Any Northern Virginia ladies on this discussion board?

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  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited August 2008

    Hi girls!  Just jumping in here to say that the fog that has been my life post-op has finally lifted!  I had my mast and recon on 8/4, and so appreciate all of you thinking of me.  I've had a heck of a recovery but am feeling better each day.  My abdomen is still numb to the touch, and the muscles are sore, but I've been off the heavy drugs for over a week, so life is good!

    I begin chemo next Thurs (9/4)...yet another adventure!  I would love to come meet you all on Saturday if I'm feeling up to it.  What time do you have in mind?

    -Em

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    Sat, Sept 6 sounds good to me -- anyone else?  What time ?   Even if just you and me, Monique - we gotta get this started... lol

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited August 2008

    Glad you are feeling better Emily! 

    I'll be out of town this weekend - camping!  Can't wait to sit by the fire and make smore's!! Laughing

    I know whoever can meet will have a good time!

    Dawn

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  • emilyjuanita
    emilyjuanita Member Posts: 52
    edited August 2008

    Hi everyone-

    I'm glad you are trying to get a lunch together.  I have my last AC treatment on September 4, so I may be feeling too wiped out by the 6th to meet.

    Em- glad to hear your surgery is over and done.  What type of chemo are you doing?

    Emily 

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  • Monique
    Monique Member Posts: 121
    edited August 2008

    Ladies of the area !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

               Nancy suggested meeting in Old town Alexandria (which has metro  and trolley acess).  I suggested meeting on Saturday Sept 6th. We do not have a time set yet?

               So far we have:

                          Monique, Nancy

                          Em and Emily are maybe's if they feel up to it. ( I hope you both feel great and can come)

               Anyone else joining us?

           

    Monique

         

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    I am glad to see this is getting started for a meet up.  Good luck to Em and emily if you can make it. And to anyone else also.   

     I had little problems with A/C, and so far not much with tx # 3 of weekly taxol and hereceptin yesterday.   They slowed the drip a lot and added a second bag of saline for hydration to keep the fluids going.  And I drank about a gallon of water before and during the tx.   And instead of iv of decadron, they gave me 2 pills, which then took less time than having it as a drip.   Then I had to pee several times -- what goes in has to come out.  

    Bonnie, I looked for you after I was doing peeing the last time, but think you had already left.   I hope your news is good.   Let me know.   AND, you gotta join us on the 6th if you can.

    Have a great weekend and be sure to treat yourself at least once a day.  HUGS,  Nancy 

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    SATURDAY, Sept 6 Meet up   --- La Madeleine French Bakery -- 11 A.M.

    Let's see how many can make it next Saturday at 11 AM.   Here is the link for info and address:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1026771

    At the corner of King and Pitt street in Old Town.  Across the driveway from the bus stops is where you catch the trolley.  Take the free trolley from the King Street metro about 8 blocks.  It will be on the right hand side of the street.  

    I will have on a pink hat over my bald head...!!!   Oh, and a pink scarf around my neck.  

    HUGS, Nancy 

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  • shari1232
    shari1232 Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2008

    Montgomery County girl chiming in.  Once I know exactly what I'm dealing with (lumpectomy and SNB results to come back Tuesday), I would like to join in something local to feel more grounded.  Right now, it's all too blurry...

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  • Monique
    Monique Member Posts: 121
    edited August 2008

    Welcome shari1232 - sorry you have to join us, but this is a great place for information and support :)  Please join us if you can.

    Plan sounds great Nancy - I can't wait - I will wear a pink hat also (I still have hair today, but probably won't have any by then!)    IT WILL GROW BACK, IT WILL GROW BACK

    I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

    Hugs to all, Monique

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2008

    It REALLY does grow back!!!  You will have bad hair days again!!  Laughing

    I SOOOOOOOOOOOO remember how you feel!! 

    Hope everyone had a good labor day weekend!  Did some of you meet up?

    Dawn

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  • Monique
    Monique Member Posts: 121
    edited September 2008

    Thanks Dawn I'll be grateful for the bad hair days I'm sure.

     Actually we are meeting this Saturday in Old town Alex - 11:00 - hope you can join us.

    Monique

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2008

    Well, DUH!!  I didn't even catch the Sept 6 line!!!

    Checking my calendar - hope to make it!!

    Thanks!

    Dawn

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    A L E R T !!!!!!!!!!

     I am cancelling the meet up for Saturday (tomorrow).  High winds and lots of rain are going to make a very nasty day to be out and about.

    Maybe we can do it next Saturday.     

