Who are you?

midnight10

jo jo said:

LOL Joe...I tryin to
LOL Joe...I tryin to convince everyone we really do have cities and electricity and running water here and its not all farms and you have to throw in a corn joke...HEHE! (EARS...haha!)

What fun. I've been a site
What fun. I've been a site member for about a week and am from 'East River' South Dakota, the northeastern part.
My screen name came from a border collie's name, but not from my beloved 15 year old bc that I had to have put down two days before I had my bioposies done in July. He was suffering so. Maybe when I get through this I'll be up for another high energy pet, but in the meantime I just go visit the other bc's out on my brother/mother's farm.
Triple negative-halfway through chemo and doing good. Still confused about lumpectomy/single/souble mascectomy, but have time to decide.
Two adult kids who both live in Fargo, ND.

Snowkitty

My name is Cindy (62) and I
My name is Cindy (62) and I live in southeast Michigan. I was dx'd with IDC stage 1 in May of this year. Had a lumpectomy in June, did chemo, starting rads and Arimidex.

I had the best cat in the world named Snowkitty. My son brought home a stray, pregnant,flea riddled white cat who wouldn't leave our deck, so we finally let her in with our 2 dogs and 1 cat. Needless-to-say, we then needed to get the whole house sprayed for fleas. For 19 years, she was with us.

Cindy

jk1952

Snowkitty said:

My name is Cindy (62) and I
My name is Cindy (62) and I live in southeast Michigan. I was dx'd with IDC stage 1 in May of this year. Had a lumpectomy in June, did chemo, starting rads and Arimidex.

I had the best cat in the world named Snowkitty. My son brought home a stray, pregnant,flea riddled white cat who wouldn't leave our deck, so we finally let her in with our 2 dogs and 1 cat. Needless-to-say, we then needed to get the whole house sprayed for fleas. For 19 years, she was with us.

Cindy

My name is Joyce K and I was
My name is Joyce K and I was born in 1952, hence the very original jk952. I live in Syracuse, NY, and like Jo Jo, want to make sure that everyone knows that there is grass, tress, and farms in New York. My husband of 29 years and I live much closer to Canada than to NYC.

I was originally diagnosed in 2000 (at 47) with very early invasive lobular cancer and had a lumectomy and radiation. Then, diagnosed with DCIS in 2009 and had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction. I'm very thankful for mammograms and MRI's and the early diagnosis, and I'm looking forward to retirement in a couple years.

Joyce

Sharon968

Giant Poodles said:

Northeast, Georgia
Hey, I am Rhonda and I live in northeast, Georgia with my 4 children, 22,19, 15 and 13. My screen name comes from the fact I have two standard poodles. I was diagnosed grade 1, stage 2a, Feb 2010, had bilaterial mastectomy, 6 rounds chemo and will have implants (replacement) on Oct 13th. I have been married to my second husband ( the best in the world) 16 years. My oldest daughter will be celebrating her brain surgery date Dec. 2001 - she had began to have seizures in 1999 and she has not had a seizure since Dec 2001, and no problems from the brain surgery. I also love this site. Hopefully this weekend my husband is planning on helping me post my picture. You warriors look GREAT!

Finally!
Yay Rhonda, Finally some company representing the great state of Georgia!! I was beginning to think I was all alone down here!

TraciInLA

jk1952 said:

My name is Joyce K and I was
My name is Joyce K and I was born in 1952, hence the very original jk952. I live in Syracuse, NY, and like Jo Jo, want to make sure that everyone knows that there is grass, tress, and farms in New York. My husband of 29 years and I live much closer to Canada than to NYC.

I was originally diagnosed in 2000 (at 47) with very early invasive lobular cancer and had a lumectomy and radiation. Then, diagnosed with DCIS in 2009 and had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction. I'm very thankful for mammograms and MRI's and the early diagnosis, and I'm looking forward to retirement in a couple years.

Joyce

Screen name pretty self-explanatory :-)
My name is Traci, and I live in Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley. I'm 41, and was diagnosed in May 2009 from my first, you've-turned-40-it's-time-to-get-a-baseline mammogram. Spent May-December of last year doing the surgery, chemo, radiation "triathlon," and am now on Tamoxifen.

I've been with my girlfriend for 8 years, and we have the same first name, just to make things confusing (to everyone but us :-).

