Crazy Sexy Cancer in Seattle

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Issymom - you look great!  Seriously, those Anton wigs are amazing.

    KW - yes, he is doing pretty well with the exception of creative writing (thinks it is a waste of his time and brain power).  He is generally interested in science (microbes) and recently is very interested in Greek Mythology.  He read all 5 of the Percy Jackson series (The Lightening Thief is the first in that series) and has plans to see the Lightening Thief when it comes out this weekend.

    Who is your oncologist?

  • kw212
    kw212 Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2010

    aprilgirl1 - my onc is Hannah Linden at SCCA. Yours? 

    Your boy sounds like a sweetie. Mine is into science, too. Maybe they'll team up one day and find the Cure :) 

  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2010

    Issymom--you look gorgeous!  I never would have guessed that was a wig.

  • seattle_sister
    seattle_sister Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    Hi - I just stumbled onto the Seattle thread and am so happy to hear from other NW survivors.  I had a bi-lat mx 12/09 with no recon.  I will finish Herceptin on 3/8 at the SCCA.  Also on Femara, and will start Zometa soon.  Anyone have right side abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea since finishing chemo?  I can't believe I made it through all that only to still be dealing with intestinal issues even now.  Maybe it's the Herceptin.  I have also had someone say it could be gastroparesis.  I'm working with a gastroenterologist in Bellevue to get it figured out.  I live in Issaquah.  So glad to find all of you!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Seattle sister - welcome!  Happy you found the Seattle thread. 

    I also go to SCCA - Dr. Ellis is my onc.  I was just there on Wednesday!  

    Sorry you are dealing with intestinal issues -I have not experienced that - but also did not have Herceptin.   Hope the gastroenterologist figures it out!

    I was supposed to start Zometa on Weds. but my insurance denied it -grrrr.....my onc. appealed it.  Hope the appeal works.

    Have a WONDERFUL sun filled weekend!

  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010

    seattle_sister - Glad you found this thread.  You are the third person I know of on this thread from Issaquah (including me).  I am at Overlake and getting ready for my 4th AC treatment next week and then onto Taxol. 

    Good luck on figuring out the gastro-intestinal issues.  That is so annoying.

    Lorrie

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Issymom - Congrats on the last week of AC!!!!! 

    I saw Madge24 and Golfer779 (Peg and Carol) this week and we are all looking forward to getting together soon and meeting in person.

  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2010

    Hello ladies!!  I'm glad more Seattlites are finding this thread!!  So it looks like many are in Issaquah, I'm in Maple Valley.  This week I go back to the BS, and start the Tumor Vaccine Trial at UW.  Next week I continue with Herceptin and see the Onc.  I'm also starting the ACTIVE program at Swedish (where I've had all my treatments/surgeries).  My hair is growing back (last chemo was 9/9/09, and is really curly (was totally straight before).  I would love to come to the next get together!!  Much Love!!  Jessica

    www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicam

  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2010

    I just have to pop in and say this weather is WONDERFUL!  Bellevue schools had mid-winter break this week so we did a lot of day trips -- Chuckanut Drive up to Bellingham, Long Beach, yesterday a chocolate tour in downtown Seattle.  It has been wonderful weather!

  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited February 2010

    seattle_sister.  I am the other issaquah gal.  Wow, sounds like you are close to being done-your last herceptin  is March 8.  That is great.  Hope your intestinal issues get better. 

    Verene

  • seattle_sister
    seattle_sister Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    So nice to be welcomed to this thread - and to hear of the others from Issaquah.  Many thanks for all the kind words.  Can't believe there are so many of us in Seattle going through all this.  My onc. at the SCCA is Dr. Rodler and my BS is Dr. Calhoun, who I will see this week.  On top of all the intestinal stuff, I noticed some skin changes since chemo and went to Swedish where they found a mole on my back that was a pre-melanoma and I have 17 stitches and some nasty pain.  I will be checked every 3 months so hopefully nothing else develops.  I've read online that it is common for brca patients to develop melanoma within the first year of treatment.  I had noticed my moles were darker since finishing chemo but thought it was from the chemo.  I blame chemo for everything.  Oh well, just another thing to add to the mix.  So glad to have found all of you!

