Crazy Sexy Cancer in Seattle

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

    Tina -I'll keep you posted when plans are finalised. Thanks!

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  • Madge24
    Madge24 Member Posts: 150
    edited February 2010

    IssyMom -- Your wig from Anton's looks great!  I would never know it was a wig.  I had one too and loved it.  Anton's will tweak it too, if needed. I finished chemo last August and my hair has grown back even thicker than before.  It is curly which it never has been, typical for post chemo hair.  I also used a shampoo called Nioxin when it started growing back in and I think it helped. 

    I am one of those who comes from across the water; hope to see you all soon for dinner!

    Take care.

    Peggy

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited February 2010

    Hello ladies,

    Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  We had friends over for dinner for what has become an annual dinner so most of the people had not seen me since this time last year.  Huge difference in the hair and most everything else.  My hair is quite curly now (never was before) although I can tell it is going to go away as the newest hair, closest to my head is now growing out straight and it is only curly on the bottom few inches.  I love, love, love my curls though and would really like to keep them.  Oh well.  Glad to have hair!

    Gina-So sorry to hear about the lump, but hopefully you are right and it is nothing.  Unfortunately for all of us, I think our days of blissfully walking through life ignoring our bodies are over.  We all have to be super vigilant.

    Tina-Yippee on finishing!  Doesn't it feel great to know that you made it through the battlefield still in basically in tact?

    3 day questions.  I know I posted this somewhere else, but both Carol and I are doing it although on different teams.  Mine is a southend team (Maple Valley) and Carol's is a north end team.  They are the top two teams in the state so you can't go wrong with either one.   Here is my page and from there you can get to my team's page (Valley girls and Guys).  http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/SeattleEvent2010?px=2282716&pg=personal&fr_id=1471

    Here is Carol's and from there you can get to her team page (Kindred Spirits).

    http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/SeattleEvent2010?px=1727098&pg=personal&fr_id=1471

    Also if you sign up by March 9th there is a discount for the registration.  Use the word RESOLVE as a discount code and you get 25.00 off.  (Gosh, you would think they were paying me or something....I''ll get off my soapbox now!)

    Claire-hope you smashed it at Chilly Hilly!  You go girl!

    Jessica-Hey Neighbor!

    Have a good day everyone!

    Tracy 

    Crazy, Sexy Cancer Spring Get together

    Red Robin Pier 55, Seattle 6:00pm

    March 16th 2010

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

    Tracy .... look at you, the 3 Day ambassador, I hope like heck the Seattle participation will increase this year.  I reset my pedometer yesterday (deleted last years total), put a leisurely 9 miles on this weekend and it felt GREAT to get back out there !

    Gina, nothing but positive vibes being sent your way gal !!!!

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  • Madge24
    Madge24 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    Ladies -- I want to post a picture of one of our recent dinners at Red Robin.  Can anyone tell me how to do it?  You can PM me if you don't want to bother the others with this!

    Thanks!

    Peg

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  • Madge24
    Madge24 Member Posts: 150
    edited March 2010

    Ladies,

    Here I am again.  I just put a pic up of one of our Red Robin dinners as my avatar since that was the only way I could figure it out.  I wish you could see all those wonderful, beautiful women up close!  I think it was, from left, gina, kathie, libby, carol, then tracy on the other side of the table.   So hard to see.  If anyone knows how to put the photo in a message like this, so it is bigger do let me know!

    Peggy 

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

    Hi...thanks for the well wishes.  Yes, I did the Chilly Hilly, and had the most glorious day!

    My friend Amanda and I took our time and enjoyed the sights along the way.  The funniest was someone's pet rabbit who was watching the cyclists.

    The most amazing view of the mountains on the return ferry.  Couldn't believe how easy it was cycling home along Alaskan Way.  Had to look down to make sure my bicycle wasn't self-propelled.

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

    Claire - I was looking for you!  I did not participate - we went to Vancouver this weekend - returned Sunday morning at 1am.   Would have stayed over  night but my 7th grader had too much homework AND needed new Poine shoes (that fitting takes 2 hours). 

    What a beautiful day for the Chilly Hilly.  My dd and I were on the 12:20 ferry going to Seattle (for the pointe shoes) and it was full of bike riders.  I'm so happy for you that you did it (during chemo no less) and felt great.

    Hope to see you all in a couple of weeks!

    Happy March!

    Ginagina - please update us on the cyst - I can imagine that finding that really sucks - even if it is a benign cyst.  Prayers and positive thoughts for you!

