Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[Sha]

Ok, so the count is 3 for you Ann.

Sha will it be just you and your mom or a friend as well?

My DH will also be in the count.

10:30 sounds like plenty of time for us to get back in the car from the race.

Ann, after Sha weighs in do you wnat to make the reservation or do you want me to.

I am nervously excited here. Only once before have I done so little planning right before.

Good thing I took care of the car rental and Naj's boarding reservation way back. I actually made my room reservation back in January so I can't really say this is a spur of the moment trip.

Our DD12 is sort of wistful about missing this trip. She is looking forward to staying with my mom. My sister is also going to stay at mom's to pitch in. She also wants to be here take mom in on Thursday to see the surgeon to get the MRI results.

I hope Laura and her family are having a good time. I believe they might be coming home tomorrow.

I would say do 3 for me. Will be okay if we are down one from what we said.

 

[NHAnn]

Laurie...us 3 can come over to BW and ride over to WWS with you, right?
I will try and check with my sisters today/tonight and call in for an ADR even if I can't connect to them. It can always be changed to fewer people later.

I hear you on the lack of planning this trip Laurie...but sometimes those are the best times, in a different sort of way , esp w/o kids
I'm getting excited too!

Kitty is definitely hyperthyroid....needs med$... and a switch to canned (more $$) prescription food........cannot even LOOK at our retirement accounts
She's part of the family so we do what we need to do!

GAGWTA...now I REALLY need to get going....I'll check in tonight!

 

[snappy]

Laurie...us 3 can come over to BW and ride over to WWS with you, right?
I will try and check with my sisters today/tonight and call in for an ADR even if I can't connect to them. It can always be changed to fewer people later.

I hear you on the lack of planning this trip Laurie...but sometimes those are the best times, in a different sort of way , esp w/o kids
I'm getting excited too!

Kitty is definitely hyperthyroid....needs med$... and a switch to canned (more $$) prescription food........cannot even LOOK at our retirement accounts
She's part of the family so we do what we need to do!

GAGWTA...now I REALLY need to get going....I'll check in tonight!

Oh yes, Ann, I am counting on you three riding with us. We will probably try to leave around 6:45 am as we left around that time last year and the traffic was scary. I believe you have to be in the parking lot before 7:40.

Thanks for calling for the ADR.

I hear you on looking at the retirement accounts, I check ours over a week ago but I did not have the courage last week. And I believed having teenagers was scary???? What was I thinking?????

Sorry to those not going for us making our plans here but at this late hour, it is the best way for us to connect. I am alsways right at the max on my pm count and that slows things up.

I will have each and everyone of you and your family members in my heart during the race. You can count on that.

Laurie

 

[lookingforward]

Oh yes, Ann, I am counting on you three riding with us. We will probably try to leave around 6:45 am as we left around that time last year and the traffic was scary. I believe you have to be in the parking lot before 7:40.

Thanks for calling for the ADR.

I hear you on looking at the retirement accounts, I check ours over a week ago but I did not have the courage last week. And I believed having teenagers was scary???? What was I thinking?????

Sorry to those not going for us making our plans here but at this late hour, it is the best way for us to connect. I am alsways right at the max on my pm count and that slows things up.

I will have each and everyone of you and your family members in my heart during the race. You can count on that.

Laurie

I wish I could get up to Orlando for the race! You will all be in my thoughts!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

I hope everyone headed to WDW for RFTC has a FABULOUS time!

 

[Sha]

Laurie...us 3 can come over to BW and ride over to WWS with you, right?
I will try and check with my sisters today/tonight and call in for an ADR even if I can't connect to them. It can always be changed to fewer people later.

I hear you on the lack of planning this trip Laurie...but sometimes those are the best times, in a different sort of way , esp w/o kids
I'm getting excited too!

Kitty is definitely hyperthyroid....needs med$... and a switch to canned (more $$) prescription food........cannot even LOOK at our retirement accounts
She's part of the family so we do what we need to do!

GAGWTA...now I REALLY need to get going....I'll check in tonight!

hug your kitty for me! I have to live through others with their kitties...

I love fly by the seat of your pants trips to WDW! doing things spur of the moment Mom was in a bit ago and asked who all was going to be there. She is looking forward to seeing Laurie again and meeting others, as am I.

I am officially a RN... got my actual license in the mail today!!!

 

[lookingforward]

hug your kitty for me! I have to live through others with their kitties...

I love fly by the seat of your pants trips to WDW! doing things spur of the moment Mom was in a bit ago and asked who all was going to be there. She is looking forward to seeing Laurie again and meeting others, as am I.

