Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA sistas!

Just checking in.

Laura, I hope you feel better soon and I hope that everyone who is not feeling well is on the mend.

I LOVE those WDW pics and Linda, that pic of yours is so beautiful it doesn't look real (did that make ANY sense?)!

I have exactly three weeks until my surgery. Obviously, no one at MSKCC thinks this is an urgent situation so I am glad to have some more time to get myself together and get things in order around here. I am spending money left and right, doing my part to boost the economy, LOL.

Lookingforward--I hope you know I am not a stalker, LOL, but you never did f/u with me regarding your December dates. Hee hee!

I realize I never discussed my visit with my new PS. She pretty much laid everything out on the table and explained why I am truly not a candidate for any type of flap surgery. So I am joining the ranks of the expander gals. I had the most awesome experience at the PS's office. There was a woman in the next room who had her exchange surgery only 2 weeks before and the nurses thought she might be a good person to talk to about her experience as we are both "pooh-sized." Well, not only did she talk to me, but she was MORE than happy to show off her new ****ies and even let me touch them, LOL! I liked what I saw, and she was able to alleviate a lot of my fears regarding painfull fills, etc. Turns out we have the same "team." same BS and PS. Very cool!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA sistas!

Just checking in.

I realize I never discussed my visit with my new PS. She pretty much laid everything out on the table and explained why I am truly not a candidate for any type of flap surgery. So I am joining the ranks of the expander gals. I had the most awesome experience at the PS's office. There was a woman in the next room who had her exchange surgery only 2 weeks before and the nurses thought she might be a good person to talk to about her experience as we are both "pooh-sized." Well, not only did she talk to me, but she was MORE than happy to show off her new ****ies and even let me touch them, LOL! I liked what I saw, and she was able to alleviate a lot of my fears regarding painfull fills, etc. Turns out we have the same "team." same BS and PS. Very cool!!!

It sounds very promising!! How wonderful to be able to meet someone who has just finished what you are about to experience! You will be in my thoughts as your surgery approaches!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

It sounds very promising!! How wonderful to be able to meet someone who has just finished what you are about to experience! You will be in my thoughts as your surgery approaches!

Thanks. Meeting someone and seeing the doctor's work in person was much better than pictures. I believe I have also made a friend for life!

I hope that things with your mom improve. She will reach a point where she will no longer be able to deny what is happening to her, and fortunately, she has you there to support her.

BTW, I was a social worker in my former life and the first population I worked with out of grad school were PWA. It was very rewarding work, but I burned out after a few years.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you for the compliments on the photo. I'm glad you liked it, Laura. I liked yours, too.

Did you tak a special serene pill or something?

Nope. It's the photography.

It was taken about a mile from my house, at an inlet by the ocean. I was actually attempting to shoot long exposure ocean shots but none of them came out right, LOL. So I quickly jammed everyone and everything in the car, hopped in myself, and "followed the color" of the sunset, pulled over, and began shooting. I've got to start learning where these cool places are, I don't think I've ever noticed it before.

I will answer your dog question in a PM.

I had quite a day. Gave my dentist quite a scare when I became dizzy after she gave me like 7 shots of novocaine. They broke out the oxygen (hey, this isn't supposed to happen to me; it's usually the other way around!!) and I had visions of passing out, but it was ok after a few minutes. Right after that I had to have a physical with pap smear! Come on guys, cut me some slack!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks. Meeting someone and seeing the doctor's work in person was much better than pictures. I believe I have also made a friend for life!

I hope that things with your mom improve. She will reach a point where she will no longer be able to deny what is happening to her, and fortunately, she has you there to support her.

BTW, I was a social worker in my former life and the first population I worked with out of grad school were PWA. It was very rewarding work, but I burned out after a few years.

Once upon a time I was working on my degree in social work, but somehow I got sidetracked. I volunteered with clients, then I moved into fundraising. I went at that full-force for about 5 years and burned out 3 years ago. I am now in my "selfish phase" where I plan WDW trips and do nothing philanthropical at all.
DS12 wants to do Race for the Cure in October. I think I will be ready by then.
Social work is incredibly hard, for no money. I don't think I could deal with the frustration day in and day out, and I am not a "leave it at the office" kind of girl.

