Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[luvmarypoppins]

O.K. Guess who is awake while all of you are asleep? Me of course!!

Laurie - Loved your pictures. I see what you mean about the lavendar color as the theme. What a great resort!! Hmm, does you dh have a beard? Mine does. I call it the brillo pad or cactus. I keep asking him to get rid of it.

Elizabeth - you would not be proud of me, we havent even really started packing, o.k. do you consider dh underwear in the suitcase as packing??

Today was crazy. After church a wonderful little girl flooded the bathroom and that went into 3 classrooms so my wonderful ds18 volunteered to help clean up which threw the whole afternoon off. Later dh and I went shopping for our angel tree girl. I folded some of dh clothes for the trip. I will do more tomm. of vacation clothes. and mine too. I need to get some health stuff, hand sanitizer, etc. I cant stand having my van broken.

Ds 19 has decided to pay 1 ticket and fight the rest in court, good luck to him. With 9 points he doesnt have anything to lose right now.

Wed. and I cant wait. It was like a dream I never thought would come true this year. Just wondering how I was even going to survive all the pain, operations, radiation etc. Praise God I can go on this trip. I want a new camera but I dont think we could get it and I could learn how to use it so fast etc.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Sha]

Now its time to say goodbye
to all our company.

M-I-C

see you real soon
K-E-Y

why? because we like you
M-O-U-S-E.


talk to you all when I get home (or the next day). Im a tired camper!

 

[snappy]

I had fun posting those. Photobucket is pretty darn cool and easy, LMP.
I am sorry I got so carried a way. My pictures did not really capture that place. I took many more. I get excited and just snap away. I have a lot of blurry ones, espcially the indoor ones. And then the many times I just forget to change the settings.

Yep, LMP, very observant of you. DH does have a beard and at 57, it now has a lot of grey.

I don't mind it much. He actually had it when we married in 1978. Of course that was very different as it was brown and he had a full head of hair too!

He has shaved it off several times over the years when interviewing for a job, but always grows it back. I think it makes him look heavier but WTH?

Once when he was getting ready to look for another job at Halloween time, he shaved HALF of it off and dressed up as Dr. Jeklell and Mr. Hyde.

That was a fun night!

He does use creme rinse on it to soften and tries to keep it trimmed.

I find it scratchier since the grey came in.

Sha, can't wait to hear the details!

Hey I am looking for a camer for DD14, Linda and Sha and suggestions? A techie guy on TV was high on the Canon powershot for an automatic Canon power shot that cost about $299.

There are many models but I want to get her a good one. I did not catch the model that was recommended and I was amazed how many there are. I am very confused!

LMP, I am so glad this trip is happening. I think you and your DH are overdue for some time away. Where are you staying? Will YOU do a trip repoort? I bet yours will be very fun to read with your wonderful sense of humor.

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie - Thanks so much for the great pics! I will have to show them to DS15 when he gets home from school He really wants to stay there.

LMP - I hope you are healthy enough for your trip. Think positive! I hope your DS is able to get away from some of those tickets - it will help with the insurance.

I've been feeling pretty good since last Tuesday. One of my friends is insisting on taking me up to WDW on Wednesday for my birthday so I can get my merchandise card (since I have an AP). We are not going in the parks - I'm too afraid of germy people. We are planning on having lunch at The Sand Trap since it's usually not crowded and then we will head home. I am really looking forward to the change of scenery even if it's only for a few hours.

GAGWTA everyone!

 

[bhmrowe]

Snappy - Beautiful Pictures!

Hi everybody! Glad to hear everybody is doing well. Just trying to catch up. I was in Texas for a week to see my parents. Now we are trying to shop and decorate for christmas.

I have been busy with Dr.'s appointments. I have been recently diagnosed with Graves disease. So I have been dealing with tests, dr, etc. Sometimes it never ends.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good evening ladies

Laurie - we are staying at the Yacht Club and I see on sat. its going to be great so hello stormalong bay.

Fl Lisa - Happy Birthday 2 days early. Thst is great you will be enjoying your day in/around DisneyWorld. I heard the food is good there for lunch.

Sha - Wow, cant wait to hear about your trip.

bmrowe - glad you had a nice visit in texas. I so wish I could get back there, ah, banana pudding, barbeque on my mind etc. Is graves with the thyroid? I know they have a thyroid thread on the coping and compassion board.

Laura - Hope you are healing. Praying for you.

Candy - where are you sista? I am shouting out to you Hootie who!! Hootie who!! Come out and post something girl!!

Lisa - any word about the surgery etc?

