Roll Call November 2007

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  • sparker38
    sparker38 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Hey ladies, how is everyone doing?  Pretty good here.  Almost getting back to normal.  Getting out of the house a little bit more.  Still having leg and foot pain.  Started taking Tamoxifen.  There is so many side effects for this stuff I am afraid to take it.  You even have to be sure to wash your hands after handling the pill.  But I am taking it one day at a time.

    We got a call yesterday that my sis-in-law has just been dx with pancreatic and liver cancer.  They started her on chemo already.  She is in good spirits right now.  And has put it in Gods hands.

    Well I hope everyone is doing fine.  haven't seen much posting here lately.  Please keep posting.  We need each other. 

    Miss you all, Sharon, Trumpet, chantal, yogi, dream and everyone else i didn't mention. 

    Love you all

    Sabrina

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2008

    Hi Sabrina - I am doing pretty good.  Getting ready for tx#3 on Monday!

    Yes, we do need each other!  Prayers up for everyone!

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi Sabrina,

    I am sorry to hear about your sister-in-law, my prayers are up and out.  It sounds like she has a good attitude for sure; to place it in Gods' hands.

    Glad you are getting out more--I know I can not stay in this house more than a day and I love my home---something about getting out to me says I AM--I CANCool

    Keep on keeping on!!!

    Linda C

  • sparker38
    sparker38 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Hey everyone.  Where are you guys at?  Tired of talking about bc or what?  This room is not just about bc I hope.  We are sisters and hopefully we have more in common with one another than bc.  Please keep posting.  I love the encouragment and inspiration we give each other.  And to know that you are doing alright.  Hope to here from you guys soon.

    Love you all

    Sabrina

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2008

    Hi everybody!  I had Tx3 yesterday....getting there!

    Are there any American Idol fans out there?  I love music and really enjoy watching the show.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    Hi, Linda, Sabrina and Trumpet. Still here - just in limited spurts, lol...

    Trumpet, my son and I LOVE American Idol. Tonight we have a karate thing to go to and will miss it. My son is bummed because he wants to vote for Syesha - again, lol... 

    Hoping everyone is doing well - and Trumpet, congrats on tx#3 down - whoo-hoo!! 

  • sparker38
    sparker38 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Hello, ladies.  Congrats Trumpet on getting through your 3rd tx.  Good luck.  Yes I am a fan of American Idol.  My son and I enjoy watching it together and being the side table judges.  He thinks I am too much like Simon.  Last night I was way off on the guy singing "Somewhere over the Rainbow"  I thought they were gonna eat him up and spit him out.  Was I wrong.  They loved him.  I just don't get the thing where they say you didn't blow me away like so-in-so who originally sang it.  Keep comparing them to someone else.  I don't like that and it is not fair.  They sure didn't compare him to Patti Labelle.  But Syesha to Fantasia.  Didn't like that at all.  But anyway love the show. 

    Hello Felicia and everyone else.  You are all in my prayers,

    Sabrina 

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2008

    Hi everybody (Felicia, Sabrina, Linda, Benita, and all I've missed)!  Continued prayers for us all!!

    Idol Fans:  As soon as Syesha started to sing, I just knew there were going to compare her to fantasia!  I thought she did a great jobSmile!!!  The 'rainbow' guy has a different style; he is OK, but I don't think he will go much further.  I think it will boil down to the young kid, the rocker guy with the large forehead (I am terrible at names) and maybe the tattoo chick.  I am voting away for Syesha and she should make it to the top 4 or 3 at a minimum!!!!

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi ladies,

    I have not posted, seems like in a few days either.  It has been "alot of those days in life".  I got a daughter that was ill and in the hospital--My 2 daughters live in Texas, so I been on the phone to "Jesus" and to them all week, and today she had surgery--adhesions from a previous surgery, had wrapped around her intestines causing much pain.  Thank God she is doing well, but we will leave this weekend to go and help take care of her so I will be gone for a week.

    We did take time to celebrate our 43rd Wedding Anniversary Apr.9--went to dinner in Kansas City, that is always a get-away and a treat.

    So here is "Best to All of You", Ya too are my family and even when I have not posted, know that I am thinking about all of you, and praying for everyone.  If I don't look in tomorrow, I will check in when I get back.

