Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[snappy]

Cheryl, hope you enjoyed the concert! Also praying the effects of your last chemo round were not as bad.

LMP, some items I see have calcium added, like OJ. I will pay attention and see what else I see with it added. I am sorry he is not being compliant. I am sure this is driving you crazy. Is his leg healing?

Our day and night in NOLA was wonderful. The weather was the best that h=it has been since last year, so boy were we lucky, especially considering the way the weather turned so bad yesterday.

Danielle and her friends had a ball. They were very considerate and responsible too about letting me know where they went and what time they would return. They started early so they did not stay out late, which was great for DH and me getting to be ourselves at a decent time. They were able to take the ferry to and from the quarter, and a streetcar along the river down to the parade trip. My friend fixed a great meal at her apartment right outside the quarter, so the girls had a place to rest and recharge before going into the fray again.

Back to reality today though. None of us are much into going to school or work. I am mad at myself since I basically chilled all day yesterday at home and did nothing except to listen to a webinar that was work related.

I am getting lazy in my old age.

GAGWTA!

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Cheryl -

Peg and Fort Wilderness - I am anxiously following the 10 day weather forecasts!

I am afraid I am of no help with the Florida forecast, as I live in cold and snowy New Hampshire!! lol!!

So sorry about your sons continued health struggles...ugh! I am sure he is discouraged. Years ago, my husband broke his leg. It was a really bad break that required immediate surgery. he was then in the hospital for five days. We used to joke that a girl can go in and have a baby and be home the next day and he breaks his leg and was in the hospital for almost a week!!! he broke it in June and was on crutches through December. It was sooooo hard!

It seems crazy that it takes so long for your son to get tests done and then find out the results. When my sons Dr. was concerned about him having Marfans, things moved right along. The very same day he had x-rays done on his back. The following week he had a echo done and we got the results the very next day. Hope things move along for your son and you get some answers.

Good luck to everyone here! I don't have time to respond to everyone, but am thinking of you all!

I have an appt. with one of my oncologist at the end of the month and am dreading it already......

 

[kofslinky]

It sounds like everyone is headed in the right direction with things, which makes me happy!

Meanwhile, here in very cold Maine, I have managed to land myself in the hospital since Sunday night. I woke up Sunday with a very itchy back and a fever, and the itch was caused by a rash that kept spreading. So Sunday my mom and I made a trip to the ER expecting to get steroids and an antihistamine and head back home. Here it is Wednesday, and I'm still waiting for the doctor to come in this morning to tell me what the plan is for today. I'm hoping it's going home, cause I'm going nuts here! The itching is driving me insane, but the rash is starting to get better. There doesn't seem to be any reason anyone can find why I have this rash, which is driving me nuts too. I'm really mad about having to write a week's worth of sub plans when it's just so much easier to be there, but not much I can do about it. SO FRUSTRATING!! AND SO ITCHY!!

I hope everyone else is having a much better, less itchy week than I am! GAGWTA!

Update- The sent me home after lunch! :-D They still have no idea what was wrong with me, but I finally got my steroids and antihistamines that I expected to get on Sunday from the ER, and finally got to go home!

 

[CherylDan]

Kofslinky, hope you are getting some relief by now.......landing in the hospital is just the pits!

Laurie, sounds like a great get-away! Any pictures you'd like to share?

LMP, if you can get tickets I highly recommend seeing Trisha! She was fantastic, I'm sooo glad I was able to go. No cowboy hats and boots in these parts of the country, lol. Wouldn't really fit her show anyway, she does a pretty wide range of music. Unfortunately Garth was not there - she said she hoped he was getting the laundry done and that she made him a casserole before she left. lol

I've been having a pretty rough week after 2nd treatment and Neulasta. To make matters worse, the Neulasta didn't work....my white cell count crashed to .8, just about as bad as the first time. Other counts were bad too. Went in twice again for fluids, and at least I managed to stay out of the hospital......they put me on antibiotics and so far so good. Starting to feel a little perkier today, so yay!

I hope everyone is doing well.
gAGWTA!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Hello, all! Sorry I've been MIA a bit. Things have been very busy here. Seems like everything happens all at once. I've been running a ton of errands. Went to the lawyer and had a new trust made up. Last year convinced me that I shouldn't put this sort of thing off.

We finally got Kendall's new car. I can't believe how many trips to the dealership this took, but she loves it!

