2012 sisters

Chrisrenee77

Miranda- i am so sorry for the negative response you saw from the male dr. I had gone to 2 PS and i liked the first one and had scheduled my TE surgery with him. Then as my surgery date kept getting closer i hadnt heard from them thrn i get a denial letter from my insuranvce company because the facility he uses was not in network.i fought with my insurance for almost 3 weeks and lost. So i had to start over again, i called numerous drs to find outhow often they do reconstructions. The first office aays he hasnt done one in almost 4 years. Immediatly hung up and called the next one. That one told me yeah he does them but its not his forte'. Ummm thank you. The lastone i called asked if he practices at pne of my local HCA hospitals. They said yes. Asked how often he does reconstruction. They said he can do it in his sleep. Yep sign me up! Went in had my consult, of course i had backup with me. My sister and my friend/ hair stylist. Went in had to disrobe yet again and have a guy look at what i didnt have. He asked me what i wanted my end goal to be, what size i wanted. He told me he was going to make me whole again. I knew i chose the right one. Although you have to get past the pervy uncle look he has. Lol! He is absolutely great and im so glad i have him as my doctor. He has taken care of every aspect of making sure i was ok.

You would think some drs would have a filter.but i know there are some that just looks at us women as cash cows, because we want to look good again.

Chrisrenee77

Mrscich- this is a picture of my handsome teenager (16).

MrsCich

Has anyone heard from Juneau? Are there any other New York/Jersey gals here? How are y'all holding out with Hurricane Sandy? I see the center is pushing water into New York and storm surge of 12 ft is threatening Manhatten. Towns along New Jersey have relentless flooding to to onshore flow.



You NE gals be safe and check in when you can. We are all thinking of y'all. 👭

Megroy23

Thanks for the comic relief suggestion... Laughter is STILL the best medicine and I do nothing BUT surf my laptop for funny stuff when in chemo chair and the 'moments' we all need a extra kick ... I'm checking Jeanne R on YouTube right now! Best wishes to all!

liefie

MrsCich, I am echoing you as far as the girls on the eastern seaboard. It seems a disaster is occurring there right at this moment. Let us know what's going on if you can. With the power outages it will be difficult, though. Thinking of you and praying for your safety.

On Dancing with the Stars just now, Apolo and Karina danced a waltz to music that tells about a woman with breast cancer whose only solace is found in the arms of her lover. It really struck a chord with me. They danced it beautifully with such emotion, and got a perfect score from every judge. I thought it was such a nice way to bring awareness; both of them have people in their families struggling with this.

NYCchutzpah

Good Morninig guys. My family got lucky.  We are in Bergen Cty NJ and  our power stayed on. The yard is a mess with tree limbs down. Tried to call MIL in Clifton NJ but seems like there are problems with the phone lines. Had an apppoinment with PS yesterday, have to reschedule that. Supposed to go into the city for work tomorrow hope the buses are running by then. Right now the city is basically closed. Only rout open is the Lincoln Tunnel, all the other bridges and tunnels are shut. Guess I will do some house cleaning nothing on TV to watch most stations have talking heads saying the same thing about the storm.

Charlotte

Chrisrenee77

Charlotte- glad you are safe. Be careful heading into work. I bet the roads are crazy with all the debris.

Tazzy

Charlotte - glad you and yours are safe.

Thoughts with you on the Eastern Seaboard.   Stay safe ladies.   Hope to hear from others soon.

KarenZ0305

Hi well I have water but no power. But we have a wood fireplace and my grill is working if need be and the stove. Not too bad damage wise. Just waiting for the power.



And the Wawa in east Windsor is open. Yea hot coffee!

Cindyl

Had my last PT session today.  wooot.  I have a dentist appt this week, an eye doctor and an ent appt. next week.  My 9 month with the MO is at the end of November.  But there is some possibility I may have a week or two with NO appointments.  Other than the 1st week in September I have had at least one appointment a week since dx in Feb.

What a time sink this all is.

juneaubugg

Ramols are you ok?



Yeah. No power. But gas stove and its about 50 degrees so not very cold. Just a bit chilly. Recharging phone in car every so often! Xxoo

Tazzy

Glad you checked in Juneau... we have all been worried.   Now for Ramols to check in.

