Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[luvmarypoppins]

Laurie - thanks for asking about ds. I was a little confused he said. Yest. he was only getting the stress test. I went with him. They didnt call or we cant be too sure as ds iphone is getting repaired and its not working well at all. He will get the last repair done on mon.

I emailed dh about the driveway. He doesnt want to cut the tree down and told us to get another estimate etc. So that is our job for this week. sigh. I am letting ds2 handle this after I get some names of contractors.

He said they will do the sono and echo in august. I guess that was the earliest they had. Its crazy busy around here with drs. Even dentists are no better. You have to wait at least a month etc.

I am still working on my clothes decluttering. Today I did 2 bags so that is progress. Along with cooking dinner for that couple from church. She is not doing well and may be readmitted to the hops. next week she told me.

I finally got to talk to dh. I dont want to know the bill for that one. But he always says its worth it to hear my voice and ds3 was here too. another week to go, sigh. I told dh this trip is the worst.

GAGWTA

 

[CherylDan]

Hello ladies! Lots going on here lately, seems like it's been a crazy few weeks for all of us!

Linda, So sorry to hear about your girl. How are you doing?

Laurie, how is your mom doing?
And Smiley, how is your sister?

LMP, sounds like you have a lot going on......sorry you are having to deal with it all when your DH is away.

Peg, sounds like things are nuts around your house too!

I've been doing ok, or as ok as a chemo patient can be doing, I guess! Have to go tomorrow for another paracentesis.......I have been going every two weeks lately, and they have been draining 6-7 liters each time! It's amazing how fast it fills up. I always feel more comfortable afterwards, but I certainly am not a fan of the procedure!

A couple week ago I had to have a tooth pulled because it had a HUGE filling in it that fell out and there wasn't enough tooth left to save. Of course my regular dentist had to refer me to an oral surgeon, and as soon as he found out about my bone mets, it became a big deal, running back and forth between the oral surgeon and the cancer center it all turned out ok so far, but the surgeon wants to see me every two weeks until it's all healed.

I've started doing physical therapy twice a week. I think it's really going to help. Not so much with my balance issues, but my leg muscles. Hopefully I'll gain back a lot of the strength I lost!

We went to Chicago and visited with the baby last weekend. What a good day!
she is such a good baby. This weekend is our baby welcoming party - seems like I've been planning it forever! I'll get some new pictures up soon.

I don't know if anybody remembers this about me, but I am a huge Garth Brooks fan. Imagine how excited I was when I found out he is going back out on tour, and the first stop will be Chicago!!! Tickets have always been very hard to come by, so please wish me luck - they go on sale Friday, and I will trying my darnest to get some!

Hope everyone is doing well. GAGWTA!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cheryl - I hope your party for Zoe turns out great. I am sure you will all have a wonderful time. Were you able to get the tickets to see Garth? I hope so!

Laurie - Guess you are busy getting dd ready for college.

I finished as much as I could in my room before the clothing pick up. I did 7 bags so that was good! Yest I cleaned up 2 bags of stuff from the garage with ds3. Then we found a bag of their old clothes out there, so that will be for the next pick up.

Dh called me again. He is doing fine, so very busy and cant wait to come home.

Just had driveway estimate #2. This guy is $6K more than the lst guy and he said we would have to pay and get a tree guy ourselves to remove the big tree and bushes, so even more $$$.

Tomm. is estimate #3. Its actually a company that was sold from some family that the kids went to grade school with.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. The weather here is beautiful.

GAGWTA

 

[faithtrustpixie]

Hi Everyone-

Just hopping on this thread for the first time. Diagnosed on 9/19 stage 2 triple positive. Six rounds of chemo ending in January. Lumpectomy in March. Radiation finished last month. Started Tamoxifen a few weeks ago. Feeling great -- normal summer! With hair. Yippee!

Our family is me, DH and DD8.

It is cracking me up when people say "Oh! I love your cute short haircut!" Thanks -- my stylist was not cheap!

And most important -- we're heading to WDW for our "Mom Survived Breast Cancer" trip. Here's my question. We want one of our meals to be the "celebration" meal. I don't want to steal the thunder from our princess meals, but maybe. (They are all character meals which I am a little embarrassed to admit.) Any suggestions or thoughts would be welcome. Our ADRs are
-Crystal Palace
-Cinderella's Royal Table
-Chef Mickey
-Akershus
-Ohana breakfast

Which do you think would be good to designate our celebration meal?

