MI Survivors

Hi ladies,

Thanks to Nancy's directions I'm able to post again.  I was unable to log on and she gave me directions for cleaning up my hard drive.

My daughter is anxiously hoping to get pregnant again soon but I keep seeing scenes from Steel Magnolias in my mind. It's that hope that is getting her through losing her baby at 21 weeks, but I have my reservations on her trying pregnancy again.  No kidney damage is as far as I can wish for at this point.  As much as I'd love being a grandma, her health is paramount and I'd worry that she'd have a worse flare or suffer permanant organ damage with another pregnancy.  And that's assuming she doesn't have damage with this flare.

Her husband is not as inclined as she is to get pregnant again soon, as is her rheumatologist who is referring her to a hematologist and internal medicine to get pregnancy clearance in addition to her nephrologist. So, it looks like a few others may have to chime in before she gets the go-ahead.

 It looks (fingers crossed) as if she may be approaching better numbers in her blood work and we're still hoping that a kidney biopsy may be averted. She sees a nephrologist next week for the determination. Thank you ladies for your concern and good wishes.

Belated birthday wishes for Winggirl2.   I hope everyone is doing well. 

I just passed 5 years since diagnosis on January 27.  During the dark days of chemo this point was a distant anticipation.  I'm so grateful to be here. 

I look forward to seeing you all again soon.  

Gerri

Happy Belated Birthday Wings!

Hi all, just found this site. I live in the little town of Albion (on I94, between Jackson & Battle Creek) I was dx in July, 2008 had lumpectomy but didn't get it all so has left mastectomy in Sept. Can't do chemo because I also have an auto immune disease. I am 68 yrs old, 4 kids, 14 grandkids. But I'm NOT old. My grandkids call me ninjagrandma.

Hi Dear Sisters,

It's been awhile since I've posted.  I'm over here in Kalamazoo and we are in middle of another snowstorm.  We went to San Diego to visit son and family during Holidays and January.  Brrr, it is cold coming home.

I would still like to meet the group at one of your lunches.  Hopefully the next one you have.  I just hit 2 years since surgery.  I've celebrated each anniversary this year - the day I found the lump, the day I got my diagnosis, and now surgery.  I'm glad to be here.  I've met so many beautiful sisters since diagnosis.  And I've done more praying for all of them than in all my life.  I'm so sorry to hear about AlaskaDeb.  Never met her, but loved her posts.

Take care each and every one of you.  Stay warm and safe.  Love and prayers, Linda

Hi Linda and welcome back. 

I'm so done with this cold.  Maybe we will hit the 40's by the end of the week and we can call that another heat wave.  

We could meet in Chelsea, Fowlerville, Jackson??? Still too far East?  Name a place.  I was almost afraid to post since I've been a post killer lately.  LATER...

xxxooo

Nancy

Hi Linda...sending you some of our warmth...and sunshine

Chelsea, Jackson, or even Lansing works for me. I would even settle for Ann Arbor. Not sure where Fowlerville is?

Wings

I used to live in Chelsea, so really enjoy the center of the state. If y'all want to meet in Chelsea, can I suggest the Common Grill? But I'll go anywhere.

BTW, I got a job offer today! Think I'll take it -- the pay's a little lower than last job, but it's a job with benes, and I really like the people -

So 2 resumes, 2 interviews, 1 offer. Maybe the economy isn't as bad as I thought?

Sue - I've keep my eyes open for you and I'm so glad you found a job.  That gives us hope for this economy. 

Lunch is good for me - give me a yell and I'll be there.  I'll post the Race for the Cure stuff again soon.   Yep, maybe this year we will win the "most survivors" award.  How bittersweet is that?

Some news from my side is that my cousin tested BRCA1/2 negative.  I'm still getting tested in April. I'm also having surgery in April but that means I'll have some free time.  Whoopee! 

I have very sad news for everyone though.  I heard from Neesie and her DH has some serious health problems.  She needs our support right now.  I live pretty close to her and can get out that way if she needs me but just asking - 'what do you need'? It just sounds like words that we hear.  Let's send her all the positive vibes we can and help her however we can.  

xxxooo Nancy

Hello Michiganders,

I saw this group of posts on active topics and thought it was for survivors of myocardial infarction (MI), heart attack.  LOL

I'm glad to see it is about Michigan.  I was born in Traverse City and grew up in Houghton Lake.  When I was growing up my entire extended family lived in Michigan.  My Michigan roots go back to my great-great grandparents on both sides of the family.  I live in Missouri now but still feel like I'm a diisplaced Michigander.  My favorite place to vacation is by far Michigan.

