**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

                                           Calling All....... 

                                             March Warrior  Princesses                                                         

                                                NYC here we come.

                                                     More info tomorrow

                                    "

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010

    Hi Gals, I met with the PS surgeon today....loved him and he's easy on the eyes too..lol.

    Anyway I am scheduled for TE on the left on Feb 19th. Keep it for 5-6 months and then do exchange and get implant on the rt. He spent a lot of time explaining all the different types of procedures and we both feel that this is my best option. I had a few questions about the right because I just had to have that biopsied a few months ago due to a cluster of calcs. He knows I am still a little worried about that so he wants me to discuss this with my breast surgeon so I will see her on Monday.

    Overall I am very excited about my decision to proceed with recon. Thanks to everyone for giving me some knowledge about what to ask the PS.

    Hugs

    Beth

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited January 2010

    Beth...making the decision is usually the biggest battle.  I am sure you are relieved to have the process complete!  I can't wait till NYC trip...we will turn that town upside down!!

    Chris

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

                                          Attention all March Warrior Princesses   

                                                NYC Meet, Greet and Eat ..

                                                         is coming soon.

                                       April 8th (Thursday)  to April 11th ( Sunday).

    All are welcome to come either Thursday or Friday and leave whenever. Since I live close to the city I will be keeping that weekend  totally open .  Activities will be planned on all days.

    At this point we are looking to get a Roll Call of  all ladies who are interested.

    We will try to get our hotels on Priceline. This offers you good hotels at a fraction of their cost. Chris from PA and myself can help you all.  

    Also we would like to know what you would be interested in doing this weekend..,A  Broadway show,  museums, or maybe even shopping..   Ladies your input is important to us so we can plan an itinerary to include all that you would like to do.  

    Hugs,

    Beth and Francine     

    We both can't wait to meet you all...

     "

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Beth and Francine for planning the April trip.  Looking forward to meeting you all!

    Beth, congrats on your move to reconstruction.  I know you will be happy with the outcome. 

    LE....I only had the sentinol node removed and was never told anything about lymphedema.  I assume my risk is low but I do know I only get blood draws and BP checks on my R side now.....and I don't remember them mentioning that to me.  Hmmmm.

    Hugs

    Diane

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited January 2010

    Hi All,

     O.K.!  count me in for NYC!!! 

    Do we have a hotel preference at this point?  I haven't made a reservation yet but will some time this weekend.  I'm going to reserve a double so if anyone would like to share a room, let me know.

    As far as activities, a play is always nice and shopping of course!  And to tell you the truth, as often as I've been to NYC, I've never gone to see the Statue of Liberty or the top of the Empire State Bldg..  so I'd be up for that as well....

     But honestly, I'm just thrilled to meet some of you wonderful women who carried me through this adventure!!

    Have a great day!

    Beth

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

    Beth,

    Great to hear you will be coming to the Meet and Greet and of course Eat in NYC. I sent you a PM about waiting on hotels till we get more of an idea of how many are going.

    The Empire State Building does sound like fun. Haven't been there since my son was very little.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010

    Beth R and Diane....Welcome to the Meet, greeat and Eat NYC group. Great suggesstions.

    I am sitting here having my morning coffee with my I Love NY mug that my daughter gave me and thinking about meeting all of you.

    It will be wonderful.

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2010

    I'm in for NYC!  I will probably stay with my sister over at least one night, because she lives just a few minutes from the city.  Thank you for planning, Beth and Frances!

    Binney, thanks for that info about LE.  I'm always worried about it, and I'm never sure I'm doing enough to prevent it.  I don't own a sleeve, but when I flew to AZ in November I moved my arm a lot and was okay. 

    Did I tell you I decided not to get nipples this year?  I'm going to wait until next year and then reconsider it.  I see the PS on the 25th, so I'll be able to tell her then.

    Michelle

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited January 2010

    Hi all, I haven't been on the computer much this week bc my left arm is all wrapped up- makes it hard to type. I go in for my third visit this afternoon. I did only have one node removed- it was a false negative the day of surgery- two days later they came back and said no it had cancer in it after all. I refused further dissection- in my case they would have had to bring the PS back in to make sure the blood supply for my TRAM wasn't compromised- my surgeon said if I did the dissection I'd probably get LE. The only reason to do it was to determine whether I'd need radiation or not- and even with just one node I could still benefit from rads- so I decided to skip the dissection and just do rads.

    rads alone can cause LE too. As can all the scar tissue from the TRAM- my blood supply is hooked up at the second choice site (in my armpit instead of near my sternum) so I probably have more scar tissue in the axial area. I am really happy I didn't have the dissection - I feel like it might have made the difference between having a low managable grade of LE and something worse.

    I think once I get on the trail and get really moving I won't have too much trouble. I'll wear my sleeve unless it gets too cumbersome/hot. Losing a bunch of weight will help- but I'll probably need to get refitted for a smaller sleeve when I come home for a wedding in June. I lost 45 lbs the first time I thruhiked in 2001.

