Yesterday was my first appointment with my Moffit Oncologist. She had the results from last week's scans. My stomach churned all the way there. WHAT would I say, WHAT would I do if they found cancer somewhere else in my body? "Don't fall apart, hold steady....Lord give me peace, I need peace whatever the results are... whatever it is, it's beatable...."
The waiting room was surreal. I felt like I was outside my body looking around at everyone. A kerchiefed lady, a young woman, two couples, chatting.... I watched the weather. What would it be like for Thanksgiving?? I thought about seeing my sister from NC again, cranberry sauce and...there goes my healthy eating! I take so many herbs and supplements and eat so much organic greens, and drink so much juiced carrots and such that I don't even know if I can stomach traditional Thanksgiving dinner!
Dr. Khan (haha The WRATH of Khan, the movie) was nice enough. But she somehow missed the fact that I had already had a lumpectomy! She was talking about this trial that I could be in for triple negative breast cancer women... yada yada yada... I finally flat out said, "THE SCANS, WHAT DID THE SCANS SHOW?" She looked at the paperwork and said, "Nothing, we found nothing else."
I smiled. whew. Thank you God.
Then she said I was stage 2A. "WHAT?? You found nothing else, My tumor was removed and the nodes were negative, so HOW can I be Stage 2A? " She said, "Your tumor was 2 1/2 centimeters when measured at the lab. Anything over 2cm is a Stage 2A, even if lymph nodes are negative." UMMMM
''HOW Did it get to be so big!? It was 1.5 centimeters in the radiology films!" She said sometimes their off, and sometimes they grow!!
Then she proceeded to tell me that she wanted me to have chemotherapy every two weeks. Because my type of cancer comes back in 5-10 years according to studies of other women, who have blazed the cancer trail before me--50% of the time, unless you do chemo. Then it's lowered to about 15% recurrence. hmmmmm Guess I better do it then if I want to be around in 10 years!
Every two weeks, instead of every three, to ZAP it good.
"But Doctor Khan, I explained, you don't understand my lifestyle. I can't be sick and throwing up. I have six kids to take care of. Four of my own crazy boys, and two medical foster children. And my son is getting married Dec. 12th, and I have 100 farm animals.... and I get anxiety when I'm nauseaus!!!" She said I'd have medications to thwart all that off and I"d be fine. (I've heard the stories, so I don't believe it.)
She also said I could wait until Dec. 14th to start. NO harm will be done. YAY! She is anxious to see the results of my Brca genetic testing that I will have done Dec. 1st. That will tell us if I carry the cancer gene mutation.
I am not looking forward to this VALLEY I must cross with chemo. But life was never promised to be easy and I am optimistic that this will be a valley of hope! God will see me through.
THE HEALING GARDEN! That's the name of the newly planted flower garden on my tiers out front. I know I won't feel like planting when I'm going through chemo on most days, so NOW is better.
Now onto MOM-- Mom just had her MRI today, but no results yet of course. I spoke to my oncologist about her, and she is wanting her to be sure to keep the appointment for a "2nd" opinion at Moffit on Dec. 1st. She said that MOM could be in the clinical trial of such and such, yada yada....
If we get a totally different opinion at Moffit as compared to Morton Plant for MOM, we might need a third!!! Ay vay! MOM continues to be positive and laugh with me about our unusual plight and
timing--- laugh much -love much- and dance like no one is watching- and may I add... sing karaoke often!
GOD IS GOOD AND REMAINS OUR CONSTANT ROCK.
HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Nov. 20th-- Mom has a date for surgery
Today Zoe, Kay (mom) and I went to Morton Plant Comprehensive Breast Center and met the famou
Dr. Blumenkrantz. At first Zoe was not really liking the man who was not warm and fuzzy. But
warmed up to him later. He is very knowledgable and from my research started the "sentinel node biopsy precedure" right at his clinic. I mentioned to him that I've heard that senior citizens are typically "undertreated" and dont' get chemo and such because they are misjudged as being too frail. He said, "That is true around the globe, but not here." He informed me that my doctor at Moffit, worked under him as an intern before going to Moffit. (That's funny because he assumed that she made the "undertreatment" comment and he wanted to make it clear that he has been doing this for 30 years and started while my doc was still a child hahahah)
OK-- the news is that mom has tripe negative cancer too. ugh. When she wants sympathy pains, she goes all the way!! Dr. Blum said her mass has ductal AND lobular features and all together takes up a large area of about 4 by 5 centimeters. He recommended an MRI and Pet Scan to be viewed before surgery, but we actually made a SURGERY APPOINTMENT! Mom will have a semi radical masectomy on her right side, and axillary node dissection (all lymph nodes removed.)
