Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[snappy]

I hope you get to talk to your mom sonn, JSK. Let us kow how she sounds.

 

[lookingforward]

GAGWTA Ladies!!!

It has been a while since I last posted, and for this I apologize. I have not yet been able to read all of the posts I have missed, so may I just say I hope that everyone has been well and give my best wishes to those who may not be doing so well. I am sure I have missed many a celebration, so I say a Belated Happy to you...

Been taking a break from all boards for a while. I finished chemo on 7/29 and started on Tamoxifen in August. I have been doing pretty well, with the exception of the nightly hot flashes. I am working an hour a day in my son's lunch room, and it is just my speed. I figure I can work full days in the township schools after I sufficiently recover from my exchange surgery, which takes place 2 weeks from tomorrow (boy, does time fly!).

Just an FYI that DH and I have managed to raise almost $3000 on our own as part of a larger team through his job that will walk/race in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this coming Sunday in NYC. I hope I can make it through the whole race (still a little fatigued)!

My thoughts are always with you, even though I may not be around as much as I used to be. Be well!!! Will write again soon, promise!

So glad to "hear" from you! I am finishing up my fills and looking forward to my exchange surgery too. You will be first so make sure you let me know how it goes! I finally got in to the wilderness lodge for Dec 5-8! YAHOO! Everything was booked solid. So I am happy.

GAGWTA!

 

[NHAnn]

Dawn-good to hear from you!!

Laurie--I have to confess that I chuckled when I read the part about the tree guy and mammo machine....but please know my heart goes out to you. A LONG time ago here I called you a Steel Magnolia and that came to my mind again. You are dealing with SO much with such grace and humorKeeping you mom in my prayers too.

Merry, kudos to your DD!!!!!

JSG---that does sound worrisome...can you call your sis and have her put mom on the line?? Keep us posted....and keepig your mom in my thoughts too!

I know I am missing someone/something....

GAGWTA!!!

 

[snappy]

So glad to "hear" from you! I am finishing up my fills and looking forward to my exchange surgery too. You will be first so make sure you let me know how it goes! I finally got in to the wilderness lodge for Dec 5-8! YAHOO! Everything was booked solid. So I am happy.

GAGWTA!

You lucky ducky!!. I loved WL in September, it must be heaven in December.

Ann, glad I gave you a LOL moment. That dream really did happen last night.
I can't make this stuff up!!! Which steel magnolia would I be. . . can I be Sally Fields? I used to be more the Dolly Parton type size wise, those days are thankfully over.

The FEMA lady came by, no $$ on tree removal unless they block the entrance to your house. But I do think we may get reimbursed for the generator due to the CPAP machine. The nicest lady named Danielle at the place we bought the CPAP machine from in 2003 looked through old files and found the one stating medical necessity signed by the doctor that we had to get in order to get Blue Cross to pay some towards it.

The FEMA lady seemed satisfied with it although she no clue about what a CPAP machine or sleep apnea is.

I came up with the idea of having the nurse fax me the path report from mom's biopsy this morning, but she couldn't without written authorization (she would not accept mom's verbal authorization). Mom will get it Monday when she goes in for her preop stuff. I am also going to ask her to sign for me to get to talk to the doctor, etc. I think I need to be involved.

So, DH's trigger finger is Tuesday and Mom's surgery (sounds like an excisional surgery but I am still not positive it is not a lumpectomy) is Wednesday. It is going to be busy week.

I am scared stiff watching the Ike coverage in Galveston. This is awful. The wind is blowing like crazy here, I can only imagine what it is like over there as we are easily 300 miles from Galveston, maybe further.

I took out some of my hurricane frustration on cleaning up the debris that is still in the yard. I consolidated some of the piles and raked bags of leaves. They still have not taken the big trunks. The yard remains wet and muddy and a mess. I really hate that as the yard is something I take pride in. Seems inconsequential though compared to what may happen in Galveston. I can't stop watching the coverage, it has become an obsession.

GAGWTA!!

 

[annrae]

I've been watching the news tonight and thinking of you Laurie and also of you JSG. This certainly is a monster of a storm and I hope you and your families are all getting through these next few hours with minimal damage. I have a very good friend in Pearland, Texas and they left for San Antonio yesterday morning. It's difficult to comprehend the extent of Ike - so huge.