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    Hi all:

    I hope you are all safe and dry.  Anyone want to try next Saturday, Sep 13, same place, same time?   La Madeleine, corner of King and Pitt in Old Town, Alexandria --  11:00 am.

    Is there a good old fashioned jewish deli around?  I do like "irish" corned beef, but would like a good kosher corned beef sandwich.  Not that food has much taste, but something for a change.

    HUGS,  Nancy 

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  • sharonw
    sharonw Member Posts: 86
    edited September 2008

    NOVA BC sisters-

    I hope you can help me in my quest - I am just backon the boards - am one year survivor - lumpectomy @ Georgetown with Willey, 4 x TC with Nicholas Robert, rads at NYU - 15 treatments in prone position, and am now desperately searching for comprehensive breast center for mammos, MRIs, and sonograms that I will be needing on a regular basis for follow-up - I am looking for a center where there are actual radiologists (not rad techs) that read mostly breast radiology tests and know what the hell they are looking at - my 2.7 cm tumor was missed for several years and I of course want to find a center that has newest digital mammo machines and upgraded MRIs-

     Any great recommendations??? I have been looking everywhere- Thanks for replies and godspeed and good health to all -

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited September 2008

    Hello!

    I live in Herndon.  Just newly diagnosed and starting chemo.  Would love to connect with others in the area.

    Colleen

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  • gk2bc0
    gk2bc0 Member Posts: 56
    edited September 2008

    Hi NOVA Ladies.  In response to sharonw...Dr. Rebecca Zuubier at Sibley' Breast Center was dogged in pursuing my diagnosis. Sibley has two dedicated breast radiologists. Dr. Z is wonderful Because this is my second time around I always feel confident that they won't miss something.  www.sullivancenter.sibley.org  

     Gail

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  • sharonw
    sharonw Member Posts: 86
    edited September 2008

    gk2bc0

    Thank you so much for the info at Sibley - quick ? - have you had MRI and sonograms there and do the rad docs meet to discuss results with you while youare still there (in case they needmore views, etc.??) - I know I seem a little anal about this, but I am determined to find a rads /breast center that meets these comprehensive requirements for me - did you also do surgery/chemo/and rads at Sibley??

    Sharon

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  • MelanieRose
    MelanieRose Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2008

    Like Gail, I think Dr. Zuurbier is great! Sibley is a wonderful facility for breast care--there's something very calming about the place. In response to Sharon's question--I've had a breast MRI, mammograms, and sonograms at Sibley. The sonograms were conducted by radiologists, so they provided immediate feedback. I also had a mastectomy and free TRAM there and had a very positive experience both times. The staff is terrific!

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  • sharonw
    sharonw Member Posts: 86
    edited September 2008

    MelanieRose  and Gail

    Can you also recommend an oncologist at Sibley?

    THX so much

    Sharon

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    If anyone is around Old Town, Alexandria, corner of King Street and Pitt - 11:00 - Saturday morning the 13th ---   I will do my best to be there at Madeleine's for a meet up.  If it is nice enough to sit outside, I will have at least a coffee in hand and a pink hat over my bald head.   I do have a bottle cover, pink with black letters - Cancer Sucks - so you can also look for that.   Hope you can make it.

     Hugs,  Nancy 

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  • MelanieRose
    MelanieRose Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2008

    Hi, Sharon--my oncologist is Lisa McGrail, and I think she's top notch. She is affiliated with Sibley, but her office is on Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase (about a block from the Friendship Heights Metro). 301-657-4588

    The radiation oncologist that I met with at Sibley (I ended up not needing rads) is Smitha Gollamudi. She's very easy to talk to and responsive to her patients.

    Best of luck!

    Melanie

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    HI All:

     I am hoping some of you will meet me at La Madeleine today at 11 am - Saturday, Sept 13...   Corner of King and Pitt.    Have a great weekend.    Nancy

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    HI All:

    I went over to Old Town yesterday only to find out King Street was shut down due to the Artists Festival.   It was very busy and of course hot, but I did hang out for an hour at La Madeleines.  

    If anyone wants to try this some other location, please post a reply.    

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    Bonnie:

     I know you have tx on Thursday - mine is scheduled for 1:30 - after onco visit, so I don't know if I will see you.   Good luck.

     Nancy 

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  • flyrzfan
    flyrzfan Member Posts: 557
    edited September 2008

    Hi Nancy, sorry I missed you ~ this round was not much better than last so I am not sure where we go from here. Never heard of someone having such a hard time on Taxol? I will know on Thursday if we are continuing, reducing again, or plugging on as is and just dealing. I'll look around for you before I go...

