Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hope everyone is doing well! and all around!

 

[snappy]

Hope Laura is having a gay old time in Vegas, with minimal health issues.

I am fighting a bad sore throat. I am just not able to sleep since swallowing is so painful. Of course just knowing how much it will hurt makes me swallow involuntarily. What is the matter with me?

At least yesterday I started gathering stuff to take on our May trip, concentrating on "stuff" for our owner's locker. It looks like we will be doing a combination of driving/flying to free up space going up for the owner's locker stuff. I so need a WDW fix, last trip was last July/August.

Our pup Naj is settling in I guess. She has mastered potty training. We work with her alot with the come, sit and down commands. She does well when we are working on it but in the context of just everyday life she is not as compliant. Lots of long walks seem to make her calmer. She has found a like minded friend down the street and she loves running amuck with him (while she is on the leash). Snappy just does not want to play with her the way Naj wants.

Thanks for the tip on Good owners Good Dogs, Linda. I finally picked it up last week. Lots of amazing tips. We do have a long way to go though.

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!!

I'm a slacker-poster....but thinking of you all! Busy with the usual family dysfunction but also the good stuff like graduations, and grandkids' dance recitals and T-ball and such

Working on a long weekend to get to WDW with DH for at least part of Avery's MAW trip in June....and......drum roll pleasse......... my sister really wants us to do the RFTC in October , so working on that too as a possibility for a long weekend..... keep your fingers crossed for me!! Would love to meet up w/any of you that are going.........

 

[CherylDan]

Quick question......

DH's employer has decided to change medical health insurance carriers (DH is leaving this job in 3 months, but we have to change anyway ) I'm filling out the application with medical history, and on this form, there is a place to list all the gory details concerning my BC....what has me stumped is the box labeled prognosis. It's a very small box so I guess they want a short answer, not an explanation of various 5-year survival rates!

So, that's the question. What should I put in that box?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

"Excellent"

GAGWTA

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA!!

I'm a slacker-poster....but thinking of you all! Busy with the usual family dysfunction but also the good stuff like graduations, and grandkids' dance recitals and T-ball and such

Working on a long weekend to get to WDW with DH for at least part of Avery's MAW trip in June....and......drum roll pleasse......... my sister really wants us to do the RFTC in October , so working on that too as a possibility for a long weekend..... keep your fingers crossed for me!! Would love to meet up w/any of you that are going.........

I sure hope you are able to work BOTH trips out. I would love to meet up with you, sista!

 

[CherylDan]

"Excellent"

GAGWTA

I like that answer!

 

[dbprimeaux]

We purchased our "dream" March 2007, and have only used it once. Now we may have to sale it...because I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago. The medical bills are already starting to hit the roof (and we only pay 10%) . I just don't know what to do ??? Our savings is going fast...I don't think it matters how much you save, medical bills take it FAST!! We waited 10 years before purchasing DVC, because we wanted to pay it cash. I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I had to get some input from some Disney fans...
Take Care -
Wendy

 

[MerryPoppins]

Welcome Wendy. Sorry you had to join our ranks, but glad you found us.

I wouldn't do anything rash. It hasn't even been a month since diagnosis and the bills won't continue forever. Is there any way you can get on a payment plan? Just hate to see you lose your "dream" when you need something to look forward to, you know?

 

[lookingforward]

Hi Wendy! I am sorry about your diagnosis but you WILL get through it! (I am finishing up treatment in six weeks!). I agree, I am not sure of your insurance status...but if you have insurance you should sit down and figure out things once you know exactly what is going to be needed. Many doctors, hospitals, etc. will work with you...especially in the case of a cancer diagnosis. Can you perhaps take out a loan against your DVC to pay off everything medical?
Here is why I ask....I just finished chemotherapy and I am headed to disney on Friday. I don't know if I am really physically "ready" but I love disney so much that it is going to be really good "medicine" for me to be there.
Treatment does end and it would be great if you could hang on to DVC so that when you are finished you can head there to relax, regroup and SMILE.
Anyhow, I don't mean to pry...I am just sending my support to you! Even if you decide to sell...you can still have plenty of good times there!

A cool thing happened to me. I tried and tried to find a "hat with hair". You know, the baseball caps with the hair attached, so I could take it with me to disney this weekend. I could not find any! So on a whim I called the American Cancer SOciety office in Boca Raton and low and behold...they had it! I ran over and they gave me two beautiful hats (one baseball and one cool sun hat) with a great hair piece that looks like I have shoulder length hair under the hat! Its fabulous and it was FREE! I am sorry I spent money on my wigs because they had an entire room full of new, FREE wigs. WHO KNEW! The women there was SO nice. I was so relieved to have these cute things to cover my bald head cause its going to be HOT this week in Florida (90's).


And finally, I met with my primary doctor for the first time since I had surgery in December. She was so upbeat...so positive....that I left really hopeful. It was a better day today.

 

[lookingforward]

Quick question......

DH's employer has decided to change medical health insurance carriers (DH is leaving this job in 3 months, but we have to change anyway ) I'm filling out the application with medical history, and on this form, there is a place to list all the gory details concerning my BC....what has me stumped is the box labeled prognosis. It's a very small box so I guess they want a short answer, not an explanation of various 5-year survival rates!

So, that's the question. What should I put in that box?

I TOTALLY agree....EXCELLENT! (thats what my doctor wrote on my disability form...and you are much further past diagnosis than I am! )

 

[CherylDan]

Glad you found a hat with hair! Your post reminded me of our trip when I was still in treatment - I found a hat with hair at RnRC! It was rather exciting! (gonna try a picture, but not sure if I remember how!

Hi Wendy...glad you found us, sorry you're here. I can relate to mounting medical bills. Our insurance was rather poor (very high deductibles) but both the oncology center and the hospital were very good about setting up a payment plan. I'm still paying (diagnosed 11/06) but making good headway on it. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[CherylDan]

ok, well I can get the picture to work, but it's huge! So, I'm taking it off, and will try later.

 

[laurabelle]

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

I had a great time with my sistas in Vegas! I felt good, only one night I didn't hang, so good! Did the 1 mile at the RFTC. Lost every penny that I gambled but came home with money so I had some self control!

The steroids are working great now, well, if you don't count the side effects, lol! It's not too bad though, I'll deal with it. I haven't heard, or called, about the ins. appeal. Just trying not to think too much about it and trusting that if it's what I need I'll get it.

imabrat- Congrats!

Wendy! I'm glad you found us here! I would echo Melissa. This is all brand new, don't feel as if you have to make every single decision this moment, you have a lot of them to make I know. But if you do have to sell your DVC, you are doing what is best for you right now. It will always be there in the future.

lookingforward- Those hats with hair are adorable and will be so much cooler in FL! Glad you got them for free! Have a magical trip!

Laurie- When do you go to WDW? I added one night at Pop before we check into Windsor Hills because SW dropped their fares and my kids are skipping the last day of school. Actually every one of my oldest dd's teachers told her NOT to come the last day of school as it's make up day only. AP rates just came out yesterday, but so far no value resorts available for my date. It wouldn't save much on one night, but I'm still going to keep calling.

Ann- I hope you get to go the RFTC in Oct! When is the June trip? I'll be there from June 11-19.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

That's why I support the American Cancer Society - they're really great like that; always there when you need them.

dpprimeau, welcome and sorry about your diagnosis. We debated the whole DVC thing, too (not whether to sell, but whether to buy - post treatment when I was still in major worry mode). The thing about it is, Disney's there whether you own DVC or not. So you should do what makes the most financial sense and makes you the mose emotionally comfortable. If it's going to cause stress and worry, then is it really worth it? (OTOH, everything causes stress and worry right now, so maybe you shouldn't make any rash decisions right away - your outlook will improve as time goes on, absolutely.) Some people feel they won't "let" cancer alter their lives; they'll fight for normalcy. If buying DVC was a major goal you achieved, then maybe you shouldn't let cancer rip it from you without a fight. Everyone sees it differently and you have to do what's right for you. I do agree that having Disney to look forward to is a real boost during treatment. Here we call it "Disney Therapy" and think it should be fully covered by insurance!

(BTW, I recall there's another Dis poster this happened to but she doesn't post here regularly, you could probably PM her to see how she handled it. She'd just bought DVC right before her diagnosis and I remember her asking about selling at the time I was reading the DVC boards. Her name is Peggy, I think her username is Mickey527 or something like that.)

imabrat, congratulations! You too, lookingforward.

