In shock

Nihahi -

Believe me I know. I know he controlling. And no I don't want her to ever live like this. The lawyer is 7500 I can pay by credit card I have to look at that all tonight and figure out how I am going to pay it it's all up front. I know it's what I have to do there is no alternative ! I can do it I know I can I have to starting appreciate the words trust me !!!

Dakota, BIG HUGS to you! You can do it, the sooner the better.

Movie, no, I have never made pasties. What I would do, is type 'pasties' in on Google, and hopefully lots of recipes will come up. Then you choose whichever one has good ratings, and seems good to you. I always go for the ones that say 'Easy' - LOL. Have found amazing recipes - it's like a treasure trove. Hardly use a recipe book anymore, just so much easier with Internet at my fingertips. My laptop often sits open next to the stove, and has to be wiped from time to time - lol.

Traii, your bear story reminds me of Goldilocks, except the parent bears were not there! On a serious note, a 60-year old woman had been attacked in her yard by a cougar yesterday afternoon, and had been airlifted to Victoria. She is in critical condition, and her injuries are just horrendous. It happened near Tofino on the west coast of our island, not too far from where we live. Her brave husband fought off the cougar by stabbing him, he let go, then slinked off into the bushes. He has not been found, but is injured. This is very scary. Apparently the cougar has been hanging around that area for a month. I'll take a bear anyday. They don't stalk and attack you like this big cat does. Read just now that two thirds of cougar attacks in Canada occur on this island. So comforting to know . . .

Nihahi, you are quite feisty this morning - lol! Lecture? No. Good advice? YES, as always, wise woman that you are.

So yesterday I wrote a review of my rip-off experience on Tripadvisor. They will e-mail me as soon as it is posted, IF it is posted. I told it like it is, no holds barred - LOL. We'll see. Will probably be offered a free tapas meal there . . . lol. It made me feel better at least.

Edi, isn't that the same island where Prince William and Kate live? You may bump into them at the grocery store - lol.

Just came home from jogalates class. The exercise is okay, but the heat is something else, so I always try to get the coolest spot. Afterwards went to quickly practise some organ. Playing for a funeral tomorrow - not looking forward. Played for so many funerals, but it will always remain a sad occasion.

Well hello everybody. I'm back (yesterday), and somewhat jetlagged this evening.



I just spent lord knows how long reading all that I've been missing. I don't know why youall were concerned that the thread was dying!!?



Nihahi, great pictures from your hikes, and I recognized a few faces too! I didn't climb any mountains on my trip, but had some lovely long walks on the South Downs. Pub lunches. Walks by canals, wandered around Chichester and the beautiful cathedral. There's nothing like any of that here, but it was still wonderful to come home to Canada!!!



My parents were in fair shape when I left, so the parting wasn't near as painful as last year when I left Mum in hospital and we all thought she wouldn't make it out!



Today I went for the drumming circle at Wellspring. If you haven't tried it, and you get the opportunity, do go! It is indescribable, and a great healing experience. Our younger son just started his vet tech course at Olds, and they had drumming as part of the freshers activities. He was blown away!



I've signed up for the return to work sessions there, and also the brain fog sessions. I'm not sure if I really have brain fog, but I seem to be worse than usual on names and whatnot, so I thought I'd see how that goes!



I was quite sore and itchy from the rads while I was away, but now feel way better ... Peeling well. I don't really feel too fatigued, although not pushing myself overmuch.



Be great to join you and the girls on some hikes Nihahi???



How do you post pictures like that? "_"

websister.....the end of surgery, chemo and rads is the end of treatment, it is NOT the end of recovery.....that process, you are just beginning.....but stay strong....recovery has an "end" too....then it's look out world...here's to the future!!!!!!

Morwenna I start rads in November not January dang Chemo brain

That's an awesome picture!!!! I actually agree with everyone. I know in the beginning it will be rough but I know it will be better in the end !!! Thanks for confirming my thoughts ! Love u girls !!!

Hi Maria.



The thing with radiation apparently, is that they cannot predict how or who will have a severe skin reaction. It seems that how one reacts in the sun has no bearing at all on the outcome. I have heard of fair-skinned red-heads who hardly react at all.



They did warn me, however, that because they used a bolus on me, I would be more likely to react. I had a left mastectomy, and so had very little tissue remaining over my ribs, and they use this sheet of gel-like stuff as "artificial tissue", which concentrates the radiation into the surface tissues and away from the heart and lungs.



I applied Glaxalbase cream to my chest and just over my shoulder, as directed, 2-4 times a day, and by my last (16th) treatment was noticeably reddened, especially in the bolus-covered area, and slightly sore. They told me my skin was looking exceptionally good at the last treatment, but warned me it gets worse for a couple of weeks before starting to improve.



