Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[Miss Mickey Mania]

well, it's a floor length gown with spaghetti straps, with a matching jacket.it's a navy fabric with beadwork over the entire gown.

I bought strappy little shoes, which I'm going to have dyed navy to match.

Hi Lessa, I'm Louise. I haven't said hello to you since you started posting, sorry! Sometimes it takes me a while to catch up with postings.

Your dress sounds beautiful! Nice idea to dye the shoes too. I'd be scared to get that done in case it didn't work .

Just for your information about me - I live on the south west coast of Scotland, and work as a primary (elementary)teacher. My mum was diagnosed with bc in March and has only 1 more chemo session to have, then she'll have surgery in September. So I recently started to visit this excellent thread as a supporter. I went on my first solo trip to WDW last month, which was wonderful! My parents and brother were supposed to be coming too but of course that was cancelled so I did it solo. I will certainly do it again!

Have a great day and GAGWTA!

Louise

 

[Lessa of Pern]

nice to meet you Louise.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Laurabelle - Hope they fix you up - don't you love dealing with this stuff!


Happy Anniversary Snappy! We'll be on vacation for our 23rd next month.

Lessa - Dress and shoes sound just beautiful! And remember - just like you probably tell your teens - just because you FEEL like everyone is looking at you and HAS to notice you're in a wig - they probably aren't and don't! I wore my wig - which while similar to my hair color and style - it seemed like a HUGE change to me - for several months and people who didn't know me well enough to talk to me on a daily basis didn't even know. I had someone tell me I was lucky my hair hadn't come out during chemo!

 

[Lessa of Pern]

LOL -- what I'm really hoping is that all eyes will be on my beautiful daughters and no one will be looking at me, but...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA!

snappy, WTG! Happy Anniversary!

Laura, here's for fast healing!

Just noticed these new smilies - I love them and have to try them out (bear with me)... aw: ug: aw: aw:

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!!

jamounger...welcome, glad you found us!!

Lessa...sounds lovely!!

snappy...a very happy anniversary to you and DH!!

laura...ick...hope it gets cleared up quick!

Linda...those kids are goreous!

well.....I ended up back at the hospital campus (one of the medical bldgs) today when I thought I was done with my daily trips for awhile
Yesterday during a rather unpleasant stressful phone call I got one of those "floater" thingies in my eye - but it was "darker" than the normal ones that sort of come occasionally and disappear. ANd it was still there and bothersome this morning. My eye doctor was not available so his office sent me to a practice up at the "campus". Another Doogie Howser doc there told me a had a tiny 1mm retinal hemmorhage (EEK)...can be caused either by a piece of the gel lining stuff breaking off which in itself creates a "floater" (but he thought what I was seeing was the shadow of the hemmorhage as opposed to the floater itself ) or it can be caused by physcial strain - he used a weight lifter as an example and said I shouldn't do any heavy lifting He did not seem to feel this was stress related but pesonally I don't understand why if the pressure from a physcal strain can cause it, why couldn't pressure from stress cause it? But anyway, he thinks it will resolve itself over a few weeks but wants me back to see their "retinal specialist" Monday to be sure. Don't like this eye-dilation thing...had to wear sunglasses even back at the office for a couple of hours!!
And Tuesday morning I go back to that darn bldg for a teeth cleaning!!!

On one of those visits, I have to stop at the Onc office, they called today to say that my meds are in....my Tamoxifen and Arimidex...only one is real and I don't know which.

So...some R&R in store for me this weekend...I need to stop stressing about stupid stuff...(well it's not stupid stuff, I won't go into it, but I need to stop stressing about it.) Tomorrow night we are going to a local production of Grease...can't wait...love that show! Sunday is one of my grandbabies' 2nd birthday party.
BTW... Don't know if I have told you guys that I am a Grammie to 5 going on 7. I haev 4 step-children, 3 of them are quickly starting families. One son has an almost 4 yr old DS, the almost 2 yr old DD, and a second DD due any day now too. Daughter has an almost 3 yr old DD and almost 1 yr old DS. Another son is expecting a second DS in November when his first DS turns 2!!
Third stepson is single w/no kids as is my DD 19.

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

 

[Disney Debbie]

GAGWTA!

Ann - Sorry about the eye mess. It seems like we shouldn't have to deal with other stuff after dealing with cancer! And I especially hate having to go to all those Dr. appts. - Onco, radio, surg., gyno, regular pcp, eye and teeth!! Wish we could just be put up on the lift at the garage and have them do everything at one time!!

 

[NHAnn]

It seems like we shouldn't have to deal with other stuff after dealing with cancer! ........Wish we could just be put up on the lift at the garage and have them do everything at one time!!

Isn't that the TRUTH!!!!OMG....too funny!!

 

[Lessa of Pern]

when does the warranty expire on my body, I'd like to trade it in for a newer model.

