Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[MerryPoppins]

Good thoughts for your FIL, was the cancer he has had colon cancer?

No. Melanoma. They removed it in the doctor's office because they were afraid to give him anesthetic. Since his stroke, he's been very frail. For the same reasons, he didn't have sentinal node or chemo. We just prayed they got it all. We've known for the past year that this might happen. DH and his mom are pretty upset. He's having his test tomorrow morning. We should know then what they're suspecting.

 

[Sha]

Good morning from WDW ladies. I wanted to share a photo with you all that I took... (will have to catch up later because I need to get out of my room soon). These cats made my day!

Okay... I got out of the shower and had to edit. You are after all the ones who told me about God winks! I had another yesterday. Today is one year ago that I sadly put my cat down. And I was at WDW the next day for the opening of the updated Haunted Mansion. Now, I have had several from cats of my clients over the last few weeks and one at the cat hospital too (the cat literally gave me a hug!) I am planning to get a paw print tattoo for George on my ankle because he would sleep around my feet. Well, here is the God wink... I went to JellyRolls to meet up with friend. The stamp for my hand........




a cat paw print! Love you ladies! gonna cry for a moment!

 

[snappy]

Definitely a God wink, Sha, and a very touching one.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Gosh I love that picture, where were you when you took it?

JSK, I agree with you, she should stay put. She needs to focus on herself right now, not traveling that far to babysit the toddlers.

Your mom sounds feisty though, if she decides to do it, there may be no stopping her. I think this year will be very different than last year, much harder for her to pull that type of trip off.

Heck, it would be hard for me to pull off.

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Neat Sha! And beautiful photo, great capture!

You know, jsg, I could be wrong, but the decision may be made by itself. When I finished my chemo (AC/T) I felt like so completely exhausted and run down, there aren't even words to explain it. I can't imagine wanting to do something like that at that point. She may see that when the time comes. Try not to worry just yet.

Laura, hope you're feeling better soon. And I will keep your DH in my prayers for good results from his EP testing.

Good luck to the Dawn and Maureen in their procedures, and I think it's wonderful you'll be meeting up at WL!

We had a neat dinner in Boston last night for my mother's bday with my sister and her family. The restaurant we went to is right on Boston Harbor but it's a hole in the wall, LOL, and one of the few places that still offers good food at reasonable prices. It was one of my father's haunts and we often went there growing up. Funny thing is, it hasn't changed one bit. It's still exactly the same as it always was, decor and all. But what makes it is the staff. The whole restaurant sang Happy BDay to my mother, so that was neat. We shared cake with the staff who really get into the whole scene. If we ever have a meet here, we'll have to go there at least once.

 

[lookingforward]

Neat Sha! And beautiful photo, great capture!

You know, jsg, I could be wrong, but the decision may be made by itself. When I finished my chemo (AC/T) I felt like so completely exhausted and run down, there aren't even words to explain it. I can't imagine wanting to do something like that at that point. She may see that when the time comes. Try not to worry just yet.

Laura, hope you're feeling better soon. And I will keep your DH in my prayers for good results from his EP testing.

Good luck to the Dawn and Maureen in their procedures, and I think it's wonderful you'll be meeting up at WL!

We had a neat dinner in Boston last night for my mother's bday with my sister and her family. The restaurant we went to is right on Boston Harbor but it's a hole in the wall, LOL, and one of the few places that still offers good food at reasonable prices. It was one of my father's haunts and we often went there growing up. Funny thing is, it hasn't changed one bit. It's still exactly the same as it always was, decor and all. But what makes it is the staff. The whole restaurant sang Happy BDay to my mother, so that was neat. We shared cake with the staff who really get into the whole scene. If we ever have a meet here, we'll have to go there at least once.

I love when you talk about Boston. I loved living there! I envy you being so close to it. My best friend from college is moving back there. She is getting an apartment in back bay and then buying a little house near Wellfleet in the cape. The PERFECT world. Sigh. What was the name of the restuarant? I remember Anthony's and No Names.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Definitely a God wink, Sha, and a very touching one.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Gosh I love that picture, where were you when you took it?