Cindy: yay for no appts.  how grateful we all become for small mercies.

hugs to everyone.

liefie

Juneau, so glad you are okay!

Ramols, let us know how you are doing if you can. I'm watching this unfold on TV, and cannot believe it.

Chrisrenee77

Juneau- so glad you are safe!

Joanne_53

Juneau it is good to hear from you. It is certainly a mess in NYC and Atlantic City areas.

juneaubugg

I'm supposed to see my MO tomorrow, but have no idea if they will have power in that township yet! I have a fun annual colonoscopy due to my Crohns scheduled for Friday and I can't take days off after I start my new job on Monday for it! I'm in the dark, tired of reading... But we have had fun sitting in my car with the Bluetooth hookup as surround sound streaming netflix movies. Lol. Oh! And tomorrow is my three year wedding anniversary. We were going to go for a fancy dinner where we got married, but they are (were?) on the water in Jersey City (on the Hudson River directly across from downtown manhattan) and most likely incurred some damages. *sigh*. Maybe the power will come back before next Monday...

The silver lining? If I hadn't completed chemo on 10/10 tomorrow would have been my next infusion. I have been able to stop brushing, rinsing and flossing constantly. I have a ton more energy and have been able to cook on our gas stove, boil water and do the dishes to keep up, and I'm not having hot flashes hardly at all. My only real SEs left is the insomnia and a slight cough. I am SO grateful for that as my DH wouldn't be equipped to cook under these conditions (I'd no George Forman grill, microwave, or coffee maker). (I bought a stove top pecolator too!). ;-)

So although I have no power, my heart is with all of you still going through chemo and suffering the side effects. I don't recall who said it as I was catching up (lifelie?); but the emotional depression due to the physical discomfort, after my third round, was almost UNBEARABLE for me. I really wanted out of my body so desperatly that death ALMOST sounded good. So ladies... HANG IN THERE!!!! (((Hugs)))

And Ramols- please post would you? I know power and many cell towers are down on Long Island, and my house phone has no power so I can't pull up your phone number to call. I'm really hoping your family and home is ok. I'd hate you to have to deal with anything else right now.)

marianelizabeth

Thanks for all the news, East Coasters and glad you are coping albeit in different ways. Still nothing from Ramois it seems. Let's hope no news is good news.

juneaubugg, good luck with the colonoscopy scheduling. 

Marian

Cindi74

At my 75th birthday party just before starting A/C chemo, my sweet daughter-in-law gave me a Jeanne Robinson DVD.  Watched it and laughed during chemos 1 & 2.  D in L said that she called a number she found on the internet and thought that Jeanne answered the phone.  DVD arrived promptly.  Worth the money.

Now one week after 3rd A/C.  Am taking ginseng for fatigue as Oncologist agreed, and less fatigue, but have felt like body was wrung out.  Joint and bone light aches that Tylanol didn't cure.  Constant bad taste in mouth although I am eating OK.  Haven't drunk enough water because it taste so bad.  Feeling much better today.

You hurricane survivors,  we had it in Florida in 2003.  One of every 5 roofs had to be replaced.  Get your roofer early--be sure he has been in business a long while.  Pray for a lot of Mexicans as they do a terriffic job.  Had to hire a personal adjuster and go to mediation on one property.  They were well worth the money as insurance company paid double their earlier offer after mediation.

Stay safe. 

NYCchutzpah

I have relatives in the same town as Ramols. No power out there, but my relatives are fine so I hope Ramols is good too. Still a mess here. Can't get to work yet cause the busses from Jersey to the city are not up and running yet. PS office has no power so still can't reschedule my appointment.  I do have a date for the final part of my reconstruction in Dec. Hope I can have it done then

Charlotte

halfcan

I am so glad to see that you gals from the east coast are ok!  But, I too am worried about Ramols?

(((Hugs)))

SusannahW

I am one of the lucky ones, but many of us here on Long Island don't have Internet service, so maybe Ramon's is one of those. I have not heard that the st. James area was too hard hit.

marianelizabeth

Maybe I should not try to change my avatar photo day after chemo but I am. I am totally frustrated with many attempts. I thought there was an advice place on BCO but can't find that either. Any advice out there?

