Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[luvmarypoppins]

SeaSpray - Terry. I dont know if you remember me. You met dh and I at the Polynesian when you were with your dh andy our aunt and we both got upgraded to concierge? We met on the elevator? Anyways, saying prayers for your niece today. I am sure it was a big decision for her to have the surgery and praying it goes well. The ladies here are a wealth on knowledge and inspiration for sure. (I have thyroid cancer) and they have adopted me and let me hang out with them here too. You are so sweet to go and help with your niece. What a heart you also have. I wish I could get back to NJ more often, but I did go last summer to visit my aunt in Milltown. Update us when you can.

Laurie - when I saw your dd's picture I went wow! She looks beautiful and so grown up. I bet it took you all some getting used to though for sure. I can relate about the family problems bringing people closer together, but right now I feel like we are the east and the west at times for sure. It sounds like you are all united with this and that s good.

PatsMom - a trip to France sounds fun. Hope you get to see the Louvre. Dh said it was amazing etc. He did have to leave early due to a bomb scare at the time. You will be one busy traveling lady for sure.

Linda - Baseball season is exciting. I look at our Yankees players and Jeter looks so old and hints of retiring. Also I am sure its great watching your ds. Do you cheer loudly and embaress you son like I used to do? I think mine secretly is glad my voice is not good anymore. I always like to watch ds coach his games and watch the players too.

Cheryl - sounds like you have lots of things going on. The trips sound wonderful. I think Alaska sounds relaxing. Hope the ct scan turns out well. Sorry to hear the news of your dd's fil.

Candy and smiley - hope you are both doing well.

I need to book the airfare. The prices went up again. Grr. I have my adr plan. Its so boring. All the same stuff. Now I have to book it. Ds has applied to another college. I am not thrilled about it. Urban Pa and I heard they had a murder there not too long ago. Well at least he got to apply for free since he had the honor society stuff etc. Havent seen much of dh. He always stays up late doing work before his trips and comes home late etc. This is normal. Sigh. Now I think our one tv might have a problem. This is the broken house for sure!

GAGWTA

 

[Sha]

Laurie I love her haircut!!! I know the difference in the weight on her neck is so much better! I just cant bear cutting mine! Just having it straight makes such a difference for me.

Definitely will say some prayers SeaSpray... also continued for all our ladies here. And for Linda's friend and your DDs husband and family Cheryl

Candy... miss you!

"Charlie" surprised skyped me last night which was really nice. I was driving home late from work and wanted to hear his voice. He said I work too hard. Sounds like a hint. There is a health and wellness fair this weekend. There is career ops for RNs. My sister wants me to do it and when I told R about it last night he agrees too. I got 2 more charms for my memory bracelet. A fluer de lis for my trip to BR for the 1st time and a treasure chest for the pirate room/trip to WDW when we got back together. Have a Disney charm I am adding to it that was one I wore when with him. Says Dreams do come true

It was a good weekend Cheryl. Hoping to go back soon!!! Just wanting him to have an extra day off so we can enjoy more time together.

 

[smiley_face2]

My goodness, there is so much going on for so many right now, so many things I can empathise with so much, and my heart and prayers go out to everyone who has posted stories of loss and fear and sickness and not knowing
I had a follow up mammogram today, and she did the left (non cancer) side again, made a comment about with the history she is probably being over cautious, but I said you can never be too cautious with this sneaky disease. So of course even though only a little over 3 months ago the abdominal MRI I had said everything was clear for my breasts as well, I am worried until I hear for sure.
Lisa, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time, it is just not fair and makes me very sad
Laurie, your daughters hair is so cute, it makes her look a lot older! We have discovered by pure happy chance a wonderful little restaurant directly onthe route to the cancer agency! http://www.ouisibistro.com/ it's a New Orleans restaurant and we have eaten there twice now and I am so sad I did not find it a year ago!! today we had a very good gumbo, some jambalaya and a dish which is called the Jackson Square which is an eggs benedict made with crab cakes and a sauce Choron. yummmmmy! too bad we are always on our way to the cancer clinic or I would have a hurricane too.... thought of you both times and wondered how the cooking compares... I know yours would be better!
Have not seen a post from Candy in a while....where are you??
thanks for the compliments on my hair, it seems to be losing it's curl a bit sadly, and it's longer now and I either need to get it cut or styled or something....