It's a rough road-- but she will pull through with flying colors!
Me- I spent all day at Moffit for tests-- a bone scan and a CT. Scan. What a production that is!
First-- a nice enough man calls my name in the waiting room which is packed with people. Some reading, some doing the jigsaw puzzles all over the tables, some watching cnn. Most reading. Some with no hair, (chemo) some frail, some robust. Some for the first time for scans (me) others have been through this routine a half dozen times to see if their cancer is in remission.
I watch them all, I think about their families, and imagine their first diagnonsis' reaction. Were they scared like me? dumb question.
Back to the man-- I see him waving to me to follow him. He turns and asks, "birthdate?" It is their
way of identifying that they have the right person. I've never seen a hospital soooo vigilant.
He walks me back to the NUCLEAR room again. yikes! He gives me an I.V. so that he can inject my
nuclear medicine into me. It will take three hours for it to course through my veins and show up in the Bone Scan. We joke about the "nuke" part of this whole ordeal. He is jovial.
Back in the waiting room, I wait for my "contrast drinks." Oh joy, here they come! Three cups full of
orange blechhh!!! "Drink one every twenty minutes ok?" I obey and let me tell you: If I ever smell and orange crystal light or tang type drink again I will vomit!
I could barely get it all down, and it was nearing my test time. (CT first) I was called back for my CT, and I'd been there two hours already (contrast has to go through your body.)
the CT was not a tunnel (I had checked that out two days before.) Thank you Lord. It was a doughnut
and by the time you go IN, you are coming out the other end. I went in and out of it, holding my breath and with a nurse holding an IV and injecting stuff into me the whole time for 20 minutes. All the while praying-- there's nothing there God, there's nothing there, you are my healer my redeemer. I pictured the radiologist in the room looking at the scan and thinking, "Nothing of concern here."
It was not horrific or anything. But I felt somewhat like a guinea pig in a laboratory. I pictured myself as a rat too! AT one point the nurse said to me, "Now the next injection into the IV to your arm is going to make you feel warm inside and like you are peeing your pants." I cracked up. I said, "God forbid!" And then really prayed I wouldn't pee my pants! After all, I drank three glasses of orange blechhh.
An hour later I was on the bone scan table. The same guy who injected the nuclear stuff into my arm was
operating the bone scanner. He was great because he made me feel at ease by talking about all kinds of things, mostly all my nosy questions. He never tired of it though. I had this 2ft by 2ft block, kind of like and x ray machine combin over my body in different ways. At one point I asked if it was going to hover over my face and for how long. He said, "Yes, but I'll be right here to guide you through it." I said you know us claustrophobics just need to know there's a way OUT. And there was. Both sides of me were open. so was the front over my legs and feet. I actually didn't panic at all when the scanner had to linger over my face for 4 minutes. Then I did a no no. As I was getting off the table, this silly girl looked at the scanned image of my body on his screen. I saw some areas lit up. Two circles in my chest and my spine, and my bladder (he mentioned that himself-- that my bladder was full and lighting up.) Even though I had just gone potty!
I walked out in a daze. I have not googled what it means. I was under the impression that "lit" spots are cancer. Zoe says it means different things, a trumatized area, etc. Needless to say I let then enemyof FEAR grip me the rest of the night and tossed and turned.
Yay though I walk through the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil!!
