In shock

Hi dear Bellies......I have returned from the Great Outdoors! Actually got back late last night.....got up this morning and went to the gym......did my one hour elliptical....went to a friend's birthday lunch......came home, posted on the DIEP thread, and passed out! Guess I am still a little tired.



I had a WONDERFUL time with Nihahi! She is an amazing person, and the two days we spent together passed WAY too quickly for me.... . I met her very adorable and sweet friend Ade, and spent most of the two days we hiked together with a big smile on my face......Nihahi is truly an Energizer Bunny! She stayed a day longer than I was able, and I know she has photos.......(hope I don't look too crazed!). I REALLY wish more of us could do this, as it REALLY is therapeutic to associate with someone who really GETS what you are going through......



Even though I had a wonderful time, I am glad to be back so I can pop in here to say "Hello" to you special women!



((((Hugs)))) to all!

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

Only problem with Ade is that she "talks funny"! Just like me I might add!



Glad you all had a fab time!



I'm off to the UK tomorrow until Sept 8, staying with my folks, so might not get so much time to read and post.



I'm kinda itchy and sore and a little concerned that my poor burned chest might just fall apart while I'm away. Felt knackered tonight at chorus rehearsal, but as usual was really glad I made the effort to go. I was seriously wilting towards the end, despite napping this afternoon, but stuck with it as two or three other people had already dropped out, and I dunno, I guess I wanted to prove I'm not a wimp!



Anyway, all my clothes are washed and in the dryer so will pack in the morning and set off about 1.30 pm!



I bought some full length compression stockings today, and with those and my sleeve I should be ok flying. I had a blood test yesterday, but I have no idea what my platelets are doing now. INR was down to 2.0, so upping the warfarin a bit, still trying to find my dose. I'll have to arrange inr tests in the UK.



Ok, off to bed with me. G'night all!!!

My Ladies....!!!!! Back from the adventure with Movie....had no internet/cell service while there. Missed you all, thought of you lots, and gave Movie hugs from everyone!!! She is a sweetheart, was a great "guide to Glacier Park" and time together was too short. 

Hello to the newbies on here....hope all is well with the "veterans"???? I'll post some photos as soon as I can......Hugs to all.....THIS THREAD SHALL NOT FADE AWAY!

Have good days.

Benny- I have followed your posts and you actually got me started here. I love what you do, you ARE an inspiration!  I wish you nothing but the best! 

I love the pictures ladies!  Beautiful, and so is the scenery!

benny.....they call it Iceburg Lake for good reason! yep, that's snow, and those are little iceburgs! brrrrr is right. Hope the infection settles down quickly! Glad to hear your return to work has been put off a bit...hopefully you can get a gradual rtw figured out like Websister. Much more realistic than diving in fulltime!

JDB...you're right, Benny is our inspiration!

Morwenna....hope you have an awesome trip...just enjoy and relax...no need to "storm the hills" at every opportunity!

Caitlin, Carla, Dakota, Edi, Websister, Liefie, Maria, Traii, Movie..... EVERYONE .....thinking of you often..have good nights. ((((((X))))))

Liefie......thread isn't dying!!!!!! I love you ladies! You have been here for me during some very down days......I am NOT going anywhere!



Glacier Park retreat with Nihahi was needed R&R........going in for stage 2 of DIEP on September 3rd........certainly do NOT want repeat of stage 1 "issues"..... So am a bit nervous about all of it.....



Was just planning a quick stop in, as am due at PS in an hour......will come back later and post "better"!



Love to all......

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

Carla....you're 100% right, not good/not bad.....understandably worrisome, nonetheless. Is the scan booked soon? You know you are in our thoughts....positive vibes going out to you. How is hubby doing? Bet he's scared sh****ss too. 

Edi....glad to hear the news about shedman...not so glad to hear how you've been feeling. No one likes to take "pills" but I'm suggesting you could benefit from a little "chemical help" to get over the VERY UNDERSTANDABLE "blues". Especially if hubby isn't supportive of you doing things that make you feel happy and useful. Doesn't have to be a forever thing....might make a huge difference for you. I went that route for about a year after my initial treatments were over....helped to put that black dog where he belongs!

Anyone know what's up with Liefie???? she seems to be MIA?

Hi girls,

Websister is right. Worked my last day today, and was just too exhausted to read and post this week. It is a lot to handle if you're used to be home with all the time in the world. That office is like a pressure cooker, so many things to take care of, and make sure you finish every task by day's end. Patients depend on you, and you don't want to leave anything for tomorrow, because tomorrow is another busy day . . . LOL.

Carla, thinking of you. Stay busy, girl, don't let your mind wander to that place. It is better to get checked, and know one way or the other than to live with the uncertainty. BIG HUGS!!!

Websister, glad you are having an extra long weekend. You've been partying way too much lately - lol. Relax, take it easy, take naps. You are still doing treatment, so you will be tired, but the end is in sight. Almost there!!!