I am officially a RN... got my actual license in the mail today!!!

YEA! Congratulations. It must be nice to hold that license in your hands! I am so happy for you!

 

[NHAnn]

We are set for 8 at Spoodles at 10:30 on Sunday I have a DDE card for 20% off - I look at it as covering the gratuity

Found out the kitty meds are $27 for 30 days worth...less than $1 a day, I can live with that! Kind of weird though, to go get it at a people-pharmacy, where they compound it into a liquid. I joked with the clerk about having my doc call in chicken flavored thyroid meds for me, so I could get it for $15 instead...........she was not amused. Some people have no sense of humor.

 

[Sha]

We are set for 8 at Spoodles at 10:30 on Sunday I have a DDE card for 20% off - I look at it as covering the gratuity

Found out the kitty meds are $27 for 30 days worth...less than $1 a day, I can live with that! Kind of weird though, to go get it at a people-pharmacy, where they compound it into a liquid. I joked with the clerk about having my doc call in chicken flavored thyroid meds for me, so I could get it for $15 instead...........she was not amused. Some people have no sense of humor.

so true! they need more Disney in their lives

 

[MerryPoppins]

I guess my question is this: what do I wear under those suits? And in what size? I'm normally a size 12--that translates to a Large. Do I buy ladies XL t shirts? Or will that just point out my lopsidedness while I undergo reconstruction? (Remember, I teach adolescant boys.) Do I buy XL button down shirts (even though I HATE to iron??)

I also have to hit the bra store and buy something-- I'm assuming they'll be able to guide me there.

Any ideas, suggestions, warnings....?

I think t-shirts will be okay, if you have good mobility. Be sure to do the "bad" arm first. No one notices the lopsidedness, but you will. It all depends on your comfort level.

I'd go with sports bras. I got mine at Walmart. Ones that fasten in the front are easier in those early days. Sports bras are great about sort of squishing you up and holding things firm, if you know what I mean. I still wear mine when I'm tired of my "Betty" and want a break. I might add, didn't go to look at a prosthesis or special bras for months. My surgery was in late September and I didn't go shopping for Betty until February. I thought I was having reconstruction until Christmas, and after that it just took me a while to decide to go ahead and take the plunge. And even now, I never wear an official mastectomy bra. I think they're like straightjackets.

In those early days I wore what I affectionately called my "puff". A volunteer at the hospital brought it to me. It was just a stuffed fabric oval with an overlapping opening in the back. That way, I could change the amount of fluff inside to match the non-mastectomy side as they filled. It didn't have the same movement or shape as a prosthesis, but it was lightweight and the size could change at any given moment.

You girls are welcome to drive down for our RFTC on 10/18! DS and I will be going for the first time.

That'd be fun. I doubt it will happen this year, but it'd be fun.

My cousin passed away today. What a week.

I'm so sorry.

I hope everyone headed to WDW for RFTC has a FABULOUS time!

Me too. Even if I am jealous. I'll be thinking of all of you walking.

Found out the kitty meds are $27 for 30 days worth...less than $1 a day, I can live with that! Kind of weird though, to go get it at a people-pharmacy, where they compound it into a liquid. I joked with the clerk about having my doc call in chicken flavored thyroid meds for me, so I could get it for $15 instead...........she was not amused. Some people have no sense of humor.

Sorry kitty is so sick. We used to have a diabetic cat that needed insulin shots. We got ours at the people pharmacy too. And you're right, some people have no sense of humor.

Mom got word today that her path report came back clean! No cancer. Now we just need to figure out what it is.

 

[Sha]

Aliceacc my mom wore mens button up shirts because of the short time she was limited on arm movement at first (she had OT, Occupational Therapy).

Right after surgery, she wore this special camisole that the company I work for has at the Mastectomy Boutique, that can either go over the head or be pulled up. and has a pocket to hold the drain(s) and then has a pocket on each breast area to put in a little stuffed pillow pocket to help balance out the look. The surgeons have been informed of such a thing around here, and some actually remember to recommend it to a client. Maybe something is available where you are. Its something that can be worn long after the drains are gone.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ann - Good luck with the kitty and the meds! The family I used to work for had a cat who was supposed to be on meds. That cat would hack those pills up all over the house. I was always finding them in the strangest places. Glad to hear your kitty has liquid!

Merry - Good news about your mom's path report! I hope she has a diagnosis soon!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Our crazy cat would come when you called her for her daily shot. I think she knew it made her feel better or something.

 

[snappy]

Merry, so glad to hear about your mom's results.

