Virginia, Greensboro, Winston-Salem

Bren-2007
Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
edited March 2015 in Members by Location
Hi Everyone,

I posted about meeting people in the south central area of VA, but it seems no one lives in this area, so I've widened that to include Greensboro, Winston-Salem and all of Virgina. I'm from San Diego and have only lived in this area for a year. I was diagnosed six months after moving here and just finished treatment. My b/f is on the road all the time and I haven't been able to make friends in the area yet. I'm self-employed and work from home.

It was really hard and frightening to get through this pretty much on my own away from my home town and I was hoping there were others somewhere in Virginia or nearby NC who would want to get together for a cup of coffee.

Brenda, a Virginia transplant from San Diego
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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2007
    Brenda,
    Just checking in - I'm in northern North Carolina, near the VA line, so I'm interested.

    I'm still in treatment, 2 months to go, and moving a little slow today. Will check back later and keep in touch.
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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2007
    Hi Booklady,

    You're not too far from me. I'm just on the other side of Martinsville.

    How is your treatment going and are you feeling okay? Were you treated at Moses Cone, Baptist or in Martinsville?

    I'm 3 1/2 weeks out of radiation and lumpectomy and had my treatment in Martinsville. I'm so fortunate to have had such great care in a small regional hospital.

    Please stay in touch at let me know how you're doing.

    Brenda
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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2007
    Hi Brenda,

    I thought we'd have more company by now - oh well. I think my nephew worked in Martinsville a few years ago. Forgot to ask when I talked with him. Next time

    I'm being treated at a major university hospital- local hosp not at the top of my list of places to go. So far I've done mast, and 2 of 3 chemo drugs. On Taxol now for next 2 months. Haven't heard anything about radiation - hopefully not since I want to do 2nd mast after treatment finished.

    I've done well, all things considered. Mast was a piece of cake - no pain. Managed to work during weekly AC treatment with no real nausea. Had some problems near the end but manageable. So far Taxol tx going well but had a scare this weekend when heart rate went through the roof. Spent a couple hour in ER and everythings been fine since then.

    My problems are forgetfullness== chemobrain is the pits, and forgetfulness and not knowing because each day is different.
    Anyway, that's my story. Now that you're out of treatment hopefully you're settling into a more normal routine. I'm ready to gget there!! whatever normal is
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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2007
    Hi Booklady,

    So glad to hear you're feeling better after your scare this weekend. The side-effects of chemo sound truly awful. I am so grateful I was able to have a lumpectomy and radiation only. I hope you will not have to have radiation as well.

    I think there are most likely lots of others in VA or in nearby areas, but they are probably active in other threads, which is good. The new comers need all the help we can offer.

    Mostly, what I am finding is that people are busy with family, work and finding their "normal" again and that it's difficult to actually connect with new people in person. It's that way even when you don't have cancer.

    I was invited to be on the Board of the local Health Department/free clinic of a new grant they are hoping to get to promote the Cervical Cancer/Breast Screening Program. I was referred by the nurse at our Breast Clinic in Martinsville. They won't know the status of the grant until Sept. I did call the woman yesterday and volunteered to work at the free clinic one afternoon a week. I decided it's my way to give back and get involved in the community, maybe even make some friends along the way. The Breast Screening Act is how my cancer was found. I don't have insurance as I am self-employed and starting over in VA.

    My new "normal" is the old one, with the addition of finding a way to live with thoughts of recurrence and getting the courage to start taking my Arimidex. I'm not too sure I was normal to begin with.

    Brenda
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  • Naniam
    Naniam Member Posts: 1,766
    edited July 2007
    Brenda and Booklady

    I live in Hickory, NC. I'm about 75 miles from Winston and I took my treatment at Baptist. In August will be 2 years from diagnosis.

    I used to be on BCO quite a bit but we own our business and I'm working lots more hours now so time is much more limited.

