Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • Mich101
    Mich101 Member Posts: 529
    edited March 2010

    Julie - Yeah! I'll have a glass of wine for you too! Well, maybe a chocolate cookie instead. So glad you got your answer quickly - enjoy your evening! Hugs to you!

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited March 2010

    YEA JULIE !!!!!!!!!  YEA, YEA, YEA!!!!!!

    I am so happy for you.  I hope you did something to treat yourself!  Wine, donuts, chocolate.........something!!!!

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  • elf_song
    elf_song Member Posts: 163
    edited March 2010

    Hi~~  Just step in on the way to bed..  

    Julie Chi- I am glad you got your result and it's good one too... very happy for you~!~!

    Marilyn- sorry to hear about your chemo situation and I hope you feel better soon and did you find out who hit you??

    Marina- your little girl is beautiful and mature looks for 3month.. thanks for sharing the picture..

    Laura- you are a wonderful aunt and I know it breaks your heart that AriAnna is sick.. I hope AriAnna gets better soon.. give her gentle hug for me..^^

    Susan- I like you motel story, funny and spooky..  

    Jackie- I hope you feel better..

    Carolyn- good luck with your scans..

    Hi to - Wendy, BJ, Michele, Rita, Donna, Buddy, Navymom, Bustermom, Smerf, Rene, Connie,Jan Clare..

    OK, time for bed~~

    Goodnight and Sweet dreams~!

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2010

    Oh Julie.  My heart was sinking as I was reading your story.

    I had back pain a few weeks ago and went through the scariness of a bone scan too.  I was horrified.  I am so excited for you

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

    WAY TO GO JULIE! - SO RELIEVED! If it helps...every "scare" does make the next one a bit less nerve wracking. Enjoy this day!

    --------------------------------------------

    Wendrew - Awwwwwwwwwwww...your poor tummy! Oh sorry...too much baby talk these days. lol Hope you're feeling better this morning.

    Carolyn - I hope you can avoid the big, bad, ugly MRI machine! lol Although they're a god send when necessary, but they seem so loud and archaic. Hang in there and keep us posted.

    --------------------------------------------

    Was only up with Ari for an hour - from 2:30 to 3:30 and amazingly I fell back asleep until 5:30 - woo-hoo! lol I'm almost 50 (yikes), but HONEST, 95% of the time I feel as though I'm 30. I hope at 60, I will feel the same but heck, I'll settle for feeling 40! lol Ari is doing better. Her eyes look much better - we just have to keep up the regimen. Cough is only slightly better, but we're calling the Dr. this morning for her eye swab results and will mention the cough again.

    Got a call about a position I interviewed for. It's likely I will begin "training" at the end of March - it seems as though it will be a great opportunity and the best - is that it's part-time! Yeah. I was scheduled for jury duty at the end of the month,but I cld yesterday and got it moved up to next week. So - next week, I'll be doing the jury shuffle. Actually, I don't mind. Although I don't always agree with our "system" I feel that it is a civic duty. dh got a phone message yesterday from a company he sent a resume to. He'll call them back today - it would be so ironic if we both became re-employed at the same time. lol

    --------------------------------------

    It's supposed to be sunny all week here up north...hope it is by you too! Have a nice day girls.  

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited March 2010

    I absolutely love this --- Julie and her regularly scheduled paranoia can now PLEASE HAVE  A FRICKN' GLASS OF WINEand once again a complete thrill that it is only a degenerative,arthritic problem. So we will all have a happy, happy day for Julie and she can put away the obit section she was working on when she got her call.  Time to find solutions for back pain etc.  So very happy for you Julie. 

    Did not get on here again last night -- just too long a day.  Keep telling myself I'm not going to allow myself to get involved in so much...but it doesn't seem to work.  Those long days just sneak up and get totally out of my control. 

    Well, I'm sure today will be better along with the rest of the week.  There is going to be gradual warming --- around 55 later on.  SSsssh....can it be -- I'm pretty sure some Spring is sneaking in.  I'm keeping everything crosses.  Sun for a brief few minutes this a.m.  Sigh !!!  maybe it will come back.  Onward for the day which will be ok, but stunning if I were to have some sun.  See you all later.

