Hi all

It has been along time since I have been on the boards. In fact, I had to get a new signon and everything. I just had my TT 2 weeks ago and so far so good. WOW is all I can say about this whole experience. Dixie-I was so sorry to read that you were diagnoised with breat cancer. I hope and pray that all is going well on your end. Lyn-I hope that you are doing better since your pancreas surgery. I noticed you posted a while ago. Keep me posted on how things are going for you. Jesi P-Wow it has been along time since I have seen you on the boards. I can't remember the friend you had that got pregnant while we were all on the boards. She was a teacher at the time. I hope that she is doing good as well. How is school going for you? It seems so long ago that we were all very active on the boards. It will be my 5th Ann. this June. It is hard to believe that it has been that long. Time sure does fly by. Stephanie  Des Moines

Hi Stephanie,

I like your logo with the Drake mascot.  They had a pretty good run, didn't they?  I think all the ISU and UI fans were cheering for them.  We didn't have much to cheer for this year.  :-( Congrates on the TT!  Who did it for you?  Hope you don't have any issues with seromas.  I had the seroma from Hell.  I named it Fred.  Had over 1500cc's drained from it over a 3 week period. I'm doing okay except for the fatigue.  I'm getting iron infusions now but still not feeling much energy.  I see the hematologist next week.  Blood sugars are okay if I really pay attention to what I'm eating.  That being said, I really need to pay attention in order to lose these blasted 15 pounds I've gained.  Somedays I still drop on protein shakes so I really have no idea what's going on.    I haven't heard from Carolyn Clark, Jesi, Sherry Weber, Andrea in ages.  Have no idea how they are doing.  So if any of you guys read this, check in! I'm approaching my 4th anniversary May 11.  I really would like to have these 15 pounds gone by then.  Wish me luck! Good to hear from you! Lyn

Lyn, Thanks about the logo. I work there and so I thought it was appropriate to use that for something different. I wish that they would have at least won the first game. It was so darn close and then that darn last second shot that went in by a miracle. I believe that if it were to happen again that it wouldn't have gone in. Maybe I think that because I really wanted them to win!!!!! Yeah, I am a state fan and boy has it been a long year. Dr. Bergman did it for me. He did a really good job. I  now have a muffin top. :) It is much better than what was there that is for sure. I have no idea what a seroma is. I guess I have been blessed without having one. :) The surgery went well. From the time going back to being in recovery took 4.5 hours. I stayed all night at the surgery center, got in my room at about 7pm and then was discharged at 8am. It was a quick stay, however, I was wanting to get home to rest and relax. I am sorry that you are having to deal with so much wtih your iron and blood sugars. Are you still glad that you did this? I know that there are times that I wish I would have gotten the lap band. However hind sight is always 20/20. I am not at the weight that I wish that I was however, I am still down quite a bit and much better than I was. Keep in touch and I will try to check the boards more often. Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,

I’m so glad I stopped in today to check the boards. Like everyone else, I’ve gotten lax on that.

Congratulations on your TT. Be sure to take it easy & follow all your surgeon’s instructions. Those seromas can be a real pain & if you can prevent them, it’s best. I even had a nasty one after my mastectomy that required draining several time. I ended up with a lot of scar tissue that bunched up & pulls. It prevents me from getting successfully fitted for a natural prosthesis. Right now I wear a foam one that looks natural but it sure doesn’t feel like a breast. I saw my plastic surgeon last week for a consult. I’m not interested in reconstruction; that would take 3 surgeries I don’t want or have the time for. I do think I will have him flatten it out & remove the scar tissue. He assured me that he could make it look & feel better & I’ll no longer have a “man boob.” I have to wait until I'm done with my chemo though.

I had my second chemo last Tuesday & it is gong well again. My white blood cells were high so that was really good. I have my blood drawn weekly to watch the levels. It will be interesting to see what my numbers are tomorrow. Last month I had to give myself a $4,500 injection to make sure the white blood cells stayed up high enough. This time since they were already elevated, I didn’t have to take the shot. I hope they stay up on their own as I am really being bombarded with all kinds of “bugs” at work right now and need all the help I can to fight them off. I did pick up something last month & spent 3 nights in the hospital. I don’t want to do that again. I very generously shared that bug with 5  of my family.

While in the hospital, my hair started falling out. I was mentally prepared for it but was surprised by the mess it made. They aren’t kidding when they say it comes out in handfuls. I had hair all over the place & kept breathing it in because it was all over my pillow. There were piles on the floor & I felt bad for the poor housekeeper trying to keep my room neat. Half was gone by the time I went home so I just had it shaved & am wearing a wig to work & scarves & hats at home. I wish I had the courage to “go natural” but can’t quite get past that.

Fatigue is my biggest problem. I can’t describe how tired I get now. I go to work & I’m fine as long as I’m busy. On the way home, my body just melts into a puddle. I do almost nothing once I’m home, just make supper usually & sit in the recliner. Fortunately my job is just part time so I have lots of time to rest. I was supposed to work today but had to reschedule. It would have meant working 5 days in a row & last night I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Fortunately, my supervisor is very understanding. Today was just going to be orientation at one of the other sites so it can easily be changed.

Work is going very well. I didn’t realize just how much I’d love nursing. Part of my job is to work every other weekend at our version of Urgent Care. I love the fast pace & the variety of things we see. My gastric bypass surgeon’s PA has decided to leave his practice & is now working where I am. Yesterday, I was her nurse & it was fun to get to know her more on a professional  level. She was happy with my work & thanked me for doing a few things for her that I probably wouldn’t have had to do. It saved her time so I was happy to do it. Hopefully, I’ll get to work for her again soon. She has her own permanent nurse assigned to her but I fill in for the nurses when they want a day off so it might happen.

It would be nice to hear from the “oldsters” again & see how things are going. Andrea, from the Davenport area,  is the one who had the baby. Jesse talks with her & shared with me that she is well. Hopefully she will check in someday & let us know how she’s doing.

Dixie

WOW Dixie, you have been through a lot. I will be praying for you and a quick recovery. You are such a strong person to be able to handle all of this. You have such a positive outlook as well. Keep me posted on how things are going. I will be continuely praying for you. Stephanie

Hiya Stephanie....I too had to get a new user name as its been a long time since Ive last been on!  OKKKKKKKKKKKK Im having a TT next week got any advice?  Iammmmmmmmmmmm scared, don't ask me why but Iam!!!  For the most part Iam having surgery in Omaha and I have never stepped a foot in this hopital, so I think that has a lot to do with it.  Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Janet