Well ds took me to the grocery store and was rather pleasant. I am getting the clothes together and need to wash more. I pre registered the photopass, booked the towncar, dh hates the magical express and our terminal is not where it is anyway, so too much of a hike for me. and I didnt make a room request so we will see what we get. I am asking for a wheelchair. Last time they had to get one from the beach club. If they dont have any I might rent one from Buena Vista on the boardwalk.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Sha]

am tired and sore... but okay. I will post more later... but was about 30 minutes from home last night when I was rear ended. Im okay..... what a way to end my trip though.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Holy crap, I thought I was on the Photography Board for a minute there! Love em, Laurie!! Thank you so much for posting. I am intrigued with the Hilton/Waldorf. The Peacock room is amazing, the name and decor are perfect together. I think you should post the picture that says Merry Christmas in this week's photo contest, what do you think, Sha?

lmp, you weren't the only one up at 1am last night - I was grocery shopping! Thank you for keeping this thread moving, you are a hoot. I hope you are feeling better, how's your stomach?

A big ole GAGWTA to everyone. Have been trying to keep up with reading but haven't had a lot of time to post. We are finally almost finished with our kitchen remodel. It hasn't been as bad as some remodels I've heard about, but it's definitely been difficult not having electricity and a sink for a couple of weeks. (Half or it now has electricity, still no sink.)

DH has done a fantastic job, he's going to have mega bragging rights when he's done. He's done everything except the electricity, and we did hire a planner for the kitchen cabinets who sent a guy in for one day to help show DH how to put them up, but other than that, he was solo. I love, love, love my IKEA cabinets, even more than I thought I would. I am still waiting for the countertops, hopefully they're coming on Friday. I'm now in the process of reorganizing all my kitchen "stuff". I will try to post some pics soon.

Well off to take the groceries out of my car now. (It was 30 degrees out overnight, better hurry, it's starting to warm up, lol. I have nowhere to put em, but I got em! )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laurie, almost forgot, the camera. The Canon Powershot series cameras are excellent. I have two Canon S3 ISs and an S2 IS which I love and use as our secondary cameras (to my Olympus dSLR). Those models are older now, but they have newer versions. (Check Amazon.) Some of them are a little big and I imagine she'd want one of the smaller ones so carrying it is simple. Just don't go too high on the megapixels. (Contrary to marketing ploys, more is not better in a small sensor camera. Stick to around 8 to 10 or so if you can.) The other thing I would include in her gift giving is a book called Understanding Exposure. It will teach her how to get good pictures with any camera. (Though warning, it may propel her into the world of wanting more in photography, and that can get pretty expensive!)

 

[honugirl]

GAGWTA all!

Just kind of in shock this morning. I got word that one of my favorite people from my support group died last night. She was so full of life. So vibrant. I knew it was inevitable and was going to happen eventually, but there's just never enough time, you know? I'm going to miss seeing her smiling face. Miss her wisdom. Her upbeat attitude in the face of just sucky circumstances. I'm just going to miss her. My heart just aches today.

In my little world, the rollercoaster continues. Still waiting for answers. Santa, if you're listening, I've been pretty good this year, please bring me orders for the adrenal surgery.

If you can just say a quick prayer for me, please do. I know I'll make it through this, but it's so hard.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Sha - so sorry about your accident. Hope you are feeling o.k.

Linda - cant wait to see your remodel pictures

Lisa - Said a prayer for you. Its so hard to say goodbye to someone we care about who touches our heart.

Well last night I was actually up till like 4:30 am. I promised dh I would help him type his international trip report. We dont get reimbursed until its in. So whoever made up the program he has to type into is nuts. I kept losing everything etc. Dh got frustrated at me, took the laptop, then saw he couldnt do it either, so I just kept plugging, um typing, away until it got done. Also I am now officially in everyones mailbox at dh work as the blood drive poster child with dh too.
Ds19 just got summoned for jury duty. He is suppose to go Jan. 10 I think. You can postpone it once. I think he should just go and say he cant do it as school starts in like a week or 2 etc. I dont think he should postpone it up to 6 months because he will have to go to court for his traffic tickets and who knows what will happen with that etc. Ah, never a dull moment. Now I see Kirk Cameron is being replaced by Chita Rivera, I want my Vanessa Williams back!! am taking a packing break. I see another day when we are there its going to be nice so I will go swimming again, yippee!!. Since I couldnt go all summer with the wound not healing. I am just going to float and bob around. No real swimming. I dont want to pull on anything Dr. M. put back together in ole Humpty Dumpty, um , I mean me.

So be nice and hopefully I can post something live. I hope the internet is free at the YC. and wireless would be great too if I can get dh laptop away from him.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[honugirl]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - Said a prayer for you. Its so hard to say goodbye to someone we care about who touches our heart.

Thanks! I know that we can be prepared for it and know it was coming, but it just doesn't seem real. It's so hard to wrap my head around the fact that she's not going to be here anymore.

Well last night I was actually up till like 4:30 am. I promised dh I would help him type his international trip report. We dont get reimbursed until its in. So whoever made up the program he has to type into is nuts. I kept losing everything etc. Dh got frustrated at me, took the laptop, then saw he couldnt do it either, so I just kept plugging, um typing, away until it got done.

I swear the travel department of companies do this just to drive us crazy...

Also I am now officially in everyones mailbox at dh work as the blood drive poster child with dh too.
Ds19 just got summoned for jury duty. He is suppose to go Jan. 10 I think. You can postpone it once. I think he should just go and say he cant do it as school starts in like a week or 2 etc. I dont think he should postpone it up to 6 months because he will have to go to court for his traffic tickets and who knows what will happen with that etc. Ah, never a dull moment. Now I see Kirk Cameron is being replaced by Chita Rivera, I want my Vanessa Williams back!! am taking a packing break. I see another day when we are there its going to be nice so I will go swimming again, yippee!!. Since I couldnt go all summer with the wound not healing. I am just going to float and bob around. No real swimming. I dont want to pull on anything Dr. M. put back together in ole Humpty Dumpty, um , I mean me.

So be nice and hopefully I can post something live. I hope the internet is free at the YC. and wireless would be great too if I can get dh laptop away from him.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

Have a really good time!

I'm thinking about heading back down to D-land next month. With everything that's going on, I just really need to get away.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

GAGWTA. Just found this thread and read the last few pages. I'm looking forward to reading all of it when I get time. Not sure how much everyone reveals since I haven't read much yet. I was diagnosed with BC Oct.1st and had to cancel my vacation to DW for November since my mastectomy had just been done. Now I'm on chemo and next comes 6 weeks of radiation. Then the final reconstruction can take place. Any hints are welcome and if I can help anyone else I would be glad to do so.

Thank you for this thread. I'm not in any other support groups or belong to any other web-based groups so this is nice.

to all who are going through this. It's not pleasant but we can get through it!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Honu

Welcome to the thread, KJ. We share everything, LOL (but you do what you're comfortable with). The original thread was started back in 2005 so we've had a lot of members and visitors off and on, all kinds of cancers and people supporting those with cancers, etc. It's a great group. We all "get it".

Laurie/Snappy had a mastectomy w/ reconstruction as did Alice recently (see my Tag) and maybe some others that I can't recall right this moment. I'm sure they'll be along to offer some words of wisdom. I was diagnosed in Fall, 03 and my treatment went through summer, 04 (lumpectomy, chemo, XRT). I'm pretty much an open book about my cancer if I can help anyone. I'm a ways out but it is still never far from my thoughts. I do feel as if it's helped me focus my life and appreciate every minute I have with my family and friends, etc. Hope we'll see you here often.

Hey, wouldn't it be neat if everyone did a little recap of their situation for KJ?

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA. Just found this thread and read the last few pages. I'm looking forward to reading all of it when I get time. Not sure how much everyone reveals since I haven't read much yet. I was diagnosed with BC Oct.1st and had to cancel my vacation to DW for November since my mastectomy had just been done. Now I'm on chemo and next comes 6 weeks of radiation. Then the final reconstruction can take place. Any hints are welcome and if I can help anyone else I would be glad to do so.

Thank you for this thread. I'm not in any other support groups or belong to any other web-based groups so this is nice.

to all who are going through this. It's not pleasant but we can get through it!

First of all, glad you found us KJ loves Pluto. Can I call you KJ?

You are way ambitious to think about reading the entire thread. Just join in and we can share our stories.

Over the years since the start of the thread in 2005, I have posted a lot, probably revealed too much for some tastes. However, I think it helps to get some background as breast cancer comes in many different versions, unfortunately.

Sorry you had to postpone your November trip. Maybe looking forward to a future trip is just the ticket to give you a great goal to work towards. One of wonderful sistas here has lookingforward as her screen name. That is one of my all time favorites.

It sounds like you had reconstruction at the same time as your mastectomy.

Let me tell you my story. I was diagnosed with a stereotactic core needle biopsy in April 2004 after calcifications were found on a routine mammogram, and had my left mastectomy in May 2004. The breast urgeon recommended waiting on the reconstruction. I think he expected a much bigger invasive component from the pathology of the breast after seeing the extent of DCIS from the biopsy.

Anyway, life intervened, including Katrina in 2005 for our relatives and friends in New Orleans, so I eventually settled on a plastic surgeon and started the reconstruction in August 2006 with a free tram flap and reduction on the unaffected side.

My deal was different from yours though, since I was able to skip chemo and radiation as my invasive component was so small, only 1 mm and I had 30 clear nodes removed. I needed the mastectomy though since the DCIS was multifocal and right under the nipple on top of everything else.

I had the finishing touches to the reconstruction in December 2006. I really have been happy with the results and consider myself "new and improved." When you are older, like me (56) and large to begin with it is great to lose the big hanging look if you know what I mean.

So I am 5 years past and still going strong. Even returned to work 2 years ago after an extended hiatus (almost 10 years).

My mom was diagnosed with extensive DCIS as well last year. I was able to help her get through that (she even had a saline implant placed). Helping her navigate through her journey gave me an enormous sense of satisfaction.

My main concern now is for my daughters, who at age 19 and 14 will have to be vigilant. I am VERY concerned about the future state of health care and what effect all the changes coming will having on their ability to have the tests they will need made available to them.

I just tonight heard on the radio a story that the insurance companies are changing guidelines to only cover screening starting at age 50, every other year. Thank you government study! Can you say two steps backwards? Oh no, you don't want me to get back on my soapbox, I can get nasty!

enough of that, welcome! Tell your story when you are comfortable. Feel free to ask questions too, we have a lot of very knowledgeable sistas here.

GAGWTA!

Ha, I just saw Linda's suggestion for a recap. How is that, Linda? You know me, I am longwinded if I am anything.

Can't wait to see you r kitchen pictures, by the way. How neat that your DH was able to do so much of the work, especially after you kids and mom being so sick not so very long ago. How about the porch construction?

How would one enter that picture contest? You think I am savvy enough to figure it out? I guess I need to go visit the photography board.

I was eatting some locally made butter pecan ice cream (to which I added more chopped pecans) and I almost choked when you with your opening, holy crap, I thought I was on the photography board!

The pictures did come out awfully large. I guess I need to try to do more tweaking over in photobucket. I am such an amateur it is pathetic.

Thanks for the tips about the Canons. The book was an inspriation. I'll look for that one. I think I will take the risk that she becomes a photobug.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks Pea.

Welcome to our family KJ Luvs Pluto. Make yourself at home. I'm battling with Cushing's Disease. I had brain surgery in March to remove tumor from my pituitary gland. I'm slated for surgery #2 hopefully in March/April.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

We are home from the Trip of 1000 Curses. Feel free to click my trip report link for the whole sordid tale. There may be pics later. So far I have been too tired/busy/lazy to load them to PhotoBucket, but we have only been home for 24 hours.

KJ, welcome! My mom was diagnosed with stage III ILC in March of last year. She started Arimidex to shrink the tumor, then had a lumpectomy in June followed by chemo last August and radiation Jan/Feb of this year. She is currently doing fine!

Sha, I am sorry to hear about your accident! I hope your trip was fun!

Honu, I hope your surgery is scheduled soon!!

Maryann, YAY for a trip! I hope yours is better than ours was!

Linda, glad the remodel is moving along!

and to all!!

 

[snappy]

Sorry about your accident, Sha. With all the rain here, there have been accidents left and right.

We have had so much rain, I think my feet are going "webbed".

You guys need to read Elizabeth's trip report. She is awesome with chronicling trials and tribulations. So far (day 2) it is more trials.

Our May 2009 was wet like it sounds her trip went. We actually were at EE at AK when lightening struck the ride. Not very cool. It was a gully washer.

 

[wdw4us2]

GAGWTA. Just found this thread and read the last few pages. I'm looking forward to reading all of it when I get time. Not sure how much everyone reveals since I haven't read much yet. I was diagnosed with BC Oct.1st and had to cancel my vacation to DW for November since my mastectomy had just been done. Now I'm on chemo and next comes 6 weeks of radiation. Then the final reconstruction can take place. Any hints are welcome and if I can help anyone else I would be glad to do so.

Thank you for this thread. I'm not in any other support groups or belong to any other web-based groups so this is nice.

to all who are going through this. It's not pleasant but we can get through it!

Welcome, KJ!

You situation sounds similar to mine. I had double mastectomy in late August and have been on chemo since Oct. 9th. I have my fourth round this Friday. When I'm finished with the chemo I will be starting radiation. After that's done the rest of my reconstruction will be completed. I had the expanders done at the same time as the mastectomy and have completed all of the saline injections. Feel free to ask me any questions.

My trip to WDW today for my birthday has been canceled. My friend that was going to take me caught a bad cold yesterday and we decided not to take the chance of my being around her. I guess I am going to plan another day trip for after the chemo is completed in late January.

 

[TJ's Mom]

Hello! Welcome KJ! I am one of the "visitors" who pop in every once in a while - more of a reader than a poster. I was diagnosed when I was 32. My daughter crawled in bed with me and I rolled over and felt my lump. It was 2.7 cm but I had no node involvement. I did chemo, a mastectomy, and more chemo. I am cancer-free for the last 7 years. 2 weeks ago I did my reconstruction. I did took off the other breast and did the DIEP. (Basically they moved my stomach fat to create my breasts). I am at home recovering and hoping to be back to normal soon.