Conversation Club Chatter

I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! I had a nice time at Jackie’s house. We were happy both our boys could be with us, besides Elliott’s family. Elliott’s Mom offered to treat me to a hair cut and color, with her beautician, since she did it for Jackie. I couldn’t refuse so I’m going Tuesday morning, before work. I worked Friday but went to IRT , Friday night, to see This Wonderful Life. It was on the upper stage and a one Man play. Both Vicki and I really enjoyed it. It was also opening night so we had food and Champagne ( for a toast) to celebrate. Saturday Elliott and I spent quality time with Bobby. We had a good talk after he visitied with Lois and Mark Zoll (David’s parents) Sat. night Elliott and I saw the Sam Harris Holiday show at Pike Performing Art. I remember seeing Sam Harris, over ten years ago, at Clowes, as Joseph. I didn’t realize how much I liked his voice until last night. Last, today I saw Austalia and loved the movie. Personally I didn’t think it was too long like the review did. Both Kitzi and I really enjoyed the story. Tomorrow I’m finally taking my car in to be fixed and my insurance is paying the deductable ( the driver and car owner are not insured, BIG SURPRISE!!). Barb called and asked about Maureen so I filled her in. Please let us know how Tuesday goes. Sue, Jason doesn’t know the Rabbi or his wife, who was killed in India. That situation is soo sad. My cousin’s daughter, Laura, is in India but she is 700 miles away from the terrorist attack. She is staying there.

I hope this doesn’t seem like I’m bragging but I never got to tell you my great news, at the last CC. I had a great review and I want to quote from my Manager, ” Carol is an enthusiastic PSA who greets each person with a smile and a willingness to help. Her programs have been well received by children and adults. A patron that Carol assisted was so appreciative and impressed that she expressed her feelings to the branch manager. Carol has a manner that allows patrons to approach her without resevation. I am pleased that Carol is a member of the Pike reference team.” I mentioned this because while we are having hard economic times and Cancer seems more rampant than usual, it is Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be greatful for. Our group is lucky that we or/and our husbands have jobs, family, love around us, friends and each other( for over 20 years. Is it 25 yet Carol?) for love and support. Maureen, again I’m sorry I can’t go with you next Tuesday but I’m happy you will have Kate and Sue. I just left a voice mail for Barb. Has anyone talked to her about Maureen?

Thank you CarolFay for that story … it is a relief to laugh!

Sue, they do want a head count so your coworker should call 776-1766. Not knowing the details, I can’t imagine why she would be interested in exploring reconstruction with early stage breast cancer if she has an option of doing a lumpectomy. If doing a lumpectomy leaves her with a gap to fill, there are partial type prosthetics. There are several sites on line that I found helpful if you want to pass them on to her…
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/breast-reconstruction.html (no www)
www.breastcancer.org
www.beasurvivor.com/index.html
ww5.komen.org/ (and yes it is ww5)

It sounds as if you have been fortunate with your implant … all these sites talk about the need to replace them after 10-15 years. I guess the silicone is the implant of choice since no link was found between silicone leaks and whatever they were worried about.

My plastic surgeon appointment isn’t till Dec 23rd. If I go with reconstruction it would probably be another month or 2 after that the surgery could be scheduled. With no reconstruction it could be done within 2 weeks after I make a decision. Even I am getting tired of thinking and talking about it! This could drag on till February!

On the good news side … the orthodontist thinks I’ll be finished at the beginning of March!

That date works fine with me for the next CC

I am drained. I am glad I did all the research I did before going.

The standard of care is a mastectomy. Radiation can not be done in the same spot twice.

Without talking with a plastic surgeon the dr. felt that I would be a candidate for the expansion implant rather than the one that is “installed” right away… blood flow to the area might be lacking due to previous radiation. This type would involve more than 1 surgery and office visits to get “pumped up”.

Treatment options are limited(really non existent) because of previous radiation,previous cancer and increased risk of cancer.

She is willing to let me talk to the oncologist before surgery (usually done after) to see what their feeling is on the drug tamaxofin. Apparently in 2000 new studies came out proving the benefits outweigh the risk and that it does reduce the chance of new cancers. In 95 the oncologist didn’t feel for me that the potential benefits outweighed the risk for me. And who knows if it would have prevented this cancer.

So my question to the oncologist is … can the surgeon just do a wide excision (llumpectomy) followed by tamaxofin (in lieu of radiation). I just want to cross off any possibility (well maybe not herbal remedies) before I make a decision.

I did have a blood test done to check for the cancer gene. There is only a 6% chance that anyone has it. But if it did come back positive then that would influence my decision and then Rachel would know for her information.