    Jackie

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited March 2010

    "Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness -- happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes, when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love."                                                                               [Saint Adela Rogers Johns]

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  • zkacmom
    zkacmom Member Posts: 152
    edited March 2010

    Well my friends..I need prayers and good thoughts.  I had my avistan today and some bloodwork. Looks like my tumor markers are up.  January they were 247 and today they were 457.  So in 2 weeks I will be having a cat scan to see what is going.  Hopefully nothing but I just have this feeling that it is something.  I just cant win at this battle.  I have been so bummed out the past 2 weeks.  I started a new anti-dpressant(cymbalta).  I this works.  I have been having a neck problem.  It is really tight.  Was given a muscle relaxer but that didn't work.  So she gave me valium. I hope this helps.  Everyone tells me how great that I look but I sure do not feel that way.

    Anyways, wanted to give everyone a heads up.  I will actually get my results the same day as the scan.  Here they scan, then you go to the dr appt and then treatment if you have it.  So at the doctor appt they have the results already.

    Take everyone....If any of you watch Nascar, I will be at the race on Sunday in Atlanta...YEAH!!!!

    Ginny

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  • NavyMom
    NavyMom Member Posts: 1,099
    edited March 2010

    I love Nascar!  We have tx every year for the Chicagoland track(actually live about 10 minutes from there)  Have a great time with your friends and family.  Hoping for great weather.  Prayers and good thoughts for your scan results.  Hugs to you.

    Navy

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited March 2010

    Ginny so good to hear from you.  Sorry to hear these results. Maybe the results are temporarily high for a reason and will shoot right back down -- or the lab was wrong or -- so many things.  Hopefully the scan will clear it all up.

    See you all later.

    Jackie

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  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 2,017
    edited March 2010

    Oh Ginny, I am praying for you.  I am glad you have the valium to let that neck rest a bit.  You have so much going for you and we all are here in Illinois giving positive vibes.  I know not a thing about markers, but I have heard from these boards that just anything can set them awry..

                                                      .................................

    Now on a far less serious note.  I just made reservations to eat breakfast with the apes at LIncoln Park zoo to celebrate my daughter's birthday.  She loves the zoo so it is perfect.  I got the last tickets available.  I am so excited.  I will take pictures.  Breakfast time is their liveliest time.

    Susan

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  • makmak
    makmak Member Posts: 632
    edited March 2010

    Hello everyone.. Just reporting back after today's treatment... My blood counts were still good.. AND... My liver enzyme test came back with a huge improvement.. SO.. I am starting to feel a bit better that this chemo is working after all.. With not seeing much improvement in the breast after the two tx I was really starting to freak out...    The Claritin knocked me right out, and the nurse and my sister in law both said I looked like I downed a whole bottle of vodka.. JUST when I had to have a 30 min conference call..  Finally got to talk to the nutritionist.. who nixed my smoked salmon and caviar habit.. and I have to trade them for sardines to get my omega 3.. oh well.. whatever it takes to get better.. Heck I am drinking garlic/beet/potato juice for energy these days.. YUM!! 

    As far as the port, they recommended I see their Radiologist if the pain doesn't subside and he can check the placement with an Ultrasound and maybe move it if it's sitting on a nerve or something.. so that may be next week's activity while I am off chemo for 2 weeks...

    Oh Laura.. If you do organize a Northside lunch.. I'd love to meet everyone if I am up for it.. so please add me to your invite list!!!

    Marina

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  • jneumann
    jneumann Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2010

    Just finished my first week on Xeloda/Tykerb so you know why I haven't been chatty.  Boy those are some side effects, the nausea, stomach cramps and runs are terrible but I refuse to lower my Xeloda dose.  I want to beat this one this time.  My doc says week two is even worse, oh yeah!  He says to be prepared for the hand and feet sores along with mouth sores.  Isn't he just a barrel of good news!  I can do this, though!  And show my kids how tough I am.  I have bought Udder Creme which isn't that pretty smelling but if it works that's great!  Any recommendations as far as eating.  Seems to work easiest if I take the meds at 9 am then eat something about 9:30 - 10 am.  That's it, end of complaining! 