Be well everyone. Mar

 

[snappy]

Welcome to our thread, Mar, and thanks for sharing your story.

Congrats on your upcoming celebration trip!

I have not been to the restaurants you listed except Chef Mickey for breakfast, so I can't give you much advice, other than go the place that is your favorite.

I'll just share that we use Cali Grill for our go to restaurant for celebrating. Celebrated a lot of graduations there, middle school, HS and college.

Maybe others will chime in.

 

[Straitlover]

Haven't been back in a while. Sorry! Been busy w/ my mother and my own stuff.

My BMX is Wed 7/30. Starting to get a little nervous. Plan is expanders w/ implants later. I will go stay with my sister until Sunday, and hopefully by then I can take care of myself. Some of my co-workers have offered to drive me to appointments and bring me food until I can get out on my own.

My mother was in the hospital 8 days. Low blood (rbc, wbc and platelets), and fluid in her lung that tested positive for bacterial pneumonia. We are stopping her Revlimid (hopefully that will help her blood recover some), and when she gets her strength back (and if the BM biposy shows the myeloma is still under control), she will start another medicine to treat just the myelodysplastic syndrome.

I have read everyone's posts and have prayed for you all, but no time to respond to everyone, so GAGWTA! Once I am home and out of work for a little bit, I will have time to be a better thread member.

 

[snappy]

Good luck Tuesday, Lisa. I am glad you have such good support from your sister and your co-workers. Accept all help offered. The giver receives as much as the recipient.

I'll keep your mother in my thoughts. She must be pretty determined to have fought off that infection. I hope the test results show the myeloma is under control.

Post when you can.

 

[snappy]

Maryann, We did a lot of college shopping for DD18 Friday. More today maybe. She leaves Friday for her visit with my brother and her DD24 in NYC, so we are trying to get organized.When she gets back she will only have a couple days be fore she can move into the apartment she will share with her 3 friends.

Mom's surgery was moved up to mid August. She wanted to wait until after a short trip to the coast during August with my sister and her every 6 month visit with the breast surgeon, but the oral surgeon was cautious. He thinks the tumor may be growing fast to wait. My sister has done a lot of research on the salivary gland tumor mom has and apparently a tumor on the roof of the mouth is very rare. The incisional biopsy results on a small sample were benign, but the radiologist recommended an excisional one to remove the rest of the area.
We are going to have a busy August.

 

[Dancind]

Mar, of your choices, I think Cinderella's is the most grand. Enjoy your trip, you've earned it!

Lisa, will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

Snappy, sounds like a stressful time. Remember to take care of yourself!

We are going to Alaska next week for DH's 60th. Got a great last minute deal on a cruise, and we've never been. I have not started packing yet. Getting a shot in my shoulder on Monday, hope that keeps me pain free for the cruise. Funny, three weeks of PT hasn't fixed four months of "hoping it gets better".

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Mar - welcome. A celebration trip is great. Looks like from your countdown ticker you will be there around christmas. I love that time of the year with everything decorated. Dh and I usually go toward the beginning of dec. I have been to all the places you mentioned to eat. I would also choose Cinderellas Royal Table. I think we ate dinner there.

Lisa - wishing you all the best on tues. Aso hoping your moms biopsy results are good. Its great you have a good support system with your sister and coworkers. I think that is so important. We had our church family help alot with meals.

Diana - your cruise sounds wonderful. I hope you get some relief from your shoulder pain.

Laurie - glad your mom will get this surgically taken care of. Wishing her all the best. I hope your dd enjoys here trip.

Well dh is home. Um he then proceeds to tell me that he is leaving again for calif. on wed. sigh, sigh and more sigh. He said he actually would have just flew to calif. but he wanted to see me for a few days.

He is not happy about the tree coming down and seems adamant about not cutting it down.

Ds1 and ds3 have been applying for jobs, but nothing yet. I think the economy around here is pretty bad unfortunately.

I think my 6 month check up is a week from mon.

GAGWTA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - thinking of you today and hope all went well Prayers for you.

Cheryl - cant wait to hear about the party

smiley - are all the renovations done now and how is your sis?

Peg - what is the weather like the end of August? See my note below. I think I might be crazy thinking about this but its the only time my ds can go. I remember we went years ago and it was hot and rainy and stormy, humid etc?

Now with all the adr cancellation fees I would be hesitant to make so many if we couldnt get there due to the weather etc.