    Hope everyone else is doing well, I haven't been on in past two weeks but have kept you all in my prayers...here's hoping we can schedule another chance to meet up for lunch/brunch or coffee

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2008

    I'm sorry about Saturday Nancy!  We have been remodeling our kitchen since June and it rules our house................. got the fridge in night before last, above stove micro last night, maybe the stove tonight! woo hoo!!  granite on back order so while we'll be able to cook in the kitchen again (just had old stove for past months in the kitchen by itself!!), we'll still be washing dishes in our travel trailer for another month.  So glad we have the trailer cuz washing dishes in the bathtub just messes my knees up so bad!!  Good luck with your treatment today!

    Bonnie - I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time!  Good luck today.

    my mom had chemoembolization last week - treatment went well, morphine made her sick as a dog, she's been very weak and food has no taste................ now that it's a week and a half past, she is feeling stronger but saying she's not sure if she can do this again.  I told her it's her choice but this treatment may have given her another six months to a year and asked her to talk with the radiologist before deciding.  So hard.....................................

    Hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful weather!

    Dawn

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    Hugs (((( Dawn ))) and ((((( everyone else )))))).   I had # 6 of Taxol and Herceptin and totally crashed in the recliner when I go home and at 5:30 am - up and looking for food...   

     Bit of a hassle with my van ride -- they just dont seem to get it - as with most hospitals, there are several entrances and they seem to Think that the Cancer Center is NOT one of them.  The get me there just fine and dandy......    I am supposed to get certificates for free rides since it was "their mistake"...  The cost is 2.50 per ride - which is a bargain with parking and gasoline prices and it is strongly recommended that I do not drive immediately after treatments -- so we will wait and see...     

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    Update on the Metro Access van - funny in a way - they did admit that their drivers are not the smartest people in town and they rely on their GPS for directions too often...   When I mentioned that the person last night suggested a couple for a free ride - they said they would check into it and to look for an envelope in the mail.   

    IF you are not aware of Metro Access - it a curb to curb van pool system where you can get rides anywehere that the metro or metro bus serves - and to any place  - hospital, friends, restaurants, shopping mall, doctor office, grocery store - and the minimum cost is $ 2.50 per ride and maximum has been reduced to $ 4.00 per ride, based on distance.  My ride from Alexandria to Georgetown University Hospital is $ 2.50 each way.  Discount parking is $ 2 and with the price of gasoline and the hassle of traffic and the fact I am not supposed to drive  home after chemo, makes it a bargain.   Most of the time I have a private taxi with only me as the passenger.  Other times I have had to share the van with another person.   You can get the application online and your doctor has to fill out his/her section.   

    As you can tell, I am wired from the steroids yesterday...  I cleaned out the second bedroom closet - mainly because the shelf is falling down, which I realized yesterday when I went to get a sweatshirt to take for the a/c at chemo.  Stuff piled up all over the place, most to go to the trash.   Maintenance is supposed to come over and fix the shelf - I am in an apartment.    

    Enough rambling for now.  Let me know who wants to meet up in person one of these days before the weatehr shifts to cold.   HUGS,  nancy 

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  • lastminuteD
    lastminuteD Member Posts: 333
    edited September 2008

    Hi All!!  Hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend!!

     Hey Nancy!  The Metro Access rides sound like a good deal!  Have you asked your chemo nurses about decreasing/stopping the steroids?  When I was doing Taxol/Herceptin last August through November(weekly tx), the first tx was with both decadron and benedryl and since I didn't have any reaction the second treatment they lowered both and I drove myself to the next 10 tx.  I had them lower them when I did adriamycin/cytoxan from June to August(4 tx, one every 3 wks) - especially the benedryl!  I was DUH as soon as it hit!!  I could feel it and my husband would start laughing at me cuz he could see it!!  Laughing 

    Good news!!  We had my parents, grandma, oldest son and gf, daughter and roommate over for dinner - Mom's appetite is back!!  woo hoo!! It started yesterday and even better today.  She looked and sounded better - she even got some makeup on today!!  What a relief!  Tuesday will be two weeks since the chemoembolization treatment. Mom has an appt w/the radiologist on the 30th - he had wanted to do the other half of the tumor and other places the first week of October - guess we'll see.................

    I think we talked about Tyson's Corner Mall for a meet up.  How about meeting at the food court on 10/18?  Couple of weeks away, the weather shouldn't be too bad, lots of choices at the food court - might be crowded and loud however!  Other option might be Tyson's Galleria - other side of route 123 - there is a restaurant that has 4 or 5 different options with seating and is quieter than Tyson's Corner Mall.

    Dawn

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