Dr. Blumenkrantz. At first Zoe was not really liking the man who was not warm and fuzzy. But
warmed up to him later. He is very knowledgable and from my research started the "sentinel node biopsy precedure" right at his clinic. I mentioned to him that I've heard that senior citizens are typically "undertreated" and dont' get chemo and such because they are misjudged as being too frail. He said, "That is true around the globe, but not here." He informed me that my doctor at Moffit, worked under him as an intern before going to Moffit. (That's funny because he assumed that she made the "undertreatment" comment and he wanted to make it clear that he has been doing this for 30 years and started while my doc was still a child hahahah)
OK-- the news is that mom has tripe negative cancer too. ugh. When she wants sympathy pains, she goes all the way!! Dr. Blum said her mass has ductal AND lobular features and all together takes up a large area of about 4 by 5 centimeters. He recommended an MRI and Pet Scan to be viewed before surgery, but we actually made a SURGERY APPOINTMENT! Mom will have a semi radical masectomy on her right side, and axillary node dissection (all lymph nodes removed.)
It's a rough road-- but she will pull through with flying colors!
Me- I spent all day at Moffit for tests-- a bone scan and a CT. Scan. What a production that is!
First-- a nice enough man calls my name in the waiting room which is packed with people. Some reading, some doing the jigsaw puzzles all over the tables, some watching cnn. Most reading. Some with no hair, (chemo) some frail, some robust. Some for the first time for scans (me) others have been through this routine a half dozen times to see if their cancer is in remission.
I watch them all, I think about their families, and imagine their first diagnonsis' reaction. Were they scared like me? dumb question.
Back to the man-- I see him waving to me to follow him. He turns and asks, "birthdate?" It is their
way of identifying that they have the right person. I've never seen a hospital soooo vigilant.
He walks me back to the NUCLEAR room again. yikes! He gives me an I.V. so that he can inject my
nuclear medicine into me. It will take three hours for it to course through my veins and show up in the Bone Scan. We joke about the "nuke" part of this whole ordeal. He is jovial.
Back in the waiting room, I wait for my "contrast drinks." Oh joy, here they come! Three cups full of
orange blechhh!!! "Drink one every twenty minutes ok?" I obey and let me tell you: If I ever smell and orange crystal light or tang type drink again I will vomit!
I could barely get it all down, and it was nearing my test time. (CT first) I was called back for my CT, and I'd been there two hours already (contrast has to go through your body.)
the CT was not a tunnel (I had checked that out two days before.) Thank you Lord. It was a doughnut
and by the time you go IN, you are coming out the other end. I went in and out of it, holding my breath and with a nurse holding an IV and injecting stuff into me the whole time for 20 minutes. All the while praying-- there's nothing there God, there's nothing there, you are my healer my redeemer. I pictured the radiologist in the room looking at the scan and thinking, "Nothing of concern here."
It was not horrific or anything. But I felt somewhat like a guinea pig in a laboratory. I pictured myself as a rat too! AT one point the nurse said to me, "Now the next injection into the IV to your arm is going to make you feel warm inside and like you are peeing your pants." I cracked up. I said, "God forbid!" And then really prayed I wouldn't pee my pants! After all, I drank three glasses of orange blechhh.
An hour later I was on the bone scan table. The same guy who injected the nuclear stuff into my arm was
operating the bone scanner. He was great because he made me feel at ease by talking about all kinds of things, mostly all my nosy questions. He never tired of it though. I had this 2ft by 2ft block, kind of like and x ray machine combin over my body in different ways. At one point I asked if it was going to hover over my face and for how long. He said, "Yes, but I'll be right here to guide you through it." I said you know us claustrophobics just need to know there's a way OUT. And there was. Both sides of me were open. so was the front over my legs and feet. I actually didn't panic at all when the scanner had to linger over my face for 4 minutes. Then I did a no no. As I was getting off the table, this silly girl looked at the scanned image of my body on his screen. I saw some areas lit up. Two circles in my chest and my spine, and my bladder (he mentioned that himself-- that my bladder was full and lighting up.) Even though I had just gone potty!
I walked out in a daze. I have not googled what it means. I was under the impression that "lit" spots are cancer. Zoe says it means different things, a trumatized area, etc. Needless to say I let then enemyof FEAR grip me the rest of the night and tossed and turned.
Yay though I walk through the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Triple Negative Breast Cancer-- what the heck?
WOW, after researching my subtype of cancer in more detail, I found myself sinking into a depression today. It's just not a promising type to have! All the stories you hear about it being so winnable are from women who they treat with all the great new drugs out there now. I don't qualify for those drugs because I am Triple Negative for any receptors that are estrogen or progesterone releated. God really is wanting me to hand it over to HIM!
