Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited February 2009

    Just wanted to stop in because I miss LJ so much.  Hey, LJ, why don't you set up a fb with your name as LJ and then leave your personal page blank (I don't pay much attention to mine), but then join our group, the January Jewels--Sisters in Survival, where we can talk without other eyes reading our stuff.  You can even set your security levels (which I think you were helping us do) so no one will find you.  I tried to hack in to my own site and couldn't. (Okay, I'm not a whiz with the computer, but I couldn't find myself anywhere!)  We really need your sensibility and humor.

    Oh, and Maz, I didn't hear about the Fri the 13th offer.  I'm not normally superstitious, either, but when I was going thru surgeries I had my first on Aug. 17, my second on Sep. 17 and when they offered me Oct. 17 for my third, I passed.  No need to throw superstition into the mix--surgery is stressful enough!  Thinking about you as you prepare--don't forget icepacks!!!  I got those ones with the blue gel in them from the drug store since you could mold them around the hurty spots.  I lived with them for way longer than medically necessary because it felt so good to numb everything...

    D1

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Aw, D1, that's so sweet. I thought I annoyed you  Wink

    I'm just passing a few minutes here before I start working again. Busy at work, won't have much chance to surf for the next couple of weeks.

    I hope all is going well with you and the rest of the gang.

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  • camazur
    camazur Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2009

    D1--Never heard of that superstition, but it's like 3 on a match...I don't know if I would have considered it.  Thanks for the ice pack tip.  I just checked my freezer and have 2 gel packs and have 2 that I got from the hospital that you put ice in.  

    My mom has one of those pillows with the arms that I will borrow.  Thanks for all the helpful hints and encouragement everyone.

    Love, Maz 

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  • sheshe48
    sheshe48 Member Posts: 338
    edited February 2009

    Paula  I'm so sorry about Ed's decision, keeping you in my prayers. Thanks for letting me know about Alaskian Deb, I used to chat with her sometimes, I just got so busy, so so sorry she was just a sweetie.

    LJ  So sorry about friend FUBC. All this bad news today just sucks. Stay positive everyone. D1 had a great suggestion, then we can all leave bc.org. Because everyone is reading our post. NO one is safe here.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Paula, thanks for the update here about Ed. I continue to wish the best for you and your family. If you get a chance, I'd like to know how his MRI turns out.

    Take care ...

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited February 2009

    You do annoy me, LJ.  But everyone needs a thorn in their side!  ;)

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2009

    Hi Ladies!  good news came today... biopsy is benign!  Looks like just some fatty tissue necrosis.  I have my follow up s/p biopsy Thursday.  Yay!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Woohoo Kathy ! I am so happy to hear the good news. (what's s/p?) Secret Pal?

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  • PAlady
    PAlady Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2009

    Kathy that is wonderful news!!! Congratulations!!

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2009

    Great news, Kathy!

    LJ- I have to echo D1's thoughts. Your insights and good advice are so valuable to the Jewels... I understand your desire for privacy and reluctance to delve into the FB world... never thought I'd be there, either. But, think about it... we're not complete w/o you, my friend.  

    Maz- lots of positive vibes heading your way this week...

    Paula 

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited February 2009

    LJ, okay we're almost beggin' gal ... I like the idea put forth to you for having an alias facebook name ... then jumping on with our discussion group.   I'm assuming you've tried to check out our "hopefully" secure site !!!

    My goodness ... been reading a bit on the HRT site ... ie, the Suzanne Somers bit, what a can or worms, eh?

    Miss ya gal ...  Carol

    Oh, not that you havn't thought about this already ,,, but you know I don't think many of us are really into the "setting" we've chosen for a reunion ... but a chance to yak it up in person with this special group of gals is what its all about,  and a location that offers a variety of entertainment/things to do is a bonus.      

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2009

    s/p is just medical jargon (sorry, I forget sometimes) for "after".  It stands for "status post".