I'm sure your Mom's Dr. will speak to you about her Laurie. I wish her well and will be thinking of all of you. Hugs, Barbara

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So glad to "hear" from you! I am finishing up my fills and looking forward to my exchange surgery too. You will be first so make sure you let me know how it goes! I finally got in to the wilderness lodge for Dec 5-8! YAHOO! Everything was booked solid. So I am happy.

GAGWTA!

Yay for WL! We stayed there last summer and it was very nice!

DS called Mom this evening but her cell was off. We waited a little while and then called her back on her house phone. Turns out the battery in her cell phone was so low the phone turned itself off. DS talked with her for a bit, then I talked with her. She says she is feeling fine, worked all 5 days this week. She got the box I sent, no big plans for the weekend, she starts Taxol on Thursday, etc. She sounded good. I have no clue why my sister said Mom wasn't feeling well. Maybe she was just tired and went to bed early last night? Anyway, I think she is doing OK. We'll see if I hear anything else from my sister.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Thanks for all the hellos!

I see there is a LOT going on, especially for Snappy. I hope your DH and Mom are doing OK. My best to all of you in Ike's path and I pray that you are not affected by its certain devastation.

Maureen--glad to hear your fills are just about done. I will definitely post after my exchange. We are also staying in WL from December 7-16th. Maybe we can meet up the evening I arrive (as I see you are leaving the next day). We are arriving in the afternoon and our only plans are for dinner at WC that night. Would love to see you in person!

jackskelingtongirl--glad to hear your mom is done with the AC part of her chemo. How was it for her (I have still not been able to read all the posts I have missed)? I hope it wasn't too difficult for her. It's been a little over 6 weeks since my last infusion and I am feeling MUCH better. I started feeling a difference after 3 weeks. I'm happy to be done with "the red devil."

I'm sorry if I have missed anyone here. Again, I hope that you are all happy and healthy!

 

[snappy]

Dawn, you sound great. Sounds like you turned the corner.

Hey another DEcember WL trip. Cool!!

JSK, I am glad all appears well with your mom. WHat is up with your sister?

 

[lookingforward]

The press release is out, so I don't have to wait until Friday.

I don't know how much I've told you in the past about my DD. She is 17 and a senior in high school. She also has sensory issues. She is diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. This is a neurological disorder. She has problems with getting distracted or "checking out" at school when she experiences sensory overload. She is a great student and always does her homework (I know because I double-check with her each evening at her request), but has a lot of trouble remembering to turn work in. That's the "processing" part of her disorder. Her brain forgets that she's not done with the work until it's turned in, so it doesn't remind her to give it to the teacher if he/she doesn't ask.

This is all a simplistic way of talking about some of her problems, but suffice it to say that while school work is easy for her, a day at school is very stressful. She works very hard to do what comes easy to others. A day with all the sights, sounds, and smells of high school is hard on her. I'm very proud that she has overcome her issues to be successful in school.

I say all of this so you'll realize that I'm not just bragging about my kid. I'm proud of her and her accomplishments. I think she deserves for someone to toot her horn a little. Now for my news...

Amy is one of 6 kids at her high school to be named a National Merit Semi-finalist out of a class of almost 500 students. She is one of about 16,000 seniors in the nation that received this honor. There are 4 more kids at our other high school...11 total in Norman.

Of these semi-finalists, about 15,000 will be named National Merit Finalists in February. If she lists OU as her 1st choice and she advances to Semi-finalist...she gets a full-ride scholarship including room/board, tuition and a laptop allowance. Boy would we be happy if she gets that kind of scholarship!

I'm not holding my breath. She had a rough year last year with a few C's. It was because she wasn't turning in all of her work and she passed the AP tests and end-of-instruction tests over the material she got those grades for. In fact, one was a math class and she scored so high on the test that her teacher looked her up to tell her how few questions she'd missed. Sigh. But she might not advance due to grades.

Thanks for letting me celebrate by telling you. I'm just so proud of how far she's come.

I am SO happy for your daughter and family. How wonderful! I hope she gets to the next step and gets that full scholarship! She must be so excited to have scored so well on her SATs! And even more admirable for learning ways around her sensory issues. Some of my family members have similar concerns so I know it is a challenge.

I am thrilled for your entire family!

 

[lookingforward]

Very exciting news about your DD, Merry. Please tell her congratulations for me.

