Oklahoma girls (or guys) out there?

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ToriGirl
ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
edited June 2014 in Members by Location
Oklahoma girls (or guys) out there?
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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited September 2010

    Hi there!

    Just wanted to see if any Oklahoma ladies (or guys) are out there?  Hope all are doing well! 

    I'm in Edmond, OK...about 15 minutes north of Oklahoma City.

    Hoping to connect with some "sistas" out there!

    Stay strong!

    Tori

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  • katsOK
    katsOK Member Posts: 142
    edited August 2010

    Hi, I live in OKC  so guess I am one of the Oklahoma gals.    I had my surgery April of 09 at Mercy.  I did chemo and had a mammosite radiation after my lumpectomy.  There have been several women on here from Oklahoma at one time or another.  Good luck   Kathleen

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Kathleen,

    Thanks for the response! 

    You are over a year ahead of me in this journey. I can't wait to be there...

    Just had my surgery last week at Baptist...heading to 2nd opinion oncologist appt next week.  1st oncologist was across the street from Baptist hospital (Dr. Hollen)...so will get 2 opinions before starting treatment.

    Hope you are doing well...

    Tori 

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hello,  I am in the Oklahoma City area. I am going to the St. Anthony Breast Center.  I have my surgery upcoming, had a second biopsy of axillary nodes today. OUCH!  But we Oklahoma ladies are tough and can survive anything.  My onc dr is Dr. Ganick at St. Anthony's, excellent oncologist.  I am a long time nurse and used to work there so I am a little pushy on my care.  You have to be in order to survive this.  I am here and check this website daily.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited August 2010

    Hi Tori,

    I live in Mannford, just 15 miles west of Tulsa. We moved here in June of 07and I came down with inflammatory breast cancer in november of 07.  It's been a long hard journey, I live with the side effects of treatment but I'm still here!  I'm Oklahoma tough nowCool 

    Norma

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  • janleigh
    janleigh Member Posts: 32
    edited August 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    Sorry to have to meet you here.  Wish I was there to support you all in person but figure I can support sister "Okies" here. I was raised in Enid and although I live in Alabama now my parents and sister live in Edmond. We love to visit and if ever we move, Edmond is where we will go. My sister works in the Radiation Oncology dept at OU Health Sciences Center and knows some great doctors there. At any rate just want you to know I thinking of you all and wishing you the very best!

    Jan

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Hello to all the Oklahoma ladies!  I see most of you are way past where I am and I"m so glad to see that...can't wait to be there myself!

    Cheryl, you are not too far behind me...as I just had surgery August 12th and am getting ready to find out my treatment plan in the next week or so...

    Hope we can all find some time to encourage each other and learn from those of you who are on the other side of it all...

    Much love and prayers,

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hi Tori,

     Count on me anytime!!!

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Thanks Sherri!  Thanks Cheryl!

    I hope I'm not being too forward when I say, I'll be leaning on those of you already on the other side so I can make it through this journey.  I may need a bit of encouragement...  :)

    Thanks to all of you for sharing already too!  Let's try to keep this thread going if we can...it's nice to know that there are others "close by"....

    Much love and prayers,

    Tori 

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  • katsOK
    katsOK Member Posts: 142
    edited August 2010

    ToriGirl  I go to Dr. Toma across from Baptist Hospital and I believe she is in the same group with Dr. Hollen, I had my chemotherapy with them and they have a very good group in the chemotherapy room.  I felt well taken care of the whole time.  Here's hoping you do not have to do chemo but if you do you will be in good hands.  I believe that Baptist has a breast cancer support group also.  I have not gone to it but go to one in Edmond at Breast Imaging.  OU also has a support group I believe.  There may be more in town than that, I find it helpful.

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Kat43-

    Thanks for the information. I actually live in Edmond, so would be interested in finding out some information about the Edmond support group, if you don't mind sharing.

    I will find out more this week about my treatment options.  I'm sure it will be overwhelming, to say the least.

    Hugs and prayers sistas, my sistas,

    Tori

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  • katsOK
    katsOK Member Posts: 142
    edited August 2010

    I think all groups in OKC meet once a month and some ladies go to several.  The one I go to is at Breast Imaging of Oklahoma  405 844 2601.  Dr. Craft is the person that runs the group.  It is support  not therapy.  She usually has a speaker and a time for each of us to share about ourselves and our disease.  Lots of good information comes out of the meetings and nice to meet others going thru the same thing.  THere is a supper included with the meeting and it is at night.  Baptist Hospital I believe is during the day and they also have lunch.  I have not gone to it but hear it is good.  I think someone told me that Mercy also has a group but have not checked into it.  Kathleen

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hi ladies,  So glad to have this thread.  All of the drs you have mentioned are great, I know all of them.  There are several support groups here, one at Norman Regional, one at Integris north and south, St. Anthony's and maybe one at Edmond Memorial.  We can do this togetherr and if necessary make our own support group.

    Peace and laughter be with you.

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    I'll be honest with you all, it's been a bit hard for me still to talk about it with others in "real life" and "face to face"...don't ask me why, it just is.  Maybe that will change over time and I hope it does, but right now it's very comforting to meet you all ...hear about your experiences and see you all doing so well.  Really, that's all I want at this point..is to do well.  There is still a long journey ahead of me and it's so overwhelming still...