 

[MinnieM3]

Survived my first day back at school. Meetings, meetings, meetings! BORING! DS16's band had its exhibition performance and it was WOW! So much more htan I expected! GAGWTA! Sorry so short. I'm pooped!

 

[NHAnn]

when does the warranty expire on my body, I'd like to trade it in for a newer model.

yep, we got some "lemons" huh? oops...maybe the fruit is kind of a bad analogy on this thread.........


PS...MinnieM3...I HATE meetings...glad band was a 'wow' though!!

 

[laurabelle]

GAGWTA Everyone!

MinnieM3- I can't imagine being back to school already! My kids start on the 29th, and I think that's too soon!

Ann- What an ordeal! I hope it heals soon! Congrats on all those grandbabies - wow!
Tell me about your clinical trial...how come it's a blind study? I did one for my chemo, but it was not a blind trial. It studied which length of treatment using the same chemo drugs, was the best. That's how they found out that dose dense chemo is the best, if your body can handle it. I actually wasn't chosen for that arm of the trial, but chemo kicked my butt, so I don't think I could have handled dose dense. I've done other studies over the years, I go to a university cancer center, so they have plenty of studies, and had to do a trial to get my silicone implants.

Debbie- I coulcn't agree more! I would love to have an overhaul and be done with it!

Lessa- Oh to have a new body...someday!
I'll tell you something an onc nurse told me when I was feeling self conscious about the wig. I used to be a hair stylist -ironic, I know! She said, "Do you really look at people that closely?" No, I said, not really. "Well, they're not really looking that closely at you either and they probably won't realize you have a wig on, but if they do, so what?!?" I don't think people are looking for, or expecting a wig on women, you know? I could spot a man's toupee a mile away, but it's harder to tell if a woman is wearing a wig, most of them are that realistic looking. The dress sounds beautiful and I bet you'll feel beautiful in it! Go put it on and wear it with the attitude that you're a hot mama! And believe me, everyone else will see that too!

 

[laurabelle]

Update on me- I heard back (at the end of the day of course!) to change out the bandages and keep fresh dressings and Neosporin on them for a few more days. When I took off the bandages, I ended up in terrible pain, in my cleavage area around my chest wall, which is one of the few places I have feeling left. The nerve pain with this has been terrible. It's weird, because my original reconstruction tattooing didn't bother me at all and you would think it would hurt worse then. But over the years I guess my nerves have had enough! Everything looks fine though, thank God!

I rescheduled my scope (for my post cancer ulcerative colitis) the day before my birthday! I'm so not looking forward to it. I told my hubby, I'd just like to be left alone now, I want to go to Disney World and be a kid and forget about my stupid health problems. I guess that's why I go there all the time! But I have to accept the fact that this is the way it's going to be for me and just keep spending all my therapy $ at Mickey's place.

Too bad insurance doesn't cover WDW trips!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Laurabelle - You have a terrific attitude, keep it up.

I agree, WDW is theraputic and partial should be covered under insurance!

 

[NHAnn]

I want to go to Disney World and be a kid and forget about my stupid health problems. I guess that's why I go there all the time! But I have to accept the fact that this is the way it's going to be for me and just keep spending all my therapy $ at Mickey's place.

Too bad insurance doesn't cover WDW trips!

Sounds like a plan laurabelle! I agree, WDW, or even planning or imagining, is good therapy. One of my relaxing/going to sleep things I do is (in my head) step outside on the balcony at the Dolphin (the awesome turrett balcony room we had at the end of the far east wing in June 03) ...soak in the warm humid air, morning sun, and the sounds of the place waking up, Frinedship boat horns tooting, then magically back in the room everyone is ready to leave for the day....exit the hotel, past the Swan, across the bridge to the Boardwalk, down the Boardwalk to the back door of Epcot, in to world showcase...then pick a place to go from there....usually the back gardens in the UK section to sit among the flowers......aaaahhhhhh......

About the trial....here is a link with some info...Trial
I guess it's blind to limit the subconscious influence on your side effects and the effectiveness of the drug. Participants are only unblinded after the results are published, or if suffering a life-threatening medical condition. I can stop anytime though.

GAGWTA and happy Saturday!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

One of my relaxing/going to sleep things I do is (in my head) step outside on the balcony at the Dolphin (the awesome turrett balcony room we had at the end of the far east wing in June 03) ...soak in the warm humid air, morning sun, and the sounds of the place waking up, Frinedship boat horns tooting, then magically back in the room everyone is ready to leave for the day....exit the hotel, past the Swan, across the bridge to the Boardwalk, down the Boardwalk to the back door of Epcot, in to world showcase...then pick a place to go from there....usually the back gardens in the UK section to sit among the flowers......aaaahhhhhh......

Ann, Thank you for taking me there!

