Any other young Manitobans out there??

Hi Everyone,

I got my chemo schedule for the next 3 months and it doesn't conflict with the conference. So, I am planning to register next week and hope to meet you all there.

Diane, thank you for the "experiment" info. I heard more news about it the next day and figured out that it was only one doctor. So, mind free from that now.

Melanie and Bev, it is a great suggestion for getting together over coffee someday. I agree that Melanie can suggest a few dates/times and we can set it up.

I got my scan last week and the results are mixed. effective for lung, but not liver (enlarged tumor); two new uptakes on spine, which really worries me. My onc doesn't want to change the treatment plan and want to scan again in 3 months and then decide;sigh.....

Grace

Sure, I would be up to getting together for a coffee.  Anytime before Feb 11 as that is my next treatment.  Week days are usually better for me.

Diane

Hi everyone,

   Tuesday works best for me although Wed. is also a possibility but I have apts in the am till 1100 if all is on time.  Morning is better for me as well. Thursday is out as that is my next treatment day.

   I'm so happy for you Melanie that you liked Dr. P., it will make a huge difference and it obviously was a good decision.

  Happily addicted to curling these days.

Diane.

Tuesday works for me as well. I will go to HSC for blood test at 9:00am and it won't take long. I can meet you ladies anywhere after 10:00. Look forward to seeing you all!

Good suggestion Diane.  Might work for Grace to coming from the HSC.

Bev

Hi Diane and Malenie,

Do you mean the elevator in the Market? I will try my best to make it at 10am. In any case I am late, could you give me a location to find you?

Bev, hope you feel better soon and see you at the conference.

Grace

Grace,

  Yes, the elevator in the market.   See you later, Ive got your cell #.  Sorry your not feeling well Bev.  Next time maybe we will meet in the afternoon.

  Diane

I am dissappointed that I never got to go this morning.  I was up for most of the night but finally fell asleep at one point.  (didn't get out of bed till 10:30)  Surgery will not be until March (ish) so I will be going to the conference at the end of Feb.  When it gets closer, maybe we can arrange a place to meet there. 

Spoke to my insurer and they are sending me back to work asap.  They will be getting me back to full time on a gradual basis.  I know I am lucky to be going back and to have a job but I am so scared that I will fall on my face.  I feel rushed, unprepared and still lacking energy.  I have heard that the return of energy can take a couple of years so I have to suck it up.

Who was able to make it this am?

Take Care Everyone,

Bev

Hello Bev,

Hope your feeling better each day.

Getting together in March would be great, and maybe the weather will be just a bit warmer by then.  I did go for a walk on the river trail after coffee yesterday and the sunshine did wonders for my soul.

I experienced the same feelings about returning to work in 2008 as you are.  My social worker said that  what I was feeling was completely normal .  I was angry at the disability worker for bringing it up and how I was spoken to.  The words that she used many times were something to the effect of  'now that your cancer is resolved', boy did I finally give her an earful.  Probably terminology that they use all the time but it rubbed me the wrong way.

Once I met with the reps, and went over the plans it was fine.  The first few days were two hours long then more each week until I got up to 12 hours( I work as a nurse ).  Just going through the motions of getting up making meals, and the mental business of having multiple conversations going on at once was something to get used to again.  It is like a bicycle,  it comes back to you, but I can relate to being scared about making mistakes.  Memory was an issue but I kept more notes and lists.  Words that normally would come to me didn't and that was hard at first, but after all it was almost a year and a half...so give yourself some time, and don't be to hard on yourself.  I had an incredibly understanding boss, and union behind my back to work so I was lucky.

BTW I had some scar revisions , and nipple  reconstruction while working so I found  that to be doable.  They are very nice at the Maples, but it is a different experience than the hospital.

Take care,

Diane

Hi Melanie,

I was getting my no. 6 chemo yesterday at HSC and just read yours and Bev's messages. I also hope your feets are much better today. I also understand how people around us don't understand what we are going through. I experienced the same. Since you look so healthy, I guess people expect you to do things that beyond your comfort zone. I hope you feel better now and please phone me or pm me if you need any assistance.

Sorry to hear Diane is in hospital now. Hope she recovers well. She looked so energetic only a few days ago when we met. this really scares me and I am sending her strength and hugs.

Sending you all hugs and thoughts!

Grace

Hi Everyone - I believe that I mis informed you on the conference.  I just looked at the registration info and it is called the 2010 Survivor Conference:  The Ripple Effect.  It is not soley for breast cancer.  It is for all cancers.  I kind of wish it was specifically for breast cancer but it still does sound interesting and beneficial. 

I have signed up.  Has anyone else?

Bev