    Congrats to everyone that has been having great results - this is my motivational channel!

    Joann

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  • Mich101
    Mich101 Member Posts: 529
    edited March 2010

    Ginny-I don't know about tumor markers either, but know that I am sending good thoughts your way. Enjoy the races!

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited March 2010

    Oh Ginny............how I hate to hear that your markers are up!  You certainly will be in my prayers.  Tumor markers are just indicators and not all oncologists even believe in them so hang in there until you get the results of the scan.  If you need to talk, you have my number and I always have time.  Enjoy your day at the races!

    I see the oncologist tomorrow, too, I'm my typical nervous self tonight.  I have a feeling I won't be doing a lot of sleeping tonight.  Wish me luck.

    Wendy....how are you feeling?  I hope you're doing  better.

    Susan....I think your breakfast at the zoo sounds like so much fun! 

    Well, I'm going back to watching the gals on Idol.  They've got to do better than the guys did last night.

    Rita

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  • DonnaDio
    DonnaDio Member Posts: 905
    edited March 2010

    Hello LADIES!!! I am so behind here that i am just goin to start fresh!!! ALL is improving to a level that is just too awesome for words. Sleep being restored, joint pain being minimized to almost nothing and have a good balance goin on overall. Between my new Intergrative MD practice and my chiropractor ( female DR too) .. getting somewhere ..FINALLY!!! Thanks to all here who have listened to me moan and groan and were always supporting me in my sleep dysfunctions!!!NOW i can help others on so many levels since my post chemo era  was a challenge!!

    Ms Marilyn....Keep going!! Yes it is known for some to have their chemo protocol change!!!WE all react differently and that is why each of us have various experiences during this jounrey!! I was on Taxotere and Cytoxan and it was ok.. but the Neulasta shot did me in for a good 48 hours. I do remember each tx i felt more KICKED in theBUTT and i know how you are feeling. You will hopefully experience better times now that the protocol was adjusted. Here for you and keep coming here for the TLC and good support!

    I am tired and it is good!!!Not working alot these days and feels ok as i am so busy as it is.HAVE a sick husband with a cold and chest cough and it is doin me in!!!lolol...gotta love our DH;s.. i surely put him thru a few wringers last year and glad i am can help him BUT.. he needs to get better now!!!!hehe!

    Hi to all.. and Budders and Elk... shall we get the south side lunch goin for April after the thaw or what???

    ALL those in tests, retests, chemo and any ongoing issues... good thoughts and prayers goin.

    Sweet DREAMS,

    Donna

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  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 954
    edited March 2010

    HI ladies - sorry I haven't checked in.  Everything is fine with me.  I had my 2nd Actenol today.  No problems.  The first one gave me a little teeny bit of nausea but nothing today.  Just finished a nice long walk around the gym track so I'm trying to build that bone back.

    Ginny - so sorry to hear your news.  Please know you are in my thoughts.  I remember being told I looked great all the time and I remember it bothering me too. But then when my boss told me I looked tired, I didn't like hearing that either! 

    Julie - so glad to hear your news. I'm cracking up at everyone being so excited about arthritis!

    I just skimmed everything else as I don't have much time.  I did see that cute little baby Marina - what a doll!

    Good luck with the appt tomorrow Rita.

    Joann - I had terrible throat sores - could hardly eat. I existed on popsicles and lemon ice.  They tasted soooo good.  Good luck.

    Take care everyone!

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  • Carolyn422
    Carolyn422 Member Posts: 162
    edited March 2010

    Hi All! 

    Cancer Sucks, Sucks, Sucks! I had the mammogram & ultrasound. Instead of finding what they were looking for, they found a new mass hiding in a lymph node near my arm!  Now I need another core biopsy and I might need the MRI.  

