Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[Sha]

Welcome to the newbees...

I read Elizabeth's TR and oh my! I am going to do a TR myseif (she inspired me), after I work on the photos. Will be off today and work a part day tomorrow... off again on Friday. I see my doctor for follow up. My butt is numblike and across my low back. Almost as if I was sitting on cold brick for too long... I can feel it and yet its numb. weird.

I have to say... 2 kingdoms 1 day was great!!! I am considering on getting a piece of artwork done.... we shall see.

Will keep you posted on my injury and when I get the report done

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Thank you so much for all the welcomes and the sharing of your stories.

I was diagnosed with invasive DCIS through a mammogram at age 49 (so not too thrilled with the new guidelines) and core biopsies and MRI. Had four tumors in left breast, three were 2.1 cm and under but one was 4.5 cm with less than 1mm margin. Now I'm a nearly B cup (okay, okay an A but with wishful thinking) so I'm not sure how there was room for all those tumors . The reconstruction was started during mastectomy and the total fill happened right away (being a wishful B).

So far side effect of the first chemo haven't been too bad. I still have my hair although I had blonde hair down to my waist and I did cut it all off to about 2 inches (so it better fall out ). Just kidding, short hair would be warmer than no hair. But I heard that it won't come out until about 14 -20 days after the first treatment. I have a few days to go yet.

I wish for all you brave women out there the shortest recovery possible after surgery, the fewest side effects from treatments and the best support system that you can possibly have.

Again, thank you to everyone on this thread. You all seem like just the nicest people. I am so glad I found this thread.

 

[Sha]

oh... forgot... mom got her new girls on Monday. She went smaller and is balanced well. she saw her surgeon this morning. She goes back in June. Need to check that date (as we are going to VA instead of out of the country this year). All is good. I didnt go with her though.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

Sha, I hope your back is better soon!
The disc between my L4 and L5 vertebrae has been messed up for a long time and I can definitely say that back problems are NOT FUN! Looking forward to your trip report! DH will probably fuss at me for posting pics with just cropping and red eye removal, but too bad.
Glad your mom is doing well!

 

[Sha]

not sure if you all have seen this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

 

[wdw4us2]

Off to the oncologist @ 10 followed by round 4 of chemo. Can't wait to get it over with!

 

[snappy]

Off to the oncologist @ 10 followed by round 4 of chemo. Can't wait to get it over with!

Good luck today, FL Lisa. I sure hope this round is easier on you!

 

[wdw4us2]

Back home from the oncologist visit and chemo.

Today's round went much better than the last two. No reaction at all today to the Taxotere - thank goodness! The power of positive thinking!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Glad to hear your chemo session went well. I hope you have few (or better yet no) side effects over the weekend.

 

[Sha]

Good evening ladies!!!

Am glad to here that the chemo was better... has to be a relief to not have the n/v that can come with it.

thanks everyone... Im tired and sore still. saw the FNP today and looks to be muscular, but we are being careful and conservative in treatment. And more toward the homeopathic side that I prefer. My butt is still numblike but could be worse! LMAO Am hoping new treatment we started today works well, because I worked in the office Thursday and it was horrible for me. So looking forward to the New Year!

 

[snappy]

Terrible bad luck for you to have that accident on your way home from your trip, Sha. Sorry you are still sore. Hope the new regimen helps you get back on track.

Are you still feelin good, Fl Lisa? Hope so!
I hoped that we would hear from LMP but maybe now word means she is having the time of her life. Has the weather in central Florida imporved?

We are on day 4 of rainy weather, and it is dang cold. I am expecting our DS21 to arrive today as the dorm is closing. He was flirting with paying for extending and not having to move out since it is not expensive. Also, he disclosed he has a girlfriend (only his second) who he just started dating a few weeks ago. They did not have much time during finals and the paper turn it days, but it sounds like they might be making up for lost time.

I just hope he did well with his courses. It sounded like he really tried hard this semester. He was invited to dinner with his other classmates last night at the home of one of his English teachers (small class).

Our DD19 will be headed home Monday. She wanted to wait until her sweetie caught his plane back home to London.

Gotta get a groove on here and get ready for the fun. I have really let things go since I got sick 3 weeks ago. I think I have it licked except for coughing jags. Just don't want to clean house. Way way way too much dog fur a flying.

GAGWTA

 

[wdw4us2]

Sha - I hope you recover quickly from your accident injuries.

Snappy - I agree with you about the weather! We've had one sunny day here in the past 5 and it's cool out again today - about 75 but threatening rain again. I hope LMP is having a good time but my daughter said the weather up there has been cold and miserable (compared to what we're used to).

Our DD is headed home on Monday afternoon, too. I can't wait to have someone at home who actually speaks more than one sentence in an hour!

I'm still feeling pretty good. Been very tired today, though. The doctor made us go in at 8 am for the Neulasta shot instead of at Noon as they usually do. Everyone was barely awake. I took a nap at 10:30 and didn't get up until 1 pm so I'm not so groggy now. Hope the rest of the weekend goes as well.

 

[snappy]

Sha - I hope you recover quickly from your accident injuries.

Snappy - I agree with you about the weather! We've had one sunny day here in the past 5 and it's cool out again today - about 75 but threatening rain again. I hope LMP is having a good time but my daughter said the weather up there has been cold and miserable (compared to what we're used to).

Our DD is headed home on Monday afternoon, too. I can't wait to have someone at home who actually speaks more than one sentence in an hour!

I'm still feeling pretty good. Been very tired today, though. The doctor made us go in at 8 am for the Neulasta shot instead of at Noon as they usually do. Everyone was barely awake. I took a nap at 10:30 and didn't get up until 1 pm so I'm not so groggy now. Hope the rest of the weekend goes as well.

So is your husband chatty, like mine?

Maybe we have been maried too long, but it is seldom we have a long conversation, either. Having to separate the dogs makes it worse as I am usually in our bedroom with Snappy.

We did "visit" more during our couples trip together in November.

He was quiet in high school so I was forewarned.

Sorry to hear the Orlando weather is lousy. I was so hoping LMP would get sunshine.

It is a tricky thing, go in the summer and be too hot, or go in the winter and take your chances.

No time of the year is really safe. We had incredibly rainy trip this year in late May. We never could get in the lazy river at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. it rained so much the water was very cool, too cool to swim by far. Maybe the heater there is not set high enough but the air temp wa svery chilly, even in May.

 

[wdw4us2]

So is your husband chatty, like mine?

DD and I call my husband Monosyllabic Man and DS 15 Monosyllabic Boy. Trying to them to speak extemporaneously is nearly impossible. DD texts me at least 15 times a day and calls at least once. I'm so thankful that she has a long Christmas break!

The weather in Orlando should be getting a bit better beginning tomorrow. How much longer is LMP going to be there? I hope she is there for some of the good weather.

 

[snappy]

DD and I call my husband Monosyllabic Man and DS 15 Monosyllabic Boy. Trying to them to speak extemporaneously is nearly impossible. DD texts me at least 15 times a day and calls at least once. I'm so thankful that she has a long Christmas break!

The weather in Orlando should be getting a bit better beginning tomorrow. How much longer is LMP going to be there? I hope she is there for some of the good weather.

I am not sure of LMP's time frame. I know she mentioned something about Saturday so I am thinking she will be there for a few more days.

Our DS21 is also a fairly silent dude. I was astounded he told me about the girl he is dating. I think it was only because I asking questions about why he wanted to extend the dorm into January. Since he does not want to live in the dorm next semester, I kept questioning and the girlfriend story just popped right out.

My DD19 goes in spurts. Sometimes I get mega texts and calls too. She has a very busy schedule though with her classes, work, sorority and boyfriend. She even works out.

My goodness I wish I had her energy.

I did clean today and I am trying to decorate. If I could get DH to come home from work maybe we could finish decorating the tree. It has been languishing with lights only for a week. I am glad we got it last Saturday though. Today would have been torture with the weather trying to pick out a tree.

I am loving my Christmas music.

Also glad we have downsized the shopping aspect this year. I ordered a nice Canon power shot from amazon today and they threw in a memory card and a very discounted extra battery. Now to get the Understanding Exposure book Linda suggested. DD14 is going to adore the blue color I bought. she is a blue freak.

Gotta love amazon.

DH gota an IPOD touch. Should I get him the Bose Ipod player? They had one at the Waldorf but we did not have an Ipod. LOL.

Oh, and I figured out today why I like the bed at that hotel so much. it was a sleep comfort model. I just did not realize it. I really lollygagged around in that bed. I felt like a slug, but in a good way.

 

[wdw4us2]

I have done 85% of my shopping on Amazon this year. Didn't think it was smart to go in stores now that I am germ sensitive.

As for the Bose Sound Dock - I highly recommend it. Before I had my surgery in late August, I bought myself and iPod and the Bose Sound Dock to use outside while I swam laps in our pool. I love it. Great sound and very easy to use. It also charges your iPod while it's docked on the Sound Dock.

I still have to do our Christmas cards. I plan on having DD address the envelopes for me when she gets home. We will finish decorating after she arrives, too. I have also informed her that she will have to cook my portion of Christmas dinner - which is always at my sister's. Shouldn't be too difficult since she has been helping me for years. I'm just happy that Christmas falls a week before my next chemo, so I should be able to enjoy this meal more than Thanksgiving!

 

[snappy]

I sure like the idea of swimming to music. That is genius, Lisa. Where did you purchase the Bose sound dock? Although our kids have had various ipods, DH just bought his first one and I have yet to join the party.

I love swimming laps. We don't have a pool, and couldn't I don't think, too many trees and too many leaves. I used to swim at the indoor LSU rec center pool which is very close to our house, my mom still does. I just never thought the water was warm enough for my liking.

Maybe you just inpired me to get an ipod myself. Lord knows we have way too many CD's around, it would be nice to go digital.

I take it that your DD is in college. How far along is she and what is her major?

DD19 is in her 2nd year at Tulane and in the school of business. She was determined to decide on either pre-med or business the first semester freshman year, she hated the chemistry so business it is.

She took accounting this semester and it clicked. She is planning on getting a masters in accounting. Tulane has a 4 1/2 year maybe 5 year program and if she plays her cards right her scholarships will continue for the 5th year. She is supposed to be able to get a paying internship next semester. we will see. I think working as a waitress is getting old although the money is good.

It is a bit ironic as her dad and I are both CPA's and never in a million years thought any one of our 3 kids would opt for that major.

What will your daughter be cooking for you to bring to your sister's house at Christmas? I love that she has been cooking with you for years and can do it for you this year.

Can you believe Christmas is 12 days away? ARRGGHH!

I was telling my DH this morning about your monosyllabic DH and DS. He said huh.

Oh brother. His other oneliner is huh? This mornings' huh was more of a statement than a question.

Another reason to give thanks for this thread and our ongoing discussions.

 

[snappy]

Lisa, I was just looking at your signature stuff. You are a 33 year MK vet?

Very cool.

So you are hooked I take it. Has it eve gotten old for you? How far from WDW are you anyways?

What is your favorite thing to do at WDW? I think i remember you posting that this is the first Christmas in many years you are not going because of treatment.

Does your DH and your kids like to go as well?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Guess who ladies? Yes the weather here is so so, but when its in the 30s back in ny this is not bad.

The highlights: wed. last 5 people on plane, got last row, turbulance so bad we flew up out of our seats. I did feel like the guy in the Mary Poppins movie. Our room is the 2nd floor, dreaded parking lot view, corner, dh says the wind tunnnel machine is outside our room.Osborne Lights

thurs - Had a blow up with dh over the dining plan in norway

fri - supposedly a cast member took my yacht/beach club wheelchair at the ak. That caused many tears in me and no help from TJ of AK guest services. Finally got it back in the AK wheelchair place. A window view at chefs de france during illuminations made up for all that.

sat. - shopping at the marketplace and fantasmic.

Today maybe swimming and candlelight later.

The most I have walked was from international gateway to YC and this dining plan is driving me crazy.

 

[Sha]

LMP that is one reason why I got my mom her own W/C. That and because we have been there at WDW when Epcot was "out" of W/C's because so many had been rented. We are suppose to go this weekend. It all hinges on someone going with us so mom can be pushed in her W/C as I cant do that right now per MD and self. Not worth the risk. My sister fell through as she cant get someone to watch her dog, had offered friends free DP and lodging at BLT castle view.... but now hinges on my niece. I think she will do it, but I never know what attitude I will get.

I have my Christmas cards addressed, but still need another box or 2... im already over 100. I need to trim it down but can't remember who did or didnt send last year and does it really matter?? I am not sure if I am doing the letter.... or just write a little in them. Some I will just sign because they know enough of what has happened this year because of talking.

I have a small speaker by my bed for my iPod... but not a clock one. I can set my iPod there and use the alarm feature on the iPod to wake me if I wanted. Has a remote control too. Portable and runs on charge too. I have a smaller speaker I take to massage therapy with my iPod and also to work.

thinking of you all! Stay safe