    Sabrina, I like that you said we have more in common, not only bc---I agree just hearing from everyone and knowing how each is doing is an inspiration.Smile

    Stay strong, Stay blessed!!!

    Linda C

  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2008

    Hey ladies, sorry I've been MIA for a while. I haven't been well lately. Really bad headaches and swelling in my surgery arm. I'm getting tx number 7th of Taxol this friday. I had my muga Tuesday...waiting to hear how that went. I'm so tired of this I don't know what to do. Taxol has made me put on so much weight. My poor body! I hardly recognize myself anymore. My dh keeps telling me how beautiful I look...I just roll my eyes at him and tell him to be quiet. I know he's just being supportive but sometimes I just don't want to hear it! Sorry ladies, I'm just getting really tired of this and it's not like I can just stop, you know. Hopefully, next time I post, I'll be in a better mood.

    I hope everyone is having a better time of this than me. It is supposed to be nice this weekend, maybe my mood will get better. Love you guys! 

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited April 2008

    Hey Ladies,

    Sharon, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well but remember this will pass. What did the doctor say about swelling in the arm?  Do you know if its lymphadema?  I hope it isn't.  I know how you feel about being tired of it all sometimes I wish I could just jump out of my body.  I have my 4th and last treatment of A/C Tuesday and I am dreading it but at the same time I can't wait.  Basically, I've been doing okay except for 3 to 4 days after tx 2 and 3 I was tired as hell.  I admit I am fearful of starting taxol.  I've been reading about some of the SEs and I'm trying not to anticipate the worst.  I hope your MUGA scan is okay, I know it determines whether or not you start the herceptin.   Since we are on the same tx I have the concern about the adriamycin and herceptin and risks to the heart.  It seems to tame one beast we run the risks of facing another. 

    I know it'll get better for you hang in there.  My dh tries to be supportive too he says I'm beautiful bald headed scar and all blah blah blah yeah yeah right sometimes it is nerve-wrecking (bless them).

    Hang in there!!!!

    Yogi

  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2008

    Thanks Yogi, I know there is an end to all this madness, but I just can't seem to see it right now. I don't think I really dealt with having breast cancer. When I was told, I just absorbed it an did whatever I needed to do to get to the next step. I think that is one reason why I'm having a hard time with this now.

    I just moved from San Antonio to North Carolina and I've only met my new oncologist once. I quess he'll let me know how the muga went. One of the nurses in the clinic saw the swelling and put in a referral for a sleeve.

    I hope everyone else is doing fine with your treatments! God bless all of you.

  • cneal318
    cneal318 Member Posts: 212
    edited April 2008

    Hello Everyone,

    Anyone heard from Benita. I was just thinking she hasn't posted since middle of March.

    Benita Hope everything is going ok for you!

    Crystal

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    I am back and I missed everyone!!!

    My daughter is doing great, I hated to leave her, but I knew she was stabilized enough for us to leave. My daughters live across the street from each other, and they have a host of friends, we had some good times in all of this, and the 4 grands are all there too, it is good for the ole folks to get back home, quiet here in our lil city of 120,000.  That Texas traffic is something else.  We dealt with it OK.

    Back to life and reality here---went to chemo yesterday--time for my navelbine---I sure did not miss it for the past 2 weeks, but know I gotta have it.  My energy level was good--had to be---the sick taking care of the sickTongue out.  Dad and Mom playing Nurses, he took care of her dog--I am thankful we could go.

    Been catching up and reading everyones posts.  Good to hear from all ya!!!  Everyone keep on keeping on!!!

    Linda C

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi Felicia,

    Just wanted to tell you how Beautiful that prayer was that you posted to Stephanie---very powerful!!!  We are blessed to have Prayer Warriors like you and all the others!!

    Linda C.

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2008

    Hi everyone! I have been MIA for a bit; tx3 really really hit me hard.  I have been in the hospital now for over a week and a half.  I was rock bottom wbc, high temp, high heart rate, and they found bacteria in my blood.  By the grace of God, I am still here and getting better each day!  Hopefully I will still be able to have my last tx on Monday; but I will be starting out a bit behind the strength power curve.  But I know God will see me through!!

    Praying for everyone!!! God Bless!!!!

  • sparker38
    sparker38 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2008

    Hello everyone

    Trumpet I am glad you are doing better.  We all know about the grace of God and his ability to help up get through this. 

    Linda glad to here your daughter is doing better and that you are rolling along on your chemo. 

    Sharon, hello and how are you doing.  Hopefully much better and stronger than you had been.  Remember I am here if you need to talk.

    Yogi and Felicia and all of the rest hello and may God continue to bless and keep us all in good health.

    Blessings,

    Sabrina

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi Trumpet,

    Hope all goes well for you, and you feel better real soon, keeping you, and all in prayer.

    Linda C.

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited April 2008

    Hi Yogi,

    I know each of us respond to the meds differently--I thought the Adramycin and the Cytoxan had to be the worse.  Taxol had its own side effects like flu symptoms and achey bones, but nothing a pain pill could'nt take care of, some feelings of nausea, but I took Compazine just as soon as I got home, and every 5-6 hours so I really let it get on me.  My head and thought process felt clearer on the Taxol--back in the old days in 1998(lol)They gave me 4 treatments of the Adramycin and Cytoxan and 4 treatments of the Taxol.  Then I had 34 treatments of radiation--this was standard procedure. 

    Anyway I hope You will do as well as you can by it---Take care

    Linda C.

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited April 2008

    Hey Ladies!!!!

    Linda, I'm glad your daughter is better and that you got a chance to spend time with your family.   

    I just had the last of A/C and I think I did pretty well but I must admit this last tx has knocked me for a loop.  I am more tired than I usually am but I'm taking care and hoping it will pass.  I have a MUGA scheduled for May 8 and should start tx (herceptin and taxol) May 13.

    How is every one else out there?

    Yogi

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited May 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    Thanks Yogi for your hoping my daughter is better--she is going back to work tomorrow.  Me--trying to rest up from my trip--all good!!!

    Hey where is everybody???  I don't have nothing to talk about myself, but I sure like hearing from everyone and know what is going on in "your worlds"Kiss  I hope and pray all is well and everyone is taking good care of themselves.

    Take care till later.

    Linda C.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    Hi, Linda, Yogi, Sabrina, Trumpet and the rest of my Nubian sisters! Hoping all is well in your neck of the woods...

    Well, on this end, things are good - just busy. I publish a magazine and we are nearing deadline (date when everything has to go to the printer) - stressful! Everyone wants answers and informatin YESTERDAY. I left a bit early yesterday (at 3:30 - for a karate promotion) and when I logged on this morning, I had 30 "Help me NOW!!" messages in my inbox. Sigh...

    But the promotions went well. I am now officially a First Kyu (advanced brown belt) who will be elligible to test for my Black Belt (GULP!!) in May of next year - hurray! Not bad for an old lady, huh?!? Wink My hads are sore from breaking boards and I feel like I was run over by a very big bus, but it's all good. Wouldn't trade the post-test soreness for anything, lol...

    My ex is still being an a$$ to my son (I'm in need of some prayer on that one), and although he's ALWAYS been an a$$, I'm still surprised each time it happens at the new low levels he sinks to. So, I'm adopting a new strategy that I got from a song of all places: I can learn from it or ignore it. I'm choosing to ignore his mangey tail...

    Feeling good except for this daggone sinus infection. My hope is that the new antibiotic I'm on will kick this thing to the curb without giving me a yeast infection (ha - fat chance)...

    Thinking of all of you Smile

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2008

    Hi everybody!  I am finally out of the hospital! Smile Two weeks was a long time!  So good to get in my own bed!

    Praying for everyone!

  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited May 2008

    Welcome home Trumpet! Glad to hear that you are doing better. I hope everyone else is hanging in there. I just had my 9th tx of taxol. My onc prescribed something for my headaches and put in for a catscan that I will have tomorrow morning. Hopefully everything will work out. Last week was just a blurr with the headaches. I felt like I was going mad/insane. I was in pain all day and nothing was helping. It hurt to even hear people talking! Today was a good day though.

    Now to a different subject, have you ladies decided what type of recontruction you are going to have or if you are going to go that route? I've been switching back and forth with it. I met with a plastic surgeon and he thought that the tram proceedure would be best for me. I just don't know if I want to go through another surgery again. If I decide to do the tram thing, it won't be any time soon. I think

     I may just keep wearing the breast prothesis. I see that they have the kind that sticks to you and have real looking nipples. If you had reconstruction surgery already, what kind of surgery did you have, how was the healing process and are you pleased with your results?

