Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Ann, has your daughter received a diagnosis yet?

Things are getting rough down here. There are lots of folks, even professional types, being laid off, according to reports, left and right.

The non-profit I work for got completely purged from any funding assistance fromt he state yesterday. It was 40% or more of our total budget last year.
We are in shock.

I think it was bad planing to get into this position. Instead of smoozing legislators, we should have been trolling for private grants or contracts, which while individually small, really add up but take much more work.

Can I tell you how lazy our public relations gas is? She spends her time smoking with the legislators outside the capitol. Nice, real nice.

Unfortunately, although we will have to cut staff, it is the people with disabilities that we serve throughout the state that will be most affected.

Some of our staff could earn a lot more with a for profit company anyway, IF they can find one that is actually hiring.

Sorry for the downer. I think Louisiana was shielded from the downturn and we got fat and lazy. The chickens have come home to roost, as the oil rolls in.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Laurie - wow that stinks about the funding. I agree. You should go after all the grants you can get right now. Stop the lobbying for funds and train that girl in grant writing ASAP. 40% is a big financial hit. I keep thinking of you all with the news always in the front headlines. Even around here they are talking about what to do if the oil comes up here by the fall etc.

Around here we are secretly hoping the gov. cuts funding for pre school as then our private school would get all the kids and that would help us out so much. I think they wont know till august. We are operating on a state deficet of I think 3 billion now??

Lisa - Thinking of you sista.Sending you some Happy Thoughts.

Been reading Elizabeths trip report. I think she should get the award for the Disney Energizer bunny.

Tonight I am making a chicken noodle casserolle , hmm, can you tell they had a sale on chicken at the store??

I am SOO HAPPY and can you guess why?? Well yest. I scored a Le Cellier lunch for the trip. Yippee so all I have to worry abut is the candelight pkg. now.

Just got a call that the lady from our church with the wound vac machine now has a 102 temp so they are rushing her back to the hosp. I dont know why she doesnt go to the univ. hosp. she lives near it, way closer than me.

Ds got a 89 on his practice test. He takes the real one for the license on friday. I am getting a hair cut on sat. I need it. Now to do the blood test.

GTAGWTA.

 

[wdw4us2]

Hi everyone!

Laurie - Sorry to hear about your budget cuts. It's probably going to hard to bounce back from that. I hope you find some grant $$.

LMP - Thanks for your good wishes. I hope your DH takes care of your middle DS when he gets back. I'm so happy your finally were able to book Le Cellier! Have some cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread for me.

I'm doing okay since the last time I posted. I've been busy trying to get things done and visit friends before the surgery next Wednesday. Something I didn't mention last time - I have officially lost 3 pounds a week since the second week in April. I'm still swimming every day, even though the pool feels like bath water, and doing the 30 minute weight lifting program DD designed for me. Unfortunately, I will be out of the pool for quite a while after the surgery. I'll have to find something else I can do so I can stay in shape.

Lots of people are praying for me, so I'm thinking positively.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Today ds22 is taking me for the blood test. They are booked till like noon for the next week. wowsa! I took 11:45 today. The endo has ordered 5 blood tests for me. So now I get to pray and stress out for a week and then I will probably end up calling her since she doesnt call back quickly. So now whats in the back of my mind comes to the front. I am still having a hard time dealing with that part of things.


Ds18 is going on an amazing field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC today. He should love it , I am sure.

On the news last night they had a story about a little 11 yo girl who acts on Broadway in the Lion King and she has leukemia. They are looking for a bone marrow match for her. What a cutie she was. Singing in the bed etc.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all. Have a great day!

 

[NHAnn]

Ann, has your daughter received a diagnosis yet?

No, I think this is going to be a long haul. Still no word from the primary as to moving up the rheumatologist date. In the meantime, DD is going to consult with a naturopathic doctor. AND, she got copies of the bloodwork that the dermatologist had done...interesting to me that the TSH was over 5 which again points me to what they call "subclinical hypothyroid" and her ferritin was very low, which even though her red blood count is normal could mean an iron deficiency - and both could be causing the hairloss (as opposed to lupus). We shall see. She's very tired and she's stressed, but is going forward with summer plans to work at the camp in VT for autistic kids as she's donet he last 2 years. She leaves next Wed. She can get back for a day now and then if needed for appts....doesnt' seem as though the primary considers it all that urgent What do I know, I'm only a Mom Doctor not a real MD.

