MI Survivors

So sorry I had to miss this time but hope to make it in January. Just as a side note, I will be going away from 1/22 - 1/29 so IFFFFFF it could be before that, it would be great!!

Blessings,

Pat

I'm sorry I missed the lunch since I really wanted to meet those who couldn't make it last time. I was in the process of moving but hope to make the next one in January.

I'm so sorry that I didn't make it...I had a fill on that previous thursday and was in unbearable pain for the next 5 days....My mast wasn't even that bad.....

It sounds like you all had fun....I wish I could've made it...I can't wait for the next one....

Hope all is well with everyone.....
Hugs to you all......
Candi

I hope all you Michigan gals had a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Chris:
I understand your mixed feelings. The intent is to let people know not to skip an annual mammogram and to appreciate each moment. On the other hand,I am sure you don't want sympathy, just acceptance and empathy. I was reluctant at first to talk about it, because I didn't wnat to look like I was tryoing to get sympathy. But then, after I got over the shock of having it, I did share with friends. I was overwhelmed by all the love and support and prayers. It did spur some of my friends who had put off having their mammograms to schedule one. I don't send out Christmas letters. If I did, I am not sure if I would include it, because the majority of people I send cards to, are aware of it. E-mail was great for letting people know without having to face them. So, I am not much help. Thanks for asking for an opinion. Have a blessed Christmas.
Pam W in Woodhaven (formerly Worried in Woodhaven).

Hi All,

Boy, you certainly hit a nerve with me. I, too struggled with writing a letter this year since technically speaking I am not out of the words. How do you write " I have a mass on my neck now, with nodules in my lungs"? So...I ditched the idea of a newsletter and just stuck with cards.

Sphynx, let us know what is happening with hubby-your in my thoughts.

Happy Holidays Ladies.

Lorie

I have been thinking about you a lot. I do want to let you know that I am doing okay and now once chemo has started, it did relieve a bit of anxiety. You all were right again! Please send me thoughts of ideas if I can help any way.

Hi! I just found this thread. I was diagnosed in August, has a mastectomy Sept. 30, had a massive infection & had the mastectomy reopened & was in hospital for a week & came home on IV therapy. When that was over I had intestinal blockage (not connected to cancer), so I had emergency gastro surgery to cut an adhesion. Then I had to wait for axillary node dissection. They removed 29 nodes; all were negative, but the sentinal lymph node had been positive. I am ER+PR+, Stage 2, Grade 3. I'm probably a victim of long-term HRT with both premarin & prempro--my own fault I guess. A port was put in a week and a half ago & I've been back to work teaching high school in Detroit for 1 week, 2 days. I live in Rochester Hills and am a Henry Ford Patient. I'm supposed to start chemo Mon., but just the thought has had me up all night throwing up. My 23-year-old lives with me, but has doen enough and has her own problems. My 26-year-old daughter lives near Kalamazoo and is a teach who is into civic theater. She has no time & if I get emotional says she can't deal with my mental problems. She's married & also has 2 dogs & a cat to care for. My 22 year old flew home from Africa tonight & will return to WMU in Jan. He's great, but can't abide emotions either. If I don't do chemo & relapse, they'll blame me, but I am just too frightened. I'm divorced & my former long-time SO is in prison. He writes & calls supportively, but also expects me to do chemo. His sisters all did chemo, but one is out of remission and the other has other health problems now. Sorry for runing off at the mouth, but I thought I could make myself do this and do it without anti-emitics, but I can't even think about it without being sick & emotional> I thought I was okay on the hair thing too, but can't find a wig that doesn't look like it belongs on a sheepdog or Dolly Parton & don't have big bucks or time to find one.
Sphinx - I'm sorry your husband is still not well. My SO is a prostate cancer survivor.
Lorianne - I'm so sorry that you have a lump & nodules. You were so brave & optimistic (beautiful too) when I met you at the luncheon. I hate for you to have more problems after all you've overcome. What is the next step?

Jon, Thank you for your posts. I'm glad you're feeling better, but if I get brave enough for chem, no decadron for me! I'd probably be committed. I hope the next chemo goes well for you.