Linda - Glad you made it through your day! That does not sound like fun!

Now for a bit of good news:
My mom's CT and bone scan were both clear!
She sees the OB/GYN on April 24. The CT was only of her chest and abdomen - it didn't include her pelvic area so there is not a CT image of the fibroids. My Dr. said she doesn't think the fibroids have anything to do with the cancer, so that's something.

My Dr. is an internist specializing in HIV. I met her doing AIDS fundraisers and she is really nice. She accepts my insurance and her office is really close, so I go to her even though I don't have HIV. I told her the most she will have to treat me for is sinus infections and pinkeye, and so far that's been true!

 

[lookingforward]

GAGWTA sistas!

Just checking in.

Laura, I hope you feel better soon and I hope that everyone who is not feeling well is on the mend.

I LOVE those WDW pics and Linda, that pic of yours is so beautiful it doesn't look real (did that make ANY sense?)!

I have exactly three weeks until my surgery. Obviously, no one at MSKCC thinks this is an urgent situation so I am glad to have some more time to get myself together and get things in order around here. I am spending money left and right, doing my part to boost the economy, LOL.

Lookingforward--I hope you know I am not a stalker, LOL, but you never did f/u with me regarding your December dates. Hee hee!

I realize I never discussed my visit with my new PS. She pretty much laid everything out on the table and explained why I am truly not a candidate for any type of flap surgery. So I am joining the ranks of the expander gals. I had the most awesome experience at the PS's office. There was a woman in the next room who had her exchange surgery only 2 weeks before and the nurses thought she might be a good person to talk to about her experience as we are both "pooh-sized." Well, not only did she talk to me, but she was MORE than happy to show off her new ****ies and even let me touch them, LOL! I liked what I saw, and she was able to alleviate a lot of my fears regarding painfull fills, etc. Turns out we have the same "team." same BS and PS. Very cool!!!

HA! Your not stalking me! I WILL be there when you are, so we definately have to get together. I figure by then we can compare our "expander" experiences! Funny what becomes "normal" when you have BC. At the support group I go to they flip up their shirts all the time. I'm still not there yet, but as my expander "grows" the results are really not so bad. I may actually be HAPPY with the results. I am so glad you feel great about your doctors. I love all of mine EXCEPT my breast surgeon who I really dislike. But I don't have to see her much anymore, thankfully.

I am a social worker and I agree about how difficult it is. I work for a police dept. so it keeps things interesting, and the pay is not half bad for south Florida, but I can't see me doing it for more than a few more years. Once my middle son graduates high school (3 years) I want to head to NC or SC. I'm so tired of hurricanes, high property taxes and CRIME. Thats south florida.

seven days until my LAST CHEMO! YEAH!

 

[laurabelle]

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


jackskellingtonsgirl- I'm so glad to hear the test results are looking good! Your mom reminds me of a few family members of mine. I think with people like her, it's especially important that they talk to other survivors so she is able to feel like she has come to her own conclusions about what to do. Very complicated, I feel for you. I hope she discovers the strength within herself that she never knew existed.

Dawn- Glad you got to see and feel your first set! I know it won't be your last!!! Ain't nothin' like seeing for yourself and talking to another survivor in person...I am most happy that it left you feeling better about things, and with a new sista! It sounds like you are in really good hands and will be going in this empowered and ready to kick some bc butt!!!

I had quite a day. Gave my dentist quite a scare when I became dizzy after she gave me like 7 shots of novocaine. They broke out the oxygen (hey, this isn't supposed to happen to me; it's usually the other way around!!) and I had visions of passing out, but it was ok after a few minutes. Right after that I had to have a physical with pap smear! Come on guys, cut me some slack!!!

Good grief woman! At least you got to lay down for the last part!

Hey, couldn't you find a little more pink, or something??????

seven days until my LAST CHEMO! YEAH!

I'm so excited for you!


Ok, so my GI nurse said in her daily phone call yesterday that she expects we will hear the news on the drug approval today. I will need to go to the hospital to do at least the first set of shots, but here's the kicker...I don't know yet if I will be able to pick the shots up at the hospital pharmacy or if the ins. co. will make me mail order them, pushing it into next week.

I was talking to some of my sistas about our Las Vegas meet yesterday, I'm really getting excited about it...it's one of the things that's keeping me hangin' on! I know that even if I'm not 100% I don't have to worry about it around my sistas. I told them mostly I'm just picturing myself lying around the Flamingo pool sipping a tropical drink....ahhhh. 3 weeks from today!

 

[snappy]

Keeping my fingers crossed that you get good news today that you can swing by and pick up the med, Laura!!!

 

[snappy]

Thank you for the compliments on the photo. I'm glad you liked it, Laura. I liked yours, too.


Nope. It's the photography.

It was taken about a mile from my house, at an inlet by the ocean. I was actually attempting to shoot long exposure ocean shots but none of them came out right, LOL. So I quickly jammed everyone and everything in the car, hopped in myself, and "followed the color" of the sunset, pulled over, and began shooting. I've got to start learning where these cool places are, I don't think I've ever noticed it before.

I will answer your dog question in a PM.

I had quite a day. Gave my dentist quite a scare when I became dizzy after she gave me like 7 shots of novocaine. They broke out the oxygen (hey, this isn't supposed to happen to me; it's usually the other way around!!) and I had visions of passing out, but it was ok after a few minutes. Right after that I had to have a physical with pap smear! Come on guys, cut me some slack!!!

Sounds like fun from head to toe!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Lookingforward - Yay for one more chemo!
Funny, we always talk about moving TO FL when DS gets older! Not sure what area, though. I have a good friend who works for Hillsborough Co. Fire Rescue, so maybe the Tampa/St. Pete area. We'll see.

Laura - Good luck today!!! I hope you won't have to wait for meds-by-mail! I think your Vegas meet sounds wonderful!

 

[snappy]

Now for a bit of good news:
My mom's CT and bone scan were both clear!
She sees the OB/GYN on April 24. The CT was only of her chest and abdomen - it didn't include her pelvic area so there is not a CT image of the fibroids. My Dr. said she doesn't think the fibroids have anything to do with the cancer, so that's something.

This is great news. What a relief!! I think the worst part of BC is waiting for results, it is like you are in purgatory or something.

Glad the news came in timely. I like to think I can endure anything for a short time, whether it be waiting on results, trying to hold perfectly still during a prolonged scan, having multiple bone marrow tests once upon a time.

I do have to say the whole dental thing has become a nightmare for me now, where it was not in my younger days. I get the anxiety thing like when I have to drive over a bridge. Thank goodness I have an understanding dentist. Though they have not had to pull out the oxygen on me yet.

Seven shots of novacaine, Linda!! Oh my!!

I had a day "off" yesterday and proceeded to work myself into a frenzy. I ironed a boatload of shirts (I only wear woven cotton shirts and they come out wrinkled), made a wonderful shrimp dish for dinner, and then yard work for hours including cutting the grass. I used up an entire bag of miraclegrow. . . the mega bag from Sam's. I even worked past dark.
It was glorious. I thought of your picture Linda when looking at our sunset.
The glow was different, we are surrounded by very tall trees, not water, but it was nice all the same.

 

[snappy]

Laura, I forgot to say how lovely your daughters looked in your WDW pictures. They are really growing up.

You should see my DD12, she is huge. It is getting hard for me to "baby" her anymore. I am NOT ready for her to be a teen, with the attitude thing they tend to display. Maybe she will be the one who is different.

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA sistas!

Just checking in.

Laura, I hope you feel better soon and I hope that everyone who is not feeling well is on the mend.

I LOVE those WDW pics and Linda, that pic of yours is so beautiful it doesn't look real (did that make ANY sense?)!

I have exactly three weeks until my surgery. Obviously, no one at MSKCC thinks this is an urgent situation so I am glad to have some more time to get myself together and get things in order around here. I am spending money left and right, doing my part to boost the economy, LOL.

Lookingforward--I hope you know I am not a stalker, LOL, but you never did f/u with me regarding your December dates. Hee hee!

