Today is a VERY happy day. It's the one-year anniversary of my last day of radiation! That means I am now a one-year survivor! I commemorated the day by registering for the Race for the Cure, which will be June 6th in Plano.
I've had two clean mammograms in the past year, and I feel great! I am so blessed! Thank you all for your love and support!
Love,
Janet
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I can't believe I wasn't arrested!
Earlier this month I flew to San Jose for Alexander's national fencing tournament. My lymphedema specialist said I needed to wear a long-sleeve Under Armor shirt to compress my chest and keep the swelling from moving into my arm. And she said it needed to be TIGHT!
In the summer in Texas, it's hard to find long-sleeve shirts. However, I was able to find a white one. I was a good patient and bought the shirt 2 sizes too small so that it would compress my chest and arms. It is SO see-through and TIGHT. I was certain that someone would alert airport security to the fact that a passenger was exposing herself.
Fortunately I made it through security without any incidents. I did wear a light-weight jacket over it, so I was only exposed as I went through the metal detector.
The trip to California was delightful. I was able to stay with one of my dear friends who I've known since I was 12. We had a wonderful time and ate fresh, delicious food. And Alexander did well at the tournament.
Overall my health is great. I've been exercising 3-4 times a week and sticking to my vegetarian diet. I am still having swelling, but it is much better than it was a month ago. I can tell when I do too much because I swell again. The swelling is a good gauge to make sure I am not doing too much.
My skin is still peeling from the radiation. It looks like I may have one more layer of skin peel before I'm done. The new skin looks healthy, which is so exciting.
That's all the news that's fit to print. I hope you are all doing well!
In the summer in Texas, it's hard to find long-sleeve shirts. However, I was able to find a white one. I was a good patient and bought the shirt 2 sizes too small so that it would compress my chest and arms. It is SO see-through and TIGHT. I was certain that someone would alert airport security to the fact that a passenger was exposing herself.
Fortunately I made it through security without any incidents. I did wear a light-weight jacket over it, so I was only exposed as I went through the metal detector.
The trip to California was delightful. I was able to stay with one of my dear friends who I've known since I was 12. We had a wonderful time and ate fresh, delicious food. And Alexander did well at the tournament.
Overall my health is great. I've been exercising 3-4 times a week and sticking to my vegetarian diet. I am still having swelling, but it is much better than it was a month ago. I can tell when I do too much because I swell again. The swelling is a good gauge to make sure I am not doing too much.
My skin is still peeling from the radiation. It looks like I may have one more layer of skin peel before I'm done. The new skin looks healthy, which is so exciting.
That's all the news that's fit to print. I hope you are all doing well!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
80 Percent
Yesterday I visited my lymphedema therapist for the first time in about a month. Now that my skin has recovered from radiation, I can have my lymphatic massages again.
Tiffany said my breast looks 80 percent better. There is still some swelling and dimpling of the skin, so I'm not completely back to normal. However, she thinks that I should be in great shape in a few more weeks.
She taught me how to do manual lymphatic massage. She also gave me an exercise program to help stimulate the lymphatic system. The exercises are simple stretches that feel SO good!
Speaking of exercise, I am enjoying my exercising. It feels so good to have the strength to do things again. I am ever thankful to be healing well.
Tiffany said my breast looks 80 percent better. There is still some swelling and dimpling of the skin, so I'm not completely back to normal. However, she thinks that I should be in great shape in a few more weeks.
She taught me how to do manual lymphatic massage. She also gave me an exercise program to help stimulate the lymphatic system. The exercises are simple stretches that feel SO good!
Speaking of exercise, I am enjoying my exercising. It feels so good to have the strength to do things again. I am ever thankful to be healing well.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
My First Yoga Class
Today I took my first yoga class at the gym we joined last weekend. I am REALLY out of shape. I could blame it on recovering from cancer, but the truth is I was REALLY out of shape before my cancer journey began.
While I was not able to do everything and those things I could do I did not do well, at least I was there for the full hour. Did you know that they turn on the heater during yoga classes? As I was doing poses with my hands raised in the air, I could feel the warm air flowing out of the vents. WARM air. I was a sweating maniac!
Tonight I am sore. It's a good kind of sore from walking yesterday and doing yoga today. I know I will sleep well. And I hope that I don't have any dreams that include the dreaded phrase downward-facing dog!!!!!
While I was not able to do everything and those things I could do I did not do well, at least I was there for the full hour. Did you know that they turn on the heater during yoga classes? As I was doing poses with my hands raised in the air, I could feel the warm air flowing out of the vents. WARM air. I was a sweating maniac!
Tonight I am sore. It's a good kind of sore from walking yesterday and doing yoga today. I know I will sleep well. And I hope that I don't have any dreams that include the dreaded phrase downward-facing dog!!!!!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
A Sea of Pink
Today I participated in the Susan G. Komen North Texas Race for the Cure. Mark, Jack and I met Laurie there and did the 1-mile walk. There were more than 11,000 registered participants and 800 survivors. Those of us who are survivors wore special pink shirts. We had a group photo before the race and a parade at the end of the race.
I met so many amazing women during the morning. Some were long-time survivors. Others were babies like me. One woman we walked with had just lost her best friend of 35 years to breast cancer just two weeks ago. We walked, talked and cried together.
Thank you to those of you who donated money to support this cause. The race today raised more than $1 million dollars to help fund research to find a cure.
Today also kicked off my new exercise-filled life. I've been doing very well with my vegetarian plans so far. I have had a little fish but that's it. Those of you who know me well know that I will not be perfect on the vegetarian plan. However, reducing red meat from my diet is a major goal.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Much love,
Janet
I met so many amazing women during the morning. Some were long-time survivors. Others were babies like me. One woman we walked with had just lost her best friend of 35 years to breast cancer just two weeks ago. We walked, talked and cried together.
Thank you to those of you who donated money to support this cause. The race today raised more than $1 million dollars to help fund research to find a cure.
Today also kicked off my new exercise-filled life. I've been doing very well with my vegetarian plans so far. I have had a little fish but that's it. Those of you who know me well know that I will not be perfect on the vegetarian plan. However, reducing red meat from my diet is a major goal.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Much love,
Janet
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Decisions, Decisions
Wednesday Mark and I met with my medical oncologist to discuss my next phase of treatment. The standard course of treatment after radiation for someone with DCIS is 5 years on Tamoxifen. Dr. G explained the benefits and side effects of Tamoxifen and wrote me a prescription.
Benefits:
Side effects:
I do not want to take Tamoxifen. I have not completely closed the door to it, but I am close to that point. If the benefit is only a 6% reduction in my risk of recurrence, I would prefer to avoid all the side effects.
I have been researching natural alternatives. Tamoxifen is a low-dose estrogen that blocks the estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The goal of Tamoxifen is to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body so that the breast cancer cells cannot grow. Well, there are other ways to reduce estrogen in your body:
I prefer to take the natural route. Mark and I joined a health club yesterday, and I will be working with a personal trainer to develop an exercise and diet regimen that works for me.
I am also eliminating meat from my diet as much as possible. I will not eliminate it completely because I am not that disciplined. However, I will try to have it no more than once a week.
My dad has a friend whose son is an oncologist. He is going to give me a second opinion after he reviews the latest Tamoxifen studies this weekend. I will make my final decision after I hear from him.
In the meantime, I will do the lifestyle modifications and will focus on being the healthiest person I can be.
I'll keep you posted on my decision.
Benefits:
- Reduces chance of recurrence of breast cancer (14% chance instead of 20% chance)
- Increases bone density
Side effects:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Depression/anxiety
- Cataracts
- Damage to the retina
- Increased stroke risk
- Blood clots
- Medically onset menopause
I do not want to take Tamoxifen. I have not completely closed the door to it, but I am close to that point. If the benefit is only a 6% reduction in my risk of recurrence, I would prefer to avoid all the side effects.