    I watched the video link- I saw that special when it was on a few months ago- I love all the aerial shots. The Appalchian Trail is such a special place- and the people really are the best part of it all- I have a group of friends who all hiked in 2001 who get together almost every year for a reunion.  And I have friends scattered along the trail to visit now.

     I am so pysched that I am going to get to have this wonderous experience not once but twice (at least- maybe more!) in my lifetime and this time hiking with the love of my life.

    I'll be in the general vicinity of Asheville NC April 8- I probably won't be able to make it up to NY.I hope everyone has a grand time- post lots of pics!

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited January 2010

    I had originally posted this on the Stage 3 board, but thought I would post it here as well. (Thanks Pickle for suggesting this!)

    I had to share this with you all.  My son Travis is 13 years old and he has a school project for Fine Arts to do.  It is called the "Song Project".  He had to pick four songs and explain how the song connected to him.  He was having a hard time trying to pick out the songs so I brought up some events like the KISS concert he went to this past summer and our trip to Disney a couple of years ago. 

    He sat and thought for a moment and said "I have the perfect song" .  With that he left the room and came back in about a 1/2 later.  He had written as to how this song connected to him and this is what he wrote.

    "My mom is a 1 year Breast Cancer Survivor.  She has been through the fight of her life.  If I could take the cancer away from her or take the fear of it coming back from her, I would.  She is my mom, my step-dads wife and she is a daughter.  My mom has always been there for me, even when she was sick from chemo, she was always there.  My mom is now feeling better and is doing some fundraising for breast cancer.  I ask her why she is doing this and she told me with hopes of someday finding a cure.  I hope they find a cure for Breast Cancer.  I love my mom so much. She is my inspiration"

    Needless to say, after I read what he wrote, I broke down and cried.  You just never know what your kids are thinking.....

    This is the song that he chose.  Listen closely to the lyrics....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5JXktq8G40

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited January 2010

    Kim,

    I am sitting here at work during my planning period...crying!!!  What a beautiful sentiment.  Give the boy a hug for me!

    Chris

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010

    Dayla: So sorry to hear about your arm. I do hope you feel better soon. It was an interesting read about blood vessl connections etc. Always learning something new here. We will miss you in NYC but I know you will have a fabulous time om your hiking trip.

    Thanks for posting that Kim. That is really special.

    Ok ladies here's the list so far. If I've missed anyone let me know and we are anxiously waiting to hear from the rest of you.

    Francine

    Beth P

    Beth R

    Chris

    Diane

    Michelle

    Nasharyne

    Malle

    Luv 2 Sing (pencilled in)...but I would love to put it in ink....lol

    Where are the rest of you?

    Bunny, Nadine, Buddy, Arnie,Ann Idiot, CCBaby, Chick(Tracy), Dawn, Gina, Cyndi, Janet, Janine,Luv2Sing, MaidMarion, Michelle54, Moborn, Mom_of_Boys, Ricki, Annette, Nasharyne, NYDeb, PattiB, Rachel....gosh I hope I haven't missed anyone

    Edited to add Nasharyne and Malle!

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010

    I went to Calgary yesterday and got my hair recolored and a few highlights. It was to a friend's hairdresser. Three hour drive....I know it's crazy but I got to have lunch with my brother and SIL and it was a beautiful day for driving. Anyhoo...the hairdresser just went through breast cancer. She finished chemo in August and then rads. She teaches color for Paul Mitchell salon products and is familiar with post chemo hair...lol. Anyway I was really happy with what she did but most importantly we spent four hours together....laughing...crying...hugging and I left there feeling like kindred spirits. I had never met her before but I think we were brought together for a reason and it was joyous and well worth the lengthy drive. Here is a pic...not a very good one but nonetheless I am so amazed by how much hair I have now.

     hair2

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited January 2010

    Beth...Your hair looks great!! She did a great job on the color and highlights!

    Kim...what your son said and the video both made me cry...that was so thoughtful of him

    Dayla...I am so sorry that you are having such pain with your arm. Do you feel like Erin (the therapist) is helping you?

    I am sorry I can't make it to the NYC trip since I will going back to New Orleans for my stage 2 in March

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

    Hi ladies,

    Kim..Yes I too was brought to tears by what your son said. You must be a terrific mother. Be proud of your son..

    Christy..We will miss you  in NYC but we can all understand.Good luck in NOLA.

    Dayla..Hope your arm improves. I know the fresh air of the trail will be great medicine. How wonderful to do the trail with the love of your life.

    Beth- Your hair looks great. Seems like you had a really great day. Our list is just starting to grow. We will have  grand type regardless of the number.

    Have a great weekend.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited January 2010

    Hello all...

    chiming in on the LE discussion.  I had 17 nodes removed and have had very minimal LE, even with lifting weights for exercise, and toddlers for ...well, for everything! My lumpectomy arm has very mild and barely noticeable swelling in the thumb and first two fingers, and that comes and goes. Heavy weed pulling flared up my whole arm for a good week, though. Perhaps it's the type of movement versus weight that matters? I've also had many paper cuts on that arm and no problem, but I always rush to clean them when they happen. 