Good to see everyone else popping in!

I've been really busy with work, helping kids with school projects, and photography. We are about to start rebuilding our deck and building a new screen porch. Busy's probably been good because I've also been really sad about BIL. It's still kind of not real yet. Family and DH doing ok, we're all just sad.

GAGWTA

 

[snappy]

dpprimeau, I see you are a fellow Louisianian.

I do think you may want to take a deep breathe before selling, especially if you just bought and might incur a loss. This period right after diagnosis is very hard. What stage of treatment are you at?

Please post and tell your story or pm if you don't want to post details.

I find each year we end up hitting the ceiling where the insurance pays 100%.
Can you check your policy?

I think it is great that you paid cash so you have no current costs other than dues.

My husband and I bought DVC last year 3 years after treatment. It was glorious signing my name to something that had a life of 35 years. It felt like an affirmation.

Please post again. We care here.

 

[snappy]

Laura we will miss you. School ends earlier here (DS19 and DD17 had their last exam today) and DD12 has 2 more weeks. We will be back by the 31st.

Glad you are going and it is great that you did well on your Vegas trip. I cann't believe that the insurance co is still dragging its feet, well actually I can.

I am home again today sick. My throat hurt so bad at 2 am that I promised myself I would get myself in to an EENT. Got a antibiotics shot and a steroid shot and lots of meds. I am feeling better.

I am not sure how I managed to finish the payroll Tuesday but I did. It was a miracle.

I am hoping to be able to sleep tonight. Big goal of mine.

Cool that you are going to start on your deck Linda. You guys have transformed that house. We are still in wait mode on the kitchen although I think I may be ready once DD17 heads to college in the fall.

Needs to be done.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Snappy - Feel better soon!

Laura - Glad you had a great time in Vegas!

Wendy - Good luck in making a decision on the DVC.

Linda - Glad you have been busy in a good way!

Lookingforward - Yay for cute new "hair" hats!

I hope everyone with upcoming trips has fun with those last few planning details!!

AP rates were worthless for me as far as 8/1 & 8/2, so I'm waiting to see if I have better luck 8/3 - 8/17.

My mom sees the oncologist tomorrow. Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully whatever he says will be encouraging!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA Ladies! I made it to the other side!!!!!!!!

First I want to say thank you for all of your support. Everyone on this thread has been wonderful. All the information I have gotten and all the things I learned over the last several weeks here helped me get through the surgery.

Surgery was on 4/30 and went very well. I stayed in the hospital for three nights and so tomorrow marks being home a week. I have been up and about the whole time (moving slowly though) and it has been a huge help having my cousin here to help us out. I had some bruising on my left (I think the left one was pissed at me for letting it go).

I had my first follow-up appointments yesterday.

My breast surgeon gave me mostly great news and a little not so good:

1) She removed all of my cancer (WOO HOO!). The 1.8 cm. tumor did NOT grow during that waiting period between diagnosis and surgery.

2) The pathology report from my lymph node biopsies found microscopic cells in two small lymph nodes (not so good). She removed a total of 12 nodes from my right side. Since there were only two affected, I will NOT need radiation (EXCELLENT NEWS!).

3) My left side was completely cancer-free as expected, yet I am still very happy with my decision to remove the breast. No cancer cells were found on the edges near my incisions or anywhere else other than those 2 small nodes.

4) Because there was cancer found in the nodes, I MUST have chemo, and it will not be the “light” kind. I am told I will DEFINITELY lose my hair (not so good) but it will grow back (excellent!).

My plastic surgeon inserted 4 drains after the surgery and I have had 2 removed. She will remove the other 2 next week, when I will also have a “fill” to my saline expanders.

Next step is an appt. to meet with and pick an oncologist who will more than likely recommend aggressive treatment (i.e., 8 sessions of chemo—1 treatment every 2 weeks=4 months total). I will feel lousy, nauseous and tired, but the thing is, when this is done, it will really be done (excellent!)!!

Off to bed.

Dawn

 

[MerryPoppins]

It's great to hear from you Dawn! I'm glad things went well. You sound great! Just hang in there and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. As my DH says, each thing is another step towards getting well. It's not so bad if you take it one day at a time and keep thinking positve. And we'll be here for you.

jackskellingtonsgirl, what is your news?