Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Feralpeg]

Talking Hands, glad to hear your internist appointment went well.

luvmarypoppins, Hope you have an amazing trip!

Got my tattoos today for my radiation treatments. No big deal, but now I can say that I've been "Inked"! lol!

 

[kofslinky]

Update: My appointment went well! I don't have to have more surgery tomorrow (which always seems to be the way it goes for me). I'm in the process of getting a wound vac, which will be quite interesting. We're hoping to get it up and running on Monday, and preliminarily I'll have it for nine weeks. Nine weeks it the week of Thanksgiving. I told myself that I'd be happy if I was healed by Thanksgiving, but now that seems like a long time to have a vacuum stuck to my chest.

(Sorry for the confusion with the "pop" in the last message. I have a tendency to form adhesions after surgery, and I can feel a couple forming that need to "pop" to help with movement and pain.)

Glad to hear others are doing well! Feralpig- congrats on the new ink!

GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Quick post, checking out of the Swan today and going to the Beach Club.

Peg - wishing you all the best and I am loving the weather here.

kofslinky - would like to hear about your vac machine. Hope it is bearable.

Got to see my cousins for about 30 minutes. Happy but too quick.

The ds were good about pushing me around because we saw a lot.

Loved the Be Our Guest rest and the Eat to the Beat concert was loud and fun too.

More later.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sounds wonderful, lmp. Glad you got to see the cousin!

kofslinky, glad you don't have to have another surgery. Let us know how it goes with the wound vac.

Peg and Lisbet, glad things are moving along for you.

Thinking of everyone else here, never far from my mind.

A good friend of mine starts aggressive chemo today for a blood cancer. If you could keep her in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.

Had a few things going on with my mother that have kept me busy lately, but overall, pretty good news, I think. Fall baseball is going well, also.

GAGWTA

 

[jillyb]

GAGWTA! I was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 29, 2013. I am ER+/PR+ and borderline HER2 so they are going to treat for that as well. I just had my first chemo treatment last Monday. So far so good! My second treatment is coming up next Monday and I guess that will be the deciding "vote" on how I'll do from here on out. Surgery will follow after chemo. I had planned to take my first Disney Cruise with some Disney friends from another site but had to cancel as the date of the cruise is when I'm tentatively scheduled for surgery. I was also going to take my DD for her 12th birthday and my 9 y/o granddaughter for her first trip in June but have put that on hold as well.

Anyway....just found this thread and wanted to pop in and say "hi"!

 

[Feralpeg]

Jillyb, Welcome. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found this thread. The ladies here are wonderful. They will be here to give you valuable information and hugs when you need them.

Glad you are doing well with your chemo so far. I'll pray that it continues to go well for you. At this point in your journey, I know it seems like it will never end...it will. I started the journey last January. I am almost finished with my treatment. I've had surgery twice, chemo and am starting radiation tomorrow. I'm doing great. You will too! Hang in there!

 

[kofslinky]

jillyb- I'm sorry you had to join the club. I've been on this journey for coming up on 3 years, and having people you can talk to does help me.

My suggestion for your trip in June is to not to put it off just yet. I've found that planning my next trip and going to the Happiest Place on Earth to be part of my personal prescription for mental health. I was diagnosed in November of 2010, and since then I have been to Disney 4 times (and I'm planning the next trip for February ). Wait and see how you feel and what plans there may be for that time frame, then decide.

And welcome to the group.

 

[Talking Hands]

Surgery scheduled for October 29. Lumpectomy. Then radiation

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Welcome, jillyb. Glad you found us.

 

[Feralpeg]

Surgery scheduled for October 29. Lumpectomy. Then radiation

It's good that you have a plan in place. It is actually much easier once you have things set in motion.

I started radiation today. It was a piece of cake. It took about 15 minutes. I have to go every week day for 33 days. I was told that was the normal schedule. Talking Hands, you'll be through this in no time.

 

[Talking Hands]

It's good that you have a plan in place. It is actually much easier once you have things set in motion.

I started radiation today. It was a piece of cake. It took about 15 minutes. I have to go every week day for 33 days. I was told that was the normal schedule. Talking Hands, you'll be through this in no time.

Hopefully in time to hit Disney for Candlelight Processional. I'm optimistic

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thinking of everyone here, always, and especially during this month of October. 's Continued prayers and good wishes for all.

GAGWTA​

.

 

[jillyb]

jillyb- I'm sorry you had to join the club. I've been on this journey for coming up on 3 years, and having people you can talk to does help me.

My suggestion for your trip in June is to not to put it off just yet. I've found that planning my next trip and going to the Happiest Place on Earth to be part of my personal prescription for mental health. I was diagnosed in November of 2010, and since then I have been to Disney 4 times (and I'm planning the next trip for February ). Wait and see how you feel and what plans there may be for that time frame, then decide.

And welcome to the group.

Thanks...at this point it's more about the money than whether I'll be feeling up to going or not.

 

[jillyb]

Jillyb, Welcome. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found this thread. The ladies here are wonderful. They will be here to give you valuable information and hugs when you need them.

Glad you are doing well with your chemo so far. I'll pray that it continues to go well for you. At this point in your journey, I know it seems like it will never end...it will. I started the journey last January. I am almost finished with my treatment. I've had surgery twice, chemo and am starting radiation tomorrow. I'm doing great. You will too! Hang in there!

Thanks! It does seem like it's never ending but I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel...and I don't mind going towards it! LOL

Hope radiation goes well today!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hopefully in time to hit Disney for Candlelight Processional. I'm optimistic

I think you'll be tired, but fine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thinking of everyone here, always, and especially during this month of October. 's Continued prayers and good wishes for all.

GAGWTA​

.

Thank you, Dan. Our best to Marie and the family.

 

[kofslinky]

Here's an update on the wound vac- I'm not sure I like it. I've had it on since Wednesday, with the first dressing change earlier today. The first time we turned it on I was SHOCKED by how much it hurt. Areas that were starting to feel better suddenly hurt to move again. And I have this thing strapped to me 24 hours a day, which is annoying. The home health nurse was happy with the way the wound looks, but was concerned with the amount of pain I've been having. I'm trying my best to just put up with the pain so this will heal faster, but it's getting hard. Its hard to move because everything pulls my chest, which hurts. All I want to do is sit around and not move, which I know isn't good for my psyche, but if I sit around and don't move it doesn't hurt. I've never been depressed- even when I was diagnosed I didn't have much depression- but I'm pretty sure I'm headed in that direction. This last month and half has been so hard for me, I just want it to be over so I can get back to my life.

I hope everyone else is doing well. It's Friday, so that's something to celebrate! GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

kofslinky - I am so sorry you are dealing with all this pain. Sounds worse than what my surgeon described too. He used the word "tugging" but yours sounds worse. Like I said sometimes I would drug myself up before the packing. But you cant really do that if you are working etc. My heart goes out to you. Did they give you a time frame of how long your would have the vac? Glad to hear the nurse likes how the wound looks. That is a positive sign.

I know what you mean about the depression. Its natural. Somewhere around operation 5 I felt like I couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel when I knew I had 2 more surgeries to go. A pep talk from my aunt and my faith helped a lot. Hope you find something that you can hold onto. You can do this. You are tough!

Linda - Prayers for your friend and hope your mom is doing well.

jillyb - welcome, but sorry you are here

Lisbet - glad things are in the process. I love the candlelight processional too. I am thinking of Dennis Hasbert this year.

Laurie - where are you, long time no post???

Peg - hope your rads were bearable.

Well we are back. I got sick from the Coral Reef. So that place is off the list. We loved the Beach Club and swan in Storm A Long Bay twice. We did the food and wine 2 more times. Boy that really adds up. On tv we saw the executive chef of epcot in the morning. When we went to the festival booth in brazil, there he was!! Just checking supplies. My favorite were the pork belly in Brazil and some pistachio creme at the dessert booth. I am thinking of doing a little dining report. Didnt do one last time.

I also got dh cold/sickness but not as bad as he had it. The worst was my ear popping on the plane. It still isnt right. Sounds like an echo at times. Frustrating. I cough but not constantly.

When we were in DW ds2 called and told us he was in an accident. It was a chain reaction and he got the least damage, praise God!! Vehicle 3, a grad student and girlfriend crashed into vehicle 2 a mercedes suv with a older couple, wife on oxygen who crashed into ds2. He only has a cracked bumper we think.

Dh is in california. I thought he was away all week but he is coming back tomm., so I am happy.

We are having a heat wave here and breaking records! Too hot to even go to the pumpkin farm!

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Feralpeg]

kofslinky, I am so sorry to hear this. Hope it improves soon. I'll be praying that you find relief. It is hard to stay upbeat. Don't beat yourself up for feeling a little down. Sometimes a good cry makes a world of difference!

luvmarypoppins, Glad you had a good time. I hope to head over to Food & Wine soon. I went to Magic Kingdom yesterday. It was the first time I've been in a park since all this cancer stuff began. I met up with some friends from out of town for a couple of hours. We just sat and talked, but it was really nice. Most of all, I loved seeing the beautiful fall decorations!

Sorry to hear you caught your DH's cold. Kendall is sick with a sinus thing right now. It's that time of year.

Well, because I wouldn't want my life to get dull, Kendall is moving home at the end of the month. She resigned from the teaching position. After two incidents of sexual harassment of one student against another in her class and a student threat against a teacher, she's had enough. This behavior just amazes me. These are 7th grade students. One of the kids is on a two week suspension. Kendall is actually afraid of him. He got kicked out of his last school for physically attacking a teacher. She has gotten no support from administration and some really bad things have come out about the school on the news. So, we both felt it was time to cut ties and move on.

At this point, she isn't really sure she wants to teach again. She thinks she may just go back to subbing at the private school where she subbed last year and try taking some classes at UCF. She has always been interested in journalism and may try to go that direction. She'd also like to get back into acting a bit. While I'd love to have her find a good job, I will be glad to have her back home!

The radiation has been no big deal. The biggest pain is just driving over there every week day in the middle of the day. The only time they had available was 1:30. It doesn't take long, but sort of messes up my day. So, 4 treatments down. Only 29 to go!

Hope you all have a great weekend. Thinking of you!

 

[kofslinky]

kofslinky - I am so sorry you are dealing with all this pain. Sounds worse than what my surgeon described too. He used the word "tugging" but yours sounds worse. Like I said sometimes I would drug myself up before the packing. But you cant really do that if you are working etc. My heart goes out to you. Did they give you a time frame of how long your would have the vac? Glad to hear the nurse likes how the wound looks. That is a positive sign.

Thanks luvmarypoppins. The time frame right now is 9 weeks if all goes well, which puts me at Thanksgiving. I'm hoping I can put up with it for that long! I'm also hoping that I don't have any more setbacks, like needing more surgery to debride the wound more. Today was a better day pain-wise than yesterday was, but it's still difficult finding a comfortable position to sleep, and a full night's sleep has been impossible. I'm hoping I can turn a corner soon.