 

[disneylizzy]

I started out with special bras, but hated the granny type bras I'd found. Now I wear regular bras. They work fine if you find the right fit. I named my prosthesis Betty **** (okay that won't get past, so think Betty Boop). I gave her a funny name to make my kids laugh. They needed to see humor in our situation at that time. I wear "her" when I go out and often around the house. Sometimes, around home, I go without. I used to lose her all the time, hence the nickname. I'd tell the family, "I've lost Betty. Everybody search!" I'd be glad to answer any other questions you might have. I know others who have had wonderful luck with reconstruction, but I just decided it wasnt' for me. Too many unnecessary surgeries.

Wow, what a great attitude. I really admire that. I feel like I coped a lot better during the surgery, chemo, radiation, etc. than I do now that everything's over. I went on autopilot for a year and now I find that my life is far from what it used to be. I wanted to get implants right away, but was told that because of the radiation I was not a candidate. I saw a PS 2 years ago and I would have to have the surgery where they take fat from your back or stomach. From what I hear it is pretty long and involved. I chickened out, especially after hearing that some women weren't happy with their results.

GAGWTA! Only 3 weeks til our mom & sons trip to the world and boy do I need it. Laurabelle, I know exactly what you mean by WDW therapy!

 

[snappy]

Too bad insurance doesn't cover WDW trips!

If only this were true!! The WDW trips are the same for me, Before BC, they seemed like an escape to me, after BC they are more like treatment.

Can't the docs just give us a prescription for it?

Sorry to hear about the pain, Laurabelle. At least the area looks good. With nerve pain, time really is your best friend, at least that is what my DSis says, she has horrid nerve pain in her back and hips. But she has pain pills for it. Have you asked for temporary pain meds?

Sorry about your eye incident, Ann. You were very smart to have it checked pronto though. You really do not want to fool around with your eyesight, too important. Maybe you should insist on seeing your regular eye doctor Monday, on an emergency basis? Please follow up on it and let us know. Never imagined you as a grammie Ann, you sound way too young, even for steps.. Bet you are a great one though.

I'd like to trade "up" on a couple of body parts as well. I cringe when I look in the mirror sometimes, my neck looks like it is getting looser every day.

Oh well, we had a great dinner last night at Carrabas. We have had a sort of small cool front so instead of the usual sticky high humidity stuff we have dry breezes and beautiful skies. Even this morning. . . also, we had a bunch of hot air balloons pass over our neighborhood (we are in the midst of the annual national and local balloon champiopships here this week). So pleasant sitting outside for awhile and watching 'em pass over. Ok now, on with the day.

Good luck with the school year, MinnieM3. I found out DD9 has the most wonderful 4th grade teacher yesterday, when I checked the class assignment list. I was so happy I teared up. She will have a wonderful year, just like the last one. Bless you MinnieM3 and all teachers.

 

[mickeymost]

GAGTWA everyone

Sorry I haven't been around much. Packing up this house and radiation once or twice a day has me beat. Rads is going okay. I have a rash. Same rash I had last time I did rads, hopefully it goes away just as quickly this time.

Tomorrow is my 38th birthday! Birthdays excite me more every year now. It makes me appreciate all the time I've had since diagnosis. It's been almost 3 years for me now, but I guess I have to start counting over now after the recurrence.

My next WDW trip is less than 40 days away now, I'm getting so excited. New house, trip to disney and end of radiation, all within 2 weeks of each other.

Hello, Lori and Lessa you both sound like very strong women. You will get through this. Keep up the great attitudes.

It's funny, when I found out I had cancer again, the first thought was I don't want to loose my hair again, it's just looking good now. Thank goodness I only had to do radiation again, not chemo. I wore my bald head proudly, never got a wig, but that's the way I was comfortable. I also wanted to show the world that yes, you can get cancer at 35 years old.

Ann - hope you are doing well. Reading your post about being in the UK flower garden was wonderfull. It really took me away from here to a better place.

I better get to bed. It's 1am and I need to pack again later.

Kelly

 

[laurabelle]

Kelly! Tuesday's my bday...isn't it the best!?!
Sorry to hear about the rads rash. What do they have you use for it? Hey, good for you for going "topless"! I have other friends who say the same thing. It helps other young women to know they could get bc too.
I think the timing of the trip and move is perfect!

snappy- My pain is the worst when I shower. It feels like that area is on fire! Crazy! I had my masts done 6yrs ago, you would think I wouldn't have issues anymore... The rest of the time it hasn't been bad. I'm just taking tylenol before I shower now! If it goes on, I'll call and let my PS know.

Ann- So do you get your prescription from your onc? The pills probably look different, right??? I'm intrigued!
I totally loved your visual! The Epcot resorts are my fav! I've stayed 3x at the Dolphin (hubby works for the fed. govt., love those discounts!!! ) and once at BCV. I love taking the boat (or walking) and going through the International Gateway straight to World Showcase... Love the gardens, in UK, Canada, China and our favorite, Japan. The kids get kaki gori and hubby and I get an Ichiban and relax by the waterfall. Yes, daydreaming about Disney (if you can't be there in person!) is some of the best medicine! Anyone else care to indulge and share?

GAGWTA!