Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[ElenitaB]

I'm back! Hey there, everyone, and GAGWTA!!!

I had my surgery (unsuccessful, unfortunately) on Aug 3, and was all set to be discharged on Monday, the 8th, however, I developed both C-Diff (colitis) and blood clots in my leg. That's when it got reallly rough... I didn't get discharged until the 11th and have been trying to build up my strength and get some of the meds out of my system (so I'm not continually nauseous). It's been a ride, and not a very good one. But the important thing is that I'm here for the fight. I start chemo on Wednesday and will try to get them to shimmy the schedule so that we can go on our November vacation.

Anyway, just wanted to check in... you'll start seeing more of me soon.

Big hugs to all!

 

[NHAnn]

Hugs Chris, and wishing you many more monarchs

Elenita....so good to see you and sorry it was such a rough ride but looking dorward to hearign from you more often as you get through the chemo...and keep that vacation im mind!!

Laura...that's wonderful that Lisa was able to come, and I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

I took my dad to his friend's funeral today....it was an emotional day on many levels. I'm very glad I went.

Tomorrow...a grandbaby b-day party then off to Boston with DD. Talk to you all next week!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Elenita, so sorry to hear that things didn't go well for you. But I am thrilled to see you back here again. Keep your chin up and look towards that wonderful vacation. Hugs!

Ann, glad you got to go, too. Safe travels.

I've been thinking of Lisa a lot today. Loads of prayers have been sent her way.

I think we're getting a new family member later this weekend. I heard about a kitty that was found along the highway. He's on his way to the pound the first of the week if he's not adopted. So have I mentioned I'm a sucker? I'll post a picture later. We can't bring him home until we have him tested for feline leukemia though. I don't get Cricket that shot and I won't take a chance on his health.

Later ladies. GAGWTA!

 

[MinnieM3]

Glad this first full week of school is over! Love my class. Hate administration and everything that goes with it. It's weird, but sometimes I feel like other teachers kinda keep their distance from me because I had "the big C." It's probably paranoia, but I just notice stuff like that.

Elenita, sorry for all you've been through. Sounds very rough! Hang on for November.

Way to go Lisa! Will continue to keep her in my prayers.

Resting this weekend. GAGWTA!

 

[laurabelle]

GAGWTA!

ElenitaB- I'm so sorry to hear what a horrible time you've had! I have post-cancer colitis too, so I sure can relate to how awful that can be. I hope and pray that this chemo works wonders for you and that you kick some cancer butt!!!

Chris- No wonder you were doing that intense SBE...I would wager that everyone of us who's lives have been invaded by this beast has done it that way at least once.
I'm glad those butterflies were surrounding you...

 

[Laurajean1014]

GAGWTA!

Elenita - Hang in there.

NHAnn - Hockey season starts in a few days/weeks (non-pro).

Going to my first "Why Me" meeting. Does anyone have these near them? I'm not so much interested in the discussion as I am meeting the woman affected by BC. I am hoping to meet some nice people. They run these twice a month at my hospital.

I had a wonderful woman name Joyce call me from this group to see how I was doing. She was wonderful and told her that after my radiation is done, I would like to sign up and do the same for others.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA!

Laurajean, good for you - glad you found a nice group. How is your treatment going, BTW?

ElenitaB, you have one kick-butt attitude, I love it!! You're an inspiration! Will keep my fingers crossed you can make it on your cruise in November.

We had a woman dying of you-know-what last week on my unit. It was hard, I literally had to keep talking myself out of letting those scary feelings creep up. I love my job but there are times it's difficult...

 

[Lessa of Pern]

must stop watching tv sometimes...there was a CNN special on yesterday afternoon about the war on cancer, and it was heartbreaking.

 

[Tinkertude]

Laurajean, It is Y-Me. Got it's name because it started when two ladies at work met. One had been thru treatment the other had just been diagnosed. The first meetings were held in the local YWCA. The group name was called the Y and ME. And got shortened. It is a peer to peer support group that is now nationwide with the headquarters in Chicago. I joined a group 9 yrs ago and still attend the monthly meetings. It is a safe place. You can share your feelings and fears. They are met with understanding because someone in the group if not all have had the experience. My group is called Been There Done That( yes, we have attitude lol)

 

[disneylizzy]

First of all, GAGWTA!
ElenitaB - I'm praying that today is a little better than yesterday and that tomorrow will be better still for you.