Laurie--so sorry to hear about the funding/cuts at your work, and the circumstances of lobbyists/legislators... very unfortunate and way too common. And it is the folks you service that will suffer as well as those who lose jobs due to the funding. The oil spill thing is just so very very disturbing on so many levels. My heart aches for you and for your region in general.

On a lighter note...gues what I am doing Sunday? Zip-lining!!! here is a link: http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BrettonWoodsMountWashington/ResortActivities/CanopyTour.aspx?ysmtac=PPC&ysmchn=GGL&ysmcpn=mw+-+general+-+leads+-+us&ysmgrp=canopy+tour&ysmtrm=zip+line+bretton+woods&ps=general+terms&cid=psnb I am quite nervous but determined to step outside my comfort zone and rise to the challenge. DD is treating DH to this as "dads zip free" on Father's Day!!


3 weeks from tonight I will be checking in to my happy place. ahhhhhhhhh

 

[snappy]

No, I think this is going to be a long haul. Still no word from the primary as to moving up the rheumatologist date. In the meantime, DD is going to consult with a naturopathic doctor. AND, she got copies of the bloodwork that the dermatologist had done...interesting to me that the TSH was over 5 which again points me to what they call "subclinical hypothyroid" and her ferritin was very low, which even though her red blood count is normal could mean an iron deficiency - and both could be causing the hairloss (as opposed to lupus). We shall see. She's very tired and she's stressed, but is going forward with summer plans to work at the camp in VT for autistic kids as she's donet he last 2 years. She leaves next Wed. She can get back for a day now and then if needed for appts....doesnt' seem as though the primary considers it all that urgent What do I know, I'm only a Mom Doctor not a real MD.

Laurie--so sorry to hear about the funding/cuts at your work, and the circumstances of lobbyists/legislators... very unfortunate and way too common. And it is the folks you service that will suffer as well as those who lose jobs due to the funding. The oil spill thing is just so very very disturbing on so many levels. My heart aches for you and for your region in general.

On a lighter note...gues what I am doing Sunday? Zip-lining!!! here is a link: http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BrettonWoodsMountWashington/ResortActivities/CanopyTour.aspx?ysmtac=PPC&ysmchn=GGL&ysmcpn=mw+-+general+-+leads+-+us&ysmgrp=canopy+tour&ysmtrm=zip+line+bretton+woods&ps=general+terms&cid=psnb I am quite nervous but determined to step outside my comfort zone and rise to the challenge. DD is treating DH to this as "dads zip free" on Father's Day!!


3 weeks from tonight I will be checking in to my happy place. ahhhhhhhhh

I am sure you know hair loss is one of th eclinical symptoms of hypothyroidism.

I went to my new primary again yesterday and I so like her. She is so thorough. I think mom may switch to her. We will see.

I need to work on my cholesterol before I back to see her next month. The docs like the ldl now below 100, and my is 147 but my good hdl is so very good. I will try with diet and exercise until I see her in December.

I also have osteopena, but I am going to try and be more diligent with the calcium and D capsules.

She also encouraged me to go back to the orthopedic about my shoulder. Better to deal with the problem now than to wait and just live with it. I think it is a rotator cuff thing but who knows.

Long days at work trying to figure out how to make the budget work for next year. I have done the numbers for every scenario imaginable. I think we need to close a location or let some staff go, or to use some of our funding cushion from prior years. My boss thinks we need to increase funding by charging for our services or if that doesn't worke, we cut staff pay low enough so we will get some attrition. Problem is the people we serve had little funds. Gosh, this is painful.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Well yest. I got the girl who I didnt want to do my blood test. Her personality is good, just the blood skills are painful! I immediately asked her to use the butterfly. Last time she used the reg. needle and all I could think of was OWWW!! So I even saw this time she had to keep moving the needle around just to keep it going. It was 3 tubes and 6 blood tests, I miscounted on the paper. So the waiting game starts.....

Lisa - Thinking of you sista. I am guessing you have already completed your pre op testing? Hang in there sista! Sending you my thoughts and prayers.

Ann - Wow you are quite the adventurous one!! I would be scared to death. I would keep my feet on the ground fishing instead!! I do hope your dd gets a dx. I really sounds like thyroid to me for sure. Hope your dh enjoys the fathers day gift too

Laurie - Glad you like your new pcp. I dont like mine. There really arent that many females around here. There is a younger guy who was trained at the univ.hosp but doesnt have admitting privleges there, but my one friend seems to like him.

Has anyone heard from Laurabelle post op?

Hope you all have a great week end. Would like to barbeque sun. Now they say the weather should be ok. My neck has been hurting alot.

GTAGWTA. Have a great week end

 

[MinnieTink]

Hey everyone.
I took my mom to the oncologist today for consult. He recommends chemo. He was going to start on July 8 but he's pushing it to the beginning of August to let mom take our week "down the shore" in peace. Then there will be 4 rounds of chemo, one every 3 weeks. Then onto rads and Femara (no idea if I spelled that right). So any chemo tips would be great. Also is anyone on this Femara? I've heard about the hot flashes but the dr today said it could cause muscle/bone achiness?

On a much lighter note my oldest DD went to her 8th grade dance tonight and her feet have still not hit the floor. She said it was the best night of her life. I love to see her excited and so happy. And she tells me everything. I'm glad I'm a mom she can talk to but sometimes I'm like oh dear. Too much! LOL.


Time sure flies, i can remember my 8th grade dance....

Best wishes to you all.....

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

MinnieTink - no advice. Just hope your family has a good time down the shore. Where are you going? I use to always just go for the day with my sis. I know we went to somewhere above seaside and the day tickets were so expensive, even back then. If I heard the town I would remember. It was to keep everyone out I guess. But the beach was really clean and quiet. My sis would love to go to Jenkins(Sp?) boardwalk. Wishing your mom all the best.

Well I have a new haircut. Feels so much better in the summer. Its short as usual. I got a nice complement from my stylist. She said she never saw me looking better (she meant with the cancer), so that was nice. Guess last year I did look pretty bad etc.

I caught up with TruBlu (tracey) on another thread. Her mom is having chemo for the colon cancer now and poor Tracey is having emergency hernia surgery on Mon. I think. Hmm, I guess we could compare notes. She will be there around the same time as us in Dec. so we might meet up.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Lisa - Wish you well on your surgery.

Ann - Hope your DD gets a diagnosis soon!!

Laurie - Sorry to hear about the budget cuts. The financial difficuties sure can cause a lot of stress.

LMP - You have so much going on - I feel for you.

MinnieTink - There are a lot of things that your mom can do to make the chemo a little easier to handle. Some of it depends on the type of chemo drugs she will be on. But drinking A LOT of water helps. When she thinks she is sloshing - drink more. The day before, of and after are especially important. It keeps the veins healthy and plump and then it helps the chemo to get flushed through properly. Keeping the mouth clean and healthy is important. Brush gently, floss gently after each meal and rinse with a non-alcohol based mouth rinse twice a day. If she does develop a mouth sore, immediately start rinsing with Rinsenol. I did the brush/floss/rinse routine faithfully though and never got a mouth sore. Also keep the skin clean and hydrated. Chemo is just very drying and then infections can set in if it starts to crack. Keep the nails short, clean and use a good cuticle cream on them twice a day.

I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of for now. If I remember more, I'll let you know. (Still must have chemo-brain, or maybe it's because I used to be blonde, although my new hair is coming in brown with gray strands - what's up with that )

 

[lookingforward]

Hi everyone! Its been a while so forgive me if I am not caught up...I have missed everyone!

Laurie, I have been thinking about you since this whole oil disaster! I am so sorry that you all are being hit economically. I have friends in Pensecola and they are in for the same thing. Its so sad! They expect it will hit the coast here (south Florida) in the future too. I try not to cry about it. My thoughts are with you!

MinnieTink, find out which chemo your mom is having. She needs to set aside a lot of time to rest after each treatment. For me, the worst days were days 2 and 3 after the chemo. Is she getting a port? There are some great pre-chemo meds they can give her to lessen the side effects, it all depends on which chemo she is getting.

To everyone in treatment or waiting on test results my thoughts are with you. I have been dealing with a really bad back issue and severe vitamin D deficency. That said, I am heading to new york city with my son and daughter for a week in July. Then on to WDW for five nights with my cousin and her daughter from Germany. Then in August I am headed to Salt Lake CIty for a conference. BUSY!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Maureen - Wow, you sure are going to be busy!! I have the vit. D def. too and have to take a prescription vit d supplement once a week. Its a huge dose which you cant get in over the counter stuff. Are you planning on seeing any plays when you are in NY? Hope you have a good time in Disney too!!

Lisa - Sending you lots of good thoughts, prayers and

Ds passed his test, not a high grade, but passed, so he is waiting on the next books to study. Today I will work on decorations for the vbs classroom and going grocery shopping tonight with dh. Tomm. I have the stomach surgeon appt. at 9 am. Then at night I have my school meeting. Like Laurie we are facing huge money losses, probably due to low enrollment. I hope we can financially keep the school open. I dont know what else we could cut. We are at bare bones now. Then thurs. ds18 and I will decorate the classroom for the lst round and then at night we have ds18 senior banquet. Then the graduation on Sat. Its going to be a busy week for sure, oh and then I forgot sun. we are having a missionary at church so I have to cook for for the pot luck. I will do that after graduation as ds said he is going to alot of partys. I think I will take a nap sun. afternoon for sure

GTAGWTA. Hope everyone is ok.

 

[wdw4us2]

LMP - Thanks for your prayers. They are much appreciated. I hope things turn around for your school. It seems like things are not really getting any better anywhere that I know of.

loookingforward - I hope your back issues are resolved before you go to NYC. Sounds like a fun trip!

KJ - I can definitely relate to your hair issues. Mine came in brown with way too much grey. I had it colored a little over a week ago and I finally stopped wearing the wig. What a difference!

MinnieTink - Good luck to your Mom when she starts her chemo. I agree with all the tips KJ gave you - especially about the hydration. I think that's the most important thing to remember.

Snappy - Sorry things are looking so bleak for you at work. Hopefully, you can work out some type of budget so that you can keep going.

I had a really busy weekend. I took the Z28 out for a long cruise on Saturday. T-Tops off, fun music and lots of sunshine. I took one of my chemo nurses along for the ride. She loved it! I won't be able to drive the car for some time after my surgery (it's a 6-speed) so I'm enjoying it while I can. Yesterday I went to 7 am Mass, went swimming, went to the cemetery with flowers for my Dad, picked DS up from his church retreat, went to see Toy Story 3 and we all took DH out for dinner for Father's Day. It was a great weekend! I'm a little apprehensive about my surgeries on Wednesday, but I'm ready for them.

 

[snappy]

Lisa, I am glad you are really making the most of your time before your surgeries. Looking at your prior posts, I realize you are having both your ovaries out AND lymph nodes from the right anxillary.

Will you be doing this out patient?

I don't know much about having the ovaries outs, but I had the lymph node surgery, and had 16 removed. Ask about the exercises you should start afterwards to get your range of motion back. I think all the swimming you have been doing lately will really help you recover.

I know the hard part is waiting for the reports.

Hang in there and let us know how you are doing.

LMP, good luck with your appointment with the stomach surgeon.

 

[TruBlu]

Hi Friends! I just wanted to pop in and give you all an update on my mom...

She had a CT scan recently, and there is NO evidence of cancer in the breast cancer site. They also didn't mention anything with her spleen this time.

The colon cancer treatments are really HARSH. She is supposed to be on a two week rotation, but it actually ends up being about a month in between before her counts rebound enough. She has all day chemo on Friday then wears a pump until Sunday morning. After that is taken off, she goes back on Monday for a shot to boost her white count. Either the shot or the chemo usually catches up with her by Monday, and she gets REALLY sick. Today was bad for her. But she is a fighter!

I've been sick (again) with another hernia. I've had several ER visits and CT scans myself. Worst of all, we had to cancel our Disney trip as we were packing. Try explaining that one to your kids... But they were great. - They even made excuses as to why they were "so glad" they weren't at Disney. I've got really sweet boys.

So, as a make-up I've promised them a week out of school (I don't care if they excuse it or not) - and we are going to Disney at Christmas time! We're going mid-December, so hopefully it wont be crazy crowded. I think I might be more excited than they are!

I hope you are all doing well. I wish you all the best always!

LMP - please let me know how it goes with your doc. My surgery is Friday, but I'll be back as soon as I can...

Sending you all a big dose of Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust!
-Tracey

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Lisa - Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Maureen - Hope your back surgery goes well. Have a great time on your trip.

MaryAnn - Good Luck at the surgeon's appt.

Tracey - I'm so sorry to hear that you had to cancel the trip. I know what a disappointment that is - but what great DS's you have. I hope they get extra pixie dust when they get down there for being such good sports about it now. We had a trip planned last Nov. but had to cancel because I was diagnosed and had my surgery then rescheduled for the spring because I was supposed to be over everything by then but found out I neeeded chemo and rads so had to cancel again, but now we are scheduled for Nov. this year . REALLY looking forward to this trip. I'm sure by the time you go, you and your family too, will be sooooo excited and will really enjoy your time down there. I wish the best for your both you and your mom.

GAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

I agree with KJ, Tracey, what a great attitude your sons have.

You are doing good work there, Mom.

Good luck Mary Ann with your appointment with the surgeon, and Lisa, hang in there for the surgery>

Good to see you Maureen. Sorry about the back problems. It sounds like you are not letting it slow you down.

Your summer sounds like mine. . busy!!

I am so glad we had our vacation in May. would not be able to pull it off now.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - I will be thinking of you lots tomm. and praying for you. Hang in there sista, just think if you get to stay in for a while you get free food. heah you cant beat breakfast,lunch and dinner in bed. Its only bad if you can memorize the menu by heart like I did last year. Maybe Meg can post a little update for us? Sending you some

Laurie - I hope you are well on your way to a fun summer! I was watching some kids talk about life in LA now post oil spill last night. So Sad. My heart goes out to ya'll down there.

KJ - Wow a november trip sounds great!! Where are you staying?? Did you make any adr's yet. As always I am obsessed about everyones food adventures and plans.

Tracey - sending prayers for your surgery on friday too. I hope they can use the mesh. I asked dh about what you said and he aid the surgeon did mention that as one of the alternatives last year. I found out that the percocet that does not have the tylenol in it worked better for me. You can take it more often and it works faster I think. Wishing you all the best too.

Well ladies I am and why you might ask. Well first I am thanking God for all the good news I got, oh I would thank him anyway even if it was bad because I know he would still take care of me. Last night the endo called me and she said all my latest blood tests were GREAT!! She is concerned about the osteoporosis though and wants me to do the bone density as this cancer affects things like that.

Then today at the stomach surgeon he said he knows the one reason for the pain in the middle, he could feel scar tissue, he thinks the pain on the left is just from stuff moving around inside which is to be expected, but he feels nothing wrong, so I dont have to go see him for another year. andf I got to see my favorite NP while we were there. She is so sweet. Love that gal.

Tonight my meeting is cancelled till next tues, so I dont have to rush so much yeah.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Prayers for Lisa today. And for Tracey for Friday.

I am working on getting the decorations ready to take tomm. Ds20 has his poison ivy back and its bad. I called to make him an appt. tomm. Dh will take him. He wont be seeing his regular dr, but another. So maybe she (I think) might have a different perspective on what do do. The ointment prescription is not working for sure. Ds22 is going to the NBA draft in NYC tomm.

Ds18 and his friend went to see Toy Story 3 last night. He said he was crying and his friend (guy) was sobbing!! He wont tell me the story line.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Hi Maryann, Just popped in to see what was going on in this thread and read about your DS's poison ivy woes. I, too, have been suffering with this for the last 2 weeks. I finally went to the Dr. last Thursday and got a shot. Today was the first time I have not been itching. Give your DS a from me, but only at a distance! Hope he gets relief soon!

TC