She doesn’t see a problem in waiting at the longest 3 months. With Thanksgiving, Dave’s trip, our trip and Christmas that is just fine with me.

Dave and I ate lunch at the hospital (actually very good although under the circumstances I really didn’t eat much). On the way out we stopped at the shop Expressions where they fit and sell prosthesis. They really aren’t all that bad looking and wouldn’t involve any more surgeries etc.

Timing is everything … Dec 2nd, Tues there is a panel presentation at Clarion North about the different types of reconstructive surgeries … women willing to bare all etc (literally). Dave will be out of town but if anyone is interested in going, let me know.

Let me know if you will be here on Thursday. I’ll even turn the thermostat up!

I got this in an email from my mother several years ago, and I may have sent it along to some of you at the time. But I think it’s a great story, and worth repeating! I believe the Armistice Day Storm mainly affected the midwest states, so perhaps Susan and CarolFay may have heard their folks talk about it? In Minnesota alone, 49 people died due to the storm.

I also remember the Armistice Day Storm of 1940, I was in our little country school right up the road from our farm place along with my brothers and sisters and about 10 more students at District 42 at that time, and our teacher Dorothy MacGrath. It started in storming right away in the morning if I remember right. I was 11 years old at the time. It kept getting worse and worse, and about noon or so here comes my Dad with the horses and sleigh to call school off! He was the president of the school board so had the authority to do that. We, of course, were so happy to get out of school early! He had the manure wagon on the sled runners, wow did it smell, but he had it so cozy with lots of hay inside the wagon box and several of our wool quilts off our beds to cover up with! He took the neighbor kids, the Fischer’s along home too as they lived a short ways from us. We went over huge snow banks, and we were scared of tipping over! Our Dad stood there in front facing the cold wind and heavy blowing snow, his face bright red and his nose dripping[ that is something I will always remember whenever he hauled us to school in cold weather! We came home to a warm wood fire burning in the stove in our dining room[which was our room to play in too], Mom in her big apron hustling to get off our heavy coats etc and getting us close to the warm stove! We had not eaten our school lunches she always sent along, so I remember that day and any other stormy day, we would sit under the dining room table on a blanket and pretend to have a picnic! It was so cozy! The snowbanks got so high we could not see out to the barn! That was some storm! So Veteran’s Day always reminds me of this snowstorm, and little did I know at that time I would marry a hero who is a Veteran of WW2!

We must have many veterans among our CC families who deserve our thanks today for their service and bravery. If you have a chance, list them in the comments…

I am in gratitude to my father, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law, every one of my uncles, countless ancestors and many friends.

Even though we may not agree on the issues of war and the military, every person who serves has given of themselves tremendously.

Apparently the stress test was wrong. the hart cath showed all parts of Bill’s heart have passages open for pumping blood. He was ready to go home at noon. I was so worn out that I just got up from a two hour nap.

If you want a novel (free) dinner date … the Fresh Market on College Ave. is having a tasting Friday (today) from 12-6 and Saturday from 11-5. I think I might try both days! The description in the paper made it sound very delicious! Sampling stations with roasted and smoked turkey, ham, whipped potatoes, stuffing, gravy, corn souffle, green beans, smoked salmon, shrimp, appetizers, seasonal dessert, coffees, wines, and more… what more could there be?

We are also going to New Orleans Night at the POPS Saturday.

If anyone has Friday’s paper and is not planning on using the coupon for 1 day free parking at the new airport, I would be interested in having it. It is on the back page of the section that tells all the details of the new airport.

I voted today at 9am at Abundant Harvest. No problem, no wait for district 28. There was a small line for the other room when I left. I’m really glad I waited.

Tomorrow we leave sunny Indiana for sunny Phoenix! We’re going to visit the Biosphere in Tuscon-I’ll have to report at next CC. We’ll be back Sunday afternoon, and Titus is coming to visit Sunday night, leaving Monday.

Carol,
I’m sorry we missed CC but Barb and I did enjoy the Nights in Rodanthe. Both Richard Gere and Diane Lane were veery good. Carol, I would also love to see pictures of the girls in Chicago. My sister and I went to the American girl even though we both have boys. We enjoyed it. Barb and I are going to the Pacer opening night game, tonight. They play Boston. I sure hope the Colts win tomorrow at home. Matt will be back from his trip to Atlanta in time to work the Colts game, I think. I can’t wait to hear about Matt’s visit with Jen’s friends and family. I’m at work and just saw one of the Chase bank tellers ( she works at 86th and ditch). My break is over so I’m going back to sign up more families for the November.