On a great note: Moffit called today, I called them AGAIN and left another message this morning--and they got Mom in for Dec. 1st and promised to squeeze her in sooner if possible. So this Friday for first consultation with Morton Plant with Mom, then hopefully Moffit soon! Squeaky wheel gets....
oK SO Today Ms. Sunshine is not so sunny! I can't be positive 24/7 it seems. I got down on myself and convinced myself that if I didn't think positive 24/7 I would spread my disease, my demon affliction.
By the post below, I'm not alone! LOL I got this post off of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Site. The only site dedicated to 1/3 of the breast cancer population, LIKE ME.
SHE WRITES:
It is a little unnerving to be told by lots of people that my prognosis depends on having a "positive attitude." In the book Breast Cancer Journal: A Century of Petals by Juliett Wittman, she writes that living in Boulder, Colorado, she was particularly exposed to the idea that we create our own reality, including disease, and how she struggled with that. Her therapist explained to her one day that a study he had just read found that women with breast cancer who had a hostile attitude toward their doctors had a better outcome that those who had a positive attitude all the time. I'm really really paraphrasing here because I can't find the book. And I'm not advocating for hostile or against positive attitudes. And I'm not saying there is NO mind-body connection. But I don't think we created our disease with our minds and I think it's a huge burden to try to have a "positive attitude" all the time.
Well, I think I'll get hostile and tell off my doctors-- hahahah J/K
Let me tell you, laughter is the best medicine. I talked to my brother Gary and he had me in stitches with his humor! It perked me right up. Perhaps cancer patients need a comedy club membership?
Here's the triple negative breast cancer site-- http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/ aka TBNC
The more we know, the more we can push for research and funding for this type of cancer too.
I'm getting back UP-- hugs to all--
On a great note: Moffit called today, I called them AGAIN and left another message this morning--and they got Mom in for Dec. 1st and promised to squeeze her in sooner if possible. So this Friday for first consultation with Morton Plant with Mom, then hopefully Moffit soon! Squeaky wheel gets....
oK SO Today Ms. Sunshine is not so sunny! I can't be positive 24/7 it seems. I got down on myself and convinced myself that if I didn't think positive 24/7 I would spread my disease, my demon affliction.
By the post below, I'm not alone! LOL I got this post off of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Site. The only site dedicated to 1/3 of the breast cancer population, LIKE ME.
SHE WRITES:
It is a little unnerving to be told by lots of people that my prognosis depends on having a "positive attitude." In the book Breast Cancer Journal: A Century of Petals by Juliett Wittman, she writes that living in Boulder, Colorado, she was particularly exposed to the idea that we create our own reality, including disease, and how she struggled with that. Her therapist explained to her one day that a study he had just read found that women with breast cancer who had a hostile attitude toward their doctors had a better outcome that those who had a positive attitude all the time. I'm really really paraphrasing here because I can't find the book. And I'm not advocating for hostile or against positive attitudes. And I'm not saying there is NO mind-body connection. But I don't think we created our disease with our minds and I think it's a huge burden to try to have a "positive attitude" all the time.
Well, I think I'll get hostile and tell off my doctors-- hahahah J/K
Let me tell you, laughter is the best medicine. I talked to my brother Gary and he had me in stitches with his humor! It perked me right up. Perhaps cancer patients need a comedy club membership?
Here's the triple negative breast cancer site-- http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/ aka TBNC
The more we know, the more we can push for research and funding for this type of cancer too.
I'm getting back UP-- hugs to all--
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
JUICING & THE MUGA SCAN TODAY NOV. 17TH, 2009 for Marousa
I woke up this morning and called my mom. She answered and I said, "Cancer Schmancer!" She laughed! We exchanged JUICING stories. I said, "Today I had carrots, celery, sprouts, apple, orange,
all juiced together, just not sure that it's good to mix all of that--but since I wasn't doing the juicing, I had haha-- It was very good actually." Mom said she had done carrots and an apple. Boring! (Mom has a great, upbeat attitude as usual.)
