Charleston Bound, part 2

Beth, I was among a group of women all going through chemo at the same time (december 2011 t/c), and many of us took the plain claritin to help with bone pain after our Neulasta shots. Even my MO had heard of women getting relief from it, altho she could not offer a scientific reason. I'm taking it again now to help with joint pain from Arimidex.



Lbrewer, I'm with you on the need to spread the word about Lynch syndrome and the test. I was tested, and apparently there are two companies offeing it now. Mine cost about $4,000, I think, but was covered by insurance. It took about 7 vials of blood. I ended up testing negative, surprisingly, given the fact that I, my mother and 2 of her sisters had colon cancer. This set off alarm bells for the geneticist, who urged that I be tested, especially since I have a daughter.

Thanks Beth. Will try that:)

My air went out too, 4000 later and with a new unit, feels better but still hurts in the old pocketbook:)

CRS, my a/c was a pretty quick thing for the technician to fix, I think - he only spent about 10 or 15 minutes in the attic. Probably earned his travel fee just in sweat from the attic. Turned out it was some switch that should be reading 5 but was at 2.1 - whatever that means!!! But he had a new switch, fixed it, and turned on the a/c and it's cool now.

We have a home maintenance agreement and they fix stuff but a limit on $$ value they will fix. Was thinking it might be the $4,000 as well for new a/c but whew - not this time!



I think there are a lot of drugs out there that are made for one thing especially but with time they have found that they work for others, but who would have figured Claritin for chemo bone pain???



Deidre, thanks for the info!

So sorry. Scary. I am glad you had the shoulder belt behind you, I drive like that too. Let us know what they say, I am hoping and praying all is ok. Hugs to you!

Oh, CRS so scary! Even hearing you were in ER was scary!!! And Amen to thanking God you are okay!!!!! Very thankful!



Yikes! I use a foam pillow made for between your knees if you are a side sleeper (bought it for side sleeping which I haven't done lately and it kinda didn't work that well for that anyway- but have re-purposed it for using to protect the new girls! Works great.



I cannot imagine how shook up you must be- big gentle hugs! And again glad you and the twins are safe!

Good news from my yearly scans. No signs of cancer. The full body bone scan showed some arthritis in my collar bones, but I've had shoulder problems for years. If I can make myself sleep on my back rather than my sides, then they would nto bother me much. After the cancer, arthritis is not a big deal!

The LE is still giving me fits with a bad flare up last week. I look really bad, I'm so very swollen from my waist up. I'm in a compression camisole which is hot with the weather now. My pump should be coming in soon & still going to PT....

Insurance is crazy. Mine would not pay all for an off-the-shelf sleeve ($80) that would fit, but they paid $500 for a custom-made one! A friend had the same thing happen (same Ins. co.). So, it's anyone's guess.

LBrewer, like you, I feel like I'm 84. I do think the Claritin is helping some. I took a 4-week break from Arimidex because the joint stiffness was so bad and it's just been about 2 weeks back on it.

I am leaving Friday for Michigan's Upper Penninsula . We will be with my son and DIL saying goodbye as they make their move to Seattle. Then taking a vacation in more remote areas. I may be without service for 7-10 days.



I am thinking of all those going into surgery and recovering. We are in your pocket for sure. You are such strong women.



"See" you all later!!

Cherrie, have a wonderful time. I will be going "up north" in July. Seattle is a great city, they will love it and you get to visit. Is your remote vacay in Mich or Wash?

Today is four weeks away before I'm on the OR table again! That means I'll be on the road again driving south in three weeks to have time to relax, go to beach, sunset bar with my old friend.



Looking forward to meeting SewaneeGirl for lunch day before surgery! Catie, sure wish we could meet up before surgery when we aren't all doped up, bruised up, stitched up. . So we all can hopefully meet up after and compare battle scars and do cheers with smoothies.

Awww, Pink, will be fine after - I'm sure we will have a great time sharing our colorful battles scars!

Lbrewer,



I was holding on to an August 2 date but they needed it for a Stage 1 so i just stayed with July 10.



What date will you be arriving in Charleston? I'm not even sure when I'm leaving after surgery.



Are you bilateral SGAP?

I wonder why they can't do like a ping pong ball sized implant when they do the flap and not have to do more fat grafting later?

lbrewer.. they can do that... and some women have. But many women have jumped through hoops to avoid implants, so they find that option not as attractive.