SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Oh Betsy, I'm so glad you got the refund! Sometimes you just have to get in there and get all scrappy and demand that things be made right, good for you!

I know where Springfield is, I went to college there. So CC, do you think Branson could be the Missouri substitute for Vegas???? he...he...he.... Or we could rent a house at the Ozarks! Hey CC, do you think you could go if we choose a destination that is having a hair show at the same time, then you have a great excuse for writing off a business trip. I too am a hair stylist and am working hard at getting back my regular crush of clients. Like you I need to work as much as possible and taking more time off leaving those devoted ones in the lurch may not bode well. For the most part they have been incredibly supportive, but at some point I suppose a little consistency is in order.

Did anyone watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics? My son lives in Vancouver, BC and called to tell me he and his girlfriend were in the crowd of people running with the truck transporting the flame to the cauldron. He was pretty excited and said there are tons of free events going on in and around the city for everyone to participate in. All the schools are closed for the next two weeks. Sounds like fun!

Betsy....Springfield, MO is smack dab in the middle of the U.S.! Not too much here, just the main headquarters of Bass Pro and this is where Brad Pitt is from. His family still lives here. I just saw his brother Doug a couple of months ago at the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. He waved at me for some reason, I don't even know him! He is actually better looking than Brad!

LOL Echo! Lots of shows in Branson, but no gambling! Which school did you go to here? There are so many here. That's so cool that you are a hairstylist too! Thats awesome that your son and his girlfriend were there at the Olympics!!

I see the dates of our proposed get together moving further into the summer. Should we just go with the 2nd TaTa Sisterhood trip to Las Vegas in October? I have my name on that list but won't totally commit until later in the year.

As Betsy knows the Pacific Northwest is lovely in the summer. Hood River, where I live is a charming and very scenic town in the Columbia River Gorge that has garnered lots of attention over the past ten years as a great destination for all sorts of sports, food, wine and shopping. You could all come stay with me! Portland is a great city.......how many beds you got Bets? 

Either way, I'm still up for a meet up. Where ever you all decide you want to go!

You know Titan, that brain thing is the worst! I can feel good, no aches or pains, the bills paid, the weeds out of the garden, the horses happy, the cancer gone....or is it gone??well what if it comes back....but who will have the stamina to take care of me if it comes back...why is my incision puckering all of the sudden...cancer on my chest wall????this cough isn't going away, has it spread to my lungs???...and round and round I go.

A couple of weeks ago when my husband and I were in the Yucatan, I was sitting on the beach watching a wedding. It was nice and simple, about 20 friends and family, a sweet song playing as the bride and her girlfriends arrived. I sat on my chaise blubbering uncontrollably into my beach towel because I am convinced that I won't live long enough to see either of my children married, or have children or blah, blah, blah........ 

Titan, the bad things in our heads is part of this journey. Like the physical things, look it square in the eye, say, "f*%k off", and move on girl. We're gonna hang in there with you....no matter what

Thanks Kawee and Echo (again)...Last night I had a little talk with myself..I said..Joyce, you had surgery, you had chemo, you had rads, you had a clean mammo in Nov., your D3 is very good, you don't hurt anywhere,  QUIT WHINING!!   I felt a little stupid yelling at myself but I think it worked..plus you guys too...

I hate those what ifs too!   They can just f'** off too!

Of course it's all about the hair LOL! Betsy....what is the deal with this red-hot boob of yours! Have you seen the doc lately about it? Have they checked to see if it is some sort of staph infection? Is it left over from the original surgery or was this caused by rads? Should I just shut up now? sorry, I am so frustrated over this....so I can only imagine how sick and tired of it you must be, aaauuugghhhhhh!!!!!! Hang in there girl. BTW, I have a kid living in Canada if you need drugs.

Betsy, if you haven't been seen by a doctor in the last two days, please run, don't walk, to urgent care and get it seen today. This could be a cellulitis infection, which can become systemic very rapidly, and you don't want to go there.

Here's a page about emergency care for infection:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

Once it's all under control, how about getting a referral from any member of your medical team to a well-qualified lymphedema therapist for evaluation? They're the medical professionals who are trained to diagnose truncal lymphedema as well as treat it. Here's a page about finding one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

We could talk about hot tubs and swelling/infection if you'd like, just say the word. But for now do, please, get that redness checked out.

Very gentle hugs,
Binney

Betsy, so good to hear it's under control for now. Lymphedema often has an inflammatory response, especially in the breast. It causes pinkness or redness, and of course swelling, that is not infection. Once it's been determined that it is not active infection, the best and most lasting treatment for it is Manual Lymph Drainage massage that removes the fluid from the breast, and eliminates the cause of the inflammation. For that you need a very well-trained lymphedema therapist to teach you how to do it (order, direction, and amount of pressure are all crucial). Take DH along to learn it so he can do it for you -- it's gentle and...uh...stimulating. And done daily it'll really help with the inflammation.

You might consider drawing a line around the redness with a permanent marker so you can tell if/how it's changing.

Be well!
Binney

Kawee..not yet!  But it does seem to be going around! 

Had my 2nd 3 month check today..had to ask them to feel me up..now why would that be...I felt weird asking a dr to feel me up but whatever...didn't think I would have to ask..anyway..everything is cool for now...next step..mammo and bs and onc visit in May,..what a fun month..right!

He did spend alot of time with me answering several questions....I asked about scans and he said not necessary but if I really wanted one I could have one..going to think about it..not sure if I feel like freaking out again so soon..will NOT have it done in March..that is my bad month

Betsy..I have been off kilter also...I think it is because we are all going on a year now and we are thinking of what we were going through one year ago...I was doing pretty well brain wise and now I'm a little out of it....but we will come around.

I did not take the DH though I did think about it....

I would think that being felt up would be automatic!  Maybe the med. onc's don't do them as a matter of course?  I know my surgeon always does but I don't see him for a couple of months and I wasn't waiting until then.

I'm just not normally a person that goes around asking people to feel me up.that's all.

Peg, did you have a cold too?  My fevers gone, but cold is still there.  I swear I've sneezed 25 times today.

My Onco nurse called today.  Their all upset over there cause I won't take tamox.  She says the Dr. wants to see me on March 9.  Did any of you have to have that cancer blood test?