I'm in human resources now (so Joe, I too spend quite a bit of time talking while employees sleep through what I say :-). But my previous life and love was the translation industry -- I studied in the Soviet Union back in college, and used to speak Russian, before rust and chemo killed most of those brain cells! :-)

My creative outlet is bellydance, and I'm just now getting back enough energy since treatment to go back to classes once or twice a week.

Traci

fauxma

Aortus said:

We ALL love that Stef!
My real name is Joe. I live in Springfield, MO with my beloved Moopy, who celebrated this week her 22nd month out from diagnosis. We share our home with our three pups: Eefy Josephine (Blabrador Non-Retriever), Yongy Bongy Bo (Eskimutt Terrierist), and Anubis Presley (Wienerbeagle).

The Moopster is employed at a very large and profitable bank, which was unbelievably supportive as she fought her way through surgery, chemo, and radiation. I earn my living by talking in other people's sleep. I also admit to stealing many of Stef's jokes and passing them off as my own. Ask Stef for cooking suggestions at your own risk.

Even though this is the club nobody would ever want to join, it is also most caring and affirming group of individuals I have ever encountered - or even read about. Both Moopy and I plan to be here for a long, long, long time.

The love goes right back to
The love goes right back to you both, Aortus and Moopy. And what do mean by my risky cooking suggestions. And I agree completely about the most caring, affirming group here. I too plan on staying. I know that whether I am up, down or in between, this is the place that I can talk about it. And we encompass so much more than just our cancers. It's a great place even if the reason we came here is not so great. The quote was on a braclet in some obscure catalog I received in the mail. I think I might order one.
Stef

Curlz

Jersey Girl
Well, I guess I'm a Jersey Girl...lived here since I was 8! I'm Ev, and I live in northern NJ, all of 10 miles outside of NYC. Diagnosed 3/4/10 at the age of 44 with IDC (stage 1, thanks to my diligent history of mammos!)... Mom is a 14-year survivor and BRCA+, but thankfully, shockingly, and amazingly I am not (thanks DAD!). My screen name is tied to my curly hair, which I've had all my life, and the photo is of a Dale Chihuly (glass) sculpture called The Sun.

Had a lumpectomy, node dissection (both clear), margin-enlarging surgery, 33 radiation treatments, and a small seroma. This week my radiation onc and my surgeon both said "See you in a few months" which made me VERY happy.

Hate that I've joined this club, but am grateful for all of the great info and support!

Miss Murphy

Add another for NC
Hi!

I've been here in NC for 12 years - my childhood was in VA and my raising my kids took place in Ohio!!!!! Go Buckeyes!!!!! My name is Sally and I'm 60 - was dx 2 1/2 years ago with Stage I. No chemo or rads, just a masectomy and the hormone drug routine (I'm counting the days till I go off the stuff!). I have two daughters, two granddaughters and another one on the way as a Christmas present and a hubby I've been married to for 38 years! My screeen name comes from the name of my toy poodle - Murphy. I added the Miss cause she's a girl (named after Murphy Brown for those who remember the TV show and aptly named I might add!)

Hugs, Sally

Gabe N Abby Mom

Add one for CA
My screen name is pretty obvious...I have two wonderful kids, Gabe and Abby. They're 14 and 9. My husband and I have been married for 20 years, and he's been very supportive through all of this. (Even though I've been driving him crazy since I'm on LOA from my job as a bank manager.)

My other choice for a screen name was Linda Lou, a nickname that has been around for years. But I don't like it much...

We're in Sacramento, and in the same house for the last 19 years. We have no family in the area (My husband's family is in Brooklyn, and mine in NE) but many supportive friends.

I was dx in early Aug with TN IBC.

Jo Jo this was a great idea! Thank you.

Linda

CypressCynthia

I am 57 yrs old and live in
I am 57 yrs old and live in Slidell, La. I was originally diagnosed way back in 1987 with Stage 3A IDC, ER+. I had chemo, rads, tamoxifen and mastectomy. Later, I had the healthy remaining breast removed after 2 sisters were subsequently also diagnosed. In 2009 (yes, 22 yrs later), I had a recurrence of the same breast cancer in my ribs. I had rads again and am now on zometa and arimidex, but doing fairly well.

I work fulltime as a neonatal nurse practitioner and I LOVE it! I have been working with babies since 1978, first as an RN and then as an NP.

My hubbie (aerospace engineer) retired this past year, but I am not ready to join him yet. Anyway, my health insurance is much less if I keep working.