    I know this doesn't mean that the mass is cancerous but it's in the same breast that has the very aggressively growing cancerous mass.  What are the chances it's not cancerous?  If it's cancerous that means I'll need a mastectomy.

    Did I mention....Cancer sucks!

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  • NavyMom
    NavyMom Member Posts: 1,099
    edited March 2010

    Yep.....Cancer Sucks.  Lets All Say It Together Now.......CANCER SUCKS. 

    Hang in there Carolyn,  I have something similar in axilla on the cancer side(already had bmx 6/09)  My BS will be removing it while my PS is doing my exchange next week.  They are comvinced that it is an inflamed(sp?) lymph node.  But agreed that it should come out and be biopsied. 

    Hugs to everyone

    Navy

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

    MORNING!   Ginny...I'm sorry. You've been such a trooper - it is possible your markers are NOT indicative of something bad. Best wishes with the scan and please keep us posted. Have fun at NASCAR - sounds like it will be a great time and a GREAT distraction. I wonder if Danika is racing?  

    Joann - Hang in there! It will get better...hopefully soon.  

    Rita - Glad there's no "reasons" other than dread about going to your appt today. Take a deep breath just before you walk into his office.  

    Donna - Sounds like you're truly on the mend! That's great news...have been wondering about you. Did you hear the latest FDA news? I pm'd you. Hope dh is better soon. When dh isn't happy..no body's happy! LOL

    -------------------------------------------

    Supposed to be another sunny day here. Had the longest night's sleep since Sunday! lol Since Ari's feeling better, I just may venture out and run some errands. Woo-Hoo! 

    Getting my 6-month Thyroid test done this afternoon. Will be anxiously awaiting the results. Although, I'm quite confidant all is well.

    Have a nice day! 

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2010

    Donna,   You sound terriffic.  WOW!  The old Donna is back, better than ever.  The kids are off school the first week of April.  I might try to get down to my folks in KY to see them.  Other than that any time will work for me. 

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited March 2010
    Thought for the Day
    You can not hurt your eyesight by looking on the bright side.
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  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 615
    edited March 2010

    Beautiful sunshine today! Boy, do we deserve it.

    Julie, so delighted to hear your good news. We love arthritis, bad discs, and spinal stenosis. Who knew?

    Ginny, thinking of you, and hoping for you to feel better.

    Rita, good luck with your appointment. When do we ever get to think these onc visits are routine? That's what my DH calls them, but I guess that is his doctor side. That's why I need you guys.

    Carolyn, sending good vibes to you from another triple neg gal.

    Connie, just thinking of your smile makes me feel good. I can imagine on this sunny day it is bigger than ever! Glad to hear you are tolerating the Actonel well. I have been jump roping for years to help prevent osteo, but now that hurts my back, so I'm on the treadmill only. I liked the jump rope because you could pack it in a suitcase, and take it anywhere. Thinking about what else I might do instead.

    Wendy, I'm so hoping your stomach is better, and you are outside to enjoy this great day.

    I spent yesterday online looking at Medicare part D plans, which I need to sign onto pronto. {Keep telling you all I'm old!} Very time consuming and confusing. I think I have it all sorted out though, and will sign on for something this week. Medicare now sends you a Medicare card three months before your b-day, and you need to opt out if you don't want it. They make that part of the process very easy, and can be done online. Very good site for that, but the drug thing is crazy. There are 70+ plans in Illinois.

    A big hello to everyone I didn't mention, and a hug for all.

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  • DonnaDio
    DonnaDio Member Posts: 905
    edited March 2010

    HELLO ALL..YES..CANCER SUCKS!!!!  Marilyn..it is tough to wait but it is all goin to be takened care of and that is the good news regardless. Maybe good it is found now versus after a surgery. Hang tough in spite of the anxiety ridden thoughts. Easier said than done.

    Been working with a gal in my area who is in the beginning part of her BC jounrey selecting her Dr's and course of treatment. Surreal it has been over a year where i was in same situation. Time does go fast in the whole scheme of things.

    Buddy...Hey and you too.. back and strong!!!Let;s see what is up with Elk song!!

