Entries from What I Really Think tagged with 'Breast Cancer'
Quick Update
Okay - just a quick update. My Dad (yes, we'll get into that later), called my surgeon because he's been worried/stress since last week's "issue." (And yes, I gave my docs permission to talk to my parents) but anyway -...
It Could be Anything
Thought I would just catch you all up with the latest and greatest in my BC developments. As some of you may know, I finished radiation on May 12. On May 20th I had my follow-up with my oncologist, who...
Finito
This morning was my last radiation treatment. I realize I never wrote about this whole process and maybe someday I'll go back and do that but for now, I just wanted to share that I'm done. That while I was...
Progression
Progression of Hair Loss and Return Just found it all very curious. The second picture really shows me how much I look like my brother (not that he's losing his hair or anything) just something about the expression I...
Oncologist Update
Very tired this morning; we had a minor mishap that woke me at 4:40 after a restless night, so please excuse all the spelling mistakes (I'm not kidding anyone; the grammar mistakes would probably be there anyway - no excuse)....
I'm Walking, Yes Indeed I'm Walking
I wanted to write some great post here telling you about this but let's face it, almost everyone knows about the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and anyone who's been following this blog recently knows, I have (had) breast cancer,...
The Ultimate
So today is the Ultimate chemo, as in it's the last! Can't believe it's finally here, back in October, November, December, it seemed so far away. My college roommate and good friend, Cheryl (some of you may remember her, she...
Cue Ball
When are the auditions for Mr. Freeze? So I shaved my head today. I had a head full of wisps that never fell out, and kept growing, so it was getting hard to tell if I was getting new...
Thankful
We met with the Rabbi of our synagogue last night. You see, each child that gets Bar/Bat Mitzvahed in our shul (aka synagogue), must give a D'var Torah. For us it's basically a speech talking about the Torah (aka the...
Thank God the Internet Doesn't Come With Smellevision
Yes, because if you could smell what I smell right now, you'd probably stop reading and walk away from your computers. Then again, laying in bed next to me, Chris insists he smells nothing but who knows if he's being...
Taxol - Update
This week I underwent round five of Chemo. We got to say good-bye to Clyde and Dave and started up with Taxol. Now, I'd heard that Taxol doesn't cause the same range of side-effects that Clyde and Dave do but...
Flying Monkey
I've been the recipient of many wonderful gifts in addition to the well wishes of so many people. But lately, things have been showing up and either they don't have a card, or my husband, in his enthusiasm is opening...
Coming Back
Just a quick note to say I'm finally starting to feel a bit more "normal" as much as that word can be used here. I took the Atavin during this past round which made it easier for me to tolerate...
Messages
I've mentioned this before but my grandma Ann (my Dad's mom) had breast cancer and in 1959 they gave her 6 months to live. In the 70s (yes long after the 6 months), she lost a kidney to cancer. And...
Theme: Aftermath
Not completely done with me yet, but so far, the aftermath of Chemo. The other aftermath, a good, long life (feel free to come back and read about that one as time goes on)....
MRI Results, Despair and Hope
A few things have happened that I haven't written about so I thought I'd give you all an update. First, somewhere just after the second chemo treatment I received the results of the MRI they did on my left breast...
I'm Back
Just wanted to pop on and let you know I'm back from the chemo coma. I can't even begin to describe how it sucks. I literally can feel the drugs coarsing through my brain, numbing it, making it almost feel...
Fun with Hair
On Friday we took the girls into the City (more on this to come) and on the rec of a friend made a pit stop into Ricky's to try on some fun wigs. You pay $2 and that lets you...
Targeting Cancer Cells
See this is what I've been talking about! Why has it taken so long for them to come up with this line of reasoning, and execution? I've been saying since this has started why must the treatment kill every fast...
The Days Are Getting Longer
Do you realize that? Yesterday was the first day of winter, which means today, we'll have more sunlight than yesterday. Chris laughs at me when I note things like that (it actually frustrates him when we're sitting on the beach...
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig
Chemo only took two hours today from the time they hooked me up until the time I left (2.75 by the time I got my next set of appointments set up and got home). Rain's a good chemo buddy (she...
Hat Party!
So I received this huge box last week from my fellow moderators (aka co-workers to you non SlowTrav people out there) and inside were hats! But more than just hats, each one had a personal card from the mod, which...
Better Living Through Chemistry
Honestly, I don't know where that term comes from but it goes through my mind constantly these days, and actually, one of the nurses during chemo quoted it back to me last week. She didn't remember where it came from...
Marijuana Pill
Okay - so sorry I haven't posted since the big Chemo Sucks plea for sympathy. Things actually did get better, after hurling Friday night, I felt about 40% on Saturday and yesterday, I did manage to get out in the...
Chemo Sucks
Wednesday night about an hour after getting home, I crashed big time. Nausea, exhaustion, you name it. I took some atavin and crashed - slept through the night. Thursday, well, it's a blur but for two 90 minutes where we...
Chemo
First off, let me start by saying I'm feeling a bit wonky right now. Sleepy and slightly queasy. I don't know if it's residual from the Atavin (aka Lorazepam) I took last night, from the chemo or whatever. So I'm...
Home Now
Just a quick note to say we're home. I'll write up more about the chemo tomorrow - just starting to feel a bit emotionally drained. It took less than 3 hours though (the part where I actually got the meds...
Wigs
Okay - as Deborah suggested (and don't worry both my friend Al and I both thought of this too), we brought cameras with us wig shopping. First thing I'll note, it's much easier going wig shopping with a friend, especially...
Depression
In the interest of truth in advertising, and lest you all think things have been a bed of roses here, I have to tell you something, in the past few weeks, a good old depression has set in. Like all...
Bravery
I've always told my girls that bravery isn't the absence of fear, it's acting in the face of fear. Going through this though, I'm not so sure. I want to amend that definition. I think bravery is acting in the...
MRI
On Friday, I had to get up early (after the hullabaloo of T-giving) and go for an MRI. Now first off, the major radiology place in our area has multiple locations. With my MRI visit, I've now been to three...
Theme: Reflection
People have asked to see a picture of my new, short doo. As you can see though, it's pretty similar to my picture to the right. Once the chemo kicks in though, I imagine I'll buzz it until it...
The Port
Just got home from the hospital. Had the port put in. It took a lot longer than I expected. When I had asked, they told me the procedure takes less than 90 minutes and that's true but what they didn't...
Muga Test
So you know what's missing from all this cancer talk? Pictures! I think I need to start taking them to go along with what's happening. Anyway, today I had a Muga test, which basically is images of my heart. They...
Clinical Trial Avastin - Not for Me
My doc called about 6:00 last night (guess he learned not to call too late), and I gave him an out because I had a ton of questions, I offered to e-mail them to him, to take up less of...
Avastin (aka Bevacizumab) - Miracle Drug or Colossal Flop?
I swear I'm going to be able to go to medical school after I get done with this (well, assuming that I can get over the nausea that the sight of blood gives me - I should be a dream...
Random Happenings from the Cancer Corner
First, thanks all for the thoughts and insight on the Avastin trial. I picked up some information from the doc's office yesterday that I need to get through that today in addition to all the links and articles people have...
We're Home
Strange as it seems and feels, we're back. You know, it was weird, while we were in Italy, the world on this side of the ocean seemed like a dream (all be it, a bad one right now). And the...
Some Thoughts on Traveling with the Cancer Cross on my Back
Just some random things I thought I’d mention. First, the not lifting things is frustrating, not just for me but for Chris. While I skipped bringing the laptop because of it, I think Chris didn’t re-adjust what he brought...
Thoughts That Keep Me Awake at 2:00am
They didn't wake me. Chris did that when he got up to go to the bathroom but these are the thoughts that popped into my head as I tried for two hours to go back to sleep (I was finally...
Dodged a Bullet?
We visited the surgeon this afternoon for my one week post-op and to go over the final pathology reports. First off, I have to say, I've arrived. When I go to sign in at the doc's office, the nurse sees...
Yipee!
Got all of the tumor and the lymph nodes are negative (that's the good one)! I'll get the full report when I meet with her 4:20 on Monday and then I'll make the appointment with the oncologist but I'm feeling...
Nothing Yet
The doctor thought we'd get the full pathology today but so far no call from her office. Hoping she just makes these calls at the end of the day but who knows. We'll see. If I don't hear today, I'll...
Lumpectomy
Warning, right off the bat - I'm not cushioning stuff in here - I don't think it gets too disgusting but just be warned. First, do you know how I know God loves me? And yes, even with cancer, I...
I'm Home
Well, that wasn't so bad. The surgeon, Dr. M, ran a little late but they took me in a bit after 1:00. I woke up a bit before 3:00 in "stage 1' recovery. By 3:20 I was in stage 2...
Leaving Soon
Leaving soon. Pretty calm. I'm starving though ;). See you all later....
17 Hours
In 17 hours, I'll be in surgery. In 24 hours, the tumor should be gone. I'm scared. I'm nervous. Please God, give me let me be okay....
Cancer Vixen
Becky went to the mall yesterday shopping with Al. Al needed a dress for a sweet sixteen they're going to on Saturday night. But I got a present too. Becky found this book in Bath and Body Works, Cancer Vixen:...
Good Advice
First, I just want to thank all of you who have contacted me through e-mail and comments. I've said this before and I'll say it again, knowing there are so many of you wonderful people out there pulling for me,...
A Little Peace in The Storm
In all of the whirlwind of the last 10 days, one good thing is rising on the horizon, we're still heading to Italy in 11 more days. It was the first thing the doctor said after giving us the diagnosis,...
80-20
First a little background. My grandmother, in 1959 was given six months to live. She had breast cancer. She did die eventually, from cancer in 1982. Her sister, my aunt Sylvia died in the 1970s of the disease. One of...
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