We are definitely doing the things we've heard other survivors have done. Mom's low sodium diet and more healthy eating has given her the lowest blood pressure ever for her. Good news! Zoe really got her going on that. She cleaned out mom's cabinets (and brought it all over here! hahahaha for the boys, not me, they can have salt.)
Juicing for me is like an energy pill-- It is unbelievable.
Today I went to Moffit for the Multigated Acquisition- or MUGA test done in the Nuclear medicine department.
Pulling up to Moffit, is like pulling up to the Don Cesar Resort in St. Pete Beach! The valets greet you at your car and whisk your vehicle away! There are people everywhere either dropping off their cars or waiting for their cars to arrive! The only difference is, when we get inside, we don't go for a massage, or a Pina Colada by the pool and such, we go inside and meet our doctors, our technicians, and seek information and hope for LIFE!! (Then we hop in our cars and go to the Don Cesar! LOL)
My test today would determine whether my heart is strong and working well. Dr. Khapour, my surgeon said it's standard to want to know this for anyone that might be getting chemotherapy.
I was ushered into a room for a perky phlebotomist to draw out my blood. I was enjoying our conversation and happy to have a posisitive person to speak with! Last time I had blood drawn, the tech was a ROBOT-- I asked if I could take her pulse because I though she had died. Just kidding.
She then mixed it with a small amount of radioactive tracer and 20 minutes later (I almost missed her calling me because I ran down to Starbucks in the lobby and got some Tazo TEA!) she re-injects the combo into my veins. Now, let me tell you, I half expected to be lighting up like a NUCLEAR reactor!!! But I was reassured that that was not the case and that the amount was miniscule-- ok, no THREE MILE ISLAND (NJ people will appreciate that one.)
I was led into the imaging room. Whew! Just like they promised, I would not be in a tunnel. I layed on a bed, and on my left side a large TV type screen came down and hovered over my left side at an angle, but my head was not covered, nor my whole right side. YAY 3 EKG wires attached to me view my heart beat. The machine would watch the tagged blood as it circulated through my heart.
I fell asleep! It must have been the music-- it was like ZEN type stuff lol.
Well, that was easy enough! I'll post results when I get them!
Hugs to everyone! "When you walk through the fire, I will be with you."
all juiced together, just not sure that it's good to mix all of that--but since I wasn't doing the juicing, I had haha-- It was very good actually." Mom said she had done carrots and an apple. Boring! (Mom has a great, upbeat attitude as usual.)
We are definitely doing the things we've heard other survivors have done. Mom's low sodium diet and more healthy eating has given her the lowest blood pressure ever for her. Good news! Zoe really got her going on that. She cleaned out mom's cabinets (and brought it all over here! hahahaha for the boys, not me, they can have salt.)
Juicing for me is like an energy pill-- It is unbelievable.
Today I went to Moffit for the Multigated Acquisition- or MUGA test done in the Nuclear medicine department.
Pulling up to Moffit, is like pulling up to the Don Cesar Resort in St. Pete Beach! The valets greet you at your car and whisk your vehicle away! There are people everywhere either dropping off their cars or waiting for their cars to arrive! The only difference is, when we get inside, we don't go for a massage, or a Pina Colada by the pool and such, we go inside and meet our doctors, our technicians, and seek information and hope for LIFE!! (Then we hop in our cars and go to the Don Cesar! LOL)
My test today would determine whether my heart is strong and working well. Dr. Khapour, my surgeon said it's standard to want to know this for anyone that might be getting chemotherapy.
I was ushered into a room for a perky phlebotomist to draw out my blood. I was enjoying our conversation and happy to have a posisitive person to speak with! Last time I had blood drawn, the tech was a ROBOT-- I asked if I could take her pulse because I though she had died. Just kidding.
She then mixed it with a small amount of radioactive tracer and 20 minutes later (I almost missed her calling me because I ran down to Starbucks in the lobby and got some Tazo TEA!) she re-injects the combo into my veins. Now, let me tell you, I half expected to be lighting up like a NUCLEAR reactor!!! But I was reassured that that was not the case and that the amount was miniscule-- ok, no THREE MILE ISLAND (NJ people will appreciate that one.)
I was led into the imaging room. Whew! Just like they promised, I would not be in a tunnel. I layed on a bed, and on my left side a large TV type screen came down and hovered over my left side at an angle, but my head was not covered, nor my whole right side. YAY 3 EKG wires attached to me view my heart beat. The machine would watch the tagged blood as it circulated through my heart.
