Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[luvmarypoppins]

Sorry my post got away from me so here it continues

Fl Lisa - stay warm!!

So where is the pulling out your hair, cry and pity party and vent smilie all rolled up into one? I need one of those right now.

Ds19 is being his usual nasty self. Complaining I should do his laundry. I asked him why are his sleep pants outside on the porch?? I am so glad he is going to work tonight. Dh was suoppose to go to the game and pick me up but he left work at 4 pm and we would be late for the game. I told him forget it, I hate walking in late. He said I have standards he cant meet. Um, I dont think getting someplace on time is too much to ask. He never takes lunch and has 4 weeks vacation left etc. Oh well. I told him, go yourself If you want, I hate walking in places late and I know there is not much seating space right now. He was at work and just decided to go back when he called me, fine with me I told him.
Also besides dh not getting me anything for christmas, ruining new years eve, I go and find all the bottles of the sparkling grape juice. they are all gone now. I told him go get some more etc. I want to use it for the cancerversary etc. Oh he admitted he drank most of it himself, hmm I guess the word romance or romantic or stuff like that is not in his vocab.I also called the rad. onc. I told the girl the situation. She asks me how to spell endocrinologist. She said she would give the rad. onc. my message but refused to change my apt. If I dont hear from her by the end of the week then next mon. I will call the endo and leave a message for her etc. I just didnt envision this to be a problem but it seems its turning into one.

GTAGWTA. Its going to warm up a bit tomm. Hooray!!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

LMP - I'm sorry for all your difficulties at this time. I just had to really feel for you when you mentioned the sparkling grape juice. Cancer takes so much away from us - including Alcohol . So the sparkling grape juice is the only thing that one could say even comes close. I too like to keep it in the house and in the evenings when my husband is having his glass of wine, I pour some in my small wine glass and pretend (although it takes a lot of imagination and I have to really bring Figament singing that song into my head). While my husband is great and will stop and get things on the way home if I ask, he has forgotten the SGJ for about a week and boy did I miss it. So you are in my thoughts - not just for that, but for everything.

My chemo went really well yesterday. I had to go elsewhere because the oncologist who comes to the hospital 2+ hours away (RT) is on vacation so I had to travel to the center 4 hours away (RT) but that was fine. The nurse was just fine with starting the taxotere slowly and increasing it every 15 minutes until we were up to speed and no reactions. So thanks to everyone for the suggestions and for the well wishes. It's much appreciated.

I hope those who have treatments this week have the same good going as I did and that there are few side effects. Stay warm everyone.

to all.

 

[wdw4us2]

LMP - Sorry things are stressful at home. Too bad you can't surround yourself with a little less testosterone

KJ - Glad your chemo went well and you didn't have any bad reactions to the taxotere!

Snappy - I am right there with you about not complaining next Summer when the heat and humidity hit. I've lived here 37 years and it's never been this cold for such a prolonged period. We're all running out of cold weather clothes! It's supposed to be in the mid 70's by Saturday, thank goodness.

 

[TruBlu]

Hi everyone. I haven't been posting here because my mom has been doing great... until today.

She came thru the mastectomy much better than I expected. The radiation was awful. She had some terrible burns, but she finished it up right before Christmas. Since then she has been on a 3 month break before having a PET scan.

Today she saw the surgeon because she has a large lump under the scar in her armpit (fist size). We thought it was fluid. It wasn't. They found 3 hard lumps. They took biopsies today, but they suspect that it has spread to her rib. I'm so sad. I can't stop crying. We had so much hope that it was gone...

ANYWAY....
On to happier thoughts....

I make my own sparkling grape juice. I mix 3/4 club soda with 1/4 of my favorite juice. Right now I'm doing Cran-Raspberry. So yummy! It might be worth a try when it's sold out.

 

[snappy]

I am so sorry about the news you received today. What a shock!

I am so sorry.

I'll keep your mom and your family in my prayers.

Please post again when you know more.

Thanks for the recipe! This one has possibilities!

The folks on the DIS are so very generous!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Tracey - I am so sorry that your mom had to hear this news. I know she is blessed to have you there with her. Sending prayers and wishing her all the best. This disease is just so tough but we keep on fighting and having hope and never giving up!!

KJ - Wow, I cant believe the trip you had for the chemo!! I guess I am so blessed to live near 3 hospitals, 2 I wouldnt go to, especially the local one that couldnt even figure out or just ignored the huge lump aka cancer in my neck!! Is that your travel time for each treatment? Blessings to you.

Fl Lisa - Yes, what a great idea! Definetely a lot less testosterone would do the trick!! I t hink they all need a real girl friend and all they have are girls who as they all say are "just a friend"!!

Well I have been busy doing some e mail catching up with some friends and relatives, hmm my cousin in Ohio is finally selling her condo after she fixes it upl.I dont know why she ever bought the thing. She is like in her 60's a widow with no kids and retired and it has 3 floors!! I said you need less stairs etc! I think she is realizing that. I had to tell the ds that one of their old teachers aides is really sick.She has a tumor in her stomach that ruptured and they are operating on her tomm. This does not sound good. I might learn more tonight. She is the sweetest lady. I feel sad. I told Alyssas mom about my cancerversary. She said Alyssas bone marrow birthday is the next day!! She said Alyssa and I are soul sisters I have a meeting for the school council to go to tonight. I hope its not such bad news. I know with the economy that orivate school is more like a luxury these days. I just pray that God will let the doors stay open next year.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all

 

[wdw4us2]

TruBlu - Sorry about your Mom's news. We will add her to our prayers. Please keep us updated on her progress.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

LMP - Yes - I have to travel for anything. I love living out in the boonies, but it does make some things more difficult. Of course there is no shopping, no movies, no fast food (or food of any kind) so it does save money as well as there is no place to go. We enjoy watching the wildlife, listening to the coyotes and owls at night, watching the bald eagles, deer and turkeys during the day. We had bobcat tracks in the driveway the other day and there was a black bear walking down the road recently. Sand hill cranes nest by the pond in the front yard. So this does make up for the travel times (although when we get the snow storms and treatment is that day, it can be dicey and I do wonder why I'm living here and driving in the these conditions ).

TruBlu - I hope you get some better news with your mom. Sending to both of you.

 

[TruBlu]

Thanks everyone. I talked to my pastor tonight and he helped me feel better. At least I'm not crying anymore.

I'm going to watch American Idol on my DVR, have some fizzy juice and stop thinking for awhile.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon every one

Laura and Candy - hope you are both ok. Miss ya sistas!!

Nothing too much new. My meeting last night went well and I was glad to be around some adults instead of all this testosterone. The one guy is a cop and I was discussing ds tickets with him. He told me bring them to church sun. and he will tell us what to do, how nice of him!! I am the secretary so I had to do the minutes. I will call soon to see how ds jury duty stuff is going. I think he might just get out of it or will be one of the last ones callled for friday. My one friend said her sister in law just got special grand jury for the next 6 months and her mom got picked to go this week too, wow!! I think ds will get out of it anyway because of school.

The rad. onc. still has not called me, sigh, sigh. I will maybe call on f riday. I dont want to be too pesty etc. I am waiting because I think she might call my endo lst etc.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone

 

[snappy]

Maryann, I hope the radiation doc called you today.

I am concerned about Ann's grandson, Avery. His fever is up and he was admitted. Everyone please pray.

I worked about 4 hours yesterday. It felt very strange. I have had no coffee since Thursday (is that a week?) I wonder if the lack of caffeine is making me so laid back. Lazy is more the right term.

I am trying to work 5 hours today. We will see. Just so much to do. At least the payroll got done.

Gotta close out December and get those lovely W-2's out.

I am also working on another leg to our May trip. I am thinking either the tree house at Saratoga or a 3 bedroom at Wyndham at Bonnet Creek. I am just so uncertain who might join us at this point. Both DS21 and DS19 have a serious BF and GF. So it is unclear whether they would want to come at all or if so, bring the BF or GF. They both like Disney and both cam with us last May. So I am trying to plan ahead. It might be better to just book 3 or 4 rooms at Disney and just cancel the reservations when we get close if necessary. I just do not know.

It gives me something fun to think of though.

I am really feeling better although mornings are still the pits. This too shall pass.

GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi Ladies!!

Ann - will be saying a prayer for Avery

Laurie - Take it easy there. Wow, that is sure a big bunch going!! I have bribed the ds to go and bring friends but they are disneyed out. Ds is going in May for his senior trip. They will be maybe at PO or CB, they dont know yet. Dh and I will also go then around May 18th since it will be my b day and our anniv, but I have to check out ds graduation date too to see how that fits in. And that will only happen if the nuclear scan dates work out too.

Well I am thinking ds will get out of jjury duty. I think they are up to like 1100 or 1200 and he is 1500 something.
I saw an interesting article on the news last night. Its actually at maybe the hospital alice went to. The dr. is using alloderm on mastectomy patients to build a hammock by the pectoral muscle to hold the implant. This is the same material they used in one of my stomach grafts. Amazing. Tomm. ds has a game, we might go. Also the missions class from ds18 class is suppose to go to haiti in march I think. I am hoping this will turn out well if they will still be allowed to go etc. My prayers are with alll those people.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day.

 

[NHAnn]

Tracey- so sorry to hear about your mom. Know that she is in our prayers, as are you.

Laurie--I was going to ask for prayers for Avery, I should have known you'd be on top of it In spite of your own issues---and I am thinking of you dear. His fever was quite high again today after a few days at home. But, I have absolute faith at this point in his journey that no nasty bug will beat him. Tonight they are thinking perhaps the source of the infection is his port. He no longer gets chemo in the port (it's oral now) but they left the port in because it made it much easier for his frequent blood draws. If that is what's going on they may remove the port and he will need to have needles for the blood draws which he will not like one bit...but the postive is that since his treatment is nearly over the blood draws will be less frequent. I thank you all for your continued prayers.

My UTI is not a UTI--culture negative, not really sure what is going on but am being referred to a urologist. Mammo went well today at the new center...in and out quickly, of course the radiologist does not read on the spot anymore (kind of the down side to the positive of being nearly 5 years out from non-invasive cancer? ) So---I will either get a call tomorrow to go back for more OR the little "AOK" note in the mail will coincide with my checkup with the surgeon next Tuesday where she can see the "AOK" in the computer system.

My father fell at the nursing home yesterday morning....broke his left arm up near the shoulder Quite painful, and of course the pain/trauma exacerbates his confusion...and I dread what 6+ weeks of immobilizing the arm will do to his mental well being since he cannot be as independent with bath/dressing as well as the mobility issues. It's really a bummer. My sister took right off to get down there and accompany him to the orthopedic (avoiding the ER) they had given him some tylenol/codience for the pain and he was getting a bit loopy....first upset/confused, then "happy" to have her "visit", then fearful that he was dying because she made the hour trip on a workday...he said "oh no! is it time to call the priest?!?" Poor thing.

The devastation in Haiti is really disturbing. Really makes you count your blessings, doesn't it?

OK, so, I am ready for some good stuff and "therapy"...tomorrow's Friday and I do believe I will work on some ADRs for February this weekend!!

GAGWTA

 

[TruBlu]

My mom had her bone scan today. She said it was the worst thing they had done to her so far. She hated having her feet and toes tied down. She has diabetic neuropathy, so it was really painful for her.

DS8 has a doctor's appointment tomorrow at the same time as my mom's, so I can't be with her when she gets the results. My sister is taking her, but I really wish I could be there.

We are still praying that this is just a false alarm.


Ann, we are praying for Avery. I check his Caring Bridge page often. I feel like that sweet little guy is family.

~Tracey

 

[snappy]

Trublu, I can imagine holding still for so long must have been torture for you mom. I do not remember having anything tied down when I had bone scan in 2004. any chance you can reschedule your son's appointment? You may personally regret not going although I am sure with your sister going, your mom will be in good hands.

Wow, Ann, you are really going to need that trip next month! Please share where you will be dining!

Avery's parents are so diligent in communicating with family and friends his many ups and downs. I just love reading that journal.

Hugs to your dad. Glad your sister could get there quick. What a dear she is but I know you are worried about your dad. That broken arm sounds painful. I hope this does not set him back too far. How sad about calling the priest.

I agree, the Haiti stories are so very sad. Why is it that the most terrible things happen to the people who are already vulnerable?

The help is just trickling in there. With all the billions we have spent and are spending on homeland security etc. you would think we would have a better (faster and adaptable to traveling especially within our hemisphere) rescue plan in place. Don't we have some very large ships with airplanes that can takeoff, fuel and land on deck?

I think more time has been spent arguing about the health plan in Washington this week than anything else, sadly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA

I think more time has been spent arguing about the health plan in Washington this week than anything else, sadly.

There is a very interesting race and upcoming election happening here in MA. We're holding a special election to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat (which holds key votes for health care and could push it one way or the other). I know we're not supposed to discuss politics but if anyone wants to read the story, it's on the front page of Boston.com today. If Scott Brown wins this election, it'll be quite an embarrassment for the former front runner and a disaster for the majority party.

Reading along. Prayers to all that need them. Good thoughts to all. Jealous of upcoming vacations.

Merry, welcome back and congratulations on your son's engagement! What a great proposal!

 

[snappy]

Yes and I am sorry to bring up politics if it is not allowed (I did not know that) but I heard (alsoam not sure if this is true) that there was a meeting that last until 1 am this morning of the Democrats trying to get on the same page before this race in case that senate race does not go in their favor.

If the race is close and the former front runner loses and opts to contest the results, I would expect the majority party will be working until 1 am every morning to get health care passed.

It makes for headlines anyways, doesn't it?

i wonder how Hawaii is this time of year?

Sorry, I could not help myself.

To a safer subject. . . we had our first bit of king cake today, "imported from the New Orleans area." Yum yum. I suddenly have an appetite again!

I think I will do some front line dancing!

 

[wdw4us2]

It seems as though everyone is having a bad week. to everyone.

Went for my Herceptin infusion today. I couldn't believe how busy it was. I didn't realize that the snowbirds would be there, too.

I talked to the doctor when I went for my Neulasta shot last Saturday. I asked her if I would still be having a month after my last chemo before I started the radiation. She said I would, so I asked her if it would be okay if I took a trip out of town somewhere around the fourth week. She told me that was fine and asked where I wanted to go. I told her WDW - of course! She just laughed.

My friend's DD is a Cast Member, so we asked her to see if she could find us a deal somewhere on property. She was able to get us a great rate at AKL Concierge so DH and I will be there from Feb. 23-25th if everything goes okay between now and then. DS will be staying with my best friend. I can't wait!

 

[annrae]

We are back from our Disney trip and cruise and other than freezing for almost the entire time we were gone, including going to Nassau, it was a great trip and so nice to have our family with us. We met some very nice people on the cruise and I was fortunate enough to meet with Melissa (Merry Poppins) for a few minutes - I was sorry it could not be longer but at least we were able to talk a little and it was so nice to see her.

Ann, I'm so sorry about Avery but I'm sure he is going to bounce back very quickly now that they think the infection is from the port. I hope you are feeling better also and the Dr.'s can find out where and what the problem is.

Laurie, I hope you are feeling better and not having to work too hard. Isn't it fun to be planning another trip? We returned on Sunday and on Monday, our son called and asked if we wanted to go to Disney with them in Oct. as our DD-in law will be running in the race - so.... yes we are going. I'm hoping some of you will also be going at that time.

Tracey - I'm thinking of your Mom and hope everything will be ok.

Melissa - if you are able to read this post, it was so nice to meet you. You have a lovely family and I'm sorry I did not meet your son and future DD-in law. I'm sure it was a very exciting evening for you when they became engaged. I wish we'd had more time to visit.

Maryann - you sound like things are looking up for you - do take care and don't overdo.

Hi Linda - we have lots of snow here but it isn't as cold as it was in Florida!!

Hugs to all of you and I apologize if I've missed anyone. Barbara

 

[TruBlu]

Good news today! There is a small area of concern on my mom's rib, but they feel confident that it is a fracture - not cancer! They just need to confirm with a CT scan. We are feeling very blessed.