Illinois ladies facing bc

tdbear --- golly haven't heard from you in so long.  Glad you dropped in.  I don't know how many of us routinely get on here on Sunday so hope you will keep coming back for possible answers.  As well, some of us old-timers I think don't spend quite so much time as we did originally when everything was new and a bit daunting.  I bet Smerf would come up with some pretty good info for you.  Anyway....it is a great pleasure to see you though I wish it wasn't because you were troubled.  I hope one of us can come up with the perfect answer for you.

As to being afraid and upset about the chemo......I wil just bet to a one.....we all were.  Having the big C tends to be scary all by itself --- let alone the things you may be required to do to handle it.  I think someone said take deep breaths and as you do.....think and recall as deeply as you can some of your happiest moments or some of the things you have always felt would be happy. 

I will say as afraid as I was.......it turned out to be very anti-climatic for me.  Almost a non-event though at the very beginning I had dire un-explainable feelings, sure that WHATEVER happened would be beyond belief and impossible to describe.  Then I found out that virtually nothing happened.  So, even though I could not say that I in any way looked forward to my chemo treatments ( I had 8 -- three weeks apart ) I was able to go and sit patiently and not feel any un-due concern about them.  This is what you do to participate in saving your own life and to be here for the people in your life who care so deeply for you and need you. 

I hope you will get with your Dr. asap and perhaps get something that will help you relax and be as calm as you can.  Part of the reason BC.Org is here is so that people just like you who have the fears that we all have had, can some and talk to so many others that have taken this journey to deeply participate in their own care.  You will be able to do this.  At times I am somewhat amazed at my own audacity in standing up to this disease and choosing to win my health back.  You can choose always ---  we were not able to choose to not GET this disease, but we can choose to stand up to it and take charge and come out in good form. 

You have armies of women behind you holding you up and wishing only to see you be well, strong and happy.  We are wishing you well and know how difficult those first steps back to wellness are.  We are here and we will stay here and be here every step of your journey.  You are not alone.

Peace & love,

Jackie

Chgogemini, do you have some to take you to chemo? What area are in in? I am happy to sit with you if you need a hand. The first treatment is hard, because you don't know what to expect. But take it moment by moment and you will do great.

I prayed and meditated through my first treatment and kept waiting for all the SE to happen at once. I thought I would be on the floor in a ball. Well it did not happen, I survived and you will too.

Please PM me if you would like, I am happy to connect on the phone too.

Take strength in all the comments here, I have discovered such wisdom and love her...truly a sisterhood of caring ladies.

Insurance doesn't pay to see onc after 5 years? Gee I was told I would be seeing my onc every other year after 5 (as well as my BS the years I don't see her).

Hi...Is anyone taking Black Cohash for hot flashes?  My BC is estrogen + and I read that there is some controversy as to whether black cohash is similar to estrogen.  My onc recommended the black cohash but wanted to see if anyone is taking it.

Biopsy results--Benign!  Yay!  Life is good!

Great news. Congrats!!!

I'm re-introducing myself.  I checked in last summer, thinking I was in Chicago mostly to stay.  We were in the process of selling a house in Dallas, then one of my daughters needed to attend a program near Dallas, so back to Dallas I went for a few months.  We just finalized our move 3 weeks ago, so I'm very glad to be joining y'all.  I just saw Dr Feldman today for my lymphedema - what a kind man he is.  I'm living near the Loop - does anyone have a LE therapist they adore who may practice near the city?

Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased.
It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations.
It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places,
when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it;
knowing the beautiful, we have served it;
knowing the truth, we have spoken it.

Whitney Griswold

So good to hear your news Karen.  Big major sighs of relief being heard all over Chicago.  Once you have this disease.....every little bump in the road seems to be worrisome, but  in so many cases it turns out to be something simple and no true cause for alarm.  Prayers of gratitude now for the good news.

Jackie

Great news KJ!!!

kc- It's okay to see a LE therapist that's not LANA certified.  What IS important is where they got their training.  The "big three" are Norton, Klose and Vodder.  Welcome back to the Windy City (and did ya' know the nickname has nothing to do with the weather?) Lots of "relocaters" enjoy learning what it really is.  Think politics.

No one is useless in this world 
who lightens the burden
of it to anyone else.

Charles Dickens

AY B9---Love it--Such a good feeling and clears u'r mind. KJ

KC welcome back hope--hope all goes well with u'r LE

Well I knew why we are called the Windy City. Something I learned within months of living here. Guess only transplants know this.

Thanks RJ it does seem a bit strange that after 5 years one would be cut loose from the onc for breast cancer. Some other cancers maybe but not the "has no known cure" ones.

Still, on certain days, trying to walk through the wind gusts downtown, I just don't believe it's called the windy city because of politics.

It's birthday time--A very Happy Birthday lago and loads more and u'r kindness to people will make u'r day more special.