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  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2006
    I also suggested, that since it's her favorite snack, she take a bag of microwave popcorn and place it next to her breast and see if she couldn't make this a more fun, rewarding and edible experience. I was envisioning the nurse firing off the radiation machine from the next room and suddenly getting a whiff of butter in the air.



    My wife fears the radiation people may be harder to break in than the chemo nurses with our senses of humor.
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited January 2006
    Shemp: Good to hear from you, buddy! Yeah, there *is* light at the end of the tunnel, and it sounds as if you're getting closer. What's up with the "no cream" business? Are they saying she shouldn't use any in-between treatments unless they approve it? Sounds a little funny to me. My wife's radiologist was the one who told her to go out and get cream and use it...

    Kudos and you guys' sense of humor! No better way to get through this than with a healthy dose of laughs. Don't worry about the medical staff's reaction; main thing is to keep your wife amused, lol.

    Best,
    Greg
    P.S. My wife just started therapy for her lymphadema symptoms. She goes for a few more weeks and in addition they've prescribed at-home excercises. She was also supposed to have her 6 month mammagram the other day, but they couldn't do it b/c she was too swollen (another by-product of the lymphadema.) We'll get there, eventually...
  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2006

    Shemp - LOL at the popcorn! Hope you can keep the humor and your wife does well with radiation.

  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited January 2006
    Shemp!
    Only you would take the popcorn Idea! What a hoot your wife must have!

    Greg!
    That Lymph crap is the worst, but therapy is supposed to help. Has she gotten a sleeve yet? The Lymph girls here have all the information!
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited January 2006
    Cowgirl: Thanks for the reference to the lymph thread; I'll have to check that one out. Yah, she has a sleeve, but until now has only worn it when she travels (i.e., flies).
    Best,
    Greg
  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2006

    No one filled my wife in on Lymphedema at all. Had I not brought it up, I don't think a single one of her doctors would have said a word. I asked the rads nurse a question about it during the "simulation" and figured out my wife had not heard of Lymphedema at all. This is less than 1 week out from rads, and not one doctor of the several she's seen had uttered a word. This is definitely one of those times the board has been a help in learning about things.

  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited January 2006
    Hi guys ,
    Talking about how the boards have helped.
    I found a lump about a month ago, went to my gyn last monday he did a FNA it came back neg. but lump is still there I don't trust fna but at least it came back neg.
    Denise had a FNA and it came back neg. and she had IDC.
    SOOOO
    I called gyn and told him my concerns he scheduled me to come see him again 2/7 , in the mean while I went to see my GP today for med refills (I have asthma and my happy pill) He did an exam doesn't like the way it feels and has
    scheduled me for an Diagnostic Mamo and ultra sound and wants me to have it out asap. IF it weren't for the boards I would have taken the neg. and ran with it.

    I wanted to let you know what was going on in case it turns out to be something. But I think it is going to be okay it is just I can't afford to blow this off need to get it checked out.
  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2006

    Hey, I made my first ever animated gif! Check out the avatar!

  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited February 2006

    Cool! Your wife looks great - loved her as a blonde!!

  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Shemp: Did your wife have any nodes removed? The greater the number of nodes removed the greatest the chance of lymphadema. Btw, love the avatar! ;-)

    Carrie: Hang in there, girl. Thanks for letting us know. And GOOD for you for having it fully investigated! Keep us posted-and let's hear good news!

    Hugs to everybody (you too, Shemp--hope you don't mind)
    Greg
  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2006
    Quote:

    Shemp: Did your wife have any nodes removed? The greater the number of nodes removed the greatest the chance of lymphadema.




    Just 2, but the rad-onc nurse told us anytime you go in and mess with the lymph system, the risk is there, no matter how many nodes are removed. Who knows.

    Quote:

    Hugs to everybody (you too, Shemp--hope you don't mind)
    Greg



    As long as it's not in that kind of way! Maybe one of those hybrid handshakehugs with one hand doing the handshake and the opposite hand giving a firm slap to the back of the other guys shoulder.
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited February 2006
    You guys crack me up!
    Shemp- I didn't know that about the risk Denise had 5 removed. love the avatar your wife is so pretty!
    Thanks Greg- It has been scary.

    also wanted to let you know Cowgirl has been really sick with the flu,I talked to her this morning this is the first day she has been out of bed since the weekend.
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Shemp: You're right. Any time you mess with the nodes you're at risk. However, my wife's first incident with BC she had 2 nodes removed and NO symptoms of lymphadema. This time 'round she had 9 nodes removed and so far mild symptoms.

    And, about that hug, big guy, whatever you're comfortable with... ;-) Not to worry, though--you're wife is much-better looking than I can ever hope to be... ;-)

    Carrie: We're here for ya, babe. And, please give a shout-out to Cowgirl for us 'n tell her we miss her and hope she's feeling better.

    Greg
  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2006

    Just a quick hello gang! Everyone looks great! I am sick with the flu, as is my whole family! Oldest brought it home and shared! Anywho I am loopy and the goats are hungry so off I go!

  • OG_Lou
    OG_Lou Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2006
    Hi Guys and Gals

    My W had BS ed+, lumpectomy, months of rad, 7 years ago and took tamoxifen for 5 yrs. After BC surgery, her dog died, she was on Prozac [mostly about the dog] for 3 or 4 years.

    In that time peroid she was addicted to shopping (QVC junk to the tune of $5,200 a year, has backed off that thank goodness), all new furniture, appliances, TV's, shoes and purses, any excuse for buying gifts, looking at new cars too. Only drives 4,000 miles a year and her car had 36,000 miles on it.

    Needles to say, I want to support her but some things were/are out of control. I do what I can without being a door mat. Sometimes I feel like the parent and sometimes like a husband.

    Enough about the relationship. I have been working on that too for 3 years now. Some progress but still a way to go.

    I just started reading the BC forum. I read another forum about a year ago about women's aging issues to try to help my wife. She won't read any web information, so I kind of do it for her and us.

    So many sad stories here ( example=age 26 with 2 kids) but I see a lot of spirit comming from the women with BC. No more swinsuit calendar for me. Yes ladies,people who complain about the color of motorhomes is trivial ( one BC survivor's story about stupid things healthy people complain about).

    BCHusband2, I see you have a little more tact than I have. Good for you. I am not a troll, heartless, or a thrill seeker. I don't want to offend anyone either. I am rather direct but a caring person IRL.

    On another thread I did ask some questions and was helped rather politely. I did chat one time to ask some questions and was told to get off. Not a pleasant experience, but I can kind of understand some women only want other women to read their posts.

    Nothing much to add or ask right now. Just wanted to say BC impacts the [caring men] in the womans life.

    Best wishes and huggs to all,
    Lou
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited February 2006
    Lou,
    Fear not, you welcomed here !
    The guys and the ladies here are supportive and helpful.
    I am sure one of the guys will be by soon to welcome you.
  • joannar
    joannar Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2006
    Carrie, although the chances of this being nothing are high, it's much better to be 100% sure given that early detection is so important. You are right we have learned a lot from this board!
    I am still puzzled as to why some doctors are willing to roll the dice with other people's life and tell them to do nothing. I know... stats.... bla, bla, bla...
    Glad that you are getting to the bottom of this.
    Best wishes for you!!!!

    Cowgirl: Hope you are getting better from the flu and make sure not to pass it to your goats!! Can goats get the flu?

    Shemp: Good luck to you and your wife in the rads. Great job with the pix!

    Greg: Hope your wife treatment for lymphodema works well. Question for you, mi DW has 3 LN taken out and shows no signs of swelling or trouble, however the onc suggested Joanna wrap her arm when flying for prevention? ever heard of this?

    Alex
  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2006
    Oh we washed the goats today and worked cattle. The goats look soooo pretty, they just prance around like they are so special after they are bathed.

    One cow chased me today, I fully felt sick but she didn't seem to care! I love working cows, but when they are crazy you get really scared! She was so pretty, yet so crazy!

    So far no goats have the flu! They did miss me though and that felt good!!
  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2006
    Quote:

    the onc suggested Joanna wrap her arm when flying for prevention? ever heard of this?








    I've seen that mentioned several places. Probably worth the "ounce of prevention." I wonder how tight the sleeve is and if an Ace bandage can't do the same thing.



    And hi Lou, welcome to the frat!
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Lou: Welcome to the thread; you've come to the right place. If you haven't done so already, I would highly recommend you get a hold of a copy of Marc Silver's "The Breast Cancer Husband;" it is arguably the best guide out there regarding virtually every aspect of this disease that a man needs to know about, as well as tips for what to do/not do.

    Also, regarding the shopping mania you described, we have a widow-friend of ours who lives across the street who is currently going through chemo for a different type of cancer, and she admitted to my wife recently that she can't stop spending money (mostly online); so I guess this phenomena is not that uncommon. Fortunately, while my wife was being treated she was too ill to think about shopping, lol. Good luck, and keep us posted.

    Carrie: Nice picture (anyone in particular?)

    Alex: Nice to see you here, again, bro. How are things, in general? Yes, and your wife should wear a protective sleeve when flying (it's the recommended thing to do, to reduce risk of lymphadema.)

    Cowgirl: No sh%^&t--you really *ARE* a cowgirl! (blushing) How cool is that?! Actually, my sis in law is a big animal vet and lives on a farm (but she's about 12 hours away from us.) Anyway, I hope you're feeling better.

    Best to everybody,
    Greg
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited February 2006
    Hey greg here's picture of their goats the little girl in the atavar is my 3yr old grandbaby Koyri


    image
  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2006
    I could have taken so many pictures of the cows yesterday. Sometime this week I am going to, there are so many and some are so beautiful! Thanks Greg, I grew up a big city girl and never saw a cow up close until I was in college.

    I think my kids are so lucky to see these wonderful animals upclose so often. I stand amazed by them everyday, but remember I am still staying pretty safe, Hubby and BIL are the ones out there with the crazy cows at all times!

    I just love animals, they give you such a wonderful feeling seeing what grace they have!
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Carrie: What an adorable little girl (your grand-daughter). I hope she'll be a steady source of joy for her parents and you. And those goats are pretty cute, too, lol. They remind me a little bit of a breed of dog called Saluki, what with the long thin faces and long, droopy ears. Btw, how do you post a picture inside the body of a message?

    Cowgirl: City-girl-turned-cowgirl--even cooler! As for animals, at the moment, we're down to one parakeet and four guinea pigs (down from our all-time total of 27, when we became defacto breeders--that's what happens when you put a male and female together in the same cage--duh!)

    Best,
    Greg
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited February 2006

    Greg I sent you a pm.

  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2006
    Greg We want pictures of your guinea pigs! We have one I just love her!

    The goats are still prancing around, they look so pretty, soon I will shave them and start making them all pretty everyday!
  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Carrie: Got it; thanks.

    Cowgirl: Heck, you can *have* the guinea pigs. Supposedly, there my daughter's pets. But, I'll give you one guess who feeds them and cleans their cage?! I'm thinking of "trading them in" for a dog. What do you think?

    Greg
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited February 2006
    Hi all
    I received my test results and I just wanted to give you all an update. I guess this lump doesn't look so good, it is poorly defined and somewhat spiculated. I have been on the boards for too long to not know that is not a good thing. I go thurs. for more views and to the surgeon on the 22nd.

    I am keeping my mind busy, and trying no to worry as that is not going to change the outcome at all. And I say getting it took out is a good thing!!!!
  • Shemp
    Shemp Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2006

    Aw man, Carrie, that's certainly not the greatest news. Like Rose said in another thread, don't borrow trouble and try not to concern yourself too much yet (I know, the reality of that statement is all but a figment of the imagination). Hopefully it's something less serious than what you imagine, but if it is less than pleasant news, you know where to find some good, supportive folks.

  • Notsopuny5721
    Notsopuny5721 Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2006
    Carrie: Sorry about the test results. I agree with Shemp; try not to imagine the worst. Good luck and keep us posted. We're here for you, babe.
    Greg
  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2006

    You guys are so good to us! Carrie you have the support start you need so no worries till then! Remember you are Cancerfree today!

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