Keeping Lisa in my prayers, also. She sounds like such an incredible lady.

To Chris, What a beautiful picture I have in my mind of the monarch butterflies gracing you.

I am sending a very large thank you to the GAGWTA girls for letting me know about the Y-ME site and last Wed's conference call. I signed up a few weeks ago for the conference call on Sexuality and Intimacy and it was amazing. The nurse who spoke was funny and straightforward. I wish so much that I heard something like this 4 years ago. This issue has been so tough for me and I can't tell you how much it helped to listen and talk to other women who are having the same problems.

Even my onc - a woman - did not give me any help in this area.

Right now things are crazy because DS & DD are getting ready to go back to college and we are leaving for WDW on 8/29 , but I am looking forward to investigating Y-Me more this fall.

 

[disneylizzy]

Linda - Very scary. My mom's neighbor recently passed away from you-know-what after a very courageous 20 year battle. Her youngest is the same age as my oldest. I don't like to even think about it. I think about my neighbor who just left to be the nurse at a week long summer camp for children with seizures - she is a 20 year survivor.

 

[snappy]

Dizzylizzy, I signed up for that teleconference too. The nurse who did the talk was amazing, very knowledgable, and a survivor herself, which I think made a real difference. I did not expect the end part where they set up small groups and you could talk back and forth in your group. We even had two men in our group. , one a survivor's husband, the other one someone who with his wife was doing a research project on this topic. I just singed up for it about 15 minutes before it started, I almost missed it.
Our BC support leader sent us an email about it, she is really good about letting us know about things held here locally too. She is a dear person.

Also, at my BC support group last week we received a flier on another telephone workshop, this one put on by Cancercare, the title is Bone Health for Women Living with Breast Cancer. You can register on line at cancercare.org, its is scheduled for Friday , Oct 14th from 2 to 3 pm, EST.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday. GAGWTA!!!

ElitaB. I have a for you. Hope things are better today. You sound like you have a real fighter's attitude. Keep that chin up!!

Hope you are feeling better Chris. Anniversaries can be very tough.

How did the fast go, laurabelle?

Has anyone heard from Shugardrawers lately? Wondering how she is doing.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I signed up a few weeks ago for the conference call on Sexuality and Intimacy and it was amazing. The nurse who spoke was funny and straightforward. I wish so much that I heard something like this 4 years ago. This issue has been so tough for me and I can't tell you how much it helped to listen and talk to other women who are having the same problems.

I wish I'd known about that. This has been the most difficult part of having had breast cancer, for me. Losing my breast was nothing compared to intimacy issues due to hormonal changes in me. I feel so sorry for my DH. I know I'm different, but I can't seem to help it. He's been great, but I know he misses the old me.

GAGWATA!

 

[snappy]

I wish I'd known about that. This has been the most difficult part of having had breast cancer, for me. Losing my breast was nothing compared to intimacy issues due to hormonal changes in me. I feel so sorry for my DH. I know I'm different, but I can't seem to help it. He's been great, but I know he misses the old me.

GAGWATA!

Merry, it is not available yet, I just checked the Y ME website, but you can get a transcript of these teleconferences. The web site is Y-ME.org.

 

[disneylizzy]

Merry, it is not available yet, I just checked the Y ME website, but you can get a transcript of these teleconferences. The web site is Y-ME.org.

I was going to suggest the same. Are you on tamoxifen, Merry? I think that is what made it tough for me to be "the same old me". My husband chose not to stick it out. Looking back, we had problems with communication and plenty of other issues, but I know my problems with intimacy did not help matters. I just switched over to Arimidex and I think things are getting better for me, I just wish these
#@$ hot flashes would go away!

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!