Went back for my three month checkup with the oncologist and the radiologist. I don't have to go back to the radiologist again. I will see the oncologist again in three months. Everything is good, but he wants me to increase my stamina. He wants me to walk three miles a day. It sounds like a lot, but I walked almost six miles today around Epcot! I just have to make myself do it!

I do try to read all the posts even though I don't reply to everyone. You are in my thoughts and prayers always! Hang in there, ladies!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cheryl - how are you feeling?

jilly - how are you feeling also?

Peg - wow that is a lot of walking! Sounds like you are getting your strength and stamina back for sure.

Linda - though of your ds as oldest ds is now joining the church baseball team. He doesnt know what position he will be assigned to yet.

My head is spinning these days. Dh is leaving soon for Calif. until fri. night. I have a meeting tomm. and it does not sound good. Something about a secret vote on something and they will discuss the info at the meeting, Also we are dog sitting our favorite 2 king cavaliers and now the ds informed me, oh we have class so you will be here alone with the dogs, gee, thanks. At least its only overnight. I am glad our back yard is fenced etc.

Ds2 has gone to the ortho today and the news was not good. His bone healing only shows as 3 weeks and it has been broken for over 8. So now he has a bone growth stimulator he has to use. He is in class right now but he texted me. I asked him about his weight bearing and if he wants me to order him a scooter or wheelchair for the trip. I guess that will wait until tomm.

Its not the news I wanted to hear and I am getting concerned. I dont know if we should seek a second opinion at this point.

Then I called to schedule my bone scan. The place says, oh your ins. will only pay for every 2 years. I said well, the endo ordered it and what if its medically necessary. I will call the endo otomm. to verify this. 2 years would be in September.

Now when dh is going to his trip April 4-17 he is taking ds1 with him on the China leg. Dh is meeting a guy on the 3rd leg in Russia. I am not too happy about that and the whole trip in general with all this stuff going on in the news etc.

My neck has been really hurting me on the L side where my dissection was. The pain goes all the way up to the skull base and now my dh says, the L side of your face "looks a little puffy". Oh well, I AM going on vacation!!

We are eating at Chefs, Rose and Crown, Cape May and Be our Guest (snagged that again at 2 am) and Hollywood and Vine (the ds wanted that). Just for dinners because i am sure the rest of the day the ds will ditch us like hot potatoes

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Feralpeg]

Hi, Ladies! I just wanted to stop in for a quick hello and to tell you all that I am thinking of you!

Last weekend, Kendall and I went to Epcot with my sister for the opening of Lawn and Garden. My sister decided she wanted to try out the camera in her new phone. So, here is a picture of me. My hair is now about two inches long and extremely WAVY! It's really funny. I've had straight hair my entire life. This is really different for me, but I'm not complaining. It's hair!!!

 

[smiley_face2]

Beautiful picture Peg! can't believe how fast it is growing!! the wavy thing...mine did the same! It is now still all very wavy except for my bangs...the very top, which makes styling kind of difficult.
Cheryl hope to hear from you here soon, hope you are holding up
LMP, I would feel uneasy about the Russia part of the trip too I read something on the news today about the EU putting in travel restrictions so maybe he won't even be able to go then! I am fully Ukrainian, both parents came with their families from there back between 1912 and 1923 and I still have distant cousins there so this is making me really unhappy
Snappy, do you have any fun pics to share of Mardi Gras?

 

[jillyb]

CherylDan - I hope things are going well with you. So sorry to hear about the Neulasta crash. I hated getting that shot the day after treatment. It hurts!! Towards the end, I started having the joint pain it can cause. I'd get it in my hips and knees, which make walking difficult. The heating pad was my best friend!

Peg - love the hair!! Mine is coming in pretty quickly now but still not enough to do anything with it. It seems to be coming in straight, which is pretty much like it was before. I did have some natural body to it so it will be interesting to see if it comes back.

LMP - sorry to hear that DS2 is still having issues. Sending pixie dust and healing prayers his (and your!) way. I would be nervous about DH's trip too!