    I and I have to echo the "I never thought I'd be on FB" comment by Paula.  But the site is growing on me.  However, I still like to check in here, plus I can check here from work but not FB.

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  • joteach
    joteach Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2009

    Fantastic news Kathy! Hurray for B-nine!!!

    Joan

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2009

    Hey Joan... are you on FB?  I can't find you.

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  • joteach
    joteach Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2009

    Yes, Kathy I'm on there (FB) . I have posted on some of the discussion boards.

    Dx 11/9/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited February 2009

    LJ, question for you.  Have you ever heard of a CT colonoscopy?  I went in for the CT of the spot in my lung this week and someone mentioned it, but I was so focused on what I was doing that I didn't follow up.  Sounds like it would be less invasive...

    Kathy/Joan, I'll see if I can suggest you guys be friends on fb.  I think there's an application for that, but I have to figure it out.

    D1

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2009

    D1- CT colonoscopy is showing promise as a less invasive alternative to conventional colonoscopy. You still have a tube inserted, but only into the rectum to instill gas (air, if you will) into the colon so that it can be seen on CT. IF you were found to have polyps, you'd have to undergo a regular colonoscopy to have them removed. Also, because of the expense, many insurances don't cover this. But it is considered equally effective in screening for cancer, according to the medical profession. I found this article on the New England Journal of Medicine website: 

     http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/357/14/1403

    Took a look at Ed's MRI last night. The swelling hasn't subsided at all, which isn't good... so, all the danged steroids are doing is increasing his appetite. He's eating constantly and has put on a good 10 lb. in the past few weeks. He's already a big boy (230 lb)...

    As for the tumors, they're still there. To my untrained eye, maybe a little worse. Not a lot of difference between the two scans, though. We'll get the official results on Monday. I hate Friday scans!  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    D1, they call them "virtual colonoscopy" and I concur with what Paula says. I found it tempting (well, as tempting as these things can be) and asked my onc about it, and he pointed out what Paula said, and said he'd rather just get the colonoscopy bec. they can just snip any polyps they find then and there.

    I'm finishing up the work month from hell soon, and first orders of business are a follow-up CT scan, getting the port out, and a mammogram. Sometime after that I'll have to do the colonoscopy thing. I really dread the "prep."

    Paula, thanks again for the update. As always my good thoughts are with you and your family.

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2009

    Thanks, LJ. Sorry to hear that work is rough this month. Sounds like you're going to have your own little version of March Madness with the medical appts... Do you have the CT scheduled yet?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Paula, not yet. I'm thinking I'll do that first, maybe late next week. Then get the port out. Then maybe a month later get the mammo. I don't want to get a mammo with that dam port in (can you imagine ... hearing the crunch as the paddles close ... ), and I don't want to get it too soon after the port is removed either so I don't pull the healing scar apart so much. Oh yeah, before the port removal I guess I'll have to get certified for surgery ... maybe another chest xray, EKG, and labs.

    You're right. Breast cancer is the gift that keeps giving and giving.

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited February 2009

    Thanks for the info on the CT Colon, guys.  I looked at the linked article and it supports what both of you have described.  What it doesn't say is if you have to have a contrast iv for CT colon--which is, of course, my only motivator...

    LOL at calling LJ's pending med appts her version of March Madness!  Even at 7:30 in the morning!  Seriously, LJ, I hope it all goes well.  I think you may be the only one of us who hasn't been deported, yet.  Def get that out and healed before the mammo.  The thought makes me cringe and I didn't even have a port.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get through it.  And of course, let us know what's going on so we can keep you in our thoughts.

    Hmmm.  Need a coffee refill.  Later.

    D1

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2009

    LJ:  I had a mammo with my port in.  It was no problem at all as the machine squished below the port, not on or near it.  So, you could do one before removal if you had to.

    Def. got a chuckle about "March Madness".