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    I think I mentioned to most of you that last September I went to Las Vegas to meet several of the women on these boards.  It was great fun (I had never met any of them before) and they are now planning the second annual trip.  Anyone is welcome.  I am signed up and ready to go if any one else is interested in this year's trip.

    (2nd Annual Ta Ta Sisterhood Las Vegas Trip)

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/34/topic/747356 

    Tracy

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  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited March 2010

    Hi NW Girls...I haven't logged on in awhile.  We went to Hawaii for about 12 days to celebrate the end of my treatment.  I just wasn't ready to come home so we were able to extend our trip an extra five nights.  My sweet husband was so supportive of doing that after what I've been through this last year.  We are learning to live life and enjoy everyday to the fullest.  I missed the last get together so am really looking forward to meeting your gals in two weeks!  Patti

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2010

    Hi yall - thanks for all the good vibes/positive thoughts/prayers! Path is back, and it was benign. So, happy-dance-ing over here, however, I also need to adjust my perspective going forward.  I was reveling in the fact someone asked me just last week to buy a pink-ribbon-pin (I am thinking that I must finally not look like a cancer patient ~ yeah!). A good reality check. 

    Peggy - I will find the instructions for posting pics and PM it to you!

    Pattie and everyone ....looking forward to seeing you on the 16th! 

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

    Gina .... Can u here me from across the pond .... WHOOOOOHOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Gina great news!!!!

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  • daffodil45
    daffodil45 Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2010

    Hi all!

    Have not posted in awhile, and from now on can only post the most benign (pardon the pun) info.....I still lurk a lot though, and would LOVE to meet sometime.... I cannot make the 16th. So... this is what happened. I thought that posting here, especially with a "handle" was fairly safe and anonymous. Well, I googled my name ( I am a psychotherapist CA and WA license) and Boom! Up came my posts and my handle for this site!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmm. I guess nothing is really safe or anonymous in the cyber-world. Lesson learned.

    Hope my BI girls are all good.... April, I have not heard from you for so long!

    Anyway..... so long!

    Daff

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2010

    Thanks everyone!!

    I just sent Peggy a PM on the pic posting. Jeeze, it had been a while so I need a refresher. Anyway, thought I would repost an old pic here to make sure I had it correct. Let me know if there are any objections to this pic, and I will delete it. 

     

    Daff - I am kind of surprised that stuff from here would pop up in a google search, but there you go...guess you can't be too careful. 

    Looking forward to the 16th. 

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

    Hey - who's the old gray haired woman???!!! Oh, right - that's me !!!!  (for those who do not know me I stopped coloring my hair while on CMF and haven't started coloring it again - much to the dismay of my almost 13 yo dd).

    Gina - SO HAPPY to hear the news that the cyst was just a cyst.  UGH.  I can only imagine what you went thru.  

    Another sunny Seattle day!  Phoenix has had more rain in the last 2 months than all of last year.  My friend told me that it is so beautiful and green (which you all know is rarely the case).

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    Day 3 of chemo #1.  Yesterday has steriod perkiness; today I'm dragging a bit.  No nauseau, though, so I'm thankful.

    Got my wig -- looks just like my old hairstyle before I grew it out.  It looks good.  We'll see how I feel after I wear it every day.

    And good news!  I landed a job.  I start March 15, so our dinner will be the 2nd day on the job.  Yippee!  I am so ready to go back to work after being off since November.  Not so ready to start with this chemo, but my new boss was very supportive.

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

    Frosty, sounds like good news all the way around, looking forward to meeting on the 16th.



    Have a great weekend everyone !!!

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited March 2010

    Frosty-glad to hear you are feeling well.  I too like my wig.  I am really hoping that i don't mind wearing it, because it looks better than my hair.  Also, much less trouble making it look good!!  :)

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    I am looking forward to quick mornings going forward.  I'm hoping the red face thing goes away soon.  Had it yesterday morning and again this morning -- hot and red (day 4 after my first chemo).  Other benefits to no hair:  save money on hair color, hair cuts, shampoo. 

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  • janine151
    janine151 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2010

    hi....just found this thread.  I'm in Auburn.   Once I have a little more time, I'll try to read thru this whole thing.  :)

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Hi Janine151-glad you found us.  We are from all around the state actuall, not just Seattle.  I am a south ender myself-in Maple Valley.  It's quite a long thread so in case it takes you a bit to get through, you should know that we are getting together this month if you are interested.  We do it about quarterly and it is great to get to know everyone a little bit.