I am doing good. I saw the radiation oncologist last Friday and go again tomorrow. Radiation will most likely start sometime next week and I'll be going out on short term disability. It's been a month since my surgery and I've healed really well. I still have a bit of tenderness under my arm but this too shall pass. I had some swelling under my arm a week after surgery but it went away after a couple of weeks. I continue to get herceptin once a week. My oncologist checked my estradil (sp?) level and, surprise surprise, I'm post (at least I think that's what the nurse told me yesterday! lol) menopausal. I'll probably be getting hormone therapy after I'm done with radiation. I see the oncologist in 2 months and have a follow up with the surgeon on April 1st.

GAGWTA

 

[Dancind]

Hello everyone, just catching up on posts. DD's roommate got a transfer to Texas on short notice and DD moved home until she can figure out the roommate/apartment thing. So there has been a whole lot of rearranging going on. Think I hurt my shoulder ACL again, yay.

Cheryl, sorry to hear about the rough time. Are they going to keep trying to give you the same chemo?

Peg, i have always dreamed of living next to WDW and being able to go for long walks in Epcot. Great way to get some exercise that seems like fun. I have come to realize that I couldn't handle the summers, so it will never happen.

LMP, sorry to hear the DS' healing problems. I second the greek yogurt, but with raw honey and some fresh berries (if you can find them). More like dessert, and excellent for the tummy too.

Koflinsky, hope you get sprung soon! And find out what the problem is.

Due for my second annual mammo in a couple of weeks. Last year I was so anxious and things were fine, this year I'm calm. Not sure that's good, but I feel like things are well. Except for the hip and shoulder pain, but in the big picture that's nothing.

 

[smiley_face2]

Just popping in quick to ask you to say a prayer for the safe return of the young teen daughter of our friends. She's been missing since wednesday morning, did not show up at school. Some mental health issues involved. Needless to say the family is frantic babysat this young lady when she was a toddler, makes me sick to my stomache to think something bad has happened to her.

 

[snappy]

Prayers for your friends' daughter, Smiley. I hope they have news of her by now, and of course that she is safe and back with her family.

I did not take any pictures during our quick 24 hour Mardi gras trip, but I think my brother may have sent one opt New Orleans back earlier in February. I will look and see what he sent again.

Peg, that photos is adorable. Makes me yearn to be there. We do have a trip planned after graduation but it is too far from now. She is taking a friend that has been with us twice before, one that she will be sharing an apartment with in the fall when they start college. I hope the trip works out now that they both have part time jobs.

Cheryl, I am hoping to hear your white cell count is back on the rise, and that you are able to continue your treatment. Thinking of you.

Dancind, sorry about the hip and shoulder pain. It is so easy to reinsure a shoulder. I am ever so careful with right shoulder.

Jillyb, you sure are getting the full monty treatment. Glad you will be taking off some during radiation. Will you be having radiation daily?

LMP, my mom is doing the bone stimulator Forteo. Is that what your son is taking? I am sorry the healing is so slow. Is your pain any better?

I like your restaurant choices. Will your sons be eating with you? Your food bill will more than usual I bet. I think it is lovely they are going with you. It is generous of you to share your valuable vacation time and $$ with them.

Snappy was doing ok until the beginning of this week. She has stopped eating, and is having accidents so I took her back to the vet Thursday. She was hydrated subcutaneously again, and they gave me a new liquid medicine that I have to administer with a syringe into her mouth, chalky white stuff called aluminum hydroxide. Her blood work is pretty much the worst it could possibly be as far as kidney function. We started on a different Hills canned food to try and entice her to eat, and she did eat a good bit of it Thursday night, I guess too much since she had more accidents Friday. She was listless last night and this morning but ate some brown rice and scrambled eggs this morning (won't eat the dog food).

I think it is time to say goodbye. At DD18's prompting, DH, DD18 and I had a long talk about saying goodbye last night, I of course was blubbering throughout, but DD18 was such a comfort to me with the memories she recounted. She was 4 when we adopted Snappy and we adopted Snappy as a reward for DD18 stopping sucking her thumb. I think I am somewhat at peace after talking it though with my young but wise beyond her years daughter, but since I am resigned to it and calmer, I guess we need to face it now. It can't be today because the vet office is closed to the St. Patrick's parade that rolls in their neighborhood today, but I think we should not wait past next week.

DD18 reminded me last night how since Snappy rallied last November, DD23 at Christmas and my brother Tom in February both got to see Snappy while she was better. In a way they said goodbye without saying those actual works (to spare me losing it I guess). DS25 took Snappy for a walk on Thursday, I guess with the same thought of saying goodbye. I am definitely the one struggling the most as Snappy and I are by far the closest, but being able to express my feelings so openly with everyone else in the family is helping me tremendously.