I realize I never discussed my visit with my new PS. She pretty much laid everything out on the table and explained why I am truly not a candidate for any type of flap surgery. So I am joining the ranks of the expander gals. I had the most awesome experience at the PS's office. There was a woman in the next room who had her exchange surgery only 2 weeks before and the nurses thought she might be a good person to talk to about her experience as we are both "pooh-sized." Well, not only did she talk to me, but she was MORE than happy to show off her new ****ies and even let me touch them, LOL! I liked what I saw, and she was able to alleviate a lot of my fears regarding painfull fills, etc. Turns out we have the same "team." same BS and PS. Very cool!!!

I am glad you are at peace with your "plan." Kudos to the nurses who hooked you up with the other survivor. You may not believe it but talking to you ws probably just as important to her as it was for you. Sistahood cuts both ways.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Laura, I forgot to say how lovely your daughters looked in your WDW pictures. They are really growing up.

You should see my DD12, she is huge. It is getting hard for me to "baby" her anymore. I am NOT ready for her to be a teen, with the attitude thing they tend to display. Maybe she will be the one who is different.

It sounds like you had a very busy day, in a good way!

My DS12 is the size of a third grader. He is tiny, tiny. But he has a BIG old attitude. I just dropped him off at school - they have a band competition today. He was wearing a gigantic tux. He looked pretty good, even though the tux was swallowing him. They didn't have any pants small enough for him so he is in his regular black uniform pants.

I hope your DD spares you the drama!

 

[Sha]

Morning everyone... Hope it will be a good day for everyone. I again want to thank you all for your prayers for my friend Emily and her daughter, Nicole. And the continued ones that Nicole's family will need. Several of you know I am in nursing school to further my education from LPN to RN... well, the anxiety level is rising a lot right now. My final exam is tomorrow... and not just me, but if you can remember my whole class as we take this exam. We have some who are boarderline, and they are good nurses. If you will say some prayers for us. Our exam starts at 10am tomorrow. I appreciate it and hope to share good news tomorrow. I have learned a lot this semester, but also from people like you, and hope I can apply it well. Thanks!!

 

[snappy]

Certainly I will pray for success on the exam, for you and your peers.

I have had such wonderful nurses during my BC related biopsies and surgeries.
You guys rockl!!!

 

[BeadyLady]

GAGWTA!

Sorry I've not been on-line much lately; I've got excuses. And we all know excuses are weak. I see many are improving, others are learning the ropes and the Sistas continue to support!
I had a intercostal nerve block done yesterday, with a local. I guess we wait a couple days to see if the steroids worked. We all know how well steroid work on our sleeping patterns, don't we? I'm still being treating with myofascia release - which seems to work. 3 experts working their own ways to solve one big problem of chronic pain.
May the sunshine of the coming spring put a bit of happiness in everyone's step!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sha, good luck to all of you on your finals.

GAGWTA

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sha - Lots of good wishes to you and your classmates!!

BeadyLady - I hope your treatments bring relief soon!!


My mom informed me last night that I don't need to fly up for her surgery because it won't be that big of a deal. She actually said she thinks it will just be an in-office procedure! I shouldn't laugh, but I found it funny. It's not a wart removal. Even if it isn't a full-on mastectomy it is still a serious thing to remove the tumor and check the lymph nodes, right? Let me know if I am wrong! I will still go up there, even if it is a simple procedure.

 

[annrae]

I've been lurking - just not posting too often. So nice to see you on the boards again, Ann and I hope everything is going well. Very good news about selling your house! Won't it be nice to see all the snow just vanish?

Laurie - always so glad to read your posts - they are so interesting. I hope working and managing everything and everyone else is getting a little easier for you.

Laura - hoping that today was a better day for you! The pictures at WDW were great and your daughters are both so very pretty.

Linda - loved your picture - so quiet and peaceful - hope all is well.

Merry - so sorry to hear about your friend. so sad!

Sha - good luck tomorrow - by this time tomorrow night, it will be over and I'm sure that will be a great feeling for you.

To all of you - good luck with your surgeries or your Mom's surgery and I hope all will go well with everyone. Have a great weekend and remember that every day ends and brings a new tomorrow full of hope.