We got 6 inches of snow and it was 4 degrees here yesterday.  That's close enough to Michigan winter weather for me.  It's really sunny and very bright today but still very cold.

I saw a Lorrie Anne sp? on here. I am a Lori Ann myself.  Anyway nice to meet some of my old home state survivors, and I'm glad you all didn't have to survive a heart attack also.  LOL

Well, I signed up for the walk. I'm pretty excited - I'm thinking of dragging my adolescent daughter along - it'd be good for her.

The walk is 2 days after my 25th AA anniversary - I'm planning on having a LOT to celebrate.

Sphynx - thanks for all your work on this 

Neesie - if you read this, you are in my thoughts. If there is something I can do to help - I'm not starting work for another week.

Nancy...for the wedding they had little pink cards on the table...they said...

In honor of those who have fought and lost,

in loving appreciation for those who have fought and won,

and in loving support of those who are still fighting...

Maybe some of these words can be used in your tribute to Kay and Alaska Deb. 

Looking good Michelle.  Welcome back!  How many years out are you?  I remember thinking I would be so happy when I can say I am that many years out.  It gives us hope. 

Chris - I think the wording is beautiful and put it on our team page:

http://www.active.com/donate/detroitRFTC09/wingsofhope 

I hope Gina and bc.org don't mind that I hot-linked to their sites for Kay and Deb's pictures.

Linda - do you know where in Dearborn?  Give a yell if you decide to go.

xxxooo

Nancy

Hi girls.................I've been hiding and relying on others as I just don't get here often anymore..... Thanks for the encouragement, prayers, thoughts and all for my DH.  We definitely have a long, hard road ahead of us.

I'll try to do better coming here.........I do miss you all!  I think most have my home email...(which gets checked all the time........especially now that I have DH home!)

Nancy, Bonnie and Faith have ALL my info...........so don't let me miss out on anything if I don't get back for a bit!

Hugs,

Denise

Hi everyone,

It seems like such a long time since I have written and so much has happened looking at the last 4 pages of posts.  I am so sorry I missed the luncheon in Brighton.  I had written to include me but had been down in bed sick the week prior to the lunch.  It took me almost 3 weeks to gain back the strength and still haven't gained back the 10 pounds I lost.  I'm glad to hear that another get-together is being planned.  We drive to Kalamazoo all the time to see our son's performances at Western so anywhere between Livonia and there is fine with me.  I hope it will work out this time.

As far as the cancer goes and post-surgery, all is going well.  I have some scarring issues on the chest (puckering) and am getting PT.  It seems to be working.  It's funny since where the incision is healed wonderfully, on both the breast and the leg.  It is where the 'new' tissue is attaching to the pectoral muscle in the chest.  Both the plastic surgeon and the physical therapist said they have never seen anything like it.  Leave it to me to be different.  I do not in any way regret the decision to have the TUG reconstruction or to have it done here rather than go back to SC.  It wasn't something the surgeon did or didn't do, but rather than what my body is doing.  The rheumatologist thinks that because I'm in a flare that the body is attacking itself trying to "fix" itself and the result is the process in my chest.  It's so funny that of all the incisions I have had, this was surgery number 21, none of the other ones have ever done this.  I'm hoping and praying that it will continue to get better.

I was so sorry to read about Kay.  Maybe I haven't gone back far enough, but did AlaskaDeb also leave us?  I was looking forward to possibly seeing her this summer when I go for my semi-annual job assignment in Alaska.  I fly into Anchorage and had hoped to possibly meet up with her.  If someone could let me know for sure I would appreciate it.

This may sound really stupid but just when is the walk?  I don't think I could do the 3 day but am pretty sure I could do one day.  I know we talked about it with those who were able to join us at the picnic at Kensington and that was before the 3 day last year.  I was able to go up and just sit on a picnic table and cheer on the walkers as they came into Rotary Park.  I bawled like a baby!  I was so proud of everyone and wanted to be part of the group so badly.  I had planned to walk last year until diagnosed in May and had the surgery the beginning of August.  I knew there was no way to walk, so the least I could do was be there and say "thank you" to those who were.  I would really like to be part of the Wings group this year for the one day if it would work out with the schedule.  Thanks ahead for the info.

Nessie, I'm not sure what you are going thru with your DH but my thoughts and prayers are with you and him.  Life sure is not fair at times.  I should probably get going and start dinner.  Take care everyone and I hope to see you either at the next lunch or the walk.  Take care.

Sunkistmi aka Wendy