JSK, I agree with you, she should stay put. She needs to focus on herself right now, not traveling that far to babysit the toddlers.

Your mom sounds feisty though, if she decides to do it, there may be no stopping her. I think this year will be very different than last year, much harder for her to pull that type of trip off.

Heck, it would be hard for me to pull off.

GAGWTA!

Sha, that's an amazing pic! We never see the tigers doing anything! Heck, half the time we don't see them at all!

Laurie, my mom is stubborn. When I tell her not to do something she will do it just to make me mad. Then she will turn around and tell me I was right, she shouldn't have done it.

Neat Sha! And beautiful photo, great capture!

You know, jsg, I could be wrong, but the decision may be made by itself. When I finished my chemo (AC/T) I felt like so completely exhausted and run down, there aren't even words to explain it. I can't imagine wanting to do something like that at that point. She may see that when the time comes. Try not to worry just yet.

Laura, hope you're feeling better soon. And I will keep your DH in my prayers for good results from his EP testing.

Good luck to the Dawn and Maureen in their procedures, and I think it's wonderful you'll be meeting up at WL!

We had a neat dinner in Boston last night for my mother's bday with my sister and her family. The restaurant we went to is right on Boston Harbor but it's a hole in the wall, LOL, and one of the few places that still offers good food at reasonable prices. It was one of my father's haunts and we often went there growing up. Funny thing is, it hasn't changed one bit. It's still exactly the same as it always was, decor and all. But what makes it is the staff. The whole restaurant sang Happy BDay to my mother, so that was neat. We shared cake with the staff who really get into the whole scene. If we ever have a meet here, we'll have to go there at least once.

Linda, I don't want Mom to feel sick, but I do kind of hope that she doesn't quite feel up to making the drive. She was saying when she is finished with her Taxol that she will be able to take on a second job! I just don't think she is coming at the situation realistically. After the Taxol she will have radiation, and then they have to figure out if the treatments were even effective. She is in no position to get a second job.

Sounds like a wonderful dinner for your mom's birthday!

Laura, Lots of good wishes for no more migraines! I hope DH's tests are conclusive!

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What was the name of the restuarant? I remember Anthony's and No Names.

Bingo! For the uninitiated, check out this review. Basically, you either love it or you hate it, there's no in-between. I admit, it ain't haute cuisine. But it is part of "Old Boston" and for that, you just have to love it. (Read the reviews and tell me what you think. I guess I'll revise my statement to say that we can always take a vote on where to eat should we ever have a meet here. I'm easy. )

I love when you talk about Boston. I loved living there! I envy you being so close to it.

Good to know, because I love talking about it! (Hope it doesn't bore anyone else.) It's funny, because I grew up just a few miles from Boston, you literally could walk there. Going there wasn't a "big trip" into the city, it was just our backyard. My mother didn't drive so we took the T everywhere. Christmas shopping, for instance, was in downtown Boston - no malls for us. I learned to drive there. I worked in Boston in high school, went to college there, and have worked in hospitals there for 24 years. But now, I live in suburbia, about 30 miles south. So I'm trying to give my children the gift of familiarity with Boston like I had. We go in whenever we can and always find some kind of adventure that they enjoy. It really is an amazing city, and I feel so fortunate to have grown up there - BUT, I didn't have that full appreciation for it at the time. Isn't that always the way??

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Linda - When I was little (late 1970's, maybe 2nd/3rd grade?) we lived in Dedham for a bit, then moved to Brockton for a bit. I am sure I must have gone to Boston at least a few times. I love New England but I am such a weenie about cold that I think if we ever leave Dallas we will end up in FL.

