Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Lisa - I am thinking of you today and hope that the chemo is bearable for you. Keep fighting tough sista, you are doing an Amazing job!! You inspire me!!

Laurie - enjoy your time off

Sha - how are you doing in coold FL??

KJ - how are you?

Cheryl - hope the vacation is going well.

Ann - hope you are doing well too

Well today ds23 might know if they will offer him a job. He said they are going out with some important people to a nice restraunt for 2 hours?? Hmm, what is up with that?? Ds20 is getting over his stomach virus and ds19 has to interview his oldest family members for a history project, gheesh that is dh and I and its hard for me to remember stuff about my grandma etc.

My stomach is so-so. Yest. I screamed twice from the pain and scared ds20. I will stop yapping and complaining now.

GTAGWTA.

 

[wdw4us2]

MaryAnn - Hope your pain goes away and soon!

Laurie - Enjoy your time off. You deserve it!

Patsmom - We are getting warmer temps now through Monday. It will be in the mid 70's here. Hopefully, it will stay that way for your trip.

Just got home from the first chemo. It went better than I expected, but took longer than I had hoped it would. No reaction to the Taxol and the intraperitoneal wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I got up and moved around every 15 minutes during that one. We'll see how I feel during the next few days.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lisa, are you doing both IV taxol and intraperitoneal at the same time?

GAGWTA

Winter Scavenger Hunt is up.

 

[snappy]

Proud of you, Lisa! You are a strong and beautiful lady!

You have a right to complain, MaryAnn. You have dealt with the stomach issues for so long, and yet it goes on.

I'll check for the winter scavenger thread, Linda.

We are having a spring day today, my irisis looke greener than green but no flowers yet. I think they may be early.

Had another wonderful day with DD15 and DD20. We had a great lunch at an Italian place (think:Mama Rosas with wonder sweet Sicilian sauces, lots of seafood dishes (I had fried eggplant smothered in lots of shrimp and crawfish), and resonable lunch prices. Yes it has the grapes hanging everywhere and Frank Sinatra songs playing.

Then Dd20 and I went to the mall which was dead. One pair of shoes, and a trip to both Victoria's secret and Bath and Body works later, we are resting. Maybe later a movie, and yesterday I bought a nice French champagne to celebrate New Year's eve's eve tonight (she has to work in New Orleans tomorrow night), and a variety of fresh fruit and cheeses from Whole Foods.

It is not raining tonight so I am happy.

GAGWTA for all of you and hoping 2011 is all we want it to be

Laurie

 

[Sha]

Loving the Florida cold. Will be more common happening in the next few years I think.

Whole Foods? Hmmm we have some Fresh Markets.

I have converted my sister even more. She bought a AP when we went for the CLP. Also, she likes hot tea now ;o) Have a trip booked for her, mom, my niece and myself. BLT lake side for now. Not until Spring time though. Am sure we will get something else in there before then.

Laurie... going to send you a small PM via FB. Tell you the little bit of news I have to keep from the boards (for now). Im okay with it being shared privately, but again... I don't want it showing on here publically. You will see why.

Lisa.... stay strong sweetie! You are not alone

 

[wdw4us2]

Lisa, are you doing both IV taxol and intraperitoneal at the same time?

GAGWTA

Winter Scavenger Hunt is up.

I have the Taxol first through my original port and then they access the new port for the Carboplatin, They don't run them concurrently because if I have a reaction they can't determine which drug is causing it.

 

[kekee]

Hi Ladies,

I will be having a mastectomy on January 10th and will then after the healing start chemotherapy. I have plans on going to Disney with my kids the first week in March. Have any of you been to Disney during treatment and if so did you take naps or how were you feeling?

Thanks and best wished for a safe and happy New Year

 

[snappy]

I did not travel during treatment, personally, but I am sure others that have will chime in.

I would say it is wise to go when the weather is good, as you are. I would think taking it slowly, taking naps is a given. Are you staying on site? I know others have used wheelchairs at times.

I am sorry you are facing so much in a few days. Glad you found our thread.
I am scheduled to be in WDW in March with my DD15, probably March 6th through the 11th at the boardwalk villas, but we may drive so the timing may change up. Do our dates overlap?

 

[wdw4us2]

Kekee - Welcome to the thread. We will be here for you during your treatment whenever you need us. As for traveling to WDW, I went once a few weeks after my first chemo last year. It was just a weekend trip and I did okay, but I tried to stay away from the crowds because I was afraid of picking up germs - something you really need to be concerned with during the chemo.

Feeling pretty good today, but I've already had to take the anti-nausea meds. DD and I went for a 2 mile walk this morning and I felt fine. I hope I can keep this up for awhile. . .

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

kekee - welcome. Wishing you all the best with your upcoming surgery. I have a different kind of cancer, but my one trip was 2 months after surgery. I had my dh push me in the wheelchair alot. I didnt have too many expectations. Just being there was good enough for me. I would bring lots of hand sanitizer and try to avoid buffets if you are eating etc.

Lisa - you so amaze me sista! Hmm, do you hear the song that is playing for you - Helen Reddy - I AM WOMAN!!. (Linda will remember that)

Oh, I looked at my antibiotic and it semes Dr. Pepper (my new nickname for the surgeon) forgot what he spoke to dh and I about - a 3 week course. He only gave me enough pillls for 10 days. I will call his secretary at the hosp. to discuss it next week. I know the pharmacy cant fill it as its too early. Gosh, the guy forgets my name and now he cant even dose the script right?? He is scaring me lately

And to all the sistas here Wishing you all a Bright and Blessed 2011!!

GTAGWTA

 

[MerryPoppins]

I didn't do chemo, but it was several weeks post mastectomy before I felt like going places.

 

[Sha]

Happy New Years ladies... wishing you all the best in the new year and that the reports are all good.

Kekee.... keep us posted on how you are doing after surgery. will keep you and your medical team in prayers.

 

[marcij]

Hi Ladies,

I will be having a mastectomy on January 10th and will then after the healing start chemotherapy. I have plans on going to Disney with my kids the first week in March. Have any of you been to Disney during treatment and if so did you take naps or how were you feeling?

Thanks and best wished for a safe and happy New Year

I just did Disney 4 1/2 weeks post bi-lateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. I used a wheelchair which helped a lot as I coudln't walk upright, much less for very far. All the CM's were really nice. I start chemo next week as because of reconstruction I had to wait a little longer to be healed enough to start. Without knowing what kind of chemo you will take or when you will start makes it hard to guess, but I think you've gotten some good advice on here already. Use a wheelchair when you need it, listen to your body, and take lots of cleaner/hand sanitizer. That will still be cold/flu season. I made the huge tactical mistake of trying to keep the same schedule I planned six months before the trip. What I should have done was sent my family to dinner/illuminations cruise/carriage ride/etc. and had them bring me something back or had quick service/room service. I was miserable at night from trying to do too much. Too stubborn to admit that I needed help or couldn't do my usual. Don't make my mistake!

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do and good luck with your surgery. If you want any specific info or just want to talk PM me and I'll be happy to answer any questions or give you my cell.

 

[snappy]

I just did Disney 4 1/2 weeks post bi-lateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. I used a wheelchair which helped a lot as I coudln't walk upright, much less for very far. All the CM's were really nice. I start chemo next week as because of reconstruction I had to wait a little longer to be healed enough to start. Without knowing what kind of chemo you will take or when you will start makes it hard to guess, but I think you've gotten some good advice on here already. Use a wheelchair when you need it, listen to your body, and take lots of cleaner/hand sanitizer. That will still be cold/flu season. I made the huge tactical mistake of trying to keep the same schedule I planned six months before the trip. What I should have done was sent my family to dinner/illuminations cruise/carriage ride/etc. and had them bring me something back or had quick service/room service. I was miserable at night from trying to do too much. Too stubborn to admit that I needed help or couldn't do my usual. Don't make my mistake!

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do and good luck with your surgery. If you want any specific info or just want to talk PM me and I'll be happy to answer any questions or give you my cell.

Great advice and thanks for paying it forward, Marci.

Happy New Years sistas!

Having a wonderful new year's eve here. Absolutely loving the fireworks and being with DH tonight. Hope all of you are looking forward as well!

Laurie

 

[smiley_face2]

So glad I found this thread! I've kind of been staying away from DIS just because I was so sad we had to cancel our trip at the end of November when I got my diagnosis of breast cancer just a few days before we were going to leave. I will be having my surgery on January 7, then chemo, then radiation.
There are so many of you here coping and still having fun with your Disney trips, it's an inspiration.

 

[snappy]

We are glad you found us, too.

Sorry you had to make the decision to cancel your trip.

We understand the apprehension you are feeling facing treatment. If you want to share more, please do so. Having walked in your shoes, I think it is helpful to have a support group, even if it is online.

I cancelled plans for a trip to in the spring of 2004 when I was diagnosed. Back then we were renting pool houses which was a good fit for the ages of our kids back then. In 2005 I decided I was ready to attempt a trip about 9 months after my mastectomy. We ended up renting DVC points for several trips, and finally bought some DVC points in 2007.

Now I like to mix it up since we don't have a lot of points and have stayed at various resorts, including the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando (loved that place for trip with DH!)

I also skipped trips the year I did reconstruction. I felt I would enjoy the trip more the next year, knowing WDW would be there for me when I was ready.

DH put his foot down last May that he wanted to take a break from disney for a few years. I have traveled with my mom and my brother for one trip, another with my best friend, and plan to go with DD15 at Mardi Gras this year.

I think planning for future trips is a healthy diversion when you are going through treatment and healing from surgery.

Buying a timeshare that lasts until 2042 was like an affirmation for me that I will be here to take grandkids to Disney. None of us really knows what God has in store for us, but looking forward to a happy future is a healing thing.

 

[annrae]

Hi Everyone: I haven't posted recently as I've had a problem with logging into GAGWTA. It says "thank you for logging in" and then my username disappears. This happens on a daily basis and I've contacted Technical Support but their suggestions don't seem to rectify the situation.

I want to wish all of you a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday and now a belated Happy New Year. I am thinking of all of you going through treatment, waiting for test results, waiting to have surgery and also those of you who are on the road to recovering from all of the above. Laurie, you and Linda are always so well prepared to help anyone new on the boards and you are both so knowledgeable. Melissa - so glad your DD's MRI looked better this time around. MaryAnn, I truly enjoy your posts - they are so real and you have a great sense of humor. Ann, I am always so happy to read your posts. I know I'm missing many of you that I've written to these past few years and please forgive me for that.

I am doing well - babysitting tonight and enjoying every minute of it. I just tucked her in for the night. My DH is with me so that makes it much easier.

Warm wishes to all of you - Let's hope for a NEw Year filled with peace, health, kindness,
and most of all a cure on the horizon for all cancers.

Hugs to all of you, Barbara

 

[snappy]

Sorry you are having posting problems, Barbara.

I am having a different issue with the DIS. I receive emails only sometimes when someone posts here, even though I am subscribed to receive notifications immediately.

Not sure what is up with that?

It is not holding me back much though, at least I can post. And post I do.

Enjoying my time off from work. Managed to spend some $$$ yesterday buying a piece of furniture for the flatscreen TV to sit on in our bedroom. We finally got rid of our TV from the eighties during the summer and got a HD 40 inch for our bedroom. It is still sitting on the outmoded teak entertainment center (coincidentally also from the eighties). It will be departing next week, when we get the new piece. I think DS22 can use it in his place, so the eighties live on!!

I have been looking for awhile, but did not the like prices or the finishes on the TV stands I found. Also, DH wanted something taller than the usual tv stand. We got a 50% off the sales price one day deal on a mahagony piece that is really a buffet with lots of drawers and doors. Works well since our bedroom set is a nice mahagony group as well. Most everything was already sold, but we found one no one else saw (it was actually in the warehouse in Dallas-I guess you could say the sales lady found it). Any way I am happy and DH has run cable so we can get a hard connection for Netflix on that TV.

I may never leave the bedroom anymore, especially since I can surf the internet with my iphone now. I find it impossible to actually post though, so I am doing my posting on my good old reliable PC.

I guess I am not completely technologically up to date quite yet!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Happy 2011. Barbara, sounds like we're in similar boats. Support can't help me with my posting issues. Welcome new sistas.

 

[3pirates]

Hey, I haven't posted on this thread, but have thought about it. I decided to do so now because I went to the world while I was on chemo last year....I had it every week at that point, but they let me have that week off. I made sure not to touch more than I had to, I took some of those bleach things and gave our room a once over, and we maybe took it a little easier than normal, but it was all fine. I didn't use a wheelchair. After surgery will be challenging, but you should be feeling better by March. I'd see how you're doing and talk to your doctor.