I am back from a nice weekend with my DD, complete a shopping spree....but that part was outlet shopping here in NH after getting back from Boston . Mostly back-to-college stufffor her but I did snag a pair of jeans and pale pink ( of course) cotton top at the Gap ---also a really cute pair of slip on flat sandals in bright pink for 14.99 at the Nine West outlet. In Boston our splurge was two nights in a row of dessert at The Cheescake Factory. Saturday night was Banana Cream for me, Cookie Dough for DD. Last night was Dulce De Leche for me and Chocolate Mousse for DD. We did some "tourist" stuff and saw a show (Blue Man Group). And two nights in a Westin Heavenly Bed ..aaahhh...gotta love Starwood Preferred Guest program, all I paid for the two nights at Copley Place was the parking

Just wanted to say hello...I have not caught up on the posts, will be back later...

 

[Disney Debbie]

GAGWTA!

I've been pretty swamped at work lately and busy at night so haven't gotten to check in this week.

Elenita - Sorry you've had such a rough time - but hang in there.

I have my Herceptin this afternoon. Last time I noticed I was a real dingbat on Wed. - I'm going to ask if that's a side effect! When I had it back in the fall it was along with chemo so I knew I'd have "chemo brain" - but I wasn't expecting it this time. I've also noticed my face breaking out a little more like it did when I was taking steroids. Anyone else on Herceptin??

I go tomorrow for a little more lymphedema therapy. I'm having swelling UNDER my arm so the sleeve and the wrapping really don't help - my DH is going to go with me so he can learn how to massage me properly!

I've never heard of the Y-me - I'll have to go look at that site. I don't have any sort of "live" support groups that are face to face. I live in a very rural area and even though we have an excellent Cancer treatment facility here we don't have any of that other stuff without having to drive to Macon - almost an hour away. So you girls are pretty much it for me - thanks for all the info I've already gotten and the support!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Are you on tamoxifen, Merry? I think that is what made it tough for me to be "the same old me".

Yep. That's what I'm taking. I'll have to go back and check for the transcript. DH is pretty understanding, but I'm open to all the help and suggestions I can find. Maybe I'll read something that will help? My doctor has connections with us through Scouts and I have to admit other than just the basic info I haven't discussed intimacy problems much with her. It feels awkward to talk much about our sex life with her. Isn't that stupid of me?

My kids started back to school today. I've been enjoying the peace and quiet today. But my knee is giving me trouble, so I didn't get nearly as much done as I had hoped. Guess there is always something.

I read something this weekend that I wanted to share with all of you:

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot supress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquor the Spirit

author unknown

 

[snappy]

Merry, thanks for the awesome poem. All true as well. Sometimes we need to be reminded.

I am on Tamoxifen roo. However, I was almost 51 before I started on it and although I was not in menopause, I guess the stuff that goes with it had gradually been coming on the last few years. I have not noticed much of a difference.

I think my problems with intimacy are more related to being self-conscious about my scar. Strangely, I am only self-conscious around my DH during intimacy, at other times when getting dressed, etc. I don't have a problem having him see it. I was hoping I would eventually get over this. I am apprehensive about reconstruction but I guess that would help. My doc wanted me to wait at least 18 mos before reconstruction anyway and I am 15 mos from surgery.

I also am self-conscious about the extra weight I am carrying. I actually have not gained any weight since being diagnosed. It just seems like my body has changed alot. Not sure if it is due to the Tamoxifen or just menopause in general. I have been riding my exercise bike daily lately for at least 60 minutes. I am hoping to see some results from this soon. I am also investigating health clubs. I would like to do some water exercises, and other cardio stuff, maybe some weight machines for my legs.

My DH too is very understanding. He is basically healthy but also carrying extra pounds so he understands how difficult that part is. He is also ok with whatever I decide on reconstruction. I explained what is involved to him so he is aware of how much recovery is involved. It would be difficult with our kids and their schedules, having that surgery would be very disruptive. but he would be supportive if I decide to do it and my Mom lives very close by and is always available to help me.

 

[MinnieM3]

Just time for GAGWTA today. So busy this week