Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[NHAnn]

PatsMom--welcome Thanks for doing the 3 Day, what a challenge in the best of circumstances, and even more with your recent diagnosis! Where are your doctors/treatment? (Just curious as a fellow Granite Stater!)
WIll be thinking of you Friday and wishing you well. Waiting for results is hard, plan lots of distractions!

LMP--I saw a plaque at a craft fair once with a whole long passage on it ending with the words: "The world needs more mean mothers!"

Music gets me every time. It was kind of embarrassing as I was sobbing but I managed to contain it after a little while.

Blubbering right there with ya, sista!!

GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

Thanks, Ann.

You are such a sweetie.

I don't imagine I will ever be able to listen to "the first time ever I saw your face" again without breaking down.


I like emotion but this is ridiculous.

 

[snappy]

Patsmom, I am sorry to you are facing bladder cancer. You sure sound like a fighter. what a great attitude you are, how brave you are!

I am sure everyone you know considers you an inspiration as I do.

LMP, I am glad your husband will be with you for your next appointment. It has taken us a good while to get used to our new bed, I think it has been a whole year. It sounds like you chose well though if it is already helping with back pain.

My brother Tom left to go back to NYC yesterday. Already miss him. He is talking up a trip to costa Rica in December to take mom to see my other brother's kids down there finally for the first time. He wants to arrange it so we don't see my brother though as he is still not supporting those kids. I hope we are able to get in contact with my borther's ex-sife down there-she does not speak English. Tom thinks mom will regret it if she never even meets those kids. I think it might make it harder for her. I just don't know. This is over my head.

I would need to goa well, since Tom plans to meet her down there. I don't think mom could manage the flight by herself, changing planes and all. There is no direct flight to San Jose from New Orleans.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Laurie - that would be so nice if your mom got to see the grandchildren. I hope you all can work something out.

Sha - hope you are doing ok.

Well Dh is going to China and New Zealand I think September 17-26. Best part most of it is on the airline we need for the ff miles, So hello hopefully Yacht Club or Polynesian in May. I can only pick from the hotels that the airline has available then. I guess our choices would be Yacht Club, Beach Club and then Polynesian.

My wound is doing good. I am now down to only a 2x 2 dressing. Well that is the lst day of trying this so we will see. Of course. I am a little upset thinking this is the day I SHOULD have been at the surgeons. 1 more week.

Tomm. is my mamo and bone scan.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone.

 

[wdw4us2]

Hi Everyone!

Minnie Tink - I hope your Mother's port insertion went smoothly. I had mine done when they did my mastectomies last Summer. I don't remember any pain from that, but I was pretty numb all around there at the time. If your Mother is sensitive to pain, you might want to have her tell the nurses to use spray ice on the port area the first few times they access it. I remember it bothering me the first few times.

Laurie - I am so glad that your Mother's party went so well. I completely understand your getting emotional during "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". It happens to me every time I hear it because it was one of my Mom's favorite songs. I am finding that I have turned into an emotional sap since I have been dealing with breast cancer. The slightest little thing can make me emotional. I hope your Mother enjoys meeting her other Grandchildren!

PatsMom - Congrats on completing the Susan G. Komen walk! That's quite an accomplishment for anyone. I am sorry to learn of your diagnosis. Keep hanging out here for emotional support. These ladies are great!

MaryAnn - I bet your happy you have a new mattress. It makes all the difference. Happy to hear that your wound is getting better, too.

I've been feeling pretty good the past few days. Not lifting weights and taking it a bit easier when I swim is helping. I probably won't be happy until I know the hematoma is completely gone.

DD and I are heading up to Gainesville tomorrow for two days. One of my friends is in Shands with her husband who is a double organ transplant recipient. He had a kidney and pancreas transplant back in February, but he rejected the pancreas. He had another pancreas transplant the beginning of June and has been holding his own with that one. He's had a few setbacks, so I'm going up there to give his wife some emotional support. Meg is coming along for the ride so she can see her best friend who is attending Summer classes at UF. I am thrilled to be getting out of town for a few days - even under these circumstances.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Lisa - Enjoy your trip

Linda or Sha - can you give me your draining wound insight. Its not bad at all, just annoying. Like when is this EVER going to end? Dh says - oh its good its coming out, that is what the surgeon said. Yeah, I want it to stop etc.

