Crazy Sexy Cancer in Seattle

Options
1…3233353738…56

Comments

  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited March 2010

    Chiming in on a surgeon.  Dr. Alison Perrin out of Northwest Hospital in North Seattle is absolutely wonderful.  She is a general surgeon, however, 50% or more of her practice is breast surgery and reconstruction.  She did a lumpectomy for me and every oncologist I have seen has commented on her wonderful work.  And she is really a wonderful person who gets favorable comments from hospital staff .  Hope to meet you on the 16th.....Patti

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mamaof3bugs
    mamaof3bugs Member Posts: 198
    edited March 2010
    Are you all up for a new member??  I am a 37 year old stay at home to three beautiful girls.  I live in Auburn and will be going to SCCA for chemo.  I started my tx's here in Auburn but have decided to go to SCCA for my chemo and radiation.  I was really excited to see a thread all about women here in the Seattle area...anyone just starting there journey? I will be starting chemo at the end of March/beginning of April.  I am looking forward to getting to know some local ladies that know exactly how I am feeling Laughing  I hope to chat will you soon, Angi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    mama - we have a March Chemo thread if you are interested.  It is a great resource on what we have experienced so far.  Feel free to join us.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janine151
    janine151 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2010

    hey ladies.  i won't be able to make it to dinner on the 16th because i'm going to a baby shower that night.  maybe the next one.  :) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janine151
    janine151 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2010

    i just realized!  today is my one year anniversary of starting chemo!  It's hard to believe I've been doing this for a year now.  I'm so close to being done.  Yay!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Mamaof3bugs-of course we are up for new members!  Glad you found us.  We are doing a get together this week on March 16th at Red Robin on Pier 55 in Seattle at 6:00 if you would like to join us.

    Here is who I have as coming this time-a pretty big group!

    Me-Tkone-Tracy

    Libby

    GinaGina-Gina

    Golfer779-Carol

    VMarie-Verene

    Cheers247-Jessica

    AprilGirl1-Susan

    Frosty1

    Issymom

    Madge24-Peggy

    PAP-Pattie

    Kyasou-Kristine

    I will try to get there early to reserve a table for us.  It will be under my name-Tracy.  Looking forward to seeing/meeting everyone.

    Tracy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Hello!  Mamaof3bugs - I'm not currently going thru chemo, but am a SCCA girl - did chemo there and see Dr. Ellis. Janine - sorry you can't make it, but hope to see you next time.

    Kyasou - hope you can come!  There will be a few of us on the ferry!

    See those of you who can make it on Tuesday!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kyasou
    kyasou Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    Thank you to all for your surgeon recommendations...  My head is still swirling and it is so hard to make a decision at this point; I'm sure many of you remember this feeling. 

    Unfortunately, Tuesday is Chemo day for me, so I will be sacked out at home for the night.  This will be my second-to-last chemo!  I hope to join you at the next get-together.  Have fun ladies!!

    ~ Kristine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    I am really looking forward to meeting all of you.  I love these discussion threads, but it is nice to have the face to face with people that understand what you are dealing with.

     See you all Tuesday!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2010

    Wow, it is so cool to see so many who can meet up tomorrow! I am really looking forward to it, and might even drag a friend along too...we'll see if she can get a sitter. She was diagnosed 2/2008, no-chemo-yes-rads. 

    Kristine -  along with others, I went to Polyclinic (Dr Frank Isik) for recon (I too had bilat mx-skin sparing-delayed recon). Almost done now with reconstruction and I am very, very happy!  I printed off a list of plastic dr in my plan and faxed it to my breast surgeon (Dr Clarfeld) and asked him to tell me the ones he recommended. Here is his short list.

    Dr Kevin Beshlian

    Dr Frank Isik

    Dr Kimberly Lu

    Dr Sarah McMillan

    Dr Marshall Partington

    Dr Richard "Drew" Welk

    You could ask the surgeon who did your bilat for their short list. Also consider waiting until you are done with chemo. Once you start feeling better, you can schedule a couple of consultations with your short listed doctors and then pick the one that you feel the best about. Trust me when I say...you will appreciate having something like this to focus on AFTER chemo.  Once you are done with chemo, dr appointments, blood tests etc. really drop off dramatically.  I finished chemo in June 09, finalized my plastic dr over the summer and had my tissue expanders (1st step for implant girls) in October 09. 

    Good luck with chemo tomorrow! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited March 2010

    I had such a great time last night!  What an awesome group of women.  I really enjoyed hearing your experiences of strength and hope.  Eventhough this site has been so great, there is something about meeting people in person that makes it so much more intimate and real.  Looking forward to getting to know all of you even more.

    Verene 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    So great to see everyone last night!  I hope the Bainbridgers had power when they returned home!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited March 2010

    I too had a great time last night.  I enjoyed meeting you all in person.  It was great to see life on the other side of treatments and surgeries.  It was very encouraging.  I look forward to getting together this summer.

    I too hope the Bainbridgers had power.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited March 2010

    Brenda, Verene and Lorrie I enjoyed meeting you all last eve. Although meeting as warriors fighting bc would not be our first choice, it's a remarkable sisterhood that when pushed to join, we can all find some positive experiences.



    I love the sense of humor that y'all share, boy it's hard on a gal with a sore tummy to laugh so much!



    Look forward to seeing many of the Crazy Seattle gals again soon, maybe in June at the Walk For The Cure on the 6th!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    SOO GREAT to see you all in person!  I really enjoyed seeing everyone last night, and sharing our stories.  It is very empowering to "hang" with such cool, savvy women who GET IT - I'm sure you all know what I mean.  For those of you who could not make it, hope to see you next time.

    FYI - we did not have power when we returned, but at about 9:45pm it came on.  My husband was just thrilled to finally use the generator.  One of the charms of Bainbridge is power outages a few times a year.  It's not just that ferry ride that lures us to Bainbridge!   I hope Carol had power - on the ferry she received a text from her husband that it had not yet come back on.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    It was great to meet all of you, and I echo the sentiment about meeting in person ... it is nice to hear from those of you that have gone before!

    I'm dealing with swollen ankles.  They look like elephant ankles.  I tried upping my water intake and my activity today, but no difference.  I'm wondering if it is because I'm deskbound now since I started working.  I'll call my onc tomorrow.

    Thanks for all the good thoughts and positive vibes from last night!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited March 2010

    TRACY!! I just saw this... HOW AWESOME you started it way back...:) :).... My favorite cousin lives in Seattle.... so if I ever get to your woods... I will call...:) :.......

    You ladies have a WONDERFUL group and a wonderful group leader!!!

    ((Tracy))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Frosty - for sure call your onc. or onc. nurse.  I wonder if it is a s/e of the steroid if you take one with chemo.  Oh the gift that keeps on giving - I'm sure it is just water retention, but still I imagine it is unwelcome.

    Estepp - Tracy is the best!  She did start this thread and organizes our get togethers!  I don't know where you live, but Seattle is a great city to visit!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Estepp--Love you girl!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited March 2010

    Hello ladies, sorry I did not make the dinner on Tuesday, I've been having some unexpected issues arise.  I'm having scans again next week along with my Herceptin treatment.  I'm determined to make the next meeting for sure!!!  It looks like everyone had a wonderful time!  Much Love, Jessica

    www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    Talked to my onc nurse today -- she agreed with me that it could be because I started a new job and am sitting at my desk instead of moving as much as I did before and not drinking as much water.  She's going to run it by the doctor, but for now, walk more, drink more and get some lovely old lady support hose.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janine151
    janine151 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2010

    howdy ladies!  hope everyone is doing well on this lovely, sunny washington day!  i'm trying to motivate myself to get off the couch and do some dishes before i go to my radiation appointment, but not having much luck.  :)  sounds like the meet up was a lot of fun.  hopefully i can make the next one! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010
    Here's to a beautiful first day of spring tomorrow.  I hope you all get a chance to get out and soak up some sunshine!  (I need a smiley with a wine glass so I can toast all of you)Cool
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Jessica - so sorry you are having some unexpected issues.  I hope they resolve quickly and are nothing serious. 

    Frosty - hope  you can rest your legs - elevate them while you soak up the beautiful weather! 

    As Frosty said, enjoy the first day/weekend of spring!!!!!  Janine - hope rads are going well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited March 2010

    Hi ladies,

    We had our auction/dinner for my 3 day team last night and it looks like we raised about $45,000.00!!!!  How's that for taking breast cancer down a notch?

    Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cheers247
    cheers247 Member Posts: 270
    edited March 2010

    Wow Tracy, that's AWESOME!!!  Great job!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Tracy - that is amazing!  Does that mean that you are done gathering donations?  What a great team!  There is a new Bainbridge Island team this year  - I am on the fence with joining them -the $2500 seems like such a big number!

     Hope everyone is doing well.  The countdown is on for spring break.  We are not going anywhere, but looking forward to relaxing at home and doing some fun things around Seattle.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kyasou
    kyasou Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2010

    I wanted to write a quick note to thank everyone for their recommendations for reconstruction surgeons.  I investigated most of the ones mentioned and I think I have found a keeper that actually takes my insurance!  My last chemo was yesterday, so I am on the 8 week countdown to the first of several surgeries.  Thank you for all your help and advice!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandiek9
    sandiek9 Member Posts: 54
    edited March 2010
    Hey Seattle Sister, Just saw that you're starting Zometa soon - I was supposed to start it with my first chemo (a week ago today) but my insurance balked and wouldn't pay for it. I have great insurance, so I'm wondering if you had any problems with your insurance. I'm sipposed to have Zometa infusions for 3 years - is that the same dosing you'll be having? I know the drug is not quite FDA approved yet for pre-mets usage, but should be getting the approval as soon as the study closes (next few wks hopefully). Any info on how to get this drug would be helpful! Thanks!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited March 2010

    vmarie -- how is the hair holding up?  I started waist down for a week and now my head hurts and it is starting to drift out.  I will probably buzz it even shorter this weekend just to be done.

    sandiek9 - my march chemo sister!  Glad to see you on the Seattle board!  This is a great group of ladies with a lot of great insights and laughter.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories