Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[smiley_face2]

Had a really nice time at Victoria Day/May day with daughters, and 2 grand sons. it was a perfect day, sunny with some cloud to keep it not too hot. Started out with pancake breakfast, lots of games for the kids, parade etc. the whole weekend off from renovations! hurray!! did so many loads of laundry!! lol.... I keep going in there just because it is so nice now I sure hope he can get the bathroom finished this week, and the new fan put up. It will be 4 weeks on friday.... a full months of wages....I can't afford to support anyone for a month or more!! lol.... found an outside light to match the light in the laundry room...which is also a mud room... it is a hurricane pendant style with seeded glass, very old fashioned looking and very pretty!
Lmp....I so hope you have a really quiet summer.... a chance to catch your breath! and I feel so bad you are having so much pain pain sucks!! I have been having stabbing pains....right down on the chest wall.... guessing it is the oil cyst? waiting for an ultrasound to see.... it makes me very cranky!!
Snappy.... I can only imagine how beautiful your yard is living where you do!
Cheryl....thinking about you and sending prayers and love!

 

[snappy]

MaryAnn, sorry about your ongoing bone pain. I don't know much about this reclast infusion, although I know you have had these before. How long did it take for the pain to subside when you had it before?

Is your son on the mend?

Our DD's graduation was a overly long too, just under 3 hours from start to finish, but we decided to go early to get a decent seat. Really too long to stay seated. We had trouble finding somewhere to eat afterwards that suited everyone, but we ended up having a fun hibachi meal.

I was yawning at work last Wednesday.

The party yesterday was lovely. We were blessed with good weather, and I did not forget anything!!! We actually had it at my sister's house which is about 35 miles south from where we live.

I did ok because I was so busy, at least until DD opened the card i had picked out. I just kind of lost it and started openly crying. I guess I am still a bit emotionally fragile.

I'll try and post a couple photos.

Smiley, I am glad you have your laundry room back. I sure can't wait to see some pictures. This type of work is pricey, but it sounds like you made some lovely choices.

GAGWTA!

 

[snappy]

My baby



You probably can't tell but in lieu of a huge slide show which DD23 did not really appreciate when she graduated from Tulane two years ago, I chose a bunch of photos of DD18 from the day she was born until now (skipping the awkward middle school years, lol).

I put them on the table, on top of a purple table cloth, and put a clear table cloth over them.

It made for some delightful conversations and memories.


Here's DD18, her godmother, and my mom looking at a particular picture.

 

[smiley_face2]

such nice pics Snappy! you are such a good mom... all that work!
ok.... a reno question.... if that is your house? you have lovely wainscotting! and crown molding.... do you have crown molding in all the rooms? we are putting it in the dining room and foyer area, but not the rest of the house and I don't know if that will look funny. maybe we will do a couple of rooms at a time, but I don't know. I don't want to spend all of our money on our house! I like going on trips too much!

 

[snappy]

Thanks Smiley!

No, the party was at my sister's house. She only has wainscotting in the dining room, and I think the crown molding in the living room and foyer and master bedroom. Her DH has repainted the entire interior with great colors over the last few years. Really came out good.

We don't have any wainscoting at all, but we do have the crown molding in all public area type rooms. The master bed and bath has it too, but not the three smaller bedrooms. Our house is a little weird, the living room, foyer, kitchen, breakfast room, dining room all have furniture grade crown moldings, baseboards and doors, so they are stained, but the separate bedroom area, all the wood trim is painted cream.

Not sure why they did that but I think it had to do with $$$.

I don't think having crown molding in only some rooms looks weird at all. But I actually did not realize it until I checked it out!

And I agree that it is more important to spend $ on trip experiences than on the house unless it is an emergency thing. It's what I do.

GAGWTA!

 

[CherylDan]

Good morning ladies! I'm stuck here at t.he clinic for another four hour fluid/potassium/calcium treatment AGAIN today. This place has become my second home, I've been here just about every day for the past few weeks. I didn't get chemo yesterday, the doctor said my blood counts were still a mess and I just wasn't strong enough to start up again yet. He ordered a CT scan for next week to see where things stand at this point, and we will go from there. Chemo is now scheduled to start in two weeks.

I need a distraction, so I have been planning a baby shower that DD24 will be hosting foe DD29 at our house. We decided to make it a family party after the baby is born, and are calling it a Baby Welcoming Party. I've planned quite an ambitious menu that DD will be in charge of preparing. Party will be at the end of July. Menu is:
fruit salad with honey lime dressing
Capresse salad with balsamic and olive oil
spinach salad with strawberries, avacado, pecans and poppyseed dressing
garlic rubbed toast
deviled eggs
grilled shrimp/pineapple/pepper kabobs
Grilled steak, mushroom, onion, tomato kabobs
Swedish meatballs
Rice pilaf
Dessert:
Cherry Peach cobbler and ice cream
Raspberry filled chocolate cupcakes
Lemon bars
Sugar spice glazed pecans
Whew! I think that is all....I tend to go overboard! Should I add or eliminate anything? A lot of the food can be prepared the day before and just finished up on party day, but it still might be too much. Not sure how much I will be able to help. DH will do all the grilling. DD24 will have to handle the rest.

Laurie, your grad party looked wonderful! And your DD is such a cutie!!

Smiley, looking forward to seeing pictures of your project, it sounds sooo nice!

LMP, hope you are feeling better soon.

GAGWTAAA!!!!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Cheryl, your menu sounds amazing! Hope things go well for your next scan! As always, thinking of you.

Ladies, hope you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cheryl - sorry you are stuck getting infused again, but at least you arent in the hospital so that is good. Your menu sounds yum, yum and more yummy! I would pick the capresse salad and the kabobs and the chccolate cupcakes, I am not a fan of avocado too much, except at the Brown Derby, lol or poppyseed dressing. It sounds lovely and wonderful for sure!

Laurie - loved your pics and love the pic idea you had for the tablecloth.

Smiley - glad you had a wonderful victoria day celebration and it sounds like the renovations are coming along

Peg - do you venture into WDW for Memorial Day week end or is it just too crowded?? Do they rsetrict the parking at the resort hotels for guests only etc? Do they have any special fireworks? I think I read its open for 24 hours???

Well just completed ds2 graduation, We got there right before the big storm. I had to walk a while with the wheelchair as a walker but not to bad and we got a really good seat, 2nd row. It was much better sitting in the wheelchair then hard plastic chair on my back. I wore the knee brace too. My back pain is much better then before so that is helping, just watching the knee.

There are some pics of ds3 on the colleges facebook page, not just him but sitting in a graduation row etc.

We might go out tonight with ds2 for dinner. We shall see. Next year I saw ds2 nursing bsn degree ceremony starts at 8:30 am, omg. I dont know how I will ever do that one.

Dh is home and we will have a late bday for me and anniv. dinner sometime before he leaves on wed. again.

The ds took me out for dinner and got me perfume. Yeah. Ds3 also got me some other things. He is always the thoughtful one.

Busy times around here. DS3 starts lifeguarding on tues. and his online classes for the bsn on wed. and plus going to a prep class for the NCLEX
Linda - you would appreciate that stuff right. He is doing Kaplan I think. Those are classes he actually attends at night.

GAGWTA. Have a great week end everyone.

 

[jillyb]

Just popping in to say hello. Physically I am doing good. Emotionally I am a wreck.

Two weeks ago today my (Ex) DH (we were separated but still married) committed suicide. Nobody saw it coming and he was the last person anybody though would do something like this. His family is devastated (he had an older brother that died in 2005) and DH was the only living son. He had an older sister and younger sister as well. He has a 16 yo DD from his first marriage and we have an 11 yo DD. The 16 yo is taking it pretty hard. DD has cried some but seems to be okay. I'm worried about both of them. He loved the girls so much. I just can't comprehend how he could do this to them. Even though we were separated, we still cared very much for each other. My heart is broken because I've lost my best friend. I'm also terrified thinking what will happen if my cancer comes back. Is my DD going to lose both of her parents? I want to punch him in the face for doing this and I would give anything to be able to hear his voice.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh God, Jilly, I'm so sorry to hear that. I can understand your conflicting emotions. Big hugs to you this morning.

Reading along. Thinking of you all, especially Cheryl. I have a good friend who is waiting to hear if she has cancer - torture on a long, holiday weekend. Loved your pictures, Laurie. Your DD is beautiful.

 

[Feralpeg]

Jill, I am so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for you. Please know that we are always here for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[CherylDan]

Jill, I'm so sorry Maybe later on you could consider group counseling for you and the kids, or at least your DD? Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.........i can't even imagine the range of emotions you must be feeling. Hugs to you.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Jill- I am so very very sorry to hear this news. Sending you lots of thoughts and prayers

My heart goes out to you and your dd and the family

 

[jillyb]

Thanks everyone. Taking it day by day

 

[Straitlover]

Hey everyone! I am a lurker, gathering info for my sis who was diagnosed w/ BC last year (Stage 1A, had lumpectomy and radiation and is fine; my other sis had imflammatory BC and passed away in 2007).

Anyway, the reason I am finally posting: last fall when my sis was doing her B/C thing, I went to get caught up on my mammogram (skipped 2012). They saw something (was a 5 rating, highly suspicious?), so I did the core biopsy. That came back as sclerosing papilloma, so I then had a surgical biopsy to remove the whole papilloma because it can have both benign and malignant cells, and the only way to check is to remove the whole thing. Fortunately, it was all benign. I think it was basically like a lumpectomy because my right breast is now a full cup size smaller than the left (was about a half size smaller before the procedure).

Fast forward to now. I have my 6 month mammo on Monday (myn sis has already told me how much that will hurt!). I am also having a breast MRI done because I am considered high risk now (two sisters and an aunt w/ BC). My question: anyone here had a breast MRI? Is it as bad as I've read? I had a wrist MRI a few months ago that was not a lot of fun (one arm over my head, Superman style). I can only imagine what fun (hear that sarcasm???) this will be. Any tips?

 

[smiley_face2]

Jillyb....that is devastating!! those poor dear children, my heart breaks for the pain they will go through and for his parents!! to lose 2 children is more than anyone should have to endure. I will pray for them all, and please have your daughter go to a councilor for this.
Cheryl, glad to read your post...If I were wealthy I would hop a plane and crash your party!! what an amazing menu, but so ambitious!! did you say, or did I miss how many people will be attending? Just a thought, but I would skip the swedish meatballs.... with 2 types of barbecue scewers already happening. and maybe skip one of the desserts? my word..... is your daughter cooking all this herself?
thanks for the info Snappy... I am unhappy with my color choice in the bathroom....not the colors themselves, those I love, but I second guessed my self and he did the wainscotting the light blue and the walls above the cream. I now know I should have gone with cream wainscotting and blue on the smooth upper portion of the walls. But..... this whole thing was only supposed to take 2-3 weeks!! this is week 6 he will be here. Quite frankly, we are out of renovation money for now, and he needs to spend this week finishing everything up completely. No time to change my colors now. ah well....the tile on the floor looks amazing!!
We had a really good break off to wine country, came home with a case and half of assorted yummy wines, and ate so many good meals. slept in, drove around to wineries, walked in the desert.... it was great!! Sadly came home to our oldest daughter having a very hard time with her man. He has a drinking problem and needs some sort of professional help. She and the 2 grand sons are staying with us for the time being. dear grandson is 4 and a half now, and knows some of what is going on. He said to daughter that when daddy and her argue it gives him nightmares and can they please go to their room to argue. He also said he wishes his papa (my hubby) was his real daddy. so hearthbreaking.... she told him these things and he was very upset. He is begging her to come home but I am glad she is sticking to her guns finally and has had enough! I pray that he can get the help he needs. We are here to support him, told him that tonight. He is a really great guy, we really like him, and an awesome dad when he does not drink.
Straitlover, good luck tomorrow! Take some tylenol before you go!! it will help. and the MRI.... yes it is yucky!! I actually take a very strong painkiller before I do that one. I have had surgery on my esophagus and because you have to lay on you stomache with the girls dangling in these plastic cups, and there is a center piece going up through the breastbone area....for me at least it is very painfull! one time I forgot to take something and I was in tears at the end!
GAGWTA!!

 

[Cherinva]

Hello everyone. I was directed to this thread because my daughter was diagnosed last week with BC. It came to a shock since NO ONE on either side of the family every had it. We don't have all the details yet, as she had an MRI today and those results will be ready on Wednesday. They did tell her that it is fixable. I have reached out to all those that I know and have asked for prayers. As I get time, I will read through this thread and continue to gather information.

 

[Straitlover]

Thanks for the info, Janet. The mammo was fine, didn't even hurt! They just did the one side. Saw nothing of real concern. We'll see what comes up on the MRI Thursday. I'm betting at some time I will have the same problem on the left, as I have nipple retraction there, too. I have scar tissue there form the prior surgical biopsy, so they think that might be the cause, either that or another papilloma that hasn't grown enough yet to be seen, but we'll see.

 

[snappy]

Busy thread here lately. Sorry I have been away.

Cheryl, you are in my thoughts a lot, as I am wondering how your CT scans went. Other than for the scan, I am hoping you have been able to stay clear of the hospital this past week or so.

Your menu for the party sounds wonderful, especially for a summer event, but very ambitious. Hopefully, your daughter will be able to do some ahead of time. It all sounds both yummy and visually appealing as well.

Jill, I can't imagine what you, your daughter and step daughter are going through. I agree that you should consider counseling or speaking with a pastor. Even some type of support group would be beneficial.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing.

Maryann, glad your back is feeling better. Happy birthday and anniversary to you both.

Linda, I hope your friend got good news.

Straitlover, I have not had an MRI so can't help with that question, but I am glad to hear that nothing unusual cropped up from the mammogram. Was it a diagnostic mammogram or a screening one?

Let us know how the MRI goes.

Cherinva, you and your daughter might want to go to the breast cancer.org website. I have not visited there in a while, but when I did it offered a lot of info. In the meantime, please feel free to ask anything you like. We have had different experiences here as far as treatment and surgical approaches here. Breast cancer is not one size fits all, and likely your daughter will have options. Are you able to go with her to doctor visits? It is very helpful to the patient to have another set of ears when all the options are laid out.

Hope to hear from you soon.

We returned from a week long trip to WDW last night to celebrate DD18 and her friend's graduation. We stayed 3 nights at the Yacht club, and then moved to a 2 bedroom at the boardwalk. We lucked out one again and got my room location request, I guess because i always make the reservation as soon as my booking window opens. It was really a nice trip as these two girls are so appreciative and flexible. They were able to come and go as they pleased, and we had lots of meals together too both in the parks and at nice restaurants at the resorts.

I really liked booking the fast passes later in the day, so we could wake up leisurely, have coffee and breakfast in the unit and then go to the parks. DD18 set up her own MDE account and managed their fast passes, after I initially set some up for them. It was nice to give her that responsibility.

We were lucky to have nice weather, beautiful breezy low humidity nights. I was surprised how easy this trip was. I am working now on planning another trip earlier in the month next May to make good use of our annual passes. My brother and possibly the mom of DD23's boyfriend who is a wonderful fun gal may join us.

It's summer here and my okra plants are growing like weeds!

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have yearly MRI's, straitlover. It's a little scary and uncomfortable (I haven't had surgery on my breastbone like smiley has, but mine take a long time and you really can't move much). It wouldn't hurt to take an analgesic before the test (and/or a light sedative).

Welcome, Cherinva. Keeping your DD in my prayers.

Thinking of all of you.

Cheryl, I agree, my mouth was watering as I was reading your menu!