Movie and Nihahi, the photos are beautiful, and you look so happy to be together! Some time in future we must get a group together, and do a hike. Will be lovely.

Edi, we won't let the thread die. It has indeed been a lifeline in dark times. Hope your joyful spirit will return soon. Nihahi is right. I have also been on antidepressants for a year. That was a long time ago, and depression never returned again although there were events that could easily have triggered it again. Maybe it's worth trying.

Going to sleep now, really so tired. Regards to all you other girls, will talk again soon.

Wow, Liefie!!!

So glad DH and dog are OK, what a close call. Hope you get action quickly from Fish and Game.

Good grief, Liefie! That story is hella scary! Def. not a good idea to be anywhere near Mama bears and their cubs.....yikes! Thankful that your dog did what he did.......DH maybe not so lucky, otherwise......>>gulp


Edi, I am with Liefie here.....was on antidepressants with birth of DD#4......for four years. I also had talk therapy, and between the two of them, I got the help I needed to get the depression b**ch off my shoulders......and the coping mechanisms I learned during talk therapy have helped me immensely......I can usually turn off the black dog before it gets a foothold....you may be surprised how much they CAN help......



I had horrible night last night.....woke up in the middle of night.....sounded like something trying to get out of our swimming pool.....and not succeeding. Didn't want to deal with possible raccoon,possum. Or skunk......so lay in bed and listened for a very long while.....when I woke up this morning, I checked pool, and nothing there.....DH told me dog was crying in her sleep last night....must of been what I heard!



Nihahi, hope you are enjoying Lake Louise and the six glacier hike........I will eat a TimTam in your honor......



Got to run......lots to do today and it's already after 2pm!

Love to ALL.....XO

Namaste and God Bless-Jackie

liefie - I just can't imagine seeing a bear so close to home - yikes. Hope your dog is OK - what kind of dog do you have?  

I have heard that Stellenbosch is beautiful and I am looking forward to it - we are planning on doing a wine tour which I have heard is definitely worth while. 

Edi - sorry to hear about your depression - that has to be the absolute worst thing to deal with on top of everything else. I was depressed quite badly during peri-menopause/ early menopause for quite a long time - it was like a big black hole that I was in - my GP wanted me take anti-depressants, but I didn't feel good about that, so I persevered and used alternates like St John's wort and Holy Basil - they did help but not fast. The depression just seemed to take its course - I could still function. I have many friends who have been on and are still on anti-depressants and they do find them helpful - although they are all wary about coming off them! I have heard that you have to wean yourself off them very gradually. I also have Reiki every Monday and find it very beneficial - it is combined with a relaxation class that I take and love.  Hope you are feeling better soon.  

Hi and thank you, thank you to my wonderful sisters. I am getting to the Docs next week and seeing if anti depressants can be prescibed. My DD has been on them after the traumatic birth of her little one and she functions well but without them still falls apart. I just need a bit of a lift over this dark bit.
Reiki does help plus reflex and the spiritual healing, brings on a feeling of calm and peace. Only problem is effect doesnt last, maybe pills will. Will keep you posted.

Hope you all have glorious weekend, Bank holiday here hopefully sun will shine.

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Traii....happy cancerversary! May you have many, many, many more! Can't wait to hear of the adventures of your little guy! Glad to hear you had a wonderful time.

Edi....anitdepresants have actually been a recent topic on the Diep 2013 thread too. It is a very common need for many of us bc veterans, in the early days, rarely is a long term thing. I view a medication like that as no different from needing any other med. You and your body have taken a hell of a SMACKDOWN, which your emotions and mind have to react to somehow. If someone needs some extra help to get their legs planted back on the ground and take the steps forward to full recovery....I say go for it. No medals for matyrdom or silent suffering given out on this journey! All of us fight to survive, why shouldn't the life we fought for be a happier one! RANT OVER.

Did a great hike again yesterday, only "pooper" was it started to rain when we stopped at the halfway point for lunch, so didn't get as many photos as usual, and there was smoke hanging in the air from forest fires in BC. Still, another happy day in the mountains. Morwenna....the "stepping stones" at the trailhead were covered in water too for us, on the return leg of the hike. Usually, those suckers are just to keep you out of the "silt" flats, not the water!!! Heard a few avalanches off the glaciers, but didn't see any. Today, sunny and gorgeous here....hope everyone has good days! ((((((((((((X)))))))))))))

Maria...that's lousy news for you....sounds like Liefie is on the right track though, with a similar experience. I hope it's your onco and rads docs making the decision about timing of tx, not your ps surgeon. As important as your recon is (and I get that, big time) your chance to beat the ****out of any stray ca cells is the most important thing.

Liefie...give that doggie a HUGE bone!!!! Stay away from the damn bears, girl!!!!! Sounds like you'll be doing your workouts in the gym for awhile! 

Vintage Gal and Jo6.....waiting to begin the fight really, truly is hard..hope you stay with us, and that we can be of some help.

some fresh mountain air and peaceful views,  You ALL are ALWAYS IN MY PACK!!!!