Mmy mom received hers today as well. The MRI of the unaffected breast showed no porblem and the surgeon told mom she saw just what she expected on the affected side.

I am so relieved we scheduled her surgery last Wednesday. So it is on for 2 weeks from today.

Also, my mom heard that one of my cousins in New ORleans, actually a second cousin who is 3 yrs older than me, and who had me stand in her weddin in 1970 was just diagnosed last week with invasive cancer. She is scheduled for a mastectomy (the tumor is directly under the nipple) and an immediate DIEP. I talked to her tonight and she sounds shaky. She is a nurse and has a god friend who is an oncologist at MD Andersen who is advising her.

I think she will do fine.

DH is still not home from work, I sure hope he gets home before the plane leaves for Orlando tomorrow.



So, Sha, now you are a card-carrying nurse. huh? Cool!!! I remember how happy I felt when I got my CPA license. What an accomplishment you have achieved!!! Yo will have to let me buy you a drink to celebrate.

Maureen, I wish you could come up for the RFTC too, maybe next year?

 

[Sha]

DH is still not home from work, I sure hope he gets home before the plane leaves for Orlando tomorrow.



So, Sha, now you are a card-carrying nurse. huh? Cool!!! I remember how happy I felt when I got my CPA license. What an accomplishment you have achieved!!! Yo will have to let me buy you a drink to celebrate.

Maureen, I wish you could come up for the RFTC too, maybe next year?

I would like to walk next year

I am!! I can even bring the smaller version and show it to you

Prayers for your cousin who is to have surgery... and your mom... and Merry's too! Its good to hear those results

Is DH home yet?? You leave tomorrow? I guess I didnt realize that

 

[snappy]

Yes, I was a bit greedy when booking this trip back in January. We are staying 6 nights.

DH did finally get home. . . way after 9 pm.

I was still packing, including his stuff. He owes me big time.

I see a massage in my future.

Sha, you are not walking in the race? Sorry I missed that.

I'll be calling you.

 

[NHAnn]

safe travels Laurie! I have your cell # with all my stuff, do you have mine? (PM'd it!) I'll call you!!

GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

Got it Ann, sorry I did not respond.

thanks, call me after you all arrive.

 

[Sha]

Yes, I was a bit greedy when booking this trip back in January. We are staying 6 nights.

DH did finally get home. . . way after 9 pm.

I was still packing, including his stuff. He owes me big time.

I see a massage in my future.

Sha, you are not walking in the race? Sorry I missed that.

I'll be calling you.

no... sadly it comes down to funds. Work has been limited at times because of client census, so there are times I am not working. I already am planning for next year though

 

[Aliceacc]

I think t-shirts will be okay, if you have good mobility. Be sure to do the "bad" arm first. No one notices the lopsidedness, but you will. It all depends on your comfort level.

I'd go with sports bras. I got mine at Walmart. Ones that fasten in the front are easier in those early days. Sports bras are great about sort of squishing you up and holding things firm, if you know what I mean. I still wear mine when I'm tired of my "Betty" and want a break. I might add, didn't go to look at a prosthesis or special bras for months. My surgery was in late September and I didn't go shopping for Betty until February. I thought I was having reconstruction until Christmas, and after that it just took me a while to decide to go ahead and take the plunge. And even now, I never wear an official mastectomy bra. I think they're like straightjackets.

In those early days I wore what I affectionately called my "puff". A volunteer at the hospital brought it to me. It was just a stuffed fabric oval with an overlapping opening in the back. That way, I could change the amount of fluff inside to match the non-mastectomy side as they filled. It didn't have the same movement or shape as a prosthesis, but it was lightweight and the size could change at any given moment.
.

Thanks so much for your help!! I never knew they made front opening sports bras-- that may very well be the way to go until I'm a bit more even.

I did some online shopping yesterday at chadwicks.com and got a bunch of button down shirts, each under $10. I think that's probably the best option for me. As long as I wear them outside my skirt or pants, they'll hold the shape enough to fake it under a blazer. I tried wearing a lightweight sweater on Sunday... I had no problem getting it on or off, but my lopsidedness was pretty apparent.

I know it sounds silly for someone planning on a breast implant, but I don't think I want anything like your "fluff." I'm OK with covering what's there (or not there, in my case.) But I think I would feel like one of the kids I teach, putting sweatsocks into a bra to fill it out. This is entirely my own psychosis, and I know it's irrational. But I think I'll be more comfortable hiding, but not changing, my shape. Silly, huh?

Thanks again for your help. You've given me a real solid direction, as well as helped clarify my own thoughts on the matter. I appreciate it.