  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    I just got back from a nice leisurely vacation in Palm Springs and have to say that a little sunshine does a body good!  Tough to wake up to cold Seattle today.

    I had asked about dates for a get together and got some feedback but it looks like many of us have pretty quiet March's planned because we are pretty open.  It looks like March 16th and 18th are the best dates for everyone so let's go with March 16th.  Red Robin at Pier 55 at 6:00pm.

    Jessica-did I know you were from Maple Valley??  I am also.  What the heck?  We are neighbors!

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Tracy

    Crazy, Sexy Cancer Spring Get together

    Red Robin Pier 55, Seattle 6:00pm

    March 16th 2010

  • libby
    libby Member Posts: 165
    edited February 2010

    Aloha from Hawaii!  I am getting warmed to the bone.  I totally agree that it does a body good.

    Now that we have a Red Robin date I'll put it on the "get together" site here at breastcancer.org. 

     Also, someone who visited this site is from Normandy Park, now I can't find their post.  If that is you and you'd like to get together for coffee, reply or PM me.

  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010

    Hi everyone ~ Just poppin' to say Hi!  It is so good to see everyone's smiling faces. Doing well here...just managing kids, life and reconstruction. Libby...while I have to say the weather here has been unbelievable....Hawaii sounds like paradise. Which Island are you enjoying?

    I am going to put the Red Robin gathering on the calendar. I couldn't get my act together for the last one (dec?) but will make a bigger effort now.

    Gina 

  • libby
    libby Member Posts: 165
    edited February 2010

    Gina, good to see you popping in.  We are on Oahu, exploring the outlying areas.  Big waves on the north shore are calling us today - hope to get some good pix of surfers - those people are older than I am but surf like 21 year olds.  Today is our 36th anniversary, going to the sun is our tradition every year we can, since we moved to Seattle.  How is the recon?  I've lost track of time, did you switch out to implants yet?  Unfortunately I am having to stay out of the water, nips aren't completely scab-free after 7 weeks, but they do look GREAT!  I have no complaints, even if I can only go in waist deep - I'm hopeful things will clear before we have to head home, but if not, it's a small price to pay.

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited February 2010

    Ginagina .... there you are.   Susan, Peg and I we're just talking about cha ... we're your ears burning?   Had the hunch that life was just moving along "and what better news than that" ?!?!?

    Feeling a bit jealous with all the talk of sun and fun ... first time in over 10 years we're not going to AZ for a spring cation.  Still healing up and there is no swinging golf clubs for me for another couple months.  Oh well .... the next cation will be worth the wait, and now reading Libby's report, I'll plan a "fipple" surgery accordingly !!!!!

     Putting the 16th on my calendar !!!!

  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited February 2010

    Look forward to meeting you other ladies!  I have the 16th on my calendar.

    Verene 

  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2010

    Hello ladies!!  I'll add the 16th to my calendar too!!  I'm finally going to be able to meet all of you!  Tracy~ wow, I didn't know you were in Maple Valley, it's such a nice place to live, really quiet!!

    Much Love, Jessica

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Hi!  I have the 16th to my calander too - at this point it's wide open (fingers crossed that my husband is in town!).  It will be great to meet everyone in person!

    Gina - your ears must have been burning - like Carol said Peg, Carol and I were just talking about you last week.  Good to hear from you.

    Hope everyone is having a great week!

  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2010

    On my calendar -- I get my first chemo treatment next Wednesday, so I should be in good shape by then!

  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010

    If you are counting, I will be there on the 16th as well.

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited February 2010

    Hello Seattle area ladies! I am in Moscow Idaho, pretty far away and wish I had a group like you guys. But I am going to Bothell in July for a music workshop. Are any of you in that neighborhood?