Well dh is almost off to Calif. He went back to work for something as his flight is delayed 2 hours. I think we are probably going to go with estimate #3 for the driveway. Dh called that guy back.

Dh got offered a job in Michigan. I told him I would not be thrilled with all the ice and snow. So I think he told the guy no. He does not seek these things out. They just look for him etc.

Now ds3 wants to go to Disney before he takes his classes in Sept. since it will be intense. It could be a mother son trip. I told him he has to chip in and pay for his airline ticket, park ticket and we would split some of the hotel. So far I am looking at 2 days at the Yacht Club and the rest with the nurses discount at the Swan or Dolphin the end of August. I think dh is going back to Calif. the end of Aug so it would work out. Ds is like me, up and get going so that is good.

GAGWTA

 

[Feralpeg]

Peg - what is the weather like the end of August? See my note below. I think I might be crazy thinking about this but its the only time my ds can go. I remember we went years ago and it was hot and rainy and stormy, humid etc?

GAGWTA

Well, August can be rainy, stormy and humid. It is also the time of year we are more likely to experience tropical activity. Of course, it is hit or miss. You might be lucky and have no rain at all. More likely, you will see afternoon storms. They tend to come and go pretty quickly, but can be intense.

I can guarantee it will be hot and humid. Some days are worse than others, but it will be hot.

Hope that doesn't scare you away. It just gives you a good excuse to stay in the air conditioning or enjoy some pool time!

 

[snappy]

No posts here for a few days.

How is everyone doing?

How was your Alaska cruise, Dancind? Great way to celebrate a 60th birthday!

How are you Straitlover? Is your mother doing better and staying out of the hospital?

Cheryl, did you get the Garth Brook tickets? Hoping you are getting quality time with Zoe.

We will be celebrating our upcoming 36th wedding anniversary in NYC. Looking forward to seeing DD24 and her boyfriend and his parents. We are taking his parents to the Carol King play, Beautiful. My DBrother who lives in NYC is taking the younger generation to the Book of Mormon.

Not exactly a honeymoon type anniversary trip, more a family one. There will be time for a trip for just DH and I once we get DD18 moved in to her apartment. Maybe just a weekend one to New Orleans but that is good place for a romantic trip, at least once the weather cools down a bit.

GAGWTA!

 

[CherylDan]

Laurie, your anniversary trip sounds like a great time! I'm sure it will be wonderful to see you DD again.

LMP, how is the driveway coming along?

Dancind, hope you are having fun in Alaska. We did an Alaska cruise a couple years ago, I thought it was incredible!

Oh my, what a busy week this has been! Our welcome baby party turned out really nice. Thankfully I had a lot of help! DD25 was the official host, and she did a great job running the kitchen and decorating. My mom and aunt came over the day before and spent four hours prepping fruit and veggies. My sister in law dropped by so we put her to work too, LOL. We had about 30 people. And OMG, we made a ton of food!! Four entrees, seven sides/salads, and 7 desserts on the dessert table. Crazy. Zoe was soooo good for the party, hardly ever made a peep. They spent the night after the party, so I was really happy about that - I really didn't have much time with her during. The only part that went wrong is that I didn't take any pictures. Not sure how that happened, just too much going on I guess. I was pretty bummed about that. But it was a beautiful day and everybody seemed to have a good time.

My brother and SIL, niece and nephew flew in from Oregon for the party, so it was nice to see them. They spent the entire week here, so we were kept really busy going out for dinner and such.

Broke a big chunk off my front tooth and had to go to the dentist (AGAIN!). Got it all fixed up, currently I'm sporting a temporary crown. We went up to Chicago on Friday to spend the day with Zoe, that was wonderful! Had physical therapy a few times last week, I think it is really helping. I have graduated from the walker to a cane - YAY! Oh yeah, had chemo too.

We ended the week with our nephew's wedding yesterday. Very nice wedding and reception, it really fit their personalities. But boy oh boy was I pooped by the end of the night!

Oh, forgot to mention that I started the week by getting my Garth tickets!!! YAY!!! He ended up selling out 10 shows in Chicago. I'm sooo excited to go.... our show is on september 11th.

SO, a crazy busy week, but a really good one!

GAGWTA!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - I hope you are resting and healing and that your sister is pampering you.

Diana - your Alaska trip sounds great

Cheryl - sounds like the party was wonderful. Being a grandma is great! Enjoy those snuggles!

Laurie - your NY trip sounds great. I love Carole King! I think I had all her music when I was growing up. Ds3 is wanting to see the Book of Mormon too.

