Algreach, welcome aboard.  I'ts not the Good Ship Lollipop but we're on an interesting journey and we're going to get there in one piece!  Great to have you.  I will be willing your tests and of course your surgery go quickly and well...and that you find the waiting part not too difficult.  It does seem that waiting is the hardest thing we all seem to face.  Like Ezscriibe says ...once you know what's going on inside and your specific treatment plan it gets a lot easier.  I'm glad your sister is doing so well...yahoo!  I too have two sisters who are NED for over 5 years.  Neither one had breast cancer, however their cancers were more serious and aggressive than bc.  Research and new drugs have really improved the survival rate for people struck with any type of  cancer.  I am very thankful for research and all of the people who've previously agreed to go into trials.  It's one of the reasons I've agreed to go into a trial for radiation treatment.

Hi gang...I'm off to the mainland today to see my dear son.  Will be back on St Patrick's day.  By the way...my mom's father was "Paddy O'Connor".  I guess that makes me 1/4 Irisih.  Yahoo...I love the Irish so much.  They are my favourite people.  I read Angela's Ashes and laughed my head off...but only because a lot of it reminded me on my own childhood!  My sister said the same thing.  I recall when my sisters and I (5 girls) all slept in one double bed.  Three at one end and two at the other.  We all had to roll over together or there wasn't enough room in the bed.  If someone peed the bed they had to put their own pillow over the pee so it didn't spread to the rest of us. (My parents slept in the living room on a couch that went into a double bed).   I remember (once we got bunk beds and I had a bed to myself) delibertly peeing the bed this one time so I could get warm!  True story.  But, I digress.  LOL.  But I think our past really helps to develop our character, don't you think?  Who knows...my childhood may have prepared me well for what is on my plate today.  Do you know what's funny?  None of us kids ever thought we were poor because my parents didn't tell us.  When we asked "are we poor" (because some of the neighbourhood kids whould point at us and say that sort of thing) my mom would say, "No we are NOT poor.  In fact we are quite rich and we're happy.  In fact, we all have to wipe our own bums and so does the Queen.  We are no different than the Queen".  This would make us feel good.  We were like the Queen.  Food for thought, eh?

Elen!  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. A ceremony on the beach sounds lovely

Everyone, thanks for the lovely welcome and the encouraging thoughts!

Artsymom - I understand how you feel. Here's hoping everything goes smoothly and your surgery happens as planned on Wednesday. Hugs.

Dublin, I don't think I could have said that any better. Artsymom, you are not being silly at all. You are a strong woman and part of the fight is the waiting and your attitude. Hang in there girlie {hugs}

Artsymom,  I had an infection before my surgery.Doc said the antibotics they would give me to keep me from getting an infection at the surgical site would take care of my UTI.  It did.  BE SURE TO EAT YOGURT.  That will help the other side effects from the meds.  I am glad you found this forum.  Good luck Wed.  Luck of the Irish to you.

Pat

Artsymom, The morning of my surgery to remove my lymph nodes, I woke up with a very warm and pink breast.  I had my lumpectomy/SNB three weeks previous and had developed cellulitis.  I also didn't want the surgery cancelled, so I considered not telling the surgeon.  Common sense prevailed and I pointed it out to him, but he went ahead with it anyway, he didn't want to put it off either.  Besides, I already had the hospital jammies on!  I guess that the point here is that they can perform surgery when other medical situations arise, hopefully you got good news at the doctor today.  I hope that Wednesday goes well for you.  btw, your son is amazing, a truly empathetic young man.  You must be very proud of him.

Jeannie, I am so sorry for your troubles.  I don't know what to say, there really isn't anything that can make it better.  I hope that your husband is getting the best care, and that he is better soon.  Stay strong.

Thanks everyone for those words of pre-surgery experience and understanding.  The doctor gave me another dose of fluconazole for the yeast infections and 2 days worth of anitbiotics for the abscess.  They are working but the scary thing was that my doctor had a terrible cold.  She wasn't masked but thankfully I was.  Drove home with the windows wide open and it is only 2 degrees Celcius here!  Today I have a scratchy throat and a bit of a cough.  DRAT!  Hoping maybe this too is nerves.  I don't have a fever or anything and I am going to try to hold this cough in and not say anything about it.  Will juice as many vitamin C fruits today as possible.  Any other suggestions?

Jeannie I am so sorry about your troubles.  It really does rain when it pours.  I feel for you and I have little advice as I am just beginning my journey with bc but have had trouble with other family member's health.  My sister-in-law shared a quote with me too yesterday that I think is amazing and could be beneficial to you,  "pressure makes diamonds"  Hang in there, I'll be praying for you and your husband.  My sincerest sympathies for the loss of your Mother.  

artsymom 

Jeannie...so sorry to hear about your husband. I hope he gets well soon.

Algreach and artsymom welcome.  Yes, just getting through the day sometimes is the fight!

Jeannie! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, on top of everything else! I can't even imagine how one gets blood poisoning! I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and heart!

HI all ..

FINALLY got the surgical drain removed yesterday. It feels like Christmas! I got home last night and took a four mile walk then came home and crashed.    Kind of bittersweet because now the countdown to chemo starts .. (will know for sure what day on Monday) .. 

Jeannie .. my grandmother had blood poisoining .. ouch .. sorry to hear ... not the way that you want to take your mind off your own troubles?

Artsymom - hopefully you're at the hospital as we speak.  Good luck on your surgery.

Katiemom -- will remember "just keep swimming" especially on those days when walking seems to be an effort.

Teka .. %$*^! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!  May the luck of the Irish be with us all today and perhaps a leprechaun will come and steal all the cancer out of all of us!

Katie 

Olivia:

I too was initially diagnosed with DCIS in Nov 2009 but after surgery it turned out to be stage IIIc. After undergoing pet scan and mri it turns out it has now spread to my liver and humerus. I am now undergoing chemo and just trying to get along. I have had some complications and had to have my tissue expanders removed. I never thought I would endure 4 surgeries in just 6 wks, but I have and now and you just have to keep going. I understand how confusing and stressful all of this is and all I can say is be strong and you have plenty of support here. I have not posted a whole lot but I read a lot of posts and that has helped me feel like I am not alone in this. Good luck and I hope things start to turn around for you.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ezscriiibe-  that is too funny!!!   Thanks for the laugh.

Michele - that's the funniest story I have heard in a while...  what a crazy school!  We love that kind of stuff at my school.  OUr music teacher came in today with BRIGHT red hair!  We didn't send her home!

Katie

Have to get a tooth pulled this afternoon.  Does this stuff never end?  Not bc related but annoying nonetheless.