The vet has offered the option of doing weekly hydration, but it is just prolonging this situation. It is hard to tell how much pain Snappy has, but her stomach is definitely bothering her or she would not be having accidents and throwing up. When we say goodbye the vet has offered to come to our house which I think may be our best option. I feel like the right thing is for me to be petting her and be with her so she can smell and see me as she goes, that on some level that will ease her and help her let go. That is my plan, and if I cry, so be it. She won't hear that, since she has lost her hearing.

I am sorry to be subjecting all of you to this emotion again after you all patiently let me spill this out 4 months ago. In the end I am thankful for 14 years with Snappy, and with the extra 4 months she had since the Vet came up with a plan to make her comfortable since November.

Thanks for your support.

Laurie

 

[snappy]

only photo I got of the parade

 

[snappy]

My brother eating beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French quarter

Jackson in Jackson square


DD18 and I found a little cafe in Exchange Alley to have a vegan breakfast one morning

 

[kofslinky]

Laurie, I am very sorry about Snappy. I have lost pets before, and I know it is very difficult. I can't speak for everyone, but don't worry about subjecting me to the emotion- I'm hear for you. Sending a hug along the the internet to try and make you feel a little better. :group hug:

I've finally got all my pictures from my most recent Disney trip uploaded to Flickr. I kind of went a little photo crazy- 276 photos later... here's hoping they can bring a smile to your face! (Take a look at all of them here)


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Sorcerer Mickey by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr


Untitled by bianchiea5, on Flickr

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good afternoon to all the wonderful ladies here. I do stop by every so often to read up on how everyone is doing. For all those that are, super, keep going. For those in the midst of the fight, keep giving it hell, you'll succeed. Prayers are with you all, always. 's

Great photos, kofslinky and snappy. And what a nice one of you and Kendall, Peg.

Comfort for you, snappy, at this difficult time with snappy. 's

Quick update on Marie. She just had her mammogram for this year, all clear, 16 years now. She will be seeing her oncologist for his okay soon.

And for me, I had my heart ablation procedure for my irregular heartbeat about 10 days ago for. It came out well, they said it corrected the problem. Now on to knee replacement some time later this year. Looking forward to a WDW trip late April/early May with DD, Natalie and her two boys.

Again, my prayers and good wishes are with you all.

Dan

 

[smiley_face2]

Laurie, I am so sorry you are going through this. It is so painful, and is the reason I just can't have any pets anymore. I fear loss of loved ones be it human or animal far too much now. Love your pics I can almost taste that beignete! I think I spelled that wrong.....
Kofslinky, beautiful pictures!! thanks for sharing! There are such good deals to go to WDW in Florida, far better than DL in Ca! even though it is so much further for us, we just might do it one of these days.... God willing!
Dan, great news!!
Sadly our friends daughter has not come home they have cctv pics of her getting off the ferry into the city, and her bag with her id and personal items was turned into the lost and found in a major mall which also happens to be where the first big bus loup is, where she would have gotten off the bus to go somewhere else. There are so many people out looking, driving around, the police in both our town and the city are involved. If she could just go to a relatives, or at least somehow make contact with someone. I know she must be just centered in her own pain right now, what ever that may be, and can't imagine how painful it is for the people who love her and are so worried

 

[snappy]

Oh smiley, I was sure hoping for better news!

thanks to all of you, your words and thoughts are helpful.


Kofslinky, I am going to have to go look at all your pictures! The ones you posted are great! What camera are you using?

Dan, glad your procedure went well. What an inspiration Marie is! I make the 10 year mark next month. I don't know how the time went this fast!

Enjoy your upcoming trip, and good luck with the knee surgery. I know someone who is doing a total knee replacement next Friday. It's a big surgery and he is going to have the other one done this year too. Too much football during the college years! They last longer these days though, so that is a good thing.

Let us know how you are doing after you are rehabbed and fully recuperated!

GAGWTA!

 

[snappy]

Kofslink, Excellent AK pictures and great fireworks photos too!

 

[robinb]

Just popping in for a second ...

Laurie, I'm so sorry about Snappy . It's so difficult to let a loving pet go. I like the idea of having it done at home. The drive home from the vet's office is terrible. May your family find peace and comfort next week.