     D1:  I think most CTs work better with contrast, so I'd assume that yours would have it.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    I dunno Kath. Let me illustrate:

    Most women's boobs: > or )

    My boobs:  |

    They grab skin from the clavicle to the ribcage and two of them push me from the back into the machine to get an image while the third one grabs skin and squishes it between the plates. It's pitiful.

    No seriously, the port is about 2 inches from my nipp and is definitely in the squish zone.

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2009

    So, they verified what I saw on the MRI-- no change in the swelling. Waiting to hear where we go on the steroid dose....

    However, good news on the tumors. Looks like one is stable and 3 others are not enhancing as much (means less tumor activity) AND appear to be smaller! Hallelujah!!!

    Came home early to talk to dh about continuing treatment as it appears to be helping w/ tumor growth. Think he might go for it! Now, to get the next chemo appt ASAP... If I could have just convinced him to go ahead w/ his treatment last week, we wouldn't be scrambling right now... 

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2009

    LJ:  LOL!!  I feel your pain, girl!  That was me before the mastectomy (and augmentation on the remaining boob).  I swear they shoved my clavicle and ribs in there.  They definitely pulled on what little breast I had to get it in there.  I'd wait too, given that...

    Paula:  Hurray!  I am so happy for you that you got some positive news.  Maybe if they can get the tumors under control, then they can work on the swelling. Is it possible the swelling could subside after everything else "settles down"--- that maybe it's an inflammatory response to all the trauma in the area?? 

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  • camazur
    camazur Member Posts: 70
    edited February 2009
     
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Maz, you used invisible ink on that message ...

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited February 2009

    You crack me up, LJ!

    But she's right, Maz, that's invisible ink.

    D1

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  • LilWarrior
    LilWarrior Member Posts: 268
    edited March 2009

    HELLO LADIES,Yell

     ITS ME DANA. I am sorry I havent written in a while.  I dont know if I told you my Dad passed on October 25th, and then we had the Sylmar fires in cali where I live and I had to be evaculated twice. With the grace of God we didnt lose our home.  Then Jan 5th, my boyfriend got shot five times in Los angeles when he was going to the store and a guy starting shooting at someone and it hit my boyfriend five times, and another guy two times.  Again with the grace of God he survived but he is learning to walk again. I have been taking care of him daily which includes packing his bullet wounds, dressing him, feeding him, bathing and trying to get him to walk again.  Three bullets went thru his intestines and liver, and one in the bone spine and one in the arm that shattered his arm. 

    I havent taken my test because I really havent had the chance to refresh my mind on all that I learned but I will take it on the 30th of this month.  I had a biospy on my uterus and they found cancer so I will go back to Dr on the 19th of this month to talk about the surgery.  I pray that God gets me through all this.  I am still maintaining faith and I love God will all my heart!  I fall short alot because its hard sometimes taking him to his dr appt, and mine and taking care of him but I know that God doesnt give you anymore then you can handle. I still have cancer in the Liver and it hasnt grown, will get an mri again next month to see what its doing.  My onco wants to put me on zometa now - he states that it helps with metasis and with bone cancer (which I havent gotten yet - praise the lord).  I am still taking tamoxifen and zoladex (to block the hormones).  I wont need that anymore after the hystercomy.  I hope having this next surgery it will help with stopping the cancer from growing more.

     I miss you all and you Jewels are in my prayers.  I will check in again tomorrow to see if anyone of you wrote me back. 

    Love you all - I really do...

    God bless and keep God close to your heart.  Remember sometimes it seems that things are falling apart but they are actually falling in to place... God is love....

     xoxo

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  • PAlady
    PAlady Member Posts: 176
    edited March 2009

    Hi Dana!

    I just logged on here to see if I could find the last time you posted and lo and behold there you are! I had just come across your name on the address list and wondered how you are doing, Most of the ladies are posting over in Facebook right now.I am not sure how often anyone checks in here any more. I will them know you posted on here. I will pm you my info if you want to get added on to facebook.

    God bless you!

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