Really?! I cannot believe it has been so long since I have written a post. I guess that could be a good thing - life is certainly getting back to normal.
As I looked at the blog and realized my last post was almost a year ago - I couldn't help but think "WOW!" I just put this year's meet on my calendar - October 15.
So of course it made me reflect on this past year and I am very happy to say that it has been a good year for my family and I. My son is growing into an amazing young man and turned 15 this year. We finally took that roadtrip we have talked about for years (you can see some fun photos here). I have made it another year past my surgery date (this is the one I base my time off of - I can remember it) and am working toward my five year mark. My sweet husband and I had our twentieth anniversary (that is a big deal - applause). I am teaching art a couple days a week in a local studio and that has been a lot of fun (you can see that here). Yes in deed - It has been a very good year.
Health wise - I am feeling pretty good. Side effects from various things seem to be creeping up and creating issues, but I will save that for another post. My next big scans are scheduled for October 14 - so with mcuh anticipation and fingers crossed, that too will go well.
Showing posts with label Health and Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health and Beauty. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Monday, June 25, 2012
Stem Cell Breast Reconstruction
I wanted to share this short video with you... A few reasons; 1. I think this procedure is just amazing. 2. They share some important information regarding who is eligible. and 3. It mentions something important to know ahead of time - to request a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy WHEN & IF your skin is cancer free.
I was not able to have a skin sparing mastectomy, but a lot of women are. I know sometimes Dr.'s as well as the patient are just so eager to get rid of any chance of cancer that they choose to remove everything. Often times that is the best choice you have, but sometimes it might not be. Take time to research your particular situation; tumor size, treatments required, reconstruction options, genetic testing, and talk frankly with your oncologist and surgeon. More than likely, you have had your cancer for some time and waiting a week or two to take the time to make a decision you will be happy with for the long haul is more important than you can imagine.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Breast Reconstruction
I must say to you all - I have put off writing this particular post for quite some time. I want to stay fairly positive with my blog, and breast reconstruction is a really hard subject for me. But as I am moving forward with my checkpoints - it is the next thing down the line.
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I began to research every facet of the disease and the various procedures I would most likely have to undergo. I still remember sitting at the computer and reading the descriptions of the various types of reconstruction. As I reviewed a few of them I even told my husband I could not imagine why anyone would ever choose to do that. Not that I didn't understand their desire to have the breast reconstruction, but why would you choose such a difficult surgery. Little did I know at the time that it wasn't really their choice.
You see there are a few different options available; you can have immediate breast reconstruction with a skin sparing mastectomy, you can have implants with an expander during a later reconstruction, or there are FLAP procedures where the surgeon removes muscle and skin from other parts of your body and builds a new breast with it. I have to say I have always been afraid of plastic surgery and had long told myself that I would just have to grow old gracefully because I could not bring myself to inflict pain upon myself. Did I say I was a little afraid - I mean seriously scared.
Prior to my mastectomy my husband and I met with my oncologist, surgeon, and plastic surgeon. I must say I was a bit naive when I went to see the plastic surgeon - I just wasn't aware of how naive. As he began to explain various procedures and show pictures he kept indicating that that wasn't an option for me and would flip on to the next one. For a brief moment I couldn't hear him as he spoke. I could only recall the images I had seen online, and a voice in my head telling me "it's going to be that awful procedure isn't it". When my head cleared and I again joined the conversation, I heard just what I thought I would. Because of the size of my tumor and my need for radiation - I would have to select a FLAP procedure.
I can tell you that I had to put a lid on that package and hide it on the shelf for quite some time because of my intense fear of this procedure. It is hard to find stories of people in my particular situation and my research brought me little or no comfort. Yet I am optimistic with the new studies and advancements in breast reconstruction, and am sure at some point I will make a choice I feel good about.
For now I have my prosthesis and wear it occasionally - mostly in my swimsuit. They are hot and the band of the bra still bothers my radiated skin. A lot of people choose to never have reconstruction, I may not. But, I will tell you that of all the aspects of moving forward it is emotionally very hard to know that a part of you is missing that truly seems to embody what we think of as feminine and defines us as women. I don't always miss my breasts, but it is pretty odd to not have nipples.
There are several informative sites on breast reconstruction which I will share with you as well as a beautiful photo journal I would like to share. I'm hoping that it will not offend you, but will instead help you to better understand a woman with breast cancer.
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I began to research every facet of the disease and the various procedures I would most likely have to undergo. I still remember sitting at the computer and reading the descriptions of the various types of reconstruction. As I reviewed a few of them I even told my husband I could not imagine why anyone would ever choose to do that. Not that I didn't understand their desire to have the breast reconstruction, but why would you choose such a difficult surgery. Little did I know at the time that it wasn't really their choice.
You see there are a few different options available; you can have immediate breast reconstruction with a skin sparing mastectomy, you can have implants with an expander during a later reconstruction, or there are FLAP procedures where the surgeon removes muscle and skin from other parts of your body and builds a new breast with it. I have to say I have always been afraid of plastic surgery and had long told myself that I would just have to grow old gracefully because I could not bring myself to inflict pain upon myself. Did I say I was a little afraid - I mean seriously scared.