I fell asleep! It must have been the music-- it was like ZEN type stuff lol.
Well, that was easy enough! I'll post results when I get them!
Hugs to everyone! "When you walk through the fire, I will be with you."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Waiting
I think the waiting is the hardest. Mom has an aggressive tumor, but has to WAIT until
Friday morning to SEE the surgeon. Now we are also waiting for the 2nd opinion of MOFFIT's
Geriatric Oncologists too. That appointment isn't set yet because they haven't called back!
Waiting. Waiting. WAITING! Patience is a virtue! (I heard quickness is too! not really)
I'm going for a heart test tomorrow called a Muggins. (Chemo prep) And on Thursday for a
bone scan and CT. I have no idea how I will get into the 'tunnel.' I just am very claustrophobic
and have only had OPEN MRI's before! WHERE'S THE XANAX! LOL
First they will inject dye into me, THEN in two hours, scan me-- that way on the scan-- any cancer detected in my body will light up like a Christmas tree. That's what I've heard.
THIS IS ONE TIME THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY LIGHTS! YOU GET ME? AHAHAHAHA SAVE THE LIGHTS FOR MY CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE FAMILY ROOM!
Thank you all for praying-- it's an uphill battle--but WE WILL WIN THE WAR!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK- JAMIE- "Nanny, what's with all this cancer stuff? You gonna be ok?" Nanny-"Yes Jamie, I'm going to fight this." Jamie- "ok Nanny, cuz I don't like it! "
Friday morning to SEE the surgeon. Now we are also waiting for the 2nd opinion of MOFFIT's
Geriatric Oncologists too. That appointment isn't set yet because they haven't called back!
Waiting. Waiting. WAITING! Patience is a virtue! (I heard quickness is too! not really)
I'm going for a heart test tomorrow called a Muggins. (Chemo prep) And on Thursday for a
bone scan and CT. I have no idea how I will get into the 'tunnel.' I just am very claustrophobic
and have only had OPEN MRI's before! WHERE'S THE XANAX! LOL
First they will inject dye into me, THEN in two hours, scan me-- that way on the scan-- any cancer detected in my body will light up like a Christmas tree. That's what I've heard.
THIS IS ONE TIME THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY LIGHTS! YOU GET ME? AHAHAHAHA SAVE THE LIGHTS FOR MY CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE FAMILY ROOM!
Thank you all for praying-- it's an uphill battle--but WE WILL WIN THE WAR!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK- JAMIE- "Nanny, what's with all this cancer stuff? You gonna be ok?" Nanny-"Yes Jamie, I'm going to fight this." Jamie- "ok Nanny, cuz I don't like it! "
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Dear friends and family,
MY Mom being diagnosed with breast cancer the same month as me- is just unfathomable. Please keep us close to your hearts and in your prayers-- I need to hold it together for the boys and am calling upon all the strength God can give me. The boys are all taking the stress of it all differently, and not always so well (yiani). But Paul has stepped up to the plate for sure.
Counseling should help all of them. I am keeping things as normal as I can so they can still have a life--Niko's birthday party is tonight.
However, this getting to be too much for any one person, so I've become a bit numb, at least today I have!. I am sorry I've not been able to be reached by phone-- my list grows with callbacks to dear friends that have not been done yet.
God promised that it wouldn't be anymore than I could handle, but this is pushing it, ya think?
We are devastated by my mom's breast cancer diagnosis--- but by no means do we feel it's a death sentence.
Zoe took Mom to the health food store and she is on a great regimen now that has already lowered her blood pressure by alot! LInda is coming from NC for a few months to help and will stay at mom's condo. So we will fight this thing together!!
Mom has Morton Plant appt. with DR. Blumenkrantz on the Nov. 20. She had a clean mammo last year! So this is a shock because it's already in the closest lymph node to the breast, which means they either missed it last year, or it's very aggressive.- well, the tumor grade for aggressiveness for mom is 2-3 out of 3. (mine was 1-2, less aggressive)
MY DAY THURSDAY
I went to Moffit today and talked to my
Dr. about mom too! My doc feels that senior citizens are undertreated for cancer all the time and should receive chemo just like everyone else because they have 15 good years left!!! So the word renknowned Geriatric Oncologists at Moffit were recommended to us for mom, and I am getting that appointment asap.