    Doin a saliva test and urine and it is a all day ordeal! Retest to be sure all is working since my new protocol started 6 weeks ago!! Thought i had more drool than this...lolol.

    Laura...In  a post back a bit,, you mentioned bitter melon.. it is in my fiber gunk i drink!!!!ALSO..thank you for your support and always thinking of me as you do. Always know you are there. How is your furbaby doin btw.. have seen the great baby pics but you have no shown any pics of  Vinnie.. (right name??) lately!!!

    Ginny,Connie andJulie., RITA.. all good thoughts goin!!!

    Well got to go spit  in a vial.. be well and enjoy the day and SUNS:HINE!!!!!

    Donna

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  • DonnaDio
    DonnaDio Member Posts: 905
    edited March 2010

    Carolyn...oops not Marilyn!!!Sorry!!!!

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited March 2010

    WHEW!  I can breathe a sigh of relief again for a few months.  My bloodwork came out well and my tumor marker was a 20.  The onc is setting me up for a bone desity test.  We had a good discussion about tumor markers, weight control, sugars, and vitamin D levels and I left feeling pretty good.  You're right, smerf!  I don't think I'll ever get to the point where these visits are just "routine." 

    Donna, so glad that you're feeling so much better.  You do sound more like "your ol' self" again.  I'm so glad that you've been able to help another gal get through this journey.  She's lucky to have you!

    Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry that you've got more tests, a biopsy, and more scans ahead of you.  We all understand this part of the journey where things just don't seem to let up for us and there always seems to be a new hurdle.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Hope is a powerful tool and we're all hoping that this new mass is something that is easily "fixable" and very insignificant.  It could be so many different things so hang in there!  We are all here for you!

    SUNSHINE!   Hey, hey, hey!  My kind of day.  I am visiting a golfing friend this afternoon that has cancer.  It was discovered in a lymph node and the node was removed, but they can't seem to find the actual source of the cancer.  She's been doing chemo because her counts indicate that there are indeed cancer cells in her body.  It must be very hard to cope with this unknown.  They are guessing that it stems from some area in the digestive track.  So today we are going to chat the afternoon away. She is such a sweet person.

    Jackie, how are the flu symptoms doing?  Feel any better?  Maybe this sunshine will perk you up and help chase that virus away!

    Hugs to all of you!

    Rita

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  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 615
    edited March 2010

    Congrats, Rita! I'm really happy to hear of your good onc visit and blood test results. I don't think anyone has a routine visit with an oncologist. Much as I like mine, no one ever wants to be able to say "my onc." It is hard for my husband to get that. He tells me to "never think about it." Easy for him to say, but I think he hides his emotions about me in his doctor's brain. That's why, as always, I thank you for starting this thread, and letting us all know we are not alone.

    Hugs!

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  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 2,017
    edited March 2010

    I never allow students to use the word "suck" as I explain to them, that word is vulgar.

     But you know what , Cancer Does Suck!  I'll be the first to say it,  and you can quote me.

    Not just BC, but all cancer. I keep hearing all these ads for the Komen walk and walking for cures, and I am getting tired of them.  We have raised so much money and every time I turn around, someone has cancer.  Is it environmental and we can't compete with cures to match the negative effects of the environment on our bodies.

     Our dear friend (colon cancer spread to liver) is losing his battle.  Why can't we zap those cancer cells?  I never rant, but this is my rant for the year.  CANCER SUCKS!

    Susan (Who rarely speaks above a whisperMoney mouth)!

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2010

    I agree...I hate to say that word too.  BUT... It really does SUCK.

    I have another question.  Some of you girls mention knowing your markers.  Does everyone have them.  I just probably dont know mine.

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited March 2010

    Buddy, we all have markers.  A lot of Dr.'s don't bother with the test as I think the numbers can go up and down for a couple of other reasons.  No Dr. would rely on this alone but if all else is fine chances are this number would be too.  I never asked for mine to be done ( could have I guess ) but the oncology Dr. just ordered it and it is now a  routine part of my blood tests. 

    Another darn long day.  Yes.   cancer sucks.

    Jackie

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