Prior to my mastectomy my husband and I met with my oncologist, surgeon, and plastic surgeon. I must say I was a bit naive when I went to see the plastic surgeon - I just wasn't aware of how naive. As he began to explain various procedures and show pictures he kept indicating that that wasn't an option for me and would flip on to the next one. For a brief moment I couldn't hear him as he spoke. I could only recall the images I had seen online, and a voice in my head telling me "it's going to be that awful procedure isn't it". When my head cleared and I again joined the conversation, I heard just what I thought I would. Because of the size of my tumor and my need for radiation - I would have to select a FLAP procedure.
I can tell you that I had to put a lid on that package and hide it on the shelf for quite some time because of my intense fear of this procedure. It is hard to find stories of people in my particular situation and my research brought me little or no comfort. Yet I am optimistic with the new studies and advancements in breast reconstruction, and am sure at some point I will make a choice I feel good about.
For now I have my prosthesis and wear it occasionally - mostly in my swimsuit. They are hot and the band of the bra still bothers my radiated skin. A lot of people choose to never have reconstruction, I may not. But, I will tell you that of all the aspects of moving forward it is emotionally very hard to know that a part of you is missing that truly seems to embody what we think of as feminine and defines us as women. I don't always miss my breasts, but it is pretty odd to not have nipples.
There are several informative sites on breast reconstruction which I will share with you as well as a beautiful photo journal I would like to share. I'm hoping that it will not offend you, but will instead help you to better understand a woman with breast cancer.
I also found this video very informative, but it is a very long one;
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Radiation
I can remember almost to date when I finished my chemo and radiation. Not so much because they were so significant, although they were, but because I seemed to finish up on holidays.
I finished my last radiation treatment one year ago today. I can hardly believe it. Radiation for me was, well a little scary. I still remember the first day. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but as the male technician came in to get me set up in my mold, I knew it wasn't that. I remember holding back tears of nervousness and embarrassment as I lay as still as I could. It wasn't long though that I came to love my two technicians, Gene and Bonita. They were so very kind and that made all the difference in the world.
After my surgery and chemotherapy, I had to have 33 treatments of radiation to the right side of my chest and shoulder area. By the end some areas were pretty burnt, but I was surprised at how well it healed.
There are different types and reasons people have radiation. Here is a link that explains them in better detail - Types of Radiation.
I found a few things that helped me a lot during my treatment - one was of course Aloe. Fresh aloe that I kept in the refrigerator was wonderful as was Aloe 99.
Another skin saver was Lindi Skin Cooler Roll. This was a gel like sheet that you cut to fit the size you needed and applied directly to the skin. I kept this in the refrigerator as well, so it was nice and cool. I was amazed at the amount of heat it would pull from the radiated area.
I also had a prescription for biofene - I loved this stuff.
I would take naps every day and drank cold water constantly.
My skin is pretty sensitive to begin with, but during radiation your skin becomes very sensitive to touch and the rubbing of fabric. I hunted all over for soft cotton shirts that didn't have side seams or seams that hit on my collar bone. For me I found it more comfortable to have a snug fitting tank under my shirt. I didn't like when my skin would rest on skin (underneath your arm). It seemed to produce heat and want to stick together.
I can also tell you from experience that as the burns begin to heal, they are much like any other serious burn - your skin will peel. Be very careful, your clothes can stick to it and pull the skin off - not good! I had to keep a sterile gauze over mine at the very end and sometimes would have to let water run over it to soften and release it without pulling away the skin.
After my surgery and chemotherapy, I had to have 33 treatments of radiation to the right side of my chest and shoulder area. By the end some areas were pretty burnt, but I was surprised at how well it healed.
There are different types and reasons people have radiation. Here is a link that explains them in better detail - Types of Radiation.
I also had a prescription for biofene - I loved this stuff.
I would take naps every day and drank cold water constantly.
My skin is pretty sensitive to begin with, but during radiation your skin becomes very sensitive to touch and the rubbing of fabric. I hunted all over for soft cotton shirts that didn't have side seams or seams that hit on my collar bone. For me I found it more comfortable to have a snug fitting tank under my shirt. I didn't like when my skin would rest on skin (underneath your arm). It seemed to produce heat and want to stick together.
I can also tell you from experience that as the burns begin to heal, they are much like any other serious burn - your skin will peel. Be very careful, your clothes can stick to it and pull the skin off - not good! I had to keep a sterile gauze over mine at the very end and sometimes would have to let water run over it to soften and release it without pulling away the skin.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Blue Moon Yoga
There are so many things available to us in life, if we only know about them. I have to say I am not always on top of my local activities, but when I find one that looks good I want to share it with you.
This is a link to Blue Moon Yoga, they are offering free classes and a special $1 class during the month of October in support of breast cancer. (I know I'm a little late getting that out, but I just found out myself.)
This is a link to Blue Moon Yoga, they are offering free classes and a special $1 class during the month of October in support of breast cancer. (I know I'm a little late getting that out, but I just found out myself.)
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