    Hopefully, there are more of us out there and interested in meeting.

    Brenda - from NC
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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2007
    Hi Naniam,

    Great to hear from you. I lived in Huntersville for a year before moving to VA. My b/f is from Hickory and owned his own business there for 19 years. His children are still there and in Taylorsville and Statesville. I didn't like Huntersville at all, but where you are was lovely and not near as busy or crowded.

    Hopefully, we can get something worked out over the next month or two and find a place in between. My time is more flexible as I'm self-employed, so I'm willing to head your way.

    Congratulations on your 2 years!!

    Brenda
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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2007
    Hi Brenda & Brenda,

    Hope you're having a good day. Keeping busy seems to be good way to keep mind off all of the cuddy stuff going on with our bodies. I've been trying to clean house while on vacation -- made a little progress -- since it really isn't fun thing to do.

    BinVA, the screening program sounds great! Being able to talk to somebody who's walked the walk helped me a lot when I got down, so I'm sure you're be a great asset. These boards really helped me a lot too.

    Just a suggestion that I was about to forget, I don't know if you can do it but if you changed thread to include Raleigh-Durham more people might see linkage between VA and central Carolina. Don't post a lot so not sure.

    Naniam, did you do chemo? When does chemobrain get better?
    I'm afraid I'm going to forget to put on clothes one day -- not quite that bad but not by much -- and that would not be a pretty sight. Weight gain in all the wrong places.

    Later ladies.
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  • Naniam
    Naniam Member Posts: 1,766
    edited July 2007
    Booklady,

    Oh,I definitely know all about weight gain in the wrong places. Took my estrogen away and the tummy is bigger and the waistline - what waistline.

    Yes, I did chemo 4 dose dense AC and radiation. Had lumpectomy. Come Aug. 19th will be 2 years since diagnosis. Still seems like only yesterday. The first anniversary was really hard - don't expect this one to be as rough.

    Chemobrain - I think it took me a year to get back what I call "short term memory". I just could not retain things. We own our business and the employees would tell me something or I would go check on something and I absolutely could not remember - drove me nuts. They already thought I was nuts!!!

    Time to turn in to rest this bod and brain for another week. I think Raleigh-Durham as does Charlotte have groups that meet. Was hoping we could get some more in our area for a meet, looks like we are own our own though.

    Have a great week, Brenda
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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2007
    Hi Brenda & Brenda,
    I've been trying to clean house before summer vacation over. School starts in about 2 weeks and I'm not ready yet.
    I think my brain is a little more spaced out on Taxol than it was on AC and believe me that's not a good thing. I just can't seem to focus. I'm definitely ADD -attention deficit. I should fit right in with the students.
    I used to tell people that I developed senility at 20 because memory never was real good.

    It's good to know that it eventually gets better so there's hope for me still.

    Take care & have a good week. Had 2nd treatment Tues and hoping that there won't be any surprise SE's this time.

    Naniam, Did your weight gain stop after treatment? Everyweek I've gained weight and I've got 2 months to go. My stomach already looks like I'm 4 months pregnant, in 2 months I'll look like I'm carrying a baseball team.
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  • mexico2009
    mexico2009 Member Posts: 25
    edited November 2007

    Hello,

    My name is Tamara and I just found this post.  I live in Midlothian, VA near Richmond, VA and 2 hours from DC and 1 1/2 hours from Williamsburg.

    I moved from Southern CA in 1994 and my husband I spent alot of time in San Diego, CA while we lived in Anaheim, CA.

    Please feel free to reply and I will forward my email and cell phone number.

    Tamara

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    hi bren2007. I know you posted wanting to meet others in your area of VA. I live just east of Winchester VA but don't mind heading south. If you still want to make a new friend PM me and we can meet for coffee or lunch sometime. I love the people in Southern VA and my daughter went to s small private school down your way. I start chemo on Tues and I feel a bit isolated. I hope you're doing OK. Diane

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