    Well, untill next time, you beautiful ladies have a blessed weekend! 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    Hey, Trumpet - glad you are home. But I bet you are waaay more happy, lol...

    Sharon, all the best with the CAT scan. Hopefully they will find some way to relieve your headaches, too.

    Hugs to you both... 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008
    Opps - sorry! Posted twice for some reason...
  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited May 2008

    Oh it is good to hear from ya!!!

    Felicia: Your interest in Karate sounds great, and your magazine--You Go Girl!!  Good luck in all you are doing--it keeps your mind busy and this is all good!!!

    Trumpet:  Glad you are home from the hospital--thats a long time to have to be in one of those places--take care of you and rest, so you can get back on the move againKiss

    Sharont68:  I hope your scans go well--I had them headaches during the time I was on Taxotere and they done a brain scan--it was clear ,Thank God!!  They never said it was a side effect of the med, but I wonder.  I have always had sinus problems so this did not help!

    Take your time in deciding what it is you choose to do..I choose to stick with my prothesis --I thought I don't want any more surgeries

    at my age--I am just  "coasting".Cool

    Sabrina---where are you??

    Benita---where are you??

    Everybody stay Blessed!!!!

    Linda C

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited May 2008

    Hey everybody!!!!   Just sitting here reading post and was happy see how everyone is doing.  Good for you TRUMPET!!!!  SHARON, I'm glad your headaches are better.I hope everything works out. I start Taxol on May 13.  Oh, I was also told I was a good candidate for the TRAM FLAP  but that's next year sometime. I've seen a few pictures of some and they actually looked good.  FELECIA, girl you kick a$$!!!  I took TAE KWONDO for about a minute then my reserve unit was activated for Iraq back in 2003. When I got back home I just never got back in that groove, but you got me thinkin' about it again.  Hey LINDA!!!

    Everybody take care and God Bless.

    Yogi

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    I'm telling you - karate is the best therapy there is, lol! It helps to hit stuff as hard as you want/can and yell at the top of your lungs without anyone shhhh'ing you. And it's much cheaper than counseling, lol...

    I actually started karate in the middle of radiation (I know, probably not the best time to begin, but it seemed like a good idea at the time). So through all the physical changes - expander boobs, one boob and a prosthesis, IGAP boobs, Barbie boobs (nipple-less, lol) - karate was the one constant. It felt great to be able to do stuff that I'd never even attempted before, almost like I had cancer but it didn't have me...

    So go out and find that tae kwon do class or even a kick boxing session at your local Y. You'll be surprised at how liberating kicking the crap out of a heavybag or soft blocking dummy can be (I picture the face of my ex or my hubby-to-be's ex and blast it like there is no tommorrow!). I truly believe that if it weren't for the karate outlet, someone in my home would be physically injured by now, lol...

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited May 2008

    I just participated in my first RELAY FOR LIFE and it was a very moving experience for me. Last year as

     I drove home from work past my high school stadium where RELAY is held, I vowed to myself: "Next year I'm going to participate in RELAY FOR LIFE."  I never thought that 2008 would bring me face to face with cancer or that I would find myself wearing a survivor's t-shirt.

    This week has been very emotional for me.  It all started when a co-worker and fellow breast cancer survivor sent me an e-mail.  The e-mail showed a picture of a woman walking for ovarian cancer.  It instructed me to forward the e-mail and change the subject to "she just left Yogi's house" to help her continue her journey.  Well, I sent the e-mail to everyone in my contact list.  This morning I received an e-mail from a fellow reservist who served in Kuwait with me during Iraqi Freedom, informing me that on Tueday, May 6 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  It was found early so she believes it can be treated with laser surgery.

    Well, today when I entered the stadium of my alma mater who did I see but another fellow reservist (we served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm together) wearing a Survivor's t-shirt!!  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb of this year.  

    I HATE CANCER!!!  It takes so much away from us!!!  But, ironically because of cancer I have renewed two wonderful friendships that had fallen by the wayside in the journey of life and for that I am grateful.

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