Marian

_Ann_

Cindy74, it's hard to drink water on AC but you do need to take in lots of fluids.  I usually drank water or sparkling water mixed half and half with cranberry cocktail or ginger ale.  I used the water to cut down on the sugar in the juice and soda.  Eventually I drank too much fluid and got muscle cramps!  At that point the nurse told me to use Gatorade.  I mostly drank straight orange gatorade for months.  It has a bit less sugar than juice or soda.  I also made sure to rinse my mouth with Biotene rinse several times a day.  It's good for mouth sores anyway, but I was also worried about cavities from all the sweet liquid.  Good luck with the AC, it can be a rough road.  Wishing you minimal side effects.

Chrisrenee77

Great news! My PS says that a December surgery is on my horizon. I have had my last official fill today. I do go back in next Wednesday for my PS to even the girls up. The redness is gone from the left breast. This has just been an amazing day. Hope every is safe and having a great day.

Aruba

I have completed 31/31 rad treatments today!  I am DONE!!  I got some perspective today.  My Appt was pushed back to allow a 2 month old access to the 1 hour treatments needed for 3 days on the machines.  While I was lying there for my rads, my eyes welled with tears thinking of it being my last time, but thinking more about this baby who had used the machine before me..and the parents and family.  I pray this little one grows up to have a fulfilling life and that I open my eyes wide to all the blessings I have surrounding me..including each of you.  I hate this disease but know that checking in with you often on this board has given me insight and inspriration.  We are all bonded now and I do feel a sense of pride that I am able to walk by your side and have you there for me too.  For that I say thanks.     Wow, the emotions must be bubbling up for me today.  Hope all you east coasters are doing ok and everyone else having a ray of sunshine too. ~Hugs..

Tazzy

Aruba - first of all congrats of being done.  2nd how sad about that little baby... OMG! as you say, really puts stuff in perspective eh?   Cannot even imagine what they must be going through.  No wonder you are feeling emotional.

chrisrenee: good news for you and December.

Hoping all are well and safe - hugs xxxxx

DigitalCowgirl

Happy Halloween dear Sisters!

ARUBA, your post was so touching.  I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes.  I too have so much to be thankful for and this board is one of them.  Thank you for putting things into perspective and for sharing your remarkable experience.  Congrats on completing your rad treatments too!. AWESOME! 

CHRISRENEE, that's great news!  I had my last fill yesterday and am counting down the days to exchange too. Won't it be great to have these hard things out soon?  I'm in some pain today, but after reading what Aruba wrote, that's all I'll say.  Nothing to complain about. 

I pray our girls in the path of Sandy and all OK.  

hugs

Scottiee1

Aruba, it does put things in perspective....it's one thing for us to be under those monster

machines, but a baby, your child, don't even want to think about it



PS....glad you are finished💃

Chrisrenee77

Thank you Tazzy!

Scottie- Mine are painful today, I had my fill today of 100ccs in each and they are throbbing pretty good. I am now at 750 ccs and am loving the size of the "temporary" girls. I can not wait until the bowling balls are off me. No, I agree after Aruba's post what do I have to complain about? I could not imagine how those parents are coping with it being their child who is sick, just breaks my heart.  Have you scheduled your surgery or know when you will be doing your exchange?

christy

KarenZ0305

Whenever I feel down in myself I tend to think of the babies and children and all the others who are worse off than me. Makes me out on my big girl pants and realize how fortunate I am. That I have love, support and resources to get through this horrible thing. My rads place still has no power but because I'm over halfway they aren't too worried missing some days.



Here is a sweet story that renews my faith in man after a disaster: today I went to the store with my sister to pick up some things I can put on the grill (yes you can grill spaghetti-o's!) and my sister and I are blah blah blahing away and we head home and I realize I left my wallet in the cart (3 months and still have chemo brain) so I race back to find it and can't. I go in the store not there. I leave my number and go to leave. Something told me to go back in and ask if they could ask over the loudspeaker. This being Halloween I do believe the veil between our world and the departed is thin enough so I believe my departed loved ones helped me out. Well some nice old man had it and said he wasn't sure if he should turn it in at the store or the police. I almost knocked him over hugging him! Times like this people can be greedy and mean. But not him.



That's my happy story of the day.