My endo visit went very well yest.

My numbers are great and she is happy.
The ultrasound was good
I lost 12 lbs since my last visit and she is happy.
She doesnt know why I keep bruising. Strange.
I am not going to have another reclast infusion because of the bad side effects. So the plan is to have the bone scan in Sept. and if there is no improvement seen from the last scan she is going to think about some new med which is injections twice a year.
She said I could go once a year to see her, but I said I would still like it to be 6 months, so she was ok with that.

Her biggest concern is that one of the gi meds I take is know to cause carcinoid tumors in the gi system over time and I have taken it a long time, so she wants me to see one of the gi doctors. I dont have a problem with that and its good to get checked out I guess.

Whew, that is enough for one visit.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all. Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[Straitlover]

Just checking in really quick. Surgery was 7/30. Sister brought me home Sun 8/3. My ROM is fine, but it hurts a lot where the drains (4) are sewn in. Saw the PS Tues. He said everything looks fine, but I didn't lose any of the drains- boo! Hopefully I will get some out next week 8/13, see PS and BS that day.

All I do is sleep. In fact, after I sign off here, I am going to lay down again. Will check in later on.

 

[smiley_face2]

Hi all! everyone is just as busy as we are!! Glad to read everyone's positive posts.... Cheryl really glad to read about your progress to a cane and all your time with Zoe
We bought a new vehicle, a nice fancy Jeep 4x4 so we can drive to Disneyland in winter without worrying!! lol.... bought a nice little aluminum boat to go out fishing in too so we can tow that around. We've had our grand daughters staying, we are on a one week break right now before round 2, they were here for 2 weeks this last time! Renovations are coming along.... finally got the counter top on and it is truly beautiful!! Still driving me nuts we have to wait till next year for the floors but no way I am going to stay home all winter to do it instead!! We've been out for lot's of nice dinners both with and without the grand kids, been to the beach so many times it's crazy!! It's been a stunning summer here and I have even been swimming in the ocean for the first time (other than Hawaii) in probably 20 years!! taught the girls how to clean their own crab that they caught! Hailey was very good at it just like her daddy was. Been making lot's of blackberry jelly too....and pancake/icecream syrup we made sea shell and driftwood wind chimes for the girls to take home, been to farmers markets, and street fairs, I feel like a tourist in my own town! baked peach pies in my new oven today which was a dream to use even my tea pot looks so much prettier on the new counter!! LOL.....Here are a few pictures from all the different aspects of my life the last several weeks!

 

[smiley_face2]

a few more

 

[CherylDan]

Smiley, your DGDs just look so sweet! It must be great when they are staying with you. Come to think of it, heck, I'd like to come stay with you too! living as close to the ocean like that must be incredible! That pie is making me hungry, along with the produce. Congrats on the new car and boat!

Straightlover, the drains are the pits, to be sure! Getting them out is a wonderful thing. Take care of yourself in the meantime.

LMP, great news about your endo visit!

I love seeing everyone's photos, so here are a couple of mine......

Zoe is one month old now, and has grown 1 1/2 inches and gained three pounds already.





Here is a family pic from the wedding last weekend. (Me and DH, oldest DD with Zoe, youngest DD, and DSIL)



Kind of a quiet week here for us. DH only has one more week before the new semester starts, I've really glad he was able to be home with me this summer. As always, the time just flies by!

GAGWTA!!

 

[jillyb]

Good morning everyone! Glad to see you're all doing well!

Straitlover: glad your surgery went well; sending pixie dust for a speedy recovery!

lmp: on the endo visit!

Smiley: your granddaughter's are beautiful! Looks like you've had a very fun summer with them. Love the kitchen!

CherylDan: you look great and Zoe is just precious!

I had a MUGA scan and diagnostic mammogram on Wednesday. Other than surgical and radiation changes there was nothing to worry about on the mammogram and the MUGA scan results came back stable. So continued good news!

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is having a walk on October 25th (4 days after what would have been Clay's 46th birthday) and I have formed a team to walk in his honor/memory. Already have a good sized team and have friends who, although they are not joining the team, have said they will walk with us. One of my friends cooks awesome BBQ so while we're walking he is going to be cooking and we'll be having a party in Clay's honor after the walk. I am doing a bit better but some days it hits me like a ton of bricks. Last week was a rough week for me.

My hair is growing back really fast but I wish it would hurry up and get a bit longer! lol Here's a recent pic with me and DD: