New member---Prayers and Positive thoughts requested

[Cal-Gal]

Hello Courageous Men and Women,

I am 53 years old, single, with two grown daughters in their 30's and 7 grandchildren.

I was first diagnosed via mammogram, with DCIS in November '08.

This was shocking as I did miss one year of a Mammo--however, 2 yrs prior I had the FULL workup Mammo-MRI-Ultrasound--and I was CLEAN!!!!

I actually received "The Call" from my Doctor as I was boarding a plane to relocate back to the West Coast for a new job.

I left that day, put my house up for sale...thought I would be back in a few weeks to finish packing. All I had with me was my two suitcases and my dog (left the cat with a relative, again, thought it was for a few weeks.)

My staging MRI a few weeks later uncovered ILC--I had a bilat mastectomy in January '09, opted for no reconstruction. A good decision on my mastectomy, as my surgical path showed (in the one breast) 4 tumors as well as 11cm of DCIS.

A few months later, after chemo round 2, I lost my job (yes the one I relocated here for) due to my cancer diagnosis--well not what they said, but this is what happened. While I was able to complete my remaining 4 rounds of chemo without the stress of the job--(I worked like a dog from the time I got there) It still was stressful knowing that once I completed treatment that I would be "unemployed" and looking for a job.

Moved in with my daughter and her family right before surgery-not wanting to go through this ordeal alone (it is crowded here) didn't know I would lose my job--had intended on moving right after treatment ended....

I finished chemo about 4 weeks ago, 6 rounds of TAC -started Herceptin on 6/12. I thank God everynight for this drug that I am so fortunate to receive. On my IHC, I am HER2 2-3+ on FISH I am equivocal.

Here I am over 7 months later....Grateful to be alive and that I am early stage.....

I remain positive, although I have had my moments......

Prayers needed for me to find employment here in CA, asap.......And that I sell that house QUICK!!!!

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but this disease is financially straining.

While I am grateful for insurance, the out of pocket expenses on my PPO are quite hefty--I never thought I would have to use the equity from my house--'my retirement' to fund my 'stayin alive' foundation.......

Thank you all for the contribution you are to others and
Blessings to all of you for reading this.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Welcome, Cal-Gal, I wish you didn't have to be here, but am glad you found us! As I read your information, I immediately started putting everything in baskets (I'm so visual) and taking their power away! You have a list of lots of to-do's, but I'm sure pulling for ya to get them done one by one.
You've done the most important thing of all....take care of you!
You'll get lots of great help and support here. ma

[caya]

Welcome Cal-Gal to the club that no one wants to join, but we are glad you found us.
You will find a great group of gals and guys here, with lots of information and support.

The diagnosis is often very shocking. I had a clean mammogram and breast ultrasound in July 2006, had a breast reduction in Oct. 2006 - my plastic surgeon found my tumour. Talk about utter disbelief.

But you will get through it, sorry about your job struggles which of course does not help.

all the best
caya

[Cal-Gal]

Thank you Mary Anne and caya--

I think sometimes I am still in shock--for the longest time, I kept thinking 'this must be a dream(I know more like a nightmare)' and 'this can't be happening to me'--

I took care of my parents before they passed-both of cancer-so when I started going to the 'cancer center' where my Oncologist is located--it was very surreal--like what am "I" doing here--"I can't be here for me"

I think I was about half way through my treatment, when I got that I was going to the 'cancer center' for ME--

I am so grateful everyday for the love and support of friends and family--

My heart goes out to all of you fighting this disease--I realize how lucky I am when I read about and see at the treatment center women much younger than I with small children-or even very young women without children-or women with more advanced disease than mine-and women fighting this disease for many, many years-----you are my hero's!!!!!!

[Believe51]

Welcome to the family, a family one never dreamed we would be a part of. I am sorry you have to be here but so happy you found the most compassionate and supportive groups going. You will learn how to truly live through cancer here, and that makes me smile for you.

Please ask anything that will help you on this journey. It is important for you to know we are here and that we all walk besides one another.>>Believe51

[Adriana Mangus]

Dear Cal Gal.

Thank you for finding us. You will find a lot of useful information, and you will soon find out how brave some of these women are.

Me too, I count my blessings that I'm alive after so many years since and after my initial diagnosis in 1994.

You can read our stories after our signatures, it will give you an idea of who we are, and the treatments we have received, diagnosis, etc.

Never hesitate to ask a question, if you ever are afraid, come to this place, you will find it inspiring and peaceful. At the same time it gives you the strenght and the tools necessary to continue the battle against this disease.

You need to educate yourself, number one rule. You own your body, you are in control. You are the one to make decisions regarding your treatment, get your hands on anything you can to learn everything about breast cancer. Eat well, sleep, try to relax, and the most important thing in life; find time alone for yourself, no one else. You need to go to that place, where no one is allowed, where you can express your fears, doubts, and also where you will find happiness, optimism, sense of humor, love and compassion.

Again, Welcome aboard. Stay positive.

Love,

Adriana

[Jean]

Hi Cal Gal,
Welcome and of course I am deeply sorry that you have been dx. but you will find a great amount of support and knowledge here.

I was thinking as I read your post how amazing life is.
How life unravels, you move to the West to start a new job and then you are dx. As it turns out you have the comfort of being with your daugher. The difficult part of treatment is behind you as herceptin is a much easier treatment plan.

Adriana's advice is right on target. Herceptin will do it's job and you will do your part now, exercise even if it is just walking, the mind helps to heal the body. While finding a job and selling the house is vital, remember at the end of the day "you are the most important" the job will come and the house will sell. Don't allow that to stress you, now is your time to heal and allow herceptin to do its job.

Best Wishes and Prayers are being sent to you.
Jean

[schoolteacher]

Cal Gal,

Glad to hear from you. I will pray that God sends you a job better than the one you had. This board will definitely offer you inspiration on your journey.

You sound like a very strong BC warrior.

Amelia

[lexigirl]

Dear Cal Gal,

I am very sorry that you have joined our club. However, I know that you will find comfort and good information here. So happy that you have finished up with chemo (Yippee). I hope you have few se's from the herceptin and that you will be able to resume a somewhat normal schedule.

Prayers that you sell your house and that you will find a job that will make you happy and not burden you.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[Terri B]

Cali,

Welcome!

If you HAVE to fight this disease, this is the BEST place to be for support! These guys and girls here are the best for bouncing around serious, and not so serious subjects. Advise here is better than you can get ANYWHERE!

visit often!

[Shobha]

Adding my prayers for you get a new job quickly and sell that house too! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, Cal-gal. May God work things out for you asap!

hugs,
shobha

[Cal-Gal]

Thank you ALL for such a warm welcome and words of inspiration.

That plane ride was an interesting one. My first thought after "The Call" was 'bad timing' the next thought, which I have held throughout was 'perfect timing' I was headed back to where I was born and raised, where I have lots of relatives and loads of friends all of whom have supported me through this.

I am thrilled to be done with chemo--boy, what a mountain to climb--and I am having very few se's after two infusions of Herceptin--really just some fatigue.

Thank you for keeping my perspective 'in-check'---and not to stress out over the job hunt and house selling. "It will all work out"....that is what my Mom used to say all the time.

I am so grateful to have been led somehow to this great portal of information, sharing, love and support.

Thank you ALL again.

I remain grateful for every sunrise and will keep all of you in my positive thoughts and prayers.



"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

[suzan w]

Welcome, CalGal. Your hardest moments are behind you now...hearing 'you have cancer' has to be one of the worst things I have ever heard. From that point on I made it my job to live!!! You will too!!! It is a great job to have. Somehow all the financial stuff that seems to be so overwhelming pales with the joy of being alive! Best of luckand hope to see you here often!!

[WomanofSteel]

Welcome, this is a great place for support and advice. I wish you the best of luck in your job hunt and I hope your house sells quickly.

[Joan M]

Cal-Gal,

Welcome to the HER2 support website. I'm sorry that you relocated and then lost your job over your breast cancer. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery from your chemo and hoping you will find a new job and sell your house soon.

Joan

[Pam P]

Cal-Gal -
I can't add anything to what's already been said by others.
Sorry you had reason to find us, but glad you did. The people on this site are experts in knowledge and supportive beyond measure - a real blessing. I wish you all good things on this journey you now share with us. Pam

[harrie]

Welcome CalGal! I had most of my treatment/surgeries done in Southern Cal also. Congrats on completing your chemo and hopefully herceptin should be a breeze.
Good that you are in a place with so much love and support.
Now with all that behind you, you can move on to many good and exciting things in your life.
Keep us posted!
Wishing you the best!
Maryanne

[Cal-Gal]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

WOW--what a warm welcome--you all are wonderful.

As I read your stories, I am amazed at the courage, strength and love that is present here. Your beauty shines through your posts and through the lovely pictures posted.

It is an honor to join you on this site and on this journey.

Big Hugs,
Cal-Gal

P.S. HarrieCanarie, I see you live in Hilo, HI. My family (Dad and Grandparents were born on Kauai) no longer relatives living there, but a cousin has a house there. Such a lovely and inspiring place--I cant wait to visit again.

[ammebarb]

Hi Cal Gal. I am a relative newbie, having contacted the group on behalf of my sister (who was diagnosed in March). There is a wealth of knowledge and compassion here in these wonderful men and women, so do know you have found a whole new set of friends who truly understand this walk. I am sending along my wishes that you will tolerate your remaining treatments and will soon be working in California and that your house sells soon too!

Barb A.

[tricia keegan]

Hi CalGal, sorry I'm so late with saying hi but a warm welcome and I really hope things get better for you soon:)

[ElaineM]

Welcome aboard !! You certainly have had a wild ride, but you have also come to a good place with good people who understand your situation.
By the way, I am from Honolulu. We have Kauai, Hilo and Honolulu represented. How cool is that?

[Jackie07]

Prayer - "Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee."

Positive thought - "As long as there is green mountain (your health), one needs not to worry about the firewood (your wealth)." (Chinese proverb)

[Cal-Gal]

Thank you all again--such lovely welcoming messages--thank your for the prayers for health, job, house--all of you remain in my thoughts and prayers---

I had my #3 Herceptin infusion this morning and so far, feel great-not as fatigued as #1 and #2--

Headed to the midwest tomorrow for 5 days to check on my house--get it sold and VISIT my grandkids!!!!

Cal-Gal
PS Aloha ElaineM--so great that there is such a Her 2 support presence in the Islands!!! I have looked at your site previously-much information and so nice of you to contribute in that way.

[Patb]

A late post but I hope you enjoyed your trip and
got a lot done. Continued healing and positive
thoughts for you.
patb