My family is very medically oriented--my dad was a neurosurgeon, my mom was an ER RN, one sister is a psychiatrist, and daughter is in physician assistant school about to get her master's degree. My grandmother was also a nurse! Non-medical folks like my hubbie often leave our dinner table as we often talk shop when we get together...lol.

Hubbie loves rc airplanes and I love gardening, pets and wildlife. We both love to read.

I love this site as it gives me strength and makes me feel better about myself if I can even help one person. Thanks for the fun thread!

lauri67

Just me
My name is Lauri, my screen name is not very exciting...my first name and the year I was born. I have a hard time remembering screen names and passwords so I make it as easy as i can. lol
I live in New Jersey have 2 little boys and am currently going through a divorce. I was diagnosed with idc in june and had a lumpectomy this past friday. was supposed to be a bi-lateral but problems with surgeons and hospitals changed things and I'll have that later down the line.
I'm an EMT and a phlebotomist. Love what I do. I love food, anything with garlic and chocolate basically. Living one day at a time.

cahjah75

JoJo here's another for the East coast
Although I was born in US Naval hospital in San Diego, CA 61 years ago! We moved back to CT when I was one and I've been here ever since. I was dx with ILC (6.1cm) in one breast and LCIS in other breast May 2010. I'm the 5th in my family to be dx with bc. I'm the oldest of 4 girls and the 3rd with bc. One sister just rec'd news of recurrence of DCIS in other breast after 9 years (5 on Tamoxifen). I tested negative for BRCA1 & 2. I've been married 35+ years and have a married daughter (34) and married son (32). My daughter has 2 girls (3 & almost 5). My son has 2 boys (5 & almost 7) and 1 daughter (2) and daughter due next month! I had bilateral mastectomy in June and started Taxotere/Cytoxan in Aug. I had my 3rd treatment of 4-6 this past Tuesday, with the Neulasta shot the day after. I've slept most of the past 4 days!
My screenname is a combination of my initials and my husbands and the year we married. My real name is Charlene but my sisters call me Char, hence
Char

linpsu

Great idea Jo Jo
My name is Linda and I'm a proud alum of Penn State, hence the PSU part of my screen name. I'm 58 and was diagnosed Feb. 2010 with Stage 3C triple negative BC, which is a reoccurence from 2 years ago at my mastectomy site. I had just a mastectomy 2 years ago (plus reconstruction), but this time around I've had chemo (4 A/C and 4 Taxol), another mastectomy to remove the implant and more tissue, and just started radiation last week.
I'm from Pennsylvania, and have 2 married children and 3 grandchildren - 1-year-old twins and a new baby. I am the director of a preschool, and had been a teacher of 4-year-olds as well, but gave up the teaching part of the job this year after 25 years due to my health issues. I just couldn't keep up with those kids anymore!
So, all you PA-MD-NJ gals - when are we having our get-together?
Linda

carriesoup

jo jo said:

Geographic Poll...East Coast takes the lead at 22
West Coast where are you, your getting your butts kicked... are you gonna take that???

East Coast:
Connecticut -1
Massachusetts -3
New York -4
Maryland -1
Pennsylvania -2
Ohio -1
Indiana -3
Michigan -1
North Carolina -1
West Virginia -1
Georgia -2
Florida -2

Central:
Minnesota -1
South Dakota -2
Iowa -2
Illinois -2
Texas -7

West Coast:
Washington -1
Oregon -1
California -1
Arizonia -1

Unknown -1 (sorry Leeza your the only unknown)

uh oh!
maybe we should get off of the east coast!!

Bella Luna

The Story behind my Name


After giving it some thought, I decided on Bella Luna. It comes from the movie " MoonStruck" with Cher.

I remembered the scene where the grandfather takes his beloved dogs for a midnight stroll, stops, and points to the moon. The other main characters in the movie can't help but notice the moon, too. I loved the movie and the imagery. I have a pic of my daughter on my blog and thought it very fitting as I think she is my Bella Luna, too.

My real name is Ines( Spanish for Agnes). I live in Los Angeles, California. I am 45, married, mother of one daughter, and was diagnosed with breast cancer last year( June 2009). Mammogram detected the cancer( Stage 1, Grade 3). I underwent lumpectomy(2), chemo, rads, Herceptin, and am taking Tamoxifen.

I am on the other side and have moved on with my life. I know cancer has become a part of my life, but it does not define who I am. I have put it aside in a small compartment and plan to continue living my life without turning back. There is no turning back for me.

Blessings to you all. Best of luck on your journey!
BL

CypressCynthia

pinkflutterby said:

my name is Libby my screen
my name is Libby my screen name is pinkflutterby Pink for us pink sisters and flutterby because when I was little I called butterflies flutterbys

I am 43 diagnosed on March 16, 2009 with stage IV breast cancer with mets to my bones and liver. The breast tumor and liver tumor are gone. The bone mets are still there and now the cancer is in my spinal fluid and the fluid around my brain.

BUT I am still fighting this will all I have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love flutterby; it makes
I love flutterby; it makes more sense than butterfly. I bet you were a smart kid!

CypressCynthia

mrs gadget said:

Hi!! I'm April
This actually kind of fun!! My name is April...I was diagnosed on July 15 approx 4 months after my husband got his stem cell transplant!! We live in Orange, Ca and have a 23 year old daughter and a 17 year old son. Looks like I will be having a lumpectomy sometime around Christmas time and am doing the chemo treatments prior to surger. I am on TC and have had 2 of 6 treatments.

I chose my screen name because many of our friends know us as the gadget family because of my husband's home automation business.

OK, now I'm curious. What
OK, now I'm curious. What is a home automaton business?

heidijez

what? no one else is from wisconsin?!?
heidijez is what i have been called since college - my last name is jeziorny, jez is easier. i am 57 live in wisconsin, about half way between chicago and milwaukee. was diagnosed in december 2009 with inflammatory breast cancer. am also triple negative. am surprised to find out what a tough cookie i am!!!

sbmly53

Always a fun thread especially
in light of all the newbies. Absolutely LOVE the new pic, Jo Jo! You are a beautiful girl, inside and out.

I am Susan. My screen name is my 1st inital, 2nd initial and my maiden name without the vowels. Like others, I added the year I was born - '53. I will be - yikes - 57 in December.

I live in New York State, centrally located to Binghamton, Utica and Albany. 3.5 hrs to the Big Apple.

I am married, 22 yrs on 10/7. Wow! I didn't realize it was that close.... We have a (married) daughter and my husband has 4 adult children, & tons of grands. My cancerversary is also coming up, October 28. Scared sh*tl*ss about the upcoming mammo, even though I have been dancing with NED since April. I can't yet shed that fear....you know? I know many of you do.

I work full time and have been taking care of my parents on weekends - a little over an hour away. I drive up early Saturday and home, late Sunday. Dad has a feeding tube so, every 2 hours... My sister, who lives near them, is doing this all week. I never told my parents about the bc. It was easier, but then again, they haven't got a clue. I am so very tired, so very stressed. So very scared. So very - everything.

As you can see from the picture, we have 2 Papillons. The puppy is 9 months old. I got her in the middle of rads. She was the only thing that got me off the couch - I was so tired. We also have a great cat.

My bc was diagnosed upon routine mammo. I was so good about it - never missed and never thought.. oh, well. I am amazed at all those on this board who have and are dealing with so much. I feel like I 'skated' through. A lumpectomy and rads followed by Arimidex. My OncoDx score was 4 so I opted out of chemo.

This is the most amazing place with the most amazing people. Brave and strong. So knowledgeable. And kind, and compassionate.

Sue

reeseslover1234

Great Idea!!!
Hey everybody,

Well, the screen name should be evident...I love Reeses Peanut Butter Cups!! My sister (14 years older than me) nicknamed me, "Reese", when I was brought home from the hospital 44 years ago because she also loved Reeses Cups. She is like my second mother and I love her dearly.

I was born in VA, but my parents divorced and we ended up in KY when my mom remarried. I was closer to my stepdad than my natural father, so I know what it's like for you, Jo Jo, with your cousin being more like your sister.

I was diagnosed with TNBC in Aug. 2009 after finding a lump (2.2 cm) and then having a mammogram. I also had 3 ultrasounds where it couldn't be seen at all. I had a unilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction (I'm not using them anymore so I don't care if one's missing) and 6 chemo (Cytoxan and Taxotere) treatments which I finished in Dec.,2009.

I am now 9 months out from chemo and trying to get back into my busy, hectic life. I'm thankful for this site and all of you who have had to fight this horrible beast. Your strength and your wisdom have been an inspiration to me.

Hugs to you all!!!!

Reese

P. S.- Anybody else out there from KY or at least close to Nashville, TN?