 

[lookingforward]

Bingo! For the uninitiated, check out this review. Basically, you either love it or you hate it, there's no in-between. I admit, it ain't haute cuisine. But it is part of "Old Boston" and for that, you just have to love it. (Read the reviews and tell me what you think. I guess I'll revise my statement to say that we can always take a vote on where to eat should we ever have a meet here. I'm easy. )


Good to know, because I love talking about it! (Hope it doesn't bore anyone else.) It's funny, because I grew up just a few miles from Boston, you literally could walk there. Going there wasn't a "big trip" into the city, it was just our backyard. My mother didn't drive so we took the T everywhere. Christmas shopping, for instance, was in downtown Boston - no malls for us. I learned to drive there. I worked in Boston in high school, went to college there, and have worked in hospitals there for 24 years. But now, I live in suburbia, about 30 miles south. So I'm trying to give my children the gift of familiarity with Boston like I had. We go in whenever we can and always find some kind of adventure that they enjoy. It really is an amazing city, and I feel so fortunate to have grown up there - BUT, I didn't have that full appreciation for it at the time. Isn't that always the way??

Where did you go to school? I lived at 100 beacon street and 132 beacon for the first two years, then at Charlesgate down by Kenmore square for two years. I interned at WBZ-TV. Those were the days!

I grew up in New York and Long Island and later lived in the city after college and never appreciated it, so I know what you mean. I love living in cities.

 

[MerryPoppins]

FIL's test went well. They don't believe it's cancer. Won't know for sure until the biopsy is back, of course. The diagnosis is ulcerative proctitis. Not fun for MIL to deal with if it's chronic, but much better than the alternative.

 

[Sha]

Definitely a God wink, Sha, and a very touching one.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Gosh I love that picture, where were you when you took it?

Neat Sha! And beautiful photo, great capture!

Sha, that's an amazing pic! We never see the tigers doing anything! Heck, half the time we don't see them at all!

Maureen and Dawn.. thoughts and prayers for you with your proceedures.

JSK, your mom sounds like my mom in that she does things anyways, despite advice, and then says, I shouldn't have.... BTW thought of you when I saw new to me Jack Skelington things (antenna toppers and sting of lights) for halloween. (There are no mickey pumpkin halloween antenna toppers this year )

Thanks for the comments about the photo. Was a little sad being at MK today, but more numb when riding the HM. Maybe because I was alone there? Was gorgeous though!

When I took the picture, I was standing at the upper observation area, that is above the water. I was looking down at the cats in the water. The only thing missing from the pre-pounce was the butt wiggle that some cat do. I think I am making that photo my wallpaper. A lot of times they are not doing anything when I am there, other than some pacing.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I forgot to say beautiful picture of the tigers. Amazing shot!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

FIL's test went well. They don't believe it's cancer. Won't know for sure until the biopsy is back, of course. The diagnosis is ulcerative proctitis. Not fun for MIL to deal with if it's chronic, but much better than the alternative.

I hope the biopsy is negative!

Sha - My car doesn't have an antenna, or I would definitely get a Jack topper!

I guess what aggravates me about Mom's plan is that if she makes herself really sick, I will be the one who has to step in until the crisis is resolved. My middle sister never does anything for Mom. I don't mind helping Mom, but it would be good if she didn't purposely do things to jeopardize her recovery.
My cousin and I have this theory that our moms (they are sisters) like our worthless sisters better than they like us because the worthless ones still require so much hands-on "mothering". My cousin and I grew up, got married, got jobs, and that was that. We don't run to our moms every other day and whine about how we have no money and no job and can't take care of our kids. Apparently our moms prefer the ones who remain dependent for life.

 

[NHAnn]

Laurabelle---your DH, and whole family, are on my mind and heart constantly

Sha--LOVE the photo!! and the God wink!!

Linda--when I read your post about the dinner the first thing that popped into my mind when I read "hole in the wall" was the No Name. I too have some very fond memories, but I discovered it in high school and it made for some great college years fun too....like the time the line was so long outside we drank the wine we brought (is it still BYOB?) before we even got insideand relied on the generosity of the other patrons once inside LOL I love your thoughts on Boston....some of my most cherished memories of my mother are her taking me in to Boston for Christmas shopping or back to school shopping. She grew up in Malden so it was her "back yard" too, and even moving out to suburbia when I was a baby she too did not drive until I was a teen. My father would drive her/us to the T at Riverside for our Mother daughter Boston shopping trips...get off at Park St.

snappy--I hope your trip to RFTC can be salvaged, selfishly, I was so looking forward to meeting you!!

