraM,

    Have a fun trip!Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • perky
    perky Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2010

    Maybe we could make pillows out of them!  Tongue out

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pickles
    Pickles Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2010

    I'm flashing back to the early 70's and the bra burnings in the streets, we could all meet in Vegas and torch our MX bras in 2011...maybe at The Playboy club in The Palms, I have a wierd sense of humor...

    A quilt of all the ones that no longer fit would be amazing, especially those DDD donations! I didn't wear a bra to the hospital...T-shirt, sweats and a cardigan, my little B sized boobies where free-range in their last morning together. I had a LBMX March 8th, think my right one misses the left one? I do think it may be jealous of the new one (lat.dorsi flap recon. With TE.)



    Thanks for the big hugs Linda! I can never get enough of those, I'm glad to share this journey with such an inspiring supportive group of ladies. Perky- when is your surgery? If you know anyone who sews, have them make you a heart shaped pillow for under your arm, I'd make you one but my left arm isn't working so good yet. It's amazing how it takes some of the pressure off the MX side. Had Mom make me one I could wash too...no deodorant for that arm after surgery...

    Laura...some people...I'm glad you have a flat tummy! I got rid of that extra puff o' fat behind my armpit that never goes away, another one for the good SE column! You could try protein smoothies, get the powder at a co op and mix it with yummy stuff!



    My hubby and I go to Chemo Class on Thursday...anyone think it's odd that Chemo Class is scheduled for April Fools Day?



    Will let you know if we get any good tips!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cathyqk
    cathyqk Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2010

    Perky-  The best of luck with your surgery tomorrow. Ending the waiting is a very good thing!

    Linda- I have to respond that I definitely have noticed that some friends who I thought were for life.. and one in particular.. has really let me down on this.. just not there and not interested.... and it puzzles me no end.. on the other hand so many people have been so supportive and really on the job of checking on me and following up and offering help.. it has been really heart warming.. definitely some odd dynamic going on around this scenario....  My 10 year old boy has also impresed me with how he handles it.. little slices.. he bites off no more than he can chew at any one time.. clever fella

    Katie- I hope you and your little one have had a blast at Legoland today! My son loves that place too! So sorry to hear about your double loss .. what a rough year for you... even without all this.. Good thing for you no chemo.. and I hope the radiation goes smoothly. And then you'll be done!

    And just to let everyone know.. My BRCA test came back negative!!!!  Whoo hoo!! I pick my Mom up off the flight fom Ireland tonight and we will be celebrating!!! Such a relief that my sister and ny nieces can breathe a litle easier.  Not to mention no more surgeries for me for now!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Cathyqk - Congrats on your negative BRAC test!  YEAH

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elen
    elen Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    Perky

    Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cathyqk
    cathyqk Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2010

    Dublin-  What do you mean first fill???

     Laura M- Thank you!!

    elen- I responded to Linda about the friend thing but I read back and it was your comment I really was responding to.. no matter I hope.. but hi and hope you're chemo is going OK. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited March 2010

    Yes Dublin..what are you getting filled?  I had a feeling or some sort of memory that you would be having implants or expanders put in eventually...but wow...this soon?  My goodness we just roll along here at top speed when we're not hanging around playing the waiting game.  It's all or nothing...LOL. 

    Cathyqk:  so happy that the gene test is NEGATIVE.  You go and have a glass of wine now and celebrate... yahoo.

    Perky...thinking about you and looking forward to your next post as you should have had your surgery by then!  Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • retrievermom
    retrievermom Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2011

    Also thinking of you, Perky, and looking forward to hearing your surgery went smoothly.  Rest as much as you can.

    Cathyqk:  Chiming in on the hoorays!

    etk:  We have a housefull.  The oldest is 15 in April, the youngest 5 mos.  Two in-between.

    I like the comments about the kids taking this in.  Wish they didn't have to be faced with this, but their responses are priceless.  Are boys just that way no matter the age?  Soak things in quietly, then say or do something really interesting?

    Anyone see Rachel getting married?  The sister announces she is pregnant and the other sister says, "That is so unfair.  What about me?"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • artsymom
    artsymom Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2010

    Sure wishing the best for you Shopper.  I am feeling somewhat whimpy after reading how many people got back to work after a week or two and I'm still feeling like I'm living in the land of recovery. I am just down and wondering what is wrong with me that I'm not getting.  You live alone and sound so strong.  I am in awe of your strength and power!

    Lindaa - What did you do for the swelling?  What is IBC?  Pardon my ignorance. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • artsymom
    artsymom Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2010

    etko2038= I did the exact same thing.  Sometimes I feel like I still don't understand the language and am unfortunately taking a test in the advanced class.  I don't even know what a BRAC is. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited March 2010

    Hi Artsymom...how are you doing?  The swelling is no fun, that is for sure.  What really helped me heal was ICE..and lots of it.  I had rotating ice packs and would slip one into a special bra that I got (it sort of had a side pocket in it and was made especially for patients with breast cancer).  You certainly don't need this type of bra but it did help hold the ice packs in place.  I did the special exercises for my arm but only as I could...didn't push too hard.  I kept the special bra on even at night, for support.  I used the little pillow everyone is talking about...and kept it under my arm.  I did not let any blood pressure tests or needles etc happen in my affected arm.  All of this really helped with my healing and kept the swelling right down, for sure.  I would put the ice under the arm and on the breast itself.  I hope this really helps.  By the way, when I first started, I didn't even know what "peeps" meant!  LOL.  I've learned a lot but certainly only a fraction of what most people know.  Some things we cannot control for sure...but I think what we can control is information and knowledge.  I think these two weapons will really help our army stay strong and alert.  Yea Pink Peeps...we ROCK.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited March 2010

    artsymom, we all heal and recover at different rates, your surgery was only a week ago, wasn't it?  If you aren't feeling ready to leave the land of recovery, stay for a while.  It will get better. 

    btw, there is a great discussion board on this site, abbreviations for newbies.  I also found that I was lost with all the new terminology and it helped.

    One of my sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer this fall, she had surgery and rads, and she is the quietest of all.  I figured that since she has so recently been through it that she would be the most supportive.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jakhope
    jakhope Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2010

    Hi Peeps!

    Laura- Where in Florida are you going? If in Delray or Boynton Beach, let me know.

    so much to catch up on all you peeps. I will try soon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dublin4
    Dublin4 Member Posts: 158
    edited March 2010

    Sounds like everyone is doing well.  To answer what I got filled.  On Tuesday I had my first fill on my tissue expanders.  I had a bmx with / te and I am now starting the filling process.  I was given the clear by all doctors that I could do both the fills and chemo at the same time.  So I started my chemo rounds (only 3 more to go) as well, last week.  I guess you could say I am not waiting at all.  I am hoping for no complications and a smooth road, or as smooth as it can be so that I can get through this journey.  Once chemo is done I have to wait at least one month for the exchange for the new implants.  So I will be done in May and hopefully the exchange will happen sometime in July.  So I will have new hair and new girls for the fall.  I just really want to get to the other side of this whole thing.  I know that we all do.  I know that this will always be a part of my life but I just don't want it to define my life.  I want to return to normal and resume my life.  I know we all do.   Best to all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elen
    elen Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    Laura

    I live right outside Pensacola .. . :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elen
    elen Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2010

    oops .. should have had this on the same post .. hit "submit" by accident .. sry

    Dutch .. I have a friend in the same spot as your sister.  When she was diagnosed several years ago, I spent days at her house helping her and I don't hear a word from her.  At first, I thought maybe it was just too much for her to deal with and tried to be understanding. I guess my understanding has flown out the window ..:)

    Artsy .. I know your pain. Everything that "should" be happening on a fairly consistent time schedule is not . .. drain took too long to come out, recovery from surgeries took too long (took a week after each one when I "should" have been able to be up and back in work in three days) .. the diabetes doesn't help but I sometimes think that Murphy's Law has it out for me in triple .. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • etk02038
    etk02038 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    Retrievermom..wow that is a houseful. I would love to get another dog soon. Shadow is so spoiled though I don't think he would like it. My 9 year old son has taken all this well too, he has general anxiety so I am pleased he is doing so well. Of course he doesn't see me "sick" so that helps. If he saw me "sick" he would be more concerned.

    Artysmom...take your time, some things can't be rushed.

    Dublin4...hoping for your smooth road ahead..no speed bumps or detours :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elle40
    elle40 Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2010

    Getting ready to go for TC treatment #2...hoping things go as well as possible.

     Best wishes to all the Pink Peeps as we transition into April.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • irish47
    irish47 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2010

    Greetings all,

    No. 6 down today and no side effects :-)

    Talking about knowing who your friends are - The one friend I confided in after my mammo and ultrasound  (Doc said it looked ''very worrying'')  seemed very supportive, said all the right things and said she would be checking in on me after my needle biopsy.  That was Dec 29th and haven't heard a word since... Other friends have been so good, including a good friend who is stage 4 and very frail. I had asked my other friends not to tell her, I figured she had enough to deal with. But they said  she would be annoyed if I didn't tell her. Left it to my good friend Linda to let her know  and sure enough she was on the phone to me the very next day, all concerned about me and not a word about her own problems.  Yes, this diagnosis sure shows you who your real friends are.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • retrievermom
    retrievermom Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2011

    Irish:  No. 6 down; that's great!  Hope you continue to have no or few SEs.  Good to hear about your supportive friend, too.  Some people really step up.

    Elle:  Let us know how tx#2 went.  Thinking of you, as well.

    Ellen:  My husband & I both participate in competitive dog events.  That's how we met.  I can't imagine not having a canine pack.  No empty nest here.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories