Illinois ladies facing bc

Aha.....no wonder.  I ring in at 5"8'.  My mom wanted a basket ball player---uh, not in those days but I did get chosen first always on our relay team.  So the height was good for something.

Hugs, Jackie

Valerie this is way different than the first surgery. You won't be under for as long a time either. I was out patient for this. You're going to do great. Good news about the job too. Nice to have a plan B just in case you decide Kentucky isn't right for the 2 of you.

You should have been on these boards when that study was posted about height. We all were deciding where we should start hacking off our extra height.

Well I don't fit either the height or finger theory.  Under 5'3" and my ring finger is a bit longer than my index.  Which for me blows the estrogen during pregnancy theory since my mom is fairly certain she was given DES during her pregnancy.  And my grandmother who didn't survive bc was really short.  

I'm sorry to say WELCOME KITTY for the obvious reason I still will.But this is a good place to be, a wealth of info and a lot of caring.

Valerie it sounds like u've got things under control with u'r job--and like u said eventually u might return. Now u'r going to the hospital Wednesday? This sounds under control too--Of course I have no idea what's being done but I hope it's a speedy recovery thing.

My index finger is way longer on the right hand and the same size on my left hand,,,,thanks for making me look for another imperfection.

I am going to try to go to sleep now---hahaha we'll see if I can and how long I'll be able to. so sweet dreams everyone--and I'll probably check back later and do some kind of rant.

Welcome Kitty!  So sorry you had to find us through BC!

Thanks Lago for your advice on surgery.  I'm out patient too but at a different hospital and I wasn't too impressed with the hospital when I went to give blood for the pre-op testing.  This time the surgery is at Central Dupage because that is where the PS prefers to work out of.  I love the PS so I don't want to make waves but I also loved the way that Edward hospital worked.....never a bump along the way.  When I went to give blood at CDH, I went to the desk that the nurse had specified while doing my pre-surgery questions on the phone and they didn't have me in the system.  They sent me upstairs to the Dupage Medical Group which is the group the PS belongs too and the orders weren't there either.  They had to call the doctor's office and have orders sent over.  Then last night CDH calls and asks why I didn't get my blood work done on Friday.  I told her I came and they couldn't find me so they sent me upstairs to DMG and she said the orders had been in place on Friday at 8am.  I certainly hope there aren't any miscommunications during my surgery!

Thanks for the congrats on the job front.  I have to admit I'm not 100% enthralled with the idea but a job is a job.  I can't turn a good offer down.  I'm going to keep looking.  I learned about loyalty to companies the hard way.  I will go and do the best job I can but at the same time there are a lot of things they wouldn't give that concern me.  The salary is low but I can justify that because I'm going to be doing a different type job and I'm not "plug and play" with the skills involved.  I am worried that I might not fit in to the tightly structured environment that is projected through their employee handbook.  I also only get 2 weeks vacation after 1 year service......I have had at least 3 weeks for over 20 years and twice have had 4 weeks.  This place only gives 3 weeks after 15 years service!  I will be retired by then!  They did give me an extra week to get my house in order (starting Sept 10 instead of Sept 4) and will allow me to take a week unpaid vacation Feb 2-9 for my Montana trip that has been scheduled for months. 

I have to wait 90 days from date of hire for health insurance.  Is anyone knowledgeable of the path I should take between my current insurance that expires on Oct 9 and the start of the new insurance that will be December 10?  I saw that AARP has some.  I of course can pay for COBRA or transfer to my husbands insurance but both are expensive.  I'm worried about being without insurance for even a day.  I don't need to give any insurance company reasons to deny me!

Sorry Cami!  Think of it not as an imperfection but as an indication or explanation!  It hasn't been proven yet!

Valerie....you cannot be without insurance for one day or the insurance company can and most likely WILL deny you....and I believe at that point they can continue to deny you until you are atleast 5 years NED.... But as long as you have insurance at all times they cannot legally deny you coverage and also must offer it at the same rates as all other employees.... As opposed to the private insurance companies charging cancer patients such HUGE rates they cannot afford it.

Good words on health insurance.  Right now that is my biggest life concern...keeping it in order without any snags.  It is unfortunate that so many have to worry about insurance but we do.  The sheer worry  involving coverage is enough to make you sick.

Hi, all.  I'm new here.  I am from southern IL and was diagnosed on June 21st.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on June 28th and started chemo on August 17th.  I just wanted to say hello! 

Howdy ladies!

I meet with the oncologist this afternoon to make the plan for chemo.  But, I get to go back to work on Thursday!!!

My ring finger is longer and I'm 5'8", so basically I was screwed.

Hello to the new ladies, really wish you had no reason to be here, but you've found a very good group of ladies to hang with.  They will help keep your sanity intact during this shitty time in your life.

Heidi 

Hi ladies, I read the posts but don't post too much.  Having my 8th surgery tomorrow for recon. Due to complications from failed NSM.  Very nervous.  Having at Northwestern.  Skin grafts from both hips to create new areolas and nipple.  Any positive thoughts would be welcome.

For those new to this journey I hope you will be gentle with yourself.  It requires a lot of patience and determination. And never be afraid to ask questions of your help care providers and let them know what you need from them.

Yes it is which is always nice

Welcome new gals.  Hello old gals.  Stage 2b surgery on Monday, wish me luck!

Hugs.

Rant

I phone hate solicitors. My auto "you are bothering me" button turns on immediately when I pick up the phone and the person on the other end starts talking a mile a minute.

This was for a good cause (some breast cancer cause that I'm not familiar with) but this gals starts talking a mile a minute saying "Did you know a women gets diagnosed breast cancer every…). Finally I cut her off and say "In 3 hours I will be attending an event for the American Cancer Society, Strides Against Breast Cancer to recruit more volunteers." Also did you know that 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer…" cuts me off and says "I'm aware of that" then I continue "… and I'm one of them that was diagnosed 2 years ago?"

I explained to her that if they are having her make these calls they should train them to understand that 1 out of every 8 women will have been diagnosed and many of the others will have a family member diagnosed. I feel bad that I came down so hard but I really do hate these unsolicited calls.

I am on the no call list but that doesn't stop charities. I think what ticks me off is the number read out says "local call". Maybe if they were honest about who was calling in the first place I wouldn't have been so put of of being interrupted.

Rant end

Usually they ask for Mrs. K and I'm Ms. G. I didn't take my husband's last name. I think next time I'll say "No I'm the mistress… can I help you?"

I used to tell them my husband does not live with his mother when she was alive. That confused them and they usually hung up on me.

I also had a friend who would say sure but first can I talk to you about your personal relationship with god. He got lots of hang ups too.

Valerie:  Congrats on the job.  Sigh.....  Keep the insurance.  Don't miss a day of coverage!