This was the case, and over the next two weeks it became really hot and sore and itchy, with small blisters forming and disappearing. When it was at its worst I used Polysporin sometimes, which really seemed to help. It also helps to expose the skin to the air for an hour a day, preferably with a fan on it.



Eventually it started to peel, and only for the last couple of days has it felt quite comfortable, although still peeling a bit.



I have mostly gone without a bra, but if I did wear one, eg to go out, I used those soft "genie" bras. I got them in Bed,Bath and Beyond. I used my softee prosthesis, not my silicone one, but even so could only wear it for short spells at my worst.



I just bought a weighted foam prosthetic while I was in the UK, and its way more comfortable than my silicone boob or even my old softee, and also a swim-form, which I will be excited to try out once fully healed.





There, sorry, that was a rather long reply to a short question, but as they say, everybody's different. My sister-in-law just went slightly red, she said, then turned brown, like a deep tan, but she still had her breast, so maybe that helped as the radiation is less concentrated in the skin.

I just got my pathology report back.   Surgeon said if nodes are negative then no chemo.  Today she says - nodes are negative amrgins are clean but her2+ - so you will need chemo.  I'm angy. I don't know what to do with the anger.  Been enraged since my biopsy.  Don't know how to do this. I'm 52 and single with a daughter in college. Im on my own.  How do you prepare for this?  Please help me.  I can't stop crying.

Have fun liefie ! Thank you nihahi !!!!

Michele, sorry you have to join our club. It is ok to cry. It is ok to get angry. I go through streaks of crying then fine for weeks then tears are back. It is a roller coaster ride for sure but you can do it.



My doctor told me right at the first meeting that if my tests came back Her2+ that I would need chemo. Didn't know what the heck she meant! I think we are bombarded with so much information while we are still in shock that we just can't process it all. I had my hubby with me and he understood some things that I just didn't and vice versa. Do you have a friend or relative to go with you to your appointments to be a second set of ears?



Just remember, this is not a death sentence. I have two sons who have been through cancer and two sister-in-laws who had breast cancer. All are doing very well and all have been through chemo and radiation. I also have two miracle grand kids ...my son was told he would not be able to have children after his chemo.



We can do this together.

Hi .

Real dull and cold here today, brrr. This is my favourite time of year. Dark evenings and roaring fires, Halloween next month ( anniversary of my first chemo !!)  then bonfire night, then Xmas !!
DH resigned from work yesterday. We need to sit and work out how we are going to avoid murdering each other in the future. LOL.

Liefie, Enjoy your trip, looking forward to all the details on your return.x

Dakota, sure you will be big help to Michelle and she hasn't got a cockroach to put up with as well. How are things on the insect front ? x

Jo, good advice for Michelle too. Second set of ears plus notebook and pen a must on every appointment with the Consultants.
They are saying the same things to patients all day and they do forget that half the time we havent a clue what they mean. x

Movie, glad you are chilling out,we LOVE you lots like jelly tots x

Mowenna, Glad your trip went well. great rads advice too. x

Bingo this afternoon, feeling good  hope all my sisters do too. xx

Michelle and Jo......it does seem "unbearable and undoable" at this point....but you CAN do this. Clear nodes and margins is wonderful news....now your docs are trying to give you the best shot at putting this all behind you forever. Anger is part of the journey.....you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel that way. It will best serve you if you can turn it into "fighting back". Stay away from google, tv movies about chemo, etc.......the reality for most ladies these days, is NOT the horrific horror stories that are still "out there". Do NOT take advice from people who have not gone through it personally. We get it, we will help as much as we can.....stick with us.

movie....dang girl....still having sleep/pain issues???? Baby steps, good eating, realistic exercise.....hang in there. I bet you look damn "slinky" in that compression!!!!

Liefie....you have me chuckling...I noticed you editted your last post. Last night, when I read it, I thought, hmmm I didn't know they'd moved the Brooklyn Bridge???? Too funny. Have a great time....can't wait to hear about your adventures!

Edi....bundle up and keep up with those walks! Retirement with hubby can be a fabulous time....just keep the dialogue flowing at all times. So has he actually stopped working as of yesterday, or did he give notice???? Good luck at bingo...one of us has to win a jackpot so we can get that "group getaway" planned!!!!

websister....my neighbour was told she would have to go to Peter Lougheed to have the port inserted...SERIOUSLY....FROM OKOTOKS???? She refused, and is now waiting to be booked into South Calgary. Unbelievable access to healthcare sometimes, eh??? Thankfully, she was told that the tumor (lung cancer) is responding to chemo and shrinking. So she had a bad news/good news kind of day....we've all been there, eh!

I've sat on my duff too long this morning....gotta go ladies....love to all.

Movie Lovsya ,my mad yank. When you coming to see me ?? xx