    I suppose it's an individual thing, but in general, it appears that the more I keep moving that arm the fewer problems arise.

    Cheers,

    Nadine

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited January 2010

    Beth, you look gorgeous! Love the color and style, and how happy you look :)

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited January 2010

    Having the wrapping is annoying and itchy- but the swelling and the pain have both decreased a lot this week.

     Erin is great, I like her a lot. It s mostly the itchiness that is bothersome - and having gauze wrapped fingers makes it hard to type... Erin already ordered me a glove and when that comes in I'll probably be done with the wrapping. We leave in one month!!! I have so much to do!!

    I've been thinking of getting some color in my hair - maybe even going funky purple or maroon streaks. I def need a cut on the sides and back before I leave or I will end up with a mullet.  Its finally laying down most of the time at least- it did have a mind to do nothing but stick straight up!

    Dayla 

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  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2010

    Hi Ladies,

     Count me in for NYC.

     Cute Pic Beth

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010
    Welcom aboard Nasharyne!Smile
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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2010

    Kim, how wonderful that your son wrote that.  Very sweet boy!

    Beth, your hair looks great!

    I'm so excited to meet many of you in person!

    Michelle (changed my avatar, but this picture is a month old already).

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

    Michelle...Wow I do believe you have won the longest hair contest. LOL. YOu look great! Bangs too.

    Nadine...Your hair is coming along nicely,

    Ladies.. I am so excited that we have many looking forward to coming to NYC. We will paint the town red.. maybe pink. But I hate that pink stuff.

    Dayla..A month till your journey. I do hope your LE continues to improve.

    Hugs

    Francine

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010

    Michelle: Wow...you're hair looks great and I also believe you have the longest and it doesn't look curly. Is it?

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  • malleme
    malleme Member Posts: 210
    edited January 2010

    HI all

    I haven't been on in quite a while  but I would love to be included in the New York trip

    Malle

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  • MichelleinSJ
    MichelleinSJ Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2010

    Through your advice I started taking D3 everyday, and then my hair started growing quickly!  It's super curly, but I blow dry it out to get it to look like a style.  Thank goodness, I think it's like it was before.  I loved my hair, and I'm now really optimistic that it's still good to me.

     Michelle

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited January 2010
    Malle: Welcome to the NYC Meet, Greet and Eat. Smile
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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited January 2010

    Dayla...Maroon or purple streaks would look cool!

    Michelle....Your hair looks a lot longer than anyone else's. What brand of D3 do you take?

    My 1 year anniversary of finding my lump is tomorrow. It is hard to believe it has been a year. Today,  I was looking at pics of myself from a year ago, I don't even look like the same person. It is crazy to think that then I didn't have a clue what I was in store for the next year. Another girl on a different thread suggested a great idea about doing something positive on diagnosis day.  I go in tomorrow for my 15th Herceptin treatment. Only 2 left after this one. I never liked the month of March before, but I am looking forward to it this because I will be done with Herceptin and have my second stage of breast reconstruction surgery.  Then I will hopefully be done with everything

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited January 2010

     Hi,

    I take 4000 IU's of Vitamin D3 each day and my hair is not as long as Michelle's .I just think my hair grows slowly. But as I have said before I am enjoying my new hair and hope it stays curly..So different than before.I don't believe the brand of D3 makes any difference.

    Christy..I know how you feel. I have had a bunch of those anniversaries( lumpectomy, mastectomy) . As you said all of us never expected a year like this. I guess we just have to move on and look at the future and the positive things to come. I know you are pleased with your reconstruction and that is a positive thing. I too do not recognize the women I was  before but I like myself now and I am a new person.

    Dayla- Purple streaks would look great on the AppalachainTrail. One month till the start trip of a lifetime . How great..

    I go this Tuesday back to the Plastic Surgeon . Hopefully this will be my last fill. My filled breast is so hard and it always feels like I have an iron bra. But that could be due to the lat flap surgery too.I hope I get a date for my exchange. Eventually I will be free of surgeries.

    Great to see many interested in our NYC trip. We will have a great time. Can't wait.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • Luv2sing
    Luv2sing Member Posts: 145
    edited January 2010

    Okay.

    I am way behind on everything.  Everyone looks BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL!!!!  Please pencil me in for NY, I'm not sure if I can get away, but it would be wonderful to meet everyone.  I'll know better as it get's closer to the middle of March.  I've uploaded my most recent pic (taken 01/16) when I decided to blow dry and curl my hair.  Only did it for the day as it was too much to fuss with, I'll stick with the curly look ... it's easier to jump in and out of the shower (smile).  Just like everyone else, I'm looking back over this past year in disbelief and amazement.  Still having residual effects from the treatments, but glad to be past all that stuff.

    I wish all of you nothing but happiness in your future and hopefully I'll see you in NY.  Take care!

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