    Right now, my weekends are my refuge...they keep me "normal"...soon...I know that won't be the case anymore.  I'll be in treatment and that scares me.  Sitting here thinking of Monday, makes my stomach ache, because it brings with it dr. appts, phone calls, insurance dealings and a million other different things...

    One day at a time though, right?

    Hugs and prayers,

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hi ToriGirl,  Right there with you on the Monday issue.  This disease has so many levels of care that involve others and paperwork that it is scary.  It seems to me that as many years and the numbers of breast cancer rise there should be a stream line of care that takes the stress of all the "incidentals".  But yep, one day at a time is right.

    Peace and laughter to  you.

    Cheryl

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hello everyone, Just got a call regarding my node biopsy, I have one node with cancer.  I actually expected all 3 of the nodes biopsied to come back positive.  Well here goes the week, more doctor visits.  But, look at the bright side, school is back in session, yea!!!!

     Peace and laughter to each of you.

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    One node positive here too...will have to see what that brings to the table as far as treatment now.  I know they stil do Oncotype for ladies with 1-3 positive nodes, so that may give us something more to look at.

    Good Luck Cheryl and let us know what you find out. I too, will be passing on information as I find out as well.

    Hugs and prayers,

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hi ladies, Well Thursday is the day for surgery.  Left radical mast with L axillary dissection.  I think I am ready, but at least 48 hours from now it will be done and my life will change or at least my body will change.  Definitely scared but with friends and family close by and all the prayers I will be fine.

    It may be several days before I log on again.  Until then, remember to take one day at a time.

    May peace and laughter guide you and surround you always my sisters.

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Cheryl,

    Will be thinking of you and saying prayers for a quick recovery and speedy healing. 

    We will get through this together!

    Hugs and prayers,

    Tori

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Cheryl...

    Your surgery is today and I'm thinking of you and praying all goes well.

    Let us know how you are doing when you are able to!

    Prayers and gentle hugs,

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hello everyone,  Home from the hospital today minus one breast. The surgeon stated the path report will be available on Monday.  He took 13 nodes under my arm, but it looks like I have clear margins.  He also put my port in for chemo, start chemo in 2 weeks but I am so glad the surgery is over for now.

     Thank you for the prayers. 

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Cheryl,

    Glad to hear that you are home and recovery now.  Prayers still being said for you and yours.

    Tori

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  • katsOK
    katsOK Member Posts: 142
    edited August 2010

    Glad to hear the surgery is over with, they took a lot of nodes!!.  My incision for the node removal bothered me more than the incision for the lumpectomy.  But then I guess with a mast you probably do not have two incisions.  Do you have IBC as well as IDC?  I thought your first post said that but you never mentioned it again.  Take care and do not do to much during your recovery.  You need to be rested  for chemo.  Kathleen

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Hi kat43,  I only have one incision across my chest to until my left arm.  Very clean surgical line.  He used skin glue to close the wound.  I am sore, but not needing pain med.  It looks like I have mixed cancer,  DISC, IDC, and IBC.  The IBC has been caught early.  Will know the path report on Monday.  All my friends and family are laughing at me because I never sit still but I am learning.  I feel great!

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited August 2010

    Well everyone,  When it rains it pours!  Doing well, started my arm exercises, and it is slow going.  Just hate the crunching feeling as I do the range of motion exercises.  I go to see the radiologist today to arrange the radiation treatments.  Final path report was interesting - clear margins with the tumor, but 8/12 nodes positive for cancer.    However the nodes were putative in findings (microfindings).  So the news is good.

    However..... to add to the mix, my youngest son is now in the hospital with new onset Type 1 diabetes, he is 13.  I have already raised one son with diabetes, now, have to start with this son.  Good thing this is my medical field.

    Oh well, God only gives us what we can handle.

    Peace and laughter to all of you,

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited August 2010

    Congrats on clean  margins!  And as far the positive nodes, I was told that the nodes are supposed to do that..keep it from going anywhere else...so that is good too.

    Sorry to hear about your son, but like you said, at least it is your medical field...and you are already doing it with one son, so I'm sure that will work out as well.

    Been thinking of you often, hoping and praying that all is going well...

    Take care of you,

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2010

    Today is a rough day. Tired, some pain and the gray skies do not help.  Waiting to hear back from my onc dr as to date chemo starts.  Met with rads onc dr yesterday, I will be having 7 weeks of daily rads, doesn't sound fun, but at least the rads won't be at the same time....

    Looking at mast supplies today...interesting choices.  Hope everyone is doing well.

    Peace and laughter and maybe a little Jimmy Buffett.

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited September 2010

    Fellow Okies!

    Have a great holiday weekend!

    Tori

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2010

    Well, started chemo regimen today.  Do well so far.  Will be on TCH chemo meds, started Herceptin today.

    Cheryl

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited September 2010

    Glad to hear so far, so good...will be keeping you in my prayers that all goes well with no SEs.

    Take care and thanks for the update!

    Tori

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