We will see both doctors for Mom and go from there. Mom's cancer is rare, and aggressive so we are acting quickly.
My news had disappointing parts but good news too. The good news was that we got clean margins all around the tumor in the lab. (the tissue around the tumor tested negative that she took out.) The 2 lymph nodes she took from me tested negative a 2nd time in the lab. This very good news because sometimes the lymph node tests negative during surgery, but come back with small cells from the lab four days later. Mine came back clear! So it is confirmed that my cancer did not go beyond the breast. yay!
The odd news is that my cancer receptors are negative for estrogen. Laymans terms: My cancer is not fueled by excess estrogen in my system, not from overweight, or soy, nothing like that, like most women's breast cancer 2/3rds. The yucky thing about not being estrogen fueled is that they now have drugs to help prevent recurrence of cancer for estrogen fueled cancer. Drugs like tamoxifen, that I cannot take since it won't benefit me. It also means that my cancer has higher rate of recurrence. ugh. Which puts me at a disadvantage. So they want me to do Chemotherapy to zap my body from any stray cells. They also think I may have the cancer ''gene'' so I am to be tested for it.
They also want a bone scan and a ct scan of my whole body to see if there's anything else out there lurking. Mostly because if it's not estrogen fueled cancer, then what the heck is fueling it!? That's the question. And they want to be very aggressive with me to stop recurrence since I am young, and have 30 years of recurrence to battle.
I didn't want Tamoxifen anyway!!! Cancer Schmancer!!!!
Next week I get bone/ct scans and heart test (to see if it can handle chemo)
Chemo doctor meets me Nov. 24th. I want to ask about integrative therapies using nutrional and herbal supplements while doing chemo. I want the best of both worlds-- modern medicine and natureopathic too.
I am just wondering what the risk would be to start the chemo after Paul and Nicole's little ceremony on Dec. 12. I don't want to be sick for that.
That's right, they are "eloping" to clearwater beach but the parents and siblings get to attend! lol Then in January a big fat Greek Party to celebrate! Everyone will be invited to the party, so stay tuned.
FRIDAY
Trying to keep positive and prayerful and glad I've finally started blogging to keep my friends and family informed in a streamlined way!
And everyone alway wonders how the businesses can keep running when I am having surgery, or now , will be starting chemo.
I still return all the zoo calls and book the events, and market and set appointments for my travel and shopping e-commerce center. www.NoahsArkTravels.com
I have delegated the zoo "physical labor" to wonderful helpers, Paul, Ben, Lu, and hired a "personal assistant/cleaner/errand girl" Jen, to help around the house-- starting her now is good beause I'm preparing for the chemo "blech!"
Where there's life there's hope!!
My neice in law and nephew Marty and Marcy and their sweet new miracle baby (born the hours I was in surgery!) will be coming over tonight, as well as mom and zoe and billy-- we will all be together and I may not let the new baby go home with Marcy! Family/friends are so important right now-- can't wait till Linda and Russ get here, and my only wish was that my brothers and their fams were here too!! I miss them so much. My Uncle isn't far and we're overdue to see him and his family too---this type of thing has a way of slapping you upside your head and making you realize what's important-- God, family and friends-not whether the house is clean! So plan a visit if I haven't seen you in awhile! My door is always open!
Hugs, Marousa
MY Mom being diagnosed with breast cancer the same month as me- is just unfathomable. Please keep us close to your hearts and in your prayers-- I need to hold it together for the boys and am calling upon all the strength God can give me. The boys are all taking the stress of it all differently, and not always so well (yiani). But Paul has stepped up to the plate for sure.
Counseling should help all of them. I am keeping things as normal as I can so they can still have a life--Niko's birthday party is tonight.
However, this getting to be too much for any one person, so I've become a bit numb, at least today I have!. I am sorry I've not been able to be reached by phone-- my list grows with callbacks to dear friends that have not been done yet.
God promised that it wouldn't be anymore than I could handle, but this is pushing it, ya think?