    This time will be March 16th at Red Robin at Pier 55 in Seattle at 6:00pm.  Hope you can make it.  We would love to meet you.  There are lots of other new ladies on here as well so hopefully we will have a good turnout.

    Happy Sunday! 

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010

    Question Fellow Seattlites,

    For the 2d time, my 10 year old has been growing her hair out to donate it.  The first time she did it. we lived in LA and I just took her to my salon for a hair cut and they took care of mailing it off to Locks for Love etc and gave her a free do [her first fancy job!].  Since then I have heard that there is some controversy over Locks for Love but that the American Cancer Society promotes hair donation in connection with Pantene.

    Does anyone know if there are salons that participate in the program or do people just cut it themselves and send it off?  Here in Seattle I have yet to even get a haircut. 

    Thanks all.

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  • kyasou
    kyasou Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    Hello Ladies!  I am looking for a recommendation for a reconstruction plastic surgeon in Seattle.  I had my bilateral mast. in October, so I need someone who is good at delayed recon. (TE with alloderm), preferably someone with priviledges at Swedish. 

    I have met with Karen Vaniver and have an appointment with Catherine Chatal....does anyone have any experience with either of these surgeons?  Is there anyone you have heard of, or had experience, that is really good? I am also limited to someone that takes United Healthcare, if that is helpful. 

    Thank you for any help....my brain is swimming and I am a little overwhelmed by my options and not knowing who to go to. 

    ~ Kristine.

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Wow!  Lots of questions.  OK the hair donation question.  I took my daughter to 7 Salon in Bellevue for her donation.  They need 10 inches for locks of love, she had 9.5 so we did Pantene instead.  You can just call any salon and ask if they will do a cut free for locks of love and if they take care of the donation.  We had to do the Pantene donation form on our own, but you can just go to their website and print it out.

    Plastic Surgeons-I used Wandra Miles at Swedish and I loved her, but I only had a reduction and lift after a lumpectomy.   I will let others chime in regarding their experience after mastectomy. 

    Hope everyone is doing well and I will plan to see anyone who can make it on March 16th at Red Robin on Pier 55 at 6:00pm.

    Tracy

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited March 2010

    I have not had my reconstruction yet but am planning to use Drew Welk at the Poly Clinic (across from Swedish).  I will be doing implants as well.

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  • libby
    libby Member Posts: 165
    edited March 2010

    I had bilateral reconstruction with implants and used Dr. Welk as well.  He is an exceptional plastic surgeon and I am very pleased with the results.  He has a great support staff and they run a "show and tell" the first Wednesday of every month, open to any woman who wants to see what the results of the different surgeries look like.  It's held right there at the clinic.  If you have more questions, the info is posted earlier in this thread or you can PM me.  I would call and talk to the staff about your insurance and see what they can work out.  To me having a really good plastic surgeon trumped choosing someone within the "network", you have to live with the results.  As for alloderm, I never heard him mention that he ever uses it.  I think he has his "tried and true" method and doesn't deviate much from that, but I could be wrong.  I'm hoping to be at Red Robin for our dinner on the 16th and we have a done a mini "show and tell" there before (in the BR of course), if you'd like to see the outcome.

    Gina, so happy the results of your biopsy were negative!!  You were on my mind.  I was just sunning myself in Hawaii and not communicating much.

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  • kyasou
    kyasou Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    Thank you to everyone so far for your recommendations.  Unfortunately, Dr. Miles and Dr. Welk don't take my insurance and we can't afford to go to someone who doesn't take it.  I have heard so many recommendations for Dr. Welk; he seems to have the best reputation in Seattle.  Again, thank you for the replies...does anyone else have a different recommendation? 

    Hoping to make the Red Robin date!

    ~ Kristine.

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    Virginia Mason, Dr. Beshlian.  I have heard rave reviews (used him for hand surgery years ago).  His RN runs a monthly program about reconstruction the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 630pm.  You can call her at Fe Ermitano 206 223 6778.  I really liked both of them when I met them to discuss my situation.  I'm a ways out from recon, but I plan to use Dr Beshlian.

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

    Piping in on the reconstruction surgeon question although I did not have TE's.  I did have a DIEP performed by Dr. Paige (primary) with Dr. Beshlian (assisting) at Virginia Mason just 8 weeks ago.   I'd totally recommend these surgeons and their staff. 

     I've been to both the PolyClinic Recon Support meeting and VM's with Fe numerous times.  I'd recommend attending one or both even if you have your surgery performed elsewhere. 

    Looking forward to the 16th ....... hey BI gals .... I'll be in touch if y'all want a ride to the ferry.

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