Sorry, this was so long, but at least it stopped me from crying for a while from fear.

Hello everyone! It's been awhile...whew, a crazy few weeks for me! I hope everyone is well. I am good, just really tired. Tonite was my last final for the semester...it was a really hard semester for me, too. I'm glad I decided to take only 3 classes after radiation..wasn't sure how I would feel. Turns out I was kind of tired still in the beginning of the semester, but the tired I am feeling now is simply from doing too much, staying up too late, and working too hard!

So now I can start the christmas shopping. Yeah, I said start. Ugh. I really wish the school semester ended earlier so those of us with children had a bit more time before the holidays to get ready. Oh well.

My daughter had surgery yesterday for her endo. The did a uterus suspension, too, although I'm not really sure how that will help her. We were hoping she would go home yesterday afternoon/evening, but her heart rate stayed between 120-140 beats per minute for over 12 hours, no one knew why. So they kept her overnight, which was just as well because then she started bleeding kinda heavy...she really freaked out about that...but she's doing somewhat better now. Poor kid. This was her 4th laparascopy, and she's only 18.

I am glad to talk to you all again. I tried to pop in here and there over the last month, but knew I had to keep my butt on track and do my assignments first. I taught for five weeks in my son's class...that was the first time I actually taught entire lessons to a class...I was nervous, but I did ok.

I've missed talking to you all. Hope we can get together again soon. I hope you all have a great holiday!

Hugs
Judy

Greetings to all:
I am new to this site, but am a 6 year survivor of breast cancer. Dx in 1998 (two days after my mother's funeral).
Had a lumpectomy in Dec. 98 - margins not clear - masectomy and reconstruction done in Feb. 99, followed by 12 rounds of ATC, 29 rounds of radiation. Started tamoxifen in late 99 and about to go off it, but on to arimidex. I would have never thought six years ago, that I would be writing my story, but there is success in breast cancer and we are all proof. Treated at Harper Hospital and Karmanos, live in Clinton Township. Married 32 years, two adult children, 29 and 26, one getting married in 2005. Work for Clinton Township Government and hope to retire from here someday.
Life is not fair, but we must all take what we get and make the best of it. Kudos to all the survivors, not only in Michigan, but all over; and kudos to our medical society, which is making breast cancer a treatable disease. Happy Holidays to all of you and hope for a happy, healthy, New Year.

marge

Hi LorieAnne,



I was dx with lobular breast cancer ten years after having ductal breast cancer in opposite breast. Was treated at Beaumont Royal Oak. Dr. Pettinga is my breast surgeon and Dr. Meininger is my plastic surgeon. They are both fabulous and caring doctors! I had bilateral mastectomies done on 11/2/04 with expanders. I am slowly expanding as I had radiation to the right breast 10 years ago. I am up to 330 cc's on both sides now. I had 12 weeks of taxotere and ended up with pleural effusions and CT scan showed small nodules in lungs. I am due for another CT this month or next. I pray that these are benign for us. Please let me know how you make out. Wendy

Hello everyone, hope all had a wonderful holiday. To all who asked, my daughter is doing ok,-- no real relief from pain yet, but she received a lovely 1/2 carat engagement ring for christmas! It will be a longggg engagement, she's only 18!!! But her boyfriend has been with her for almost 4 years, and helps her through her illness every day.

Welcome Wendy and Marge to the MI board! Marge, it is wonderful that you are doing so well. Wendy, I hope everything turns out B9 for you!

Anna- I still have 7 classes left before I student teach, but have been doing (and will be doing) lots of mini practicums in the classroom. I have a 45 hr. practicum for reading next semester.

Lorie, Nancy, Chris, and everyone else: hope you are all doing well. Everyone have a wonderful new years.

Hope to see you all soon!

Hugs
Judy

Hi Normalcani,

I agree he is awesome! Just curious, are the expanders in now before you start the radiation? Glad your chemo is behind you! Wendy

Hi Michigan sisters,
I also treated with Dr Petinga until she moved to the Troy facility. Meininger is my ps as well. Just had my expanders exchanged for implants on 12/8. It looks like quite a crowd treating with Meininger! I see him again on the 10th and may have to discuss possible revision.