We are devastated by my mom's breast cancer diagnosis--- but by no means do we feel it's a death sentence.
Zoe took Mom to the health food store and she is on a great regimen now that has already lowered her blood pressure by alot! LInda is coming from NC for a few months to help and will stay at mom's condo. So we will fight this thing together!!
Mom has Morton Plant appt. with DR. Blumenkrantz on the Nov. 20. She had a clean mammo last year! So this is a shock because it's already in the closest lymph node to the breast, which means they either missed it last year, or it's very aggressive.- well, the tumor grade for aggressiveness for mom is 2-3 out of 3. (mine was 1-2, less aggressive)
MY DAY THURSDAY
I went to Moffit today and talked to my
Dr. about mom too! My doc feels that senior citizens are undertreated for cancer all the time and should receive chemo just like everyone else because they have 15 good years left!!! So the word renknowned Geriatric Oncologists at Moffit were recommended to us for mom, and I am getting that appointment asap.
We will see both doctors for Mom and go from there. Mom's cancer is rare, and aggressive so we are acting quickly.
My news had disappointing parts but good news too. The good news was that we got clean margins all around the tumor in the lab. (the tissue around the tumor tested negative that she took out.) The 2 lymph nodes she took from me tested negative a 2nd time in the lab. This very good news because sometimes the lymph node tests negative during surgery, but come back with small cells from the lab four days later. Mine came back clear! So it is confirmed that my cancer did not go beyond the breast. yay!
The odd news is that my cancer receptors are negative for estrogen. Laymans terms: My cancer is not fueled by excess estrogen in my system, not from overweight, or soy, nothing like that, like most women's breast cancer 2/3rds. The yucky thing about not being estrogen fueled is that they now have drugs to help prevent recurrence of cancer for estrogen fueled cancer. Drugs like tamoxifen, that I cannot take since it won't benefit me. It also means that my cancer has higher rate of recurrence. ugh. Which puts me at a disadvantage. So they want me to do Chemotherapy to zap my body from any stray cells. They also think I may have the cancer ''gene'' so I am to be tested for it.
They also want a bone scan and a ct scan of my whole body to see if there's anything else out there lurking. Mostly because if it's not estrogen fueled cancer, then what the heck is fueling it!? That's the question. And they want to be very aggressive with me to stop recurrence since I am young, and have 30 years of recurrence to battle.
I didn't want Tamoxifen anyway!!! Cancer Schmancer!!!!
Next week I get bone/ct scans and heart test (to see if it can handle chemo)
Chemo doctor meets me Nov. 24th. I want to ask about integrative therapies using nutrional and herbal supplements while doing chemo. I want the best of both worlds-- modern medicine and natureopathic too.
I am just wondering what the risk would be to start the chemo after Paul and Nicole's little ceremony on Dec. 12. I don't want to be sick for that.
That's right, they are "eloping" to clearwater beach but the parents and siblings get to attend! lol Then in January a big fat Greek Party to celebrate! Everyone will be invited to the party, so stay tuned.
FRIDAY
Trying to keep positive and prayerful and glad I've finally started blogging to keep my friends and family informed in a streamlined way!
And everyone alway wonders how the businesses can keep running when I am having surgery, or now , will be starting chemo.
I still return all the zoo calls and book the events, and market and set appointments for my travel and shopping e-commerce center. www.NoahsArkTravels.com
I have delegated the zoo "physical labor" to wonderful helpers, Paul, Ben, Lu, and hired a "personal assistant/cleaner/errand girl" Jen, to help around the house-- starting her now is good beause I'm preparing for the chemo "blech!"
Where there's life there's hope!!
My neice in law and nephew Marty and Marcy and their sweet new miracle baby (born the hours I was in surgery!) will be coming over tonight, as well as mom and zoe and billy-- we will all be together and I may not let the new baby go home with Marcy! Family/friends are so important right now-- can't wait till Linda and Russ get here, and my only wish was that my brothers and their fams were here too!! I miss them so much. My Uncle isn't far and we're overdue to see him and his family too---this type of thing has a way of slapping you upside your head and making you realize what's important-- God, family and friends-not whether the house is clean! So plan a visit if I haven't seen you in awhile! My door is always open!
Hugs, Marousa
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