 

[SeaSpray]

Of course it's ok to post, SeaSpray! Sending prayers and good thoughts and healing for your neice! She is smart...

BTW, for yourself, there is a new (let me see how I can explain this) gene segment that has been identified recently that wasn't identified during your last testing. They are testing for it now. I had mine done last fall (negative). But they're saying they're finding a few positives that have surprised them. You might want to look into it.

I hope everything goes well with your neice tomorrow.

Thanks so much. Her surgery went well. She wasn't able to come home yesterday (she was still extremely groggy and not drinking enough for them to release her), but she will be going home (to my sister's house for now) later today. She has the expanders in, and drainage tubes.

Thank you for the info about the new gene segment. I'll have to call the hospital in Boston where I had the testing done to see what they say.

Seaspray, glad you posted again. As Linda said, we are thrilled to have you hear. I appreciate how much you care about your niece.

Love your username by the way. I followed a great website when I struggled with the decision to go forward with reconstruction in in 2006. One of our good friends from this thread, Laura posted about it once, facingourrisk.org, where many individuals post who had the gene and either have that cancer diagnosis or are considering prophylactic surgery like your niece is having today. It is not an easy choice certainly, but as Linda posted, it is a very smart one. Also wise to be tested to know your status, in my opinion.

How very loving of you to go stay with her in a few weeks and help her. The first month after reconstruction you can't do very much at all. That is when she will need the most help, especially with double surgery. Is she having implant or flap surgery? Your comment about wishing it was you rather than her as far as carrying the gene really struck me. You are a very special person, and I am sure a treasure to both your sister and your niece. I hope she does feel today with the surgery. Keep us posted.


GAGWTA!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I remember visiting facingourrisk.org when I posted on this thread a couple of years ago. It was good to have so much information on one site.

My niece is having the implant surgery and the plastic surgeon immediately placed the expanders in, following the breast removal surgury.

I agree that having the surgery without having cancer is a difficult decision, but my sister went through both, so to her it's a no-brainer to have the mastectomies and greatly reduce the odds of breast cancer. Something my sister told me yesterday surpised me: She said that now my niece will not have the 87% chance of getting breast cancer, she'll only have a 10% chance. I guess I didn't realize that there was still that much of a chance to develop breast cancer after mastectomy. Oh, she had her ovaries out last fall, after she got the test results back. I know that that helps reduce her risk as well.

SeaSpray - Terry. I dont know if you remember me. You met dh and I at the Polynesian when you were with your dh andy our aunt and we both got upgraded to concierge? We met on the elevator? Anyways, saying prayers for your niece today. I am sure it was a big decision for her to have the surgery and praying it goes well. The ladies here are a wealth on knowledge and inspiration for sure. (I have thyroid cancer) and they have adopted me and let me hang out with them here too. You are so sweet to go and help with your niece. What a heart you also have. I wish I could get back to NJ more often, but I did go last summer to visit my aunt in Milltown. Update us when you can.


GAGWTA

Of course I remember you!!!! In fact, when I remember back to that trip, seeing you and your DH in the elevator is one of the first things that comes to mind. It was such a fun trip.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - hope you are resting and healing and that you are not in too much pain. Prayers for you dear sista

Terry - prayers for your niece too. Hope she is resting post op and that her pain is also manageable.

smilie - glad you found a nice restaurant in your travels. I now have to go past the hosp. alot since I drive ds to college. Brings back all the wrong kind of memories for me. Hmm, I need to look for a restaurant too!

Laurie - how did your ds like being the movie extra?

Sha - is def in the air!! and that is good.

Linda - more teams in the mlb playoffs, yeah for us!!

Cheryl - the Venetian sounds nice. Dh always had to stay at the MGM Grand for all his conferences. He said he wished he could stay in the Bellagio.

Candy - miss you sista!

Well dh and the 2 ds are on their way to stop over in Australia now. Called from Los Angeles like 1:30 am. Ds22 talked to them. I was asleep. They will be in New Zealand tomm. I think its almost 24 hours of flying including the 2 stop overs. Its dreary and drizzly here but next week is suppose to be clear so that is good. So loving the mild winter. I guess I should book and plan the trip. If things dont work out at the meeting the end of March we can always cancel it.