I have been researching natural alternatives. Tamoxifen is a low-dose estrogen that blocks the estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The goal of Tamoxifen is to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body so that the breast cancer cells cannot grow. Well, there are other ways to reduce estrogen in your body:
- moderate to strenuous exercise
- weight management
- diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- little to no red meat
I prefer to take the natural route. Mark and I joined a health club yesterday, and I will be working with a personal trainer to develop an exercise and diet regimen that works for me.
I am also eliminating meat from my diet as much as possible. I will not eliminate it completely because I am not that disciplined. However, I will try to have it no more than once a week.
My dad has a friend whose son is an oncologist. He is going to give me a second opinion after he reviews the latest Tamoxifen studies this weekend. I will make my final decision after I hear from him.
In the meantime, I will do the lifestyle modifications and will focus on being the healthiest person I can be.
I'll keep you posted on my decision.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Radiation Graduation Day
I feel like a kid who just started summer vacation. I am finished with radiation! I am so excited!!!
My radiation oncologist said my current reddened state is expected. He said he will continue to monitor me closely since I am such a "special" breast cancer patient with such an extreme reaction to radiation. My next appointment with him is on July 10th.
Tomorrow I meet with the medical oncologist to discuss the next phase of my treatment--blocking estrogen in my body.
Today I am officially a "survivor." In cancer terms, you don't become a survivor until you finish all your treatment. I must say that I have felt like a survivor from day one of diagnosis. Now I can officially call myself a survivor.
Joy!
My radiation oncologist said my current reddened state is expected. He said he will continue to monitor me closely since I am such a "special" breast cancer patient with such an extreme reaction to radiation. My next appointment with him is on July 10th.
Tomorrow I meet with the medical oncologist to discuss the next phase of my treatment--blocking estrogen in my body.
Today I am officially a "survivor." In cancer terms, you don't become a survivor until you finish all your treatment. I must say that I have felt like a survivor from day one of diagnosis. Now I can officially call myself a survivor.
Joy!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Only one more treatment to go
Tuesday I will have my last radiation treatment. That's the good news. The bad news is that last night I started hurting again and today I am back on pain meds. Hopefully I will be better tomorrow. My skin is so tender from the radiation. It is almost black under my breast and really dark near the lumpectomy scar. Ouch!
I am so thankful for a 3-day weekend for so many reasons:
1. Time at home with my family.
2. No radiation for 3 days.
3. No work calls for 3 days.
Life is good. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!
I am so thankful for a 3-day weekend for so many reasons:
1. Time at home with my family.
2. No radiation for 3 days.
3. No work calls for 3 days.
Life is good. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Relatively Pain Free Today
I am feeling much better today. I have a little bit of pain in two areas, but for the most part I am pain free. I am not taking pain meds any longer, for which I am grateful. I'm sure I was a source of entertainment for anyone who saw or spoke with me while I was under the influence of Oxycodone. You'll have to find your entertainment elsewhere now.
Today I have another compression bra fitting. Hopefully the new bra they ordered will work for me. I am also having my second-to-last radiation treatment today.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hooray!
Today I have another compression bra fitting. Hopefully the new bra they ordered will work for me. I am also having my second-to-last radiation treatment today.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hooray!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Only 3 more treatments to go!
I'm so excited that I am almost finished with radiation. Three more treatments: Thursday, Friday and Tuesday. Hooray!
The pain medicine makes me spacey but helps so much with the pain. I'm not taking one every 6 hours as prescribed because I need some moments of clarity to work. However, I am taking one every 8 hours or so to keep the pain at bay.
On a completely unrelated note, today is our wedding anniversary. I am married to a wonderful man and am so thankful for him.
I hope you are all doing well.
The pain medicine makes me spacey but helps so much with the pain. I'm not taking one every 6 hours as prescribed because I need some moments of clarity to work. However, I am taking one every 8 hours or so to keep the pain at bay.
On a completely unrelated note, today is our wedding anniversary. I am married to a wonderful man and am so thankful for him.
I hope you are all doing well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)