Merry--prayers and good thoughts for your FIL !!

jsg--same for your mom too!!

to all I have missed...hello and a big

GAGWTA!!

 

[Sha]

I agree with you NHAnn... I want to see Laurie again too

 

[MerryPoppins]

Sha - My car doesn't have an antenna, or I would definitely get a Jack topper!

Do what I did. I couldn't give up my toppers, so now I put a length of clear fishing line in a needle and thread it through the hole in the bottom, up through the "head", leave a loop and go back down to make a knot. You may need to use a thimble because it's hard to get the needle through sometimes. Leave a big enough loop to hook over your rearview mirror, so experiment. Or leave a tiny loop and hang a clip from the back of the mirror so you can easily change seasonally. The good thing about this method is that it's safe from vandals.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Do what I did. I couldn't give up my toppers, so now I put a length of clear fishing line in a needle and thread it through the hole in the bottom, up through the "head", leave a loop and go back down to make a knot. You may need to use a thimble because it's hard to get the needle through sometimes. Leave a big enough loop to hook over your rearview mirror, so experiment. Or leave a tiny loop and hang a clip from the back of the mirror so you can easily change seasonally. The good thing about this method is that it's safe from vandals.

That's a cool idea! I know lots of people who have had their toppers stolen, so keeping it inside is a good plan! If I did have an antenna DH wouldn't let me put a topper on it. He says it creates stress on the antenna from wind drag and causes the antenna to snap off. Of course he thinks that because the antenna on his old car snapped off after his friend put a Jack-In-The-Box topper on it.

 

[Aliceacc]

Just a quick update:

I had my mastectomy on Wednesday, and was released on Thursday. (Which totally amazed me!!!)

But I feel wonderful-- I could tap dance on the table. I don't have any aches or pains at all, and stopped taking the painkillers on Saturday morning. (I didn't need them at all, but took them as a precaution since everyone said the pain would kick in once I got home.)

I have to see both doctors on Thursday, but I've got to say: this was a WHOLE lot easier than I anticipated.

I'm taking it incredibly easy-- this little bit of typing is the biggest workout I've gotten since I got home. But this isn't something I'll fool around with.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Just a quick update:

I had my mastectomy on Wednesday, and was released on Thursday. (Which totally amazed me!!!)

But I feel wonderful-- I could tap dance on the table. I don't have any aches or pains at all, and stopped taking the painkillers on Saturday morning. (I didn't need them at all, but took them as a precaution since everyone said the pain would kick in once I got home.)

I have to see both doctors on Thursday, but I've got to say: this was a WHOLE lot easier than I anticipated.

I'm taking it incredibly easy-- this little bit of typing is the biggest workout I've gotten since I got home. But this isn't something I'll fool around with.

I'm glad you are feeling OK! I hope you continue to feel well!

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Aliceacc- I hope you continue to feel wonderful as you heal!

JSK- I'm sorry I have missed a lot here...is there something new with your mom? I remember she is due to change over to Taxol, right? I did the same chemo, just 3 weeks apart.

Laurie- Continued prayers for your mom and all of your family...

Tomorrow is the big test day for hubby. I'm still waiting to hear what time we need to be there. The cardiologist said it will be a long day...he has no idea who he's telling that to! I'm stocking up at the library today.

My UC has reared it's ugly head. Totally not surprising considering my worry/stress level. My GI doc had me do the Humira shot a day early, I was due for it today. Hopefully it will just go away.

I really hope after we get his results tomorrow we can exhale and go on our trip and just relax and have fun. I told the kids I'm not talking about the the trip as much as I usually would around daddy because I don't want him to think there is pressure on him. They are such terrific troopers and are totally ok with it if we need to cancel. As much as we love WDW, the trip is only going to happen if he is feeling good and wants to go. He made it through a full day at work yesterday and said he felt good.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.