Well I was thinkng of throwing myself a pity party but I guess I shouldnt. I told dh, you know last summer was the "summer of the draining wound", I just dont want that to turn into this summer too. I will remind the surgeon of that on tues.

I typed so much for dh yest. It turned ito 8 pages. I did a little the other night. He then proceeds to tell me I spelled something wrong..I told him maybe next time he could type his own stuff! He is a terrible typer. He usually dictates to me what he writes on the plane (the 8 typed pages were 22 written ones).

Ds18 is entering an essay contest for the lifeguard company. He asked me to proofread what he wrote and correct it. It was basically his college essay which he re worded a little. Then ds22 asks me to write a cover letter for him for a job. Hmm, what am I? Everyones personal secretary? After 4 years of college he cant do that himself?? He is taking his last test today. He is planning on quitting soon as now they also want him to buy a laptop from them for $700. That is because they say it comes with all this insurance software that he needs. So if it doesnt have anything else, it would be a waste, and technically its probably more than his first weeks pay, aka can you say slave labor. Some others hired with him have also quit already. Not a good situation. We have never seen him so depressed, moody etc.

Did I tell you before that I wanted to buy ds22 the concert tickets to his favorite band, Creed.Well his old friend called and said as his graduation present her aunt got tickets for them to see the band and BACKSTAGE passes. Ds is off the wall happy.

Will tell you about my mamo/bone scan experience later.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day ladies.

 

[snappy]

MaryAnn, I am sorry your DD22 did not have a better first job experience. Maybe when the economy picks up there will be more opportunities. Maybe a volunteer gig would be an alternative until he finds something else. I agree that buying that computer for $700 is throwing good maoney after bad at this point.

You must be a much better typist than I am. My fingers do the numbers much more accurately than the letters, thank goodness, since I am an accountant!!

DD14 has her orientation today for high school from 9 to 2:30 today. She isn't thrilled. Wait until Monday when school starts at 7:20! She did go to the info meeting about swimming last night. I think she will try out for that, and I know she is not interested in soccer anymore, so I hope she makes the team.

School is coming too fast!!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Laurie (SC) - I hope your is clearing up and that you are feeling better each day.

Laurie - how is your dh adjusting to the diet and meds? I cant believe your dd starts hs soon! I guess a school is an adjustment? Are any of her friends there with her. The swimming team sounds like a good start to try out for.

My tests were ok yest. The girl had to help lift my arm for the mammo of course. She asked me what kind of cancer do you have? I told her thyroid. She said they are getting alot of that lately. She also told me my bone scan (which she did too) was on the low side. Hmm, I didnt even think they could discuss stuff with you. She also asked about the high synthroid dose I am on (not good for the bones). So I guess I will wait for the endo to call me so we can discuss stuff. All she said about the mamo was ..oh you will get the results in the mail. Said that right away. And since I didnt get a call about a call back I am assuming everything was fine, PTL, wel that is something that is going medically right for me so far.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone. Blessings always.

 

[PatsMom]

I am making it through today waiting for my surgery tomorrow. Had a last minute scare when the doctor's office called yesterday morning and said I needed a cardiac stress test because they saw something they don't like in my EKG. Nothing serious he said but he wanted to follow up. I said that I had cancer and he was worried about "nothing serious" on the EKG?? But I got the test done and the OK for the surgery has been faxed in.

I cannot wait for this to be over with. Its going to be about a two hour operation with a chemotherapy treatment to follow immediately after. They'll decide after surgery whether I have to stay the night or if I can go home.

Its nice to read all of you still going on with your lives while fighting cancer. It helps keep me going! I will get through this.

GAGWTA.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Pats Mom Wishing you all the best tomm. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Glad the stress test was good. Hope you get to come home tomm. but heah, think if you have to stay over, you dont have to cook and you get a free meal (sorry, but sometimes I have a strange sense of humor.)

Hang in there and give us an update when you can. Blessings always.

 

[PatsMom]

Pats Mom Wishing you all the best tomm. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Glad the stress test was good. Hope you get to come home tomm. but heah, think if you have to stay over, you dont have to cook and you get a free meal (sorry, but sometimes I have a strange sense of humor.)

Hang in there and give us an update when you can. Blessings always.

I'm with you on the free meal! Although there is a sandwich shop not far from the hospital that I love and I have already told DH to go pick me up a sandwich while he is waiting. I always wake up hungry. General anesthesia has never bothered me!

 

[wdw4us2]

PatsMom - Thinking of you today. Hope all goes well with your surgery.

Laurie - I can't believe your DD had her orientation already. We don't start school until August 23rd. I hope the school works out well for her.

MaryAnn - I am not looking forward to the bone density test I have to have later this year. One of the first things I heard after I was diagnosed last year was the fact that after chemo you generally have a loss of bone density. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

DD and I enjoyed our brief trip to Gainesville. It was good to see our friends. The husband's transplant has gone well, but he has so many other things going on physically. I can't believe the strength he has. He was in a lot of pain, but refuses to take any pain meds because of the way they make him feel. That and the fact that he's on about 20 other meds. Meg was very happy to spend some time with her best friend even though it was such a short trip. I was up to driving both ways (it's about a 4 hour drive). It's a good thing I was driving on the way back as we almost bought it on The Turnpike in Orlando. Some fool lost control of his vehicle on the on ramp and spun out of control off the ramp and into traffic. We were going 78 and I saw all of this out of my peripheral vision. All I could do was stand on the brakes to try to stay out of his way. He spun right in front of us and at the last second I was able to steer around him. I missed his vehicle by less than a foot. God was definitely watching over us yesterday.

 

[MinnieTink]

Wdw4us2... thank goodness you are ok!

Patsmom, thinking of you today. My dad just had the surgery you are having! He's doing well.

My mom had her first chemo treatment yesterday. One down, three to go! I know everyone is different, but would appreciate any input on what the next few days and weeks will be like?

Peace......

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Lisa - God was really watching over you and your dd. So glad you are both all right.

Minnie Tink - hope your mom tolerates the chemo ok. She is blessed to have you there for her and your dad too.

Well my wound is looking really good. PTL. We will see what the surgeon says on tues.

Poor ds22. The stuff hit the fan at work. His boss saw his posted resume on monster and asked about it etc. They also wont let him take off to go to CA. So that is between dh and him. I dont know about the ticket if its refundable etc. But dh is an elite member so they should be able to help him out maybe. I know ds wants to quit etc. He will have to make his own decision. I have enough of my own stuff on my plate to worry about.

Sun. we are going to some fundraising picnic. I told dh to get the food to go. His friend works the picnic and doesnt sit with us so I dont want to stay there. But its to help so its all good.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone and enjoy the week end.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

PatsMom - Hope you are recovering from the surgery and not having too much post op pain.

Miinie Tink - hope your mom isint having too many side effects from the chemo

Well ds22 quit his job. I knew that was coming. All my weeks plans have changed. Tonight is the dinner we have to go to (dh thought it was tomm). My meeting tomm. got changed to next tues. The surgeon is still tomm. So say a prayer that things would go well. I had alot of pain yest. I just sat in the van while dh got the food at the picnic. I went with dh to the dentist. He hasnt gone in 4 years. Its like if I wasnt with him or making him go he never would have went. He needs 4 fillings and a crown. Maybe 2 crowns. He is also in the midst of the travel planning. They are leaving sat. for some reason we thought it was earlier, oh well. I think they are coming back thurs. night. or fri.

GTAGWTA.

 

[PatsMom]

Hello,

Just an update. My surgery went very well. I am hoping to go back to work tomorrow but it will kind of depend on how I feel. My short term disability coverage is not very good so I want to save my paid time off in case I need it later on.

Thanks for all the good wishes. They help a lot! Now I have the nerve wracking wait for the pathology reports. Scheduled to get those on the 19th. Hoping for good margins and no muscle wall tumor invasion!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good evening ladies

I hope you all are hungry please grab some cake, your beverage of choice and welcome to my pity party. It wont last too long I hope.

Laurie - I hope your dh is adjusting to the diet

Lisa - How goes the hematoma? I hope it is healing.

Pats Mom - I hope if you went back to work today that you made it through the day o.k.

Well the surgeons visit went . He decides to open the wound again. I am hating my belly button right now. He is going to try an antibiotic for 2 weeks and then he is going on vacation for a week, but told me not to worry as if something happens another dr. will be there. Nice, I dont want another dr. He sto fix thsi hemself. He thinks its infected somewhere, probably the stitch. He will only culture the wound in the operating room. Its probably something strange again, since I dont have fever, redness etc. Worse...and I am thinking this myself. He says a possibility exists that the mesh is infected. That would probably not be so good. I will discuss that the next . Oh and no matter what operation he does there will be an open draining wound again. Great. That took a month at least to heal last time so It will heal hopefully by November. I will so need that disney vacation in december for sure!! Oh and add into that when the surgery will probably be dh will be in china and new zealand, so he is going to try and change the dates to the end of august. I dont think I can change the wound at first since its so deep and I cant bend my neck good etc with the neck dissection. Linda or Sha would appreciate that one for sure!

GTAGWTA. Blessings to you all always.

 

[wdw4us2]

PatsMom - I hope your surgery went well and that you are starting to feel better.

MaryAnn - Sorry to hear that you are still dealing with the incision problem. I'm sure you're feeling really frustrated right about now, but hang in there!

My hematoma is getting better every day. The pain is almost gone and I'm starting to regain some time when I swim my laps every day. I'm only 3 minutes over my regular time and there's no pain involved - so it's all good.

I'm taking the kids to the Vero Outlet Mall today to go school clothes shopping. DD is heading back to UCF on the 21st and DS starts school on the 23rd. I am actually going to buy some clothes for myself since nothing I own fits me anymore. I am loving this weight loss!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Laurie and Sha - miss your posts, hope all is well

Lisa - that is good news about the hematoma

Tracey - I hope reading about my problems wont be a downer to you. I am sure you wont experience any of these complications.

KJ - I bet you are looking forward to your disney trip.

Well I was reading about my problems on the internet. I am seeing this will not go well if the infection is in the mesh. Dh doesnt know about changing his trip yet. I have to go to the endo the day before he leaves. Dh said lets pray for a miracle that you wont need this surgery. He is the eternal optimist.

One good things is that I checked our flights and the 2 we need to come home on are now both sold out and the next one is 7:30 pm. I told dh I would not do well checking out at 11 am and not having a wheelchair etc. I am sure my stomach will still be a mess by then etc. So I said, how about staying another day and he said YES. So we will add a day and come home on the 13th. So I need to make 2 more adrs. I just dont want the ones I have messed up if they revised the room reservation etc.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day ladies

 

[Pea-n-Me]

lmp, let's hope the antibiotics help. It must be hard having your DH halfway around the world a lot of the time.

Welcome PatsMom, and thanks for doing the BC walk. Sorry to hear you've joined us, but hope things continue to go well. I hope you get good results.

Laurie, I can't believe your DD isn't doing soccer anymore! Hope your DH is well.

Minnie Tink, generally I felt pretty ok for a couple of days after chemo, then had about a week of feeling awful. Just as you start to feel better, they hit you with the next one. But that's intentional, it's designed to knock out any renegade cells that got away and can grow somewhere else later. Have your Mom visualize the good it's doing, not the bad. (That's what I had to learn to do!)

Lisa, glad the hematoma's better. Those suckers hurt.

I've been busy with home stuff and the kids. Sunroom is about halfway done - lots of banging, saws and other noises around here. I'm intentionally enjoying my liesure time with the kids this summer. They'll be 13 in the fall and I realize how fast the time is going. I still thank God every day that I'm here for them. Sometimes I feel guilty if I get mad and yell, etc. (Geez, this can be a tough age sometimes!) But I know God knows I'm doing the best I can as a Mom. Any other survivors feel this way?

GAGWTA