  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2010

    Seattle is one large neighborhood.  I'm sure we could pull something together for July!

  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited February 2010

    Gill-let us know when you are here and we will set a date for a get together.  We generally get together about once per quarter.

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited February 2010

    Anybody else doing the Chilly Hilly tomorrow?

    As still doing Taxol, will do 30k and not 50k, leaving off the large hills at the end of Bainbridge.  Have done twice before and figure I can trudge up the long ones.

    I am doing the Magnolia Loop as a warm up later today and did a ton of cycling last weekend.  So glad the weather is just great.

    Will indulge in some of the baked goods along the way.....and of course the chili!

  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited February 2010

    Hi Claire-Best of luck on the Chilly Hilly tomorrow.  Looks like the weather might hold out for you!  I am taking advantage of the weather by heading out for a good long walk this morning. 

    Have fun and of course enjoy the rewards!

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited February 2010
  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited February 2010

    Claire .... I'll be following in Tracy's footsteps with a walk today (a very wet one at that) .... but no bking here !!!    Best of luck for a fun and safe ride tomorrow. 

  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2010

    Hi yall - so good to see you all. Can't wait for the 16th.

    As luck would have it...right after I posted here last week...feeling like I had been ignoring my bc history, living in the moment...umm, I found a lump on my no-breast-tissue-here-chest. What a shocker. I got in to see my breast guy right away, and he was very serious when he felt it. So I had a little out-patient-surgery yesterday and now waiting for path on Mon or Tuesday. On visual inspection, he is not suspicious and described it as a cyst. There's a very good chance that is all it is. I am not sure whether to do a happy dance or feel bad for adding to the statistics of unnecessary procedures. Either way, I've had my head in the sand for a couple of months and although it's been bliss, its been naive. 

    I am feeling fine/calm right now, just added a 4th surgical scar to my body. The kids wont let me rest, but good friends brought over a yummy dinner so I am enjoying that.  

    I want to talk about 3-day when I see you all. I'd like to do it this year. 

  • Tina-in-Seattle
    Tina-in-Seattle Member Posts: 100
    edited February 2010

    Boy have I been out of the loop!  Welcome to all the new gals, sorry to have to meet you here but I'm glad to know you all.

    I am finished!  Just did my final recon in December!  Yay!  I have been cleaning like a shark I had this huge burst of energy and did everything that didn't get done last year because of treatments.  I still have more to do but I hit a wall.  I saw my BS last week who said I told you so!  Thanks doc!  HAHA!

    Gina I think you should do the happy dance.  It is nothing.  But it sucks you have yet another scar.  We all probably look the same like we've been punctured, poked, cut and whatever else.  Sorry the kids aren't giving you any rest if it is any help mine aren't either.  We are having to get my son evaluated on Monday at Children's for Asperger's.  He's been getting into loads of trouble at school and I cringe whenever my phone rings.  <sigh>

    I can't make the get together but am interested in doing the 3 day.  We're talking the Komen 3 day right?  Let me know what you all are thinking and if you could use a team member. That should give me a good kick in the pants to get back into the gym.

    Gillyone I'm in Bothell if you're around in July let me know we'll get together.

    Seattle-Sis my moles got darker after chemo, shoot all those years in the sun!  But most of them fell off after rads and I had one removed from my back a couple of weeks ago.  It was nothing thank God but you know how it always floats in the back of your mind.  I still need to do a colonoscopy and keep putting it off, stupid I know but once again that devil floating in the back of my mind.  I also had right side problems after treatment and still do occassionally.  One doc told me it could be some adhesions from a previous gallbladder surgery.  My oncologist told me that digestive changes are common during and sometime after treatment.  I hope the gastro guy can give you some answers.

    Well I am going to try to hit the hay, for what it's worth sleeping has become one of my issues these days.  I'm told it could be an SE from the Arimedex.  Who know, I just blame it all on BC treatments!

    Love to you all!

    Tina

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