I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

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  • RetiredLibby
    RetiredLibby Member Posts: 1,992
    edited August 2011

    Thanks, all! I had my last visit with my wonderful PS this morning and got drawn on. Sadly, no Snidely Whiplash mustache or goatee, but some numbers and lots of lines & circles. OH OH OH!!!! Silly me, it is probably A CODE!!! I AM THE NEW CODE BOOK!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!



    I got "The Emperor of All Maladies" to read during convalescence, it sounded so interesting. Re: recurrence chances, my "official" recurrences chances were less than 5%. Fat lot of good that did me! I always used "granny math" when thinking of my recurrence chances - I figured they were 50%. Either I would recur or I would not.



    Sue, I was at Blarney Castle in 1986. I did the climb and the hanging-over and holding-on, and I do believe I might have a picture. I did have the official certificate for a long time, but I don't know if it is still in my box o' stuff. Enjoy Ireland ... I loved it myself!



    Athena, the weather is quite amazing for August, isn't it? Delightful, for an unusual change! I'm glad you're feeling better!





    I will pop back in from time to time today ... E will keep everyone posted tomorrow. I will do my best to provide some amusing anesthesia anecdotes for all!

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited August 2011

    {{{Libby}}} Thinking of you!!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited August 2011

    Lindasa

    "I still say that it's 50/50 whether or not I fall into the 12% yes, or the 88% no"

    I don't think so.. it would be 88% unlikely  -  so that is not 50/50... look on the bright side child.. as my momma used to say.

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited August 2011

    ((((HL)))) Hope you are feeling good about everything. At what time is the surgery scheduled for?

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited August 2011

    I used to be very happy with my stats, even without Tamoxifen or an AI .. but since Happy recurred, I can't place any faith in them anymore.  I guess it really is a 50/50 chance.

    Barbara .. thinking of you and the trip you have to take tomorrow.  Poor baby .. wish you didn't have to go.

    Libby .. thinking of you as well and hoping you are not getting too anxious today.  Will be looking for updates from Enjoyful throughout the day. 

    Tim just found out he has to leave soon.   wahh.  Barely home 24 hours and he's off to Minnesota again.  It's a good run with great miles, but geez .. he just got home!  I'll be grateful for the miles, instead of crying cause he gone!  Ha!

    Hope everyone is having a good day,

    Bren

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2011

    HL - Hope your surgery goes well tomorrow - please check in with us.

    I agree on the 50/50 percentage of reoccurence.  I never did get any stats from my oncologist but I did give the C every bit of the arsenal that I could up front. 

    Barbara - sorry you have to go on that dreaded trip.

    Bren - your hubby is gone a lot???  Is this pleasure or work related travel? 

    Cleaned Jerry's house this morning - well I did get there 20 minutes late because I slept until 11:05 when my dh woke me up and I was supposed to be there by 11 am.  I am back on the chantix along with lorazepam to quit smoking and the lorazepam knocks me out for HOURS!

    Next is my therapy appointment and then to a pastry shop to order pastries for a get-together of 40 people from the congregation.

    Oh and in the meantime I am really trying to get some laundry done.

    Hope everyone is having a great day - will check back in later.

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  • RetiredLibby
    RetiredLibby Member Posts: 1,992
    edited August 2011

    Athena, I report to the hospital at 6:00 a.m., have SNB injection at 7 a.m., and go into surgery at 7:30.  They expect it to last 12 hours or a bit longer, so E will update periodically.  I'll be on as soon as I can (meaning as soon as DH will hand over my iPad to type!).

    Thanks!

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    HL

    Good wishes for tomorrow.

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    I went on cipro for the thing that might have been allergies but I'm sure is not now. (It's the dread bronchitis). I had a prescription because I was so sick this winter and the doctor wants to nip things in the bud when they come up. I am at the point where if I went to the family doctor they would tell me it's a virus and wait it out- and then three days later I'd be back for the antibiotic. So now I deal with the pulmonologist. I think I'll be in to see her and contributing once again to her daughter's college fund (I don't think she has a boat payment but they just moved into a new office so maybe I'll be helping out with that).

    This is the second time this summer and I am not a happy camper. 

    Boy this is such a small problem when compared to people facing progression and/or surgery. I'm sorry I'm such a baby about this but it makes me crazy.

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited August 2011

    Blessings to you, HL - will be thinking of you all day. Please don't rush to post...Kiss Hope you slee tight in preparation for your marathon nap tomorrow!

    Have a drink while you still can - the BCO B&G just opened and I am leaving early to take advantage of that!

    Let's all have a drink to Libby's surgery.

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  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited August 2011

    (((((((Rosemary))))))) You have every right to whine!

    HP, Good sleep tonight and good sleep tomorrow.  You're gonna do well!

    Athena, I'll have one too.  Had to lower my settings today.  Not sure why I had to do that.  Might be a good sign, I hope.

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    Blue

    Hoping it is a good sign.

    I'll wait for my drink from the BCO B&G until after my meeting at work tonight. I know everything there is guaranteed not to make you tipsy but it will be good to have one when I get home.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    HL - was that a typo?  12 hours of surgery???  Ouch.   Will be with your Gang hainging out at the BCOB&G waiting for good news.  You may want a more "cheerful" book than EOAM to read???

    ((Rosemary)))  feeling yucky is YUCKY  no way around it.  Not a whine, just a fact.  Hoping the Big Guns Meds will makeyou feel better soon.  So you use acidophilis when taking antibiotics? Sometimes help keep the stomach grungies away.

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  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited August 2011
    A Letter to Canadians from our Jack Layton, who passed away this morning.  He was the Leader of the NDP Party. 
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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    Sunflowers

    Yes on the acidophilous. The drs. always say eat yogurt but there is not enough yogurt in the world. One plus of antibiotics is they make me nauseous so I don't eat as much. Last time I lost 5 pound and now that I'm off Femara it might stay off.  I know that's not really a good thing but...

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  • RetiredLibby
    RetiredLibby Member Posts: 1,992
    edited August 2011

    Sunflowers, yes - 12 hours.  No typo.  It will be about 2 hours for the bilateral mastectomy, and then another 10+ for the DIEP.  It's not all cutting and moving ... it is micro-vascular surgery, so all the time is spent reconnecting the blood vessels.  As I told the folks at work, it's not like they're redecorating in there ("...hmmmm, I think the spleen would look better over there ... let's color-coordinate the kidneys ... I think that liver needs a little more light ....").  It's just the vascular part that takes so long.  And, as with airplanes, it's the take-off and landing that is of the most concern.  Because I have asthma and A-fib, I will have people watching the people watching the machines.  The OR will be so packed with watchers (not to mention all my friends!) that they will be barely able to move!

    I'll have a good, stiff G&T today, please!  Lotsa lime!

    L

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited August 2011

    Rosemary - I'm with you about the anti-biotics - I found yogurt wasn't enough - I get really sick on them - also the problem with the cold turning into something else - yup, last winter it turned into pneumonia and scared the heck out of me - I had a mild cold for three days and day four I couldn't get my breath - not looking forward to flu season I can tell you.

    HL - good luck tomorrow - I hate that it's 12 hours but I guess you won't know that (but we will) glad you'll have E with you (and with us).

    Blue - thanks for linking the Jack Layton letter to one and all - there are lessons for politicians everywhere of every party in it and also lessons for all of us.  It was a very sad day today...

    Sandy

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  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited August 2011

    Sandy, yes I agree.  A very sad day.

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  • RetiredLibby
    RetiredLibby Member Posts: 1,992
    edited August 2011

    Sandy! Missing you! Still looking for you ... There is a comfy place just waiting for you to join!



    And no, I won't know it is 12 hours. It will be: "(stoned giggle) everything is all sparkly...." .... "(slurred whine)... Urgh ... WTH happened? Shit!"....



    XOXOXO all!

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited August 2011

    HL, How many specialists with operate - I am guessing a ps (with assist) and a vascular surgeon with assist, or will one heroic doc do it all? I bet even the anaesthesiologist will need a shift change at some point. Really thinking of you, bur for now feeling more nervous for your poor DH, if you don't mind! :-) You will be sound asleep. 

    Blue, here's hoping that is a very good sign! Rosemary, good luck at the meeting!

    So Dominic Strauss-Kahn will not go to trial....I don't see what else the District Attorney's office could have done. I think the decision to ask for the charges to be retired was the only way to go given what there was to work with. IMO, justice prevailed in the end. Both he and that Diallo women seem like pieces of work. He, a serial adulterer, drenched in hubris (to borrow some words from my as-yet-unpublished comment on the NYT blog), will never be president of France and she, a pathological liar, will have to try life on the honest lane. Really a tawdry tale.  

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited August 2011

    Many hugs, HL and best wishes for a successful surgery with much dark chocolate in the recovery room.....

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited August 2011

    Happy .. thinking of you .. will be waiting for word from Enjoyful tomorrow.

    Jancie .. Tim is a truck driver, so he's gone all the time.

    Rosemary .. hope you're feeling better.

    hugs,

    Bren

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    HL - wow, had no idea it was SUCH a huge operation. Hope all goes well, and glad you will have no idea how long it is.  The joy of anesthesia. 

    Rosemary - I didn't know you stopped Femara.  How long were you on it?  I was thinking of changing to it when my 5 years on Armidex are over - next year.

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    I'm back from the meetng. It was good. My volunteers are great.

    I'll have my Long Island Iced Tea now please. If I'm going to drink tonight I want a good one. I am taking extra asthma meds with the antibiotic and feel better after just one day. Placebo effect? I don't know but I'll take it. I'm still going into work late tomorrow, since I worked tonight.

    Libby

    If we are really quiet can we be in the OR with you? We might have to do it in shifts though.

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited August 2011

    Sunflowers

    I lasted 6 months on Femara. I took Arimidex, Aromasin, and Tamoxifen before I switched to Femara. I had joint pain with the AIs and had to have a D&C after 4 months on Tamoxifen. The Femara was the worst. I had dizzy spells along with the muscle joint and bone pain.

    I chose not to gut it out because nobody knows the long term for heart falure from Herceptin and I am opting for quality of life. Fortunately even though I was Her2+ I was also Stage I.

    ETA 4 years total

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2011
    HL, I will be thinking of you tomorrow.  It will probably be the only time you will get 12 straight hours of  sleep.Wink
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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited August 2011

    Blue thanks for the link to Jack Layton's letter.  I have copied the part about word of encouragement to those of us still fighting the fight.

    "To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer."

    He truly was a remarkable person who lived his life to the fullest.  His assistant says that he was still making alternate plans for a Sept return, just in case. 

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited August 2011

    Glad your meeting went well, Rosemary, and I hope you feel better soon.

    I was on Tamoxifen for about 18 months (and spent two of those on Lupron) before I had to beg off, but I like to think I was really on it for two years considering how long the after effects lasted. And they say that hormone therapy is supposed to be mild....In William Halsted's defense, he believed that radical surgery could cure cancer from spreading. It was not known back then that cancer did not merely span out in an orderly fashion, as Halsted thought, but that it skipped and hopped. Maybe in 50 years' time, scientists will be explaining how people suffered with hormone therapy before it was discovered that......(fill in the blank).

    'Night all. Hoping for a good night's sleep. 

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  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited August 2011

    Pip, I've had a heavy heart all day.

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  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited August 2011

    Me too, Blue. Jack Layton's passing is a loss for so many reasons.  His legacy letter is remarkable. It would be quite something if all politicians heeded what he wrote.

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