Thanks for asking, Linda. Mom had the biopsy yesterday and did well. She was a trooper. . . all the nurses loved her, and seemed to take it all in stride. The surgeon called her tonight. . . she now wants to do a surgical biopsy or lumpectomy or something on outpatient basis. Mom was foggy to say the least about what the doctor said. It sounds like there were some questionable cells found that should be removed. I am not sure if it is DCIS or not. I sure wish I had been able to speak to the doctor. This is maddening.
I wonder if I should call the doc myself? I do know her. . . she did my second opionion and even did a needle biopsy on my unaffected side and I went in to see her with mom last Tuesday. I did not see her yesterday when the biopsy was done.

Anyway, the surgery is tentatively set for Wednesday.

Not the best news but still not definitive news. I feel kind of queasy about it. And I could kill my brother who is bugging mom for more money. God, what is wrong with him?

off to a happier topic. . .


Hope your mom enjoyed her birthday dinner, Linda. Did you say the restaurant was on the coast>

I spent most of the day again today at the state office of emergency prep, answering calls. Lots of folks who have no money for transportation home from evacuating, nor for their bills when they get back. FEMA is apparently being stingy with covering costs after the abuses after Katrina. I am supposed to meet someone tomorrow at my house from FEMA about all the trees we lost and our roof. I am not expecting much, she already told me that they are not reimbursing for generators, so that was $900 we have to eat. At least we have one for the next time, we may even lose power over the next couple of days with Ike.

Gotta go, thanks for listening. I'll let you know when I know more about mom.

GAGWTA!!!

Hi, Dawn!!!

Happy Birthday to Linda's Mom!

Snappy, I am thinking good thoughts for your mom. I am surprised to hear about FEMA being so stingy with the generators. When we had the hurricanes roll through here a few years ago they reimbursed for those very liberally, especially for medical reasons (there a lot of elderly folks here with serious conditions that require power/refrigeration, etc). I definately think with your husband's apnea you would qualify. I would get the doctors note plus the actual receipts, etc. for the generator you purchased. (even have a photo of his machine). I bet they will reimburse you. I hope so! Glad the FEMA lady was helpful.

I can't believe that JSG's mom is done with A/C and Dawn finished too! Now JSG's mom has the Taxol, right?

I am praying for those in Texas. My heart breaks for them!

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks for all the hellos!

I see there is a LOT going on, especially for Snappy. I hope your DH and Mom are doing OK. My best to all of you in Ike's path and I pray that you are not affected by its certain devastation.

Maureen--glad to hear your fills are just about done. I will definitely post after my exchange. We are also staying in WL from December 7-16th. Maybe we can meet up the evening I arrive (as I see you are leaving the next day). We are arriving in the afternoon and our only plans are for dinner at WC that night. Would love to see you in person!

jackskelingtongirl--glad to hear your mom is done with the AC part of her chemo. How was it for her (I have still not been able to read all the posts I have missed)? I hope it wasn't too difficult for her. It's been a little over 6 weeks since my last infusion and I am feeling MUCH better. I started feeling a difference after 3 weeks. I'm happy to be done with "the red devil."

I'm sorry if I have missed anyone here. Again, I hope that you are all happy and healthy!

Believe it or not, my first fill was only two weeks ago. My plastic would not fill during chemo and then I opted for the radiation. So I have had that dang thing in my chest for NINE months. I told my plastic surgeon that I could have had a baby by now! The fill hurt more than I thought it would. OUCH. Now I am trying to decide how to do the other side. John Hopkins for the subcutaneous or locally. I am torn and dreading the entire process. I wish I had done it originally. Oh well.

I would love to meet you when you get to the Wilderness Lodge! Lets plan on that! I am still hoping we can have a GAGWTA party next year

 

[laurabelle]

It's been a hectic week to say the least.

Mon. hubby saw the therapist. It was a good appt. and he seemed to feel better about some things afterward. The therapist didn't think hubby fit the profile of panic disorder, said the fainting is unrelated, but certainly was understanding about his anxiety right now. He himself has had PD for over 35 yrs and suggested acupuncture as it has helped him. I think it's a great idea. Hubby is only taking Xanax as needed. He'll see the therapist for f/u later this month.

He went back to work on Tue. felt pretty good and stayed until 2:00. Still very tired. Wed. got his stitches out. Thur. I was supposed to get my annual breast MRI and dexascan but I woke up with a migraine/vomiting. The second time this year. The other was in April and I had to go to the ER. Hubby came home from work early afternoon when he called and found out I was sick. He called my primary about it but she was away. The nurse practitioner said they would not prescribe anything, but if it persisted into the next day that I should go to the ER. I was better Friday. My GI nurse emailed to tell me my WBC was low and passed it along to my primary...sheesh, what next? I'm rescheduled for my tests next Thur. and see my onc the following week.

So Fri. he saw the cardiologist at the cardiac EP group. He will have a Tilt Table Test and an EP study, and possibly have an implantable heart monitor placed on Wed. I'm not sure what time yet. We will have immediate results on Wed., which of course could be inconclusive. I did not ask the dr. about okaying our FL trip yet- we are supposed to leave in 13 days- but I'm hoping we can make our decision based on the results on Wed. He is however not allowed to drive, according to the cardiologist (the hospital where he was admitted as well as his primary dr. never said he had any restrictions!) so I'm "Driving Miss Daisy".

IF we do go to FL I won't be staying on by myself. Laurie I will miss seeing you...

 

[lookingforward]

It's been a hectic week to say the least.

Mon. hubby saw the therapist. It was a good appt. and he seemed to feel better about some things afterward. The therapist didn't think hubby fit the profile of panic disorder, said the fainting is unrelated, but certainly was understanding about his anxiety right now. He himself has had PD for over 35 yrs and suggested acupuncture as it has helped him. I think it's a great idea. Hubby is only taking Xanax as needed. He'll see the therapist for f/u later this month.

He went back to work on Tue. felt pretty good and stayed until 2:00. Still very tired. Wed. got his stitches out. Thur. I was supposed to get my annual breast MRI and dexascan but I woke up with a migraine/vomiting. The second time this year. The other was in April and I had to go to the ER. Hubby came home from work early afternoon when he called and found out I was sick. He called my primary about it but she was away. The nurse practitioner said they would not prescribe anything, but if it persisted into the next day that I should go to the ER. I was better Friday. My GI nurse emailed to tell me my WBC was low and passed it along to my primary...sheesh, what next? I'm rescheduled for my tests next Thur. and see my onc the following week.

So Fri. he saw the cardiologist at the cardiac EP group. He will have a Tilt Table Test and an EP study, and possibly have an implantable heart monitor placed on Wed. I'm not sure what time yet. We will have immediate results on Wed., which of course could be inconclusive. I did not ask the dr. about okaying our FL trip yet- we are supposed to leave in 13 days- but I'm hoping we can make our decision based on the results on Wed. He is however not allowed to drive, according to the cardiologist (the hospital where he was admitted as well as his primary dr. never said he had any restrictions!) so I'm "Driving Miss Daisy".

IF we do go to FL I won't be staying on by myself. Laurie I will miss seeing you...

Laura, I am sorry you and DH are having a difficult time. I am sure that he is in good hands and they will figure out what is going on. I hope your trip goes on as planned. Vacations are a great way of getting away from it all!

 

[snappy]

Laura, just hoping you get some real answers on Wednesday.

There will be other trips.

I am a bit worried about our trip too, what with mom's surgery Wednesday, as well as the curve Gustav threw to DH and his work.

It is secondary, but we will lose the BWV points if we don't go since our use year is December.

GAGWTA!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for all the hellos!

jackskelingtongirl--glad to hear your mom is done with the AC part of her chemo. How was it for her (I have still not been able to read all the posts I have missed)? I hope it wasn't too difficult for her. It's been a little over 6 weeks since my last infusion and I am feeling MUCH better. I started feeling a difference after 3 weeks. I'm happy to be done with "the red devil."

I'm sorry if I have missed anyone here. Again, I hope that you are all happy and healthy!

You know, her AC wasn't bad. Mild side effects for the most part. The worst was last weekend when she had no white cells and was REALLY fatigued. I didn't expect her to feel her worst after she was finished!

Dawn, you sound great. Sounds like you turned the corner.

Hey another DEcember WL trip. Cool!!

JSK, I am glad all appears well with your mom. WHat is up with your sister?

You never know with my sister. She is 16, and we honestly don't know each other very well. I think she is just lonely.

Laura, I am sorry you and DH are having a difficult time. I am sure that he is in good hands and they will figure out what is going on. I hope your trip goes on as planned. Vacations are a great way of getting away from it all!

Laura, good thoughts for you and DH! I hope your trip can go on as scheduled!

Laura, just hoping you get some real answers on Wednesday.

There will be other trips.

I am a bit worried about our trip too, what with mom's surgery Wednesday, as well as the curve Gustav threw to DH and his work.

It is secondary, but we will lose the BWV points if we don't go since our use year is December.

GAGWTA!!

I hope your trip can go as planned, too! Losing your points would be a huge bummer!

Mom starts Taxol on Thursday, weekly infusions for 12 doses. She said they told her she could take a week off, so I imagine she will skip Thanksgiving week. She said she wants to drive down here that week, which I think is a HORRIBLE idea, but she won't listen to me.

 

[snappy]

How far are we talking, JSK?

Are you expected to get much wind with Ike? When I walked both dogs this morning, the wind blowing through the trees still sounds like a freight train on and off.

No rain though which is good. Maybe the mud pit that used to be my front yard will have a chance to dry out.

DD18 and her BF came up from New Orleans last night unexpectedly.

Yea!

 

[MerryPoppins]

It is secondary, but we will lose the BWV points if we don't go since our use year is December.

You could however rent the points out. Kind of last minute, but you could get a little cash for your next Disney trip or something.

Sorry everyone seems to be having issues right now. Add us to the list. My FIL is in the hospital. He's having rectal bleeding and they can't figure it out. He's had cancer, so of course we're afraid that it's spread. Things are wild right now. I'll give you an update when we know something.

 

[snappy]

Thanks for the tip, Merry. I think we are about 2 1/2 weeks out now. As new owners I am clueless about whether I can cancel, etc.

I guess I'll do some research,

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

Just got a lovely belated birthday present from DD18, she bought me an adorable candle in the shape and color of a pear and a bar of wonderful smelling, good quality french milled soap that smells divine. Stuff I would not splurge on myself.

I think a long luxurious bath is in my future. I actually have been soaking by bod alot, it really helps with achiness and lack of sleep always makes me achy.

We are going to New Orleans to a soccer game for DD12 tomorrow. Guess we will be springing for a meal for DS20, DD18 and her BF too. Mmmm, maybe some fried oyster poboys.

I love that DD18 and her BF came home for the weekend. Funny, I had started defrosting some crawfish to make ettoufee and I did not even know they were on their way. I was shocked when they came in the door. . . no phone call.

Nice thing about being so close to the college location. Good for family harmony.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

How far are we talking, JSK?

Are you expected to get much wind with Ike? When I walked both dogs this morning, the wind blowing through the trees still sounds like a freight train on and off.

No rain though which is good. Maybe the mud pit that used to be my front yard will have a chance to dry out.

DD18 and her BF came up from New Orleans last night unexpectedly.

Yea!

The drive is 9 hours, but there are other factors involved.
She would work all day Tuesday, leave after work, and not get here until after midnight. She did that last year. She was supposed to stay at my middle sister's house Tuesday night, but instead drove another 100 miles to MY neighborhood and sat in the parking lot at the grocery store until about 7 AM when she decided it was "late enough" to call me. She didn't want to disturb anyone in the middle of the night. We don't have room for overnight guests, but she could have called and I would have been happy to let her in!
My youngest sister just hounded Mom incessantly that she was ready to go, she was hungry (she refuses to eat anything other than fast food), when were they going to go, blah blah blah. Mom was still in her work uniform from the day before! I tried to get her to take a shower and rest awhile, but no. My middle sister has 2 toddlers, so it's hectic there (her kids don't behave) and toddlers (ALL toddlers) are germy. Mom plans to babysit all day on Black Friday so my sister can go off shopping. My sister depends on her in-laws for EVERYTHING, she has no business running off on a shopping spree. Mom will drive home Sunday and go back to work Monday. I understand that she wants to see my sister's kids, but the way she plans to do it practically guarantees that she will be horribly fatigued when she gets back home. She is already tired of being in chemo, but doing things like that will prolong her treatment! Yes, my youngest sister will be with Mom, and she can help with the driving, but she also pesters Mom down to her very last nerve. It would be MUCH better for Mom to stay HOME and have Thanksgiving with the relatives up there. I don't speak to my middle sister, so that complicates things even further.

Not too windy or rainy here. I think the storm moved more to the east so we aren't seeing much bad weather.

Yay for a surprise visit!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You could however rent the points out. Kind of last minute, but you could get a little cash for your next Disney trip or something.

Sorry everyone seems to be having issues right now. Add us to the list. My FIL is in the hospital. He's having rectal bleeding and they can't figure it out. He's had cancer, so of course we're afraid that it's spread. Things are wild right now. I'll give you an update when we know something.

Oh, no! Good thoughts for your FIL!