GAGWTA. Hope everyone has a good week end

 

[Pea-n-Me]

love2disney, how did you make out last week?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

MerMom - hope you are resting and healing

hulagirl - hope Barbaras pm helped and that your mom can get the answers she needs

Love2 - hope things went well for you. Keep us updated when you can.

Lisa - hope your are recovering post op and that you are able to do the chemo. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are one tough cookie!

SeaSpray - how is your niece, post op? Hope her pain is manageable.

Well things here are way too quiet. Dh has contacted me via e mail. The phone wont work and now he is going to a different part of New Zealand and doesnt know about his internet access there etc. He said ds24 has been grumpy, they hiked volcanoes etc. I am managing with ds22. Its everything I thought it would be. Sigh. I think tomm. I will work on the vacation. I just feel like I will be so disappointed if we have to cancel it etc.

GAGWTA

 

[SeaSpray]

SeaSpray - how is your niece, post op? Hope her pain is manageable.



GAGWTA

She came home from the hospital last Friday and went to see her doctor this morning. He removed 2 of the 4 drains. She has to go back to see him this Friday.

She seems to be doing pretty well now. She's just really tired, but she's taking pain medication every 4 hours so that could explain it. She's still at my sister's house, so fortunately she is being very well cared for.

Thank you for asking.

 

[Sha]

I have another post to share from R's cousin Mel. Outstanding blog in my opinion.

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/yoursay/blogs/melanie_oneill/

 

[snappy]

Sha, thanks for posting the link. Mel continues to inspire. Great ideas too with her new life style.

I could certainly take a page from that book, and currently am, especially increased water intake. Not as much tea being consumed over here. I am also eating more fruits and vegetables.

I have been hankering for a lot of cucumbers and tomato salads lately. My last batch of gumbo too was mostly vegetables, no oil in the roux. It was still good.
But I am needing my crawfish fix big time. I think I will have to have them just boiled. Wish there was a way to avoid the salt, but short of boiling them at home, there is not much hope of that.

Give your niece our best, Seaspray.

LMP, I hope you can stay in touch with your DH and your sons. Maybe the internet will work down there.

I need to try and take a picture of my azaleas to post here. They are at their peak. I have to force myself to leave them and go to work.

Had a very enlightening session with the dog behaviorist Friday. Poor little Naj has a whole new lifestyle. DH and I are now the pack leaders. It is amazing how she has acclimated. She is meekly walking at our side for walks, on a short leash. She waits for when we are ready to feed her.

We will start group sessions at the end of the month but right now we are both running her life rather than her running ours. Hopefully she will also be off the meds by then too, but in the meantime the meds are taking her edge off and allowing her to be more submissive with our new training regime.

Turns out we were clueless. She requires different strokes than Snappy, our older dog. We are even going to try and introduce them together with a muzzle on Naj and a lot of supervision (the behaviorist will do a house call).

Trouble in paradise for Naj for sure. This gal is no dog whisperer. But the tough attitude was only needed at first. She thinks Naj is fear aggressive and since neither my husband or I were really giving signals we were in charge, Naj nervously stepped up. I am not sure I buy all of it, but we are getting results. I thought it was too late to train her since she is 4 years old, but the trainer says otherwise. She keenly observed me, and demonstrated what I should be doing. She was not sure if I could "man up", but I am so there. I am not as much of a panty waist as I appear, lol.

Enough of that nonsense, GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

LOL, Laurie. IIR I tried to enlighten you way back when when you first got Naj. Glad things are going better now. It's really difficult to live with a dog with "issues". Mine is a "reactive" dog and it's been so hard, too. Fortunately I knew how to work with her and learned along the way as well, but I had to put a lot into it, more so than with other dogs who were not that way. We also had to let some of our dreams go. (I wanted to do therapy work with her, her father was a certified therapy dog.) But she's been great in so many other ways I've come to think that God just had different ideas for me and I had to adjust. At any rate, she'll be 8 next month and starting to slow down. Hard to believe how fast time goes. I was in the midst of chemo when we got her. Good luck with things with Raj. Tune into The Dog Whisperer if you don't already. And I ALWAYS recommend Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. It's a must read for all dog owners.

 

[snappy]

Yes, I remember your suggestions. I bought that book and read it a bit but on a wild hair gave it to a co worker who never bothered to return it. Her issues are far worse than Naj's (and I don't mean her dog's).

We adopted Naj right after I returned to work after a 9 year hiatus and right before dd21 left for college. Looking back it was probably not the best thing for Naj. We are going to rectify that.

When you say a certified therapy dog, what does that entail?

 

[Amy]

I haven't posted on this thread for ages, but today I just had to stop by and say.....

Today is my 10-year Cancerversary! March 7, 2002 is when I had my lumpectomy, to be followed by chemo and radiation. And I'm still alive, and it's a beautiful day here in Pittsburgh!!! I remember being so scared, wondering if I'd get to see my boys graduate from high school. Now, my DS22 will graduate from college this year and my DS20 is a sophomore in college. And I'm still alive and kickin'!!

And I owe a lot of thanks and appreciation to you guys for all the support you provided while I was going thru my treatments, and afterwards when I had a scare or two. Linda (Pea-n-Me), Snappy, MerryPoppins (and I know I'm forgetting a lot of you).....you guys are still here regularly, offering support and hope. Friends and family try to help, but there's nothing to compare to talking to people like you who've been on this road and know the highs and lows, fears and dreams.

So THANK YOU!!!

 

[snappy]

Hi Amy, so very good to see you post!

Happy Cancerversary!!

So good to hear how well you and your family are thriving.

I too have a graduating senior from college in May. I am so proud of her it is beyond words.

We ought share notes on how to heck to recognize the milestone without breaking the bank.

My DH and I look at each other and say where the heck has the time gone. i have known him since 1969 and I guess he is a keeper.

GAGWTA!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Amy - Happy Cancerversary. Yes, the ladies here are wonderful. They have adopted me though I have another kind of cancer (thy).

Linda - the therapy dogs were my grandmas favorite activity at the nursing home.Her room mate didnt care for the dogs though.

Laurie - hope you get everything straightened out with Naj. I love azaleas. What color do you have. I think we just have 1 bush. Bought it went ds was born. I think its still there.

Lisa - hope you are recovering post op and that the treatment regime is bearable

Sha - Melanies blog is inspirational as usual. Its wonderful to see her take charge attitude.

Candy - giving you a shout out sista. Miss your posts

Well I have talked to dh 2 times via phone. Cant wait to see that bill. But its good to her his voice and the 2 ds. They arent getting along, no surprise there and ds24 complains getting up at 6 am is no vacation. Ds22 has gotten rides home from college so I have only taken him him twice so far, yeah! Beautiful weather here. I guess I should book the airfare as southwest is not budging on the price. I am getting anxious for the big meeting we have on the 31st. I just hope it does not get cancelled again. Then the ds are off for spring break for a week. No plans as dh is going on travel again I think. So tired. Glad the blood test is next week.

GAGWTA.

 

[smiley_face2]

Amy, hello! and Congratulations!! people like you give the rest of us in the fight so much hope!! thankyou for taking the time to come back and share
Does this waiting for test results ever get any easier?? thursday we are off to the city for my cat scan and my oncologist called wed. to say they are quite sure there is nothing in my good side, but they were still reading the results for the side I had the surgeries on because there is so much scar tissue and seroma etc. but he would be able to tell me tomorrow, and fit me into the schedule for a visit. I'm so nervous, well actually worried sick is more like it. this makes me crazy, and I wonder, after a few tests that turn up clear, do you ever get over this high anxiety? because I've been the recipient of bad news twice now, it makes me pessimistic. I will come back to let you guys know how things are, and like I said in my last post....
where are you Candy?? I hope all is ok with you. And I really hope Lisa is doing ok, I am so worried about her.

 

[snappy]

Hi Smilie, I am sorry you are again waiting on test results with such anxiety. My thought is that it does get easier, in that the fear is not constant but still when it hits it can be full blown.

Candy's absence here and Lisa's tough treatment plan also are worrisome of me.

It is so like you to focus on others when you face your own hurdles.

I am keeping you and all GAGWTA ladies in my prayers today.

Laurie

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Smiley - thinking of you and saying prayers for you today. I know what you mean about the tests. I try to put it out of my mind until its testing time, then its wait and pray. My blood test is next week. Wishing you all the best today and hope you get good news!

Lisa - prayers for you too dear sista as you are going through this new treatment regime

Anne - continued prayers for Avery too

I too am worried about Candy. I remember her last post said their computer died and I know she mentioned once before that the disboards are blocked at her job. I think I might have her phone number. Dont know if its the house or cell, but maybe I should give her a call. I hope she would not think that would be too forward of me etc.

Well after ds gave me a headache and upset me when I dropped him off at college, I came home and just booked the airfare for the trip. Made me feel a little better for sure. Now onto the adrs. I have to work everything around my b day, our anniv. the star wars week end and the flower festival, all within 6 days, and our flight in comes in like 4 ish, so that practically ruins a day but the other flights were too expensive for the time I wanted.

Ds20 sent me an e mail. He said they had a bus tour of some fjord like places. He said they got to view the Tasmanian Sea, wowsa! Ds24 is grumpy getting up at 5:30 am for these tours. Sounds like otheNorway trip dh and I did ages ago. Going up mountains on a bus with no guard rails. Today they are going ocean kayaking.

GAGWTA. Its so sunny here today. The wind just started up though.

 

[snappy]

Sounds like your 2 DS's and DH are having quite the adventure, MaryAnn.

I hope you got the ADR's you wanted for your May trip. Glad you have the air flights booked.

Sending positive thoughts of for everyone waiting for results, dealing with treatment and living with cancer.

Wishing everyone a good start to their weekend.

 

[smiley_face2]

Well I am happy to say it is good news my oncologist phoned today and said the radiologist after examining all my other scans etc. is confident enough to say there is nothing there that he is just recommending followup mammo's every year! My dr said, just to make sure he wants me to have an ultrasound in 6 months time, and another cat scan on my liver spot, which they have decided is most likely a hemangioma, and won't require any treatment. He said of course I am the best gauge of what is going on in there right now, and if I think anything is changing to see him right away not wait. The family is so relieved of course, and I could feel my son's hug and see his joyful smile as if he were right here and not in the other place. Now it's hubby's turn for some testing.... colonoscopy coming up!
We are taking our oldest daugher and our grandson on a trip this summer, driving down the coast through San Francisco and along Big Sur and into Anaheim to Disneyland then over to Las Vegas. almost 3 weeks and I have most of the hotels booked, just a couple of smaller ones on the coast, and the home trip to book. we have never been to Vegas, and it is only a 4 hour drive from DL and DD wants to see is so badly! she's young (27) and we are staying at The Mirage and the Kardashian girls have a store there and DD is very excited. Lol.... I am beside myself with excitement and the thought of grandson seeing Cars Land which opens in June. His all time (well he's only going on 3 but...) favorite movie is Cars. He loves Mater best, and there is a new ride called Maters Junkyard Jamboree. Disney blog put up a video that shows the new rides etc. and when he saw it he was positively stammering in excitement for us to go now!! Lol...
2 nights in San Francisco again, 3 nights along Big Sur, one of those in Carmel again. Love that town!! Staying at Clint Eastwoods ranch he renovated this time, but hubby says he wants to eat at his restaurant again, The Hoggs Breath Inn lol... we are booked 2 nights in Vegas, I hope that's enough. We are none of us gamblers or drinkers, but the pool there looks amazing! and there are dolphins and tigers from the Sigfried and Roy show, and of course shopping! lol... we have 9 days in DL now, but I am greedy and want more..... we will end up staying in Oregon and somewhere in Cali 2 more nights and those are the places I have yet to figure out.
Maryann, I can not believe the trip your hubby and son are on!! what an experience! our youngest daughter and her boyfriend just got back from their month in Turks and Caicos and we are sooooo happy to have them back! their pictures are amazing and it makes me wish we could travel to the Carribean again! it is so very expensive especially from here, and takes a full day, of plane travel to get there and I honestly don't know if I could handle it anymore.
I hope everyone has some joy in their weekend, and I hope Lisa is all right. She is my hero.
GAGWTA