Hoosier Roll Call!

NatureGrrl · July 2009

I keep seeing the IL women thread pop up and it's got me curious about all us Hoosiers out there... I know there are at least a few other women from IN here and I know there are plenty of women just in my community with bc (there's a bc support group which, unfortunately for me, meets at night; so far, I've been too tired to attend except for once).

I'm Carol, West Lafayette (go, Purdue!) diagnosed in April and still reeling a bit from the whole idea, about half way through my chemo (dx details in my signature). I came back to IN about 1 1/2 years ago to help my mom when her ovarian cancer reoccured so you can imagine that I was blindsided this past spring to find out I have breast cancer. Not much fun to be dealing with my own cancer basically alone (friends and brothers too far away to help much but I appreciate their moral & emotional support!) while caregiving for my mom as well; fortunately, our ups and downs seem to be in opposition to each other so far, so when she's down for some reason I've had the strength to take care of her, and when I've been crashing she's been able to take care of herself with no major problems. Because I haven't been able to make connections with local bc women I've been really grateful for this board -- I have friends in other states and communities but having this board and being able to share with others who're going through this as well has been a huge help.

Just thought it would be fun to find other IN women... Any other Hoosiers out there who want to chime in?

webwriter · July 2009

Just wanted to drop by with a Hoosier Hey! I grew up over in Benton County. I've been gone a long while now, but couldn't resist your thread. I know of several others up that way that will probably be chiming in soon. Boilers ROCK!

dkhancock1948 · July 2009

Hi Carol: I am Debbie. I live about 1 1/2 hours east of you. Wow, for you and your mother to be going through cancer at the same time! It is good for you to be able to be there for each other. There is a woman and her son who are both going through cancer here in Galveston right now.

I have had my chemo, had a mastectomy in May and finished my 11th out of 33 radiations today. I had A/C 4xs and Taxol 4xs. When will you finish with chemo? Do you know if you will have radiation?

Have a good evening. Talk with you later.

NatureGrrl · July 2009

webwriter, LOVE your photo! Thanks for chiming in! You may have given me the nerve to post my own bald photo, if I can ever take one where I'm smiling (I do self-portraits before each chemo and I'm usually nervous and forget to smile!). Go, Boilers, indeed!

Debbie, we aren't far apart... I remember dating someone from Galveston back in college. I hope you're doing well with radiation -- that may or may not be in my plan. I'm just starting Taxol; should start Herceptin with it next week (if my mugascan comes back ok -- keep your fingers crossed for me). Chemo should end in 12 weeks or Sept. 23, I think. ("My Summer Vacation" essay will be a little different this year!). Then I have surgery and then maybe radiation. Herceptin for a year. That's my schedule so far! I'm just happy to be off the A/C and feeling a bit of something like normal return!!

Best to you both, and thanks for saying hi, and hope to hear from you in the future! Feel free to pm me if you ever want!

webwriter · July 2009

I have SO got to go to bed, but Carol, there is a FANTASTIC thread here you shouldn't miss about the whole bald thing. Check out "Embracing the Bald" started by another one of us that has a great sense of humor and a superb outlook on life, ReneeS. I just never could get into the wig thing...well other than for FUN (Ahem!)...and scarves just looked silly on me. I wore a few ball caps from my collection, but then it got hot. It's amazing how fast I started to forget I was bald when I went out! Now that it's growing back, all fuzzy and strange, I don't like it much, but bald? LOVED IT! Almost (but not quite) wish I could go back there!

And just because I suspect your sense of humor (is this a midwest thing?) is as warped as mine, don't miss "The Road to Hell (Laughter is the Best Medicine) started by Rock, aka Rock the Bald.

I think what you're doing is so incredible and I LOVE, Love, love the idea of a Hoosier thread! Thank you so much for starting it!

dkhancock, I belatedly left you a note about this thread in our Rads group. Guess you can ignore it now, haha! Isn't Hotbolt from IN too? Gotta get her in here!

Anonymous · July 2009

Hi ladies, I totally have to go to bed, too. However, I am joining in as an Indiana girl! We lived in Peoria for years (I was a member of that thread, too!), and moved to Crown Point just over two years ago.

I suck at directions, so I haven't the foggiest clue if I am close to anyone or not! There are a few other sisters in my area (WellWater, and KathyPrihode).

I was diagnosed in September of 2005, had been dx'd with Ovarian in Feb of 03, and just found out in April this year that I had colon cancer!!!!

Enough, already!!!

More later, but time for sleep!

webwriter · July 2009

Okay, so I suck at going to bed. Great to see you Whoopsie! You're way North of both, just so you know. ;-)

Galveston is just North of Logansport and West Lafayette is where Purdue is located. (My parents are in Rochester up near you, to the East tho!) I think Hotbolt is from somewhere close to Kokomo if I remember right.

Once upon a time, I did mortgage property inspections. I covered five counties. Both Galveston and Crown Point were in my area. None of you were all that far from my home base in Fowler!(Due South of you on 41 Whoopsie!)

Bee54 · July 2009

Hi Carol, I'm Vickie (nickname Bee), I live in Perrysville, In. It's about i think an hour away from you, not sure but been there many times. We would take kids to Lafayette Park years ago, my sons's dentist was in Layfayette, Dr. Ditto, he was really good with kids. We would come to go shopping, just to go somewhere different, I've always loved Lafayette. You probably know of Covington, In., we are about 8 miles from there, If you've heard of the Beef House, we are on south on st. rd. 63, about 5 miles. Very little town of 532 people, give or take a few..lol.

I'm very excited to meet more hoosiers, I would love to make some good friends, to share things with, so far I just haven't seemed to fit in even though I've tried. Let's hope that this is my new home and my new family.

Take care,

Bee

webwriter · July 2009

Bee! I hope this is your new home! There just aren't many people like Hoosiers! My beloved Gram was a Social Worker in Covington for many, many years! My mom was from Attica and my dad from Williamsport. It's a small, small world! I LOVE the Beef House!!!! Isn't there a place called "Arches" or something, a natural reserve in Perrysville?

Anonymous · July 2009

Okay, I know Covington (finally, I know a town that is mentioned!). My in-laws go to an herbalist there, and I accompanied my MIL for a trip out there once. It is teensy-weensy, isn't it?!

So, as of yet, is there a good half-way spot? I'd love to have a regular brunch club or something along those lines (as the California ladies do, and the Illinois ladies do, and I'm sure plenty of other groups in between!).

dkhancock1948 · July 2009

Good morning: Galveston is actually about 10 miles south of Logansport and 6 miles north of Kokomo. I live almost the same distance from Indianapolis as I do Lafayette or West Lafayette. My grandson is playing a little league game this morning @ 9:00 in Rossville (which is on the way to Lafayette on St. Rd. 26) at the high school. If they win, they play at 3:00. If they win that, they are done. It is double-elimination. It just seems crazy. The games are for 8 and under and they have a pitching machine. Forecasts show it is to be in the 80s today. I wonder about the humidity.

NatureGrrl · July 2009

Hey, everyone, sorry I didn't reply sooner, but I've been in enough pain from Taxol that I haven't felt like sitting in front of the computer for long... we'll see if I can make it through work today!

I'm going to get out my IN map and figure out where we all are (I have a general idea, but I'm going to see if there's a good midpoint).

For anyone not too far away, there is a BC support group at the YWCA in Lafayette, it meets once a month from 6:30-9PM (it's a long meeting, and because it's at night and I'm usually wiped out, I've only been once). I believe it's the last Tues. of every month. I know people in smaller communities may not have this option but if Laf. isn't too far it might be worth the drive. The one time I went, the women were wonderful, supportive, and welcoming.

More later!

dkhancock1948 · July 2009

I need to get my map out, too, to look at the different cities. We are getting a gentle rain in Galveston this morning. Hope it stays all day like this. We need it. Are you getting any rain your way?

How is everyone feeling? I will have #21 out of 33 rads today. Only 2 more weeks after this Friday. YEA!!!

Mona-Me · August 2009

Hello Indiana Girl!

Yes, I am from the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer the last part of March, had biopsy and then lumpectomy. I have undergone radiation; it will be 33 treatments altogether. I am now on my Boost treatments and next Thursday I will have my last treatment. Then it is on to the medical oncologist for further treatment. I believe I will be put on Tamoxifen. I have done well with the radiation phase; not really any serious side effects. Doctors are pleased with my outcome. I was so conscientous about my mammograms every year and I was really floored this year when they found my cancer; but thankful for having had mammograms every year. My mother suffered from breast cancer also and was receiving Herceptin IV. She passed away a week before my surgery not knowing of my situation. It has been a rough time since March for me, but my faith and my friends help me get through my treatments.

You hang in there and think positive. Blessings to you.

dkhancock1948 · August 2009

Mona-Me: I am so very sorry for you. How old was she? How long had she fought this? There is another thread called Power of Prayer.

I am glad you came here. It is a wonderful place to be. There are so many that can help you.

Debbie

Kindergarten · August 2009

Hi, everyone, I just found this thread!!!! I am back in Chesterton, In after being gone for 20 years. My sons were born in Crown Point and Merrillville and then we were moved to Pittsburgh. I did all my treatment at Magee Women's hospital. Since I started my aromasin study there, I go back there twice a year. Webwriter, my husband and I were in Birmingham, AL for one year. I volunteered at UAB at the Breast Cancer Center, then we were moved again to IN. My husband works for USS in Gary, IN.Hey, Whoopsidoodles and Wellwater, would love to get together again, I am so sorry that I have not kept up with you both. Summer has been a little crazy, visiting our sons and family. God bless you all, Kathy

Kindergarten · August 2009

Dear Mona-me, so sorry to hear about your mom. Here I was rambling about my personal life, not reading your post until I had finished mine. I will pray for your full healing and that precious memories keep you smiling. God bless you, Kathy

anotherstep1 · August 2009

Hello all hoosiers... I am in Franklin and feeling rather out of sorts today myself. I was diagnosed and treated (33 rads) and still feel like doggie dodo. Currently fighting something "wrong" with my mouth and being treated for that.. Rambling a bit here, sorry.

Hoosier Roll Call!

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