In my Cancer journey certain events stay with me that inform me that my life has forever changed. Here is a list of a few.
1. Being told that I have Breast Cancer.
2. Knowing that I will need a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
3. Being told I need to have Chemotherapy and that it might take away my ability to have children.
4. Receiving my prescription of Tamoxifen. Instructions read, take one per day, for FIVE years!
5. Dr. told me that I will need to have Radiation.
6. Being told there is a small but very real chance that this cancer can metastasize and kill me one day.
My life has changed and sometimes I find myself depressed by the magnitude of it all. But, looking at the bright side, I am stronger than I ever thought I was, I am more grateful to be alive and I know what matters in my life.
For those going through treatment. It sucks doesn't it? Whether your going through chemotherapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery its rough! All of it seems to take a piece of you, whether its your energy, your security and/or your piece of mind. Just know that you are strong, you have made it this far and you will make it the rest of the way!!
That is all for now,
-I Fight Like a Woman.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
A Choice
Hi All,
I have not been blogging recently due to a crappy bought with bronchitis. Got another script for antibiotics to help fight off the remnants. I was moved to blog tonight because I am faced with yet another choice associated with Cancer.
When someone is diagnosed with Cancer they are thrust into a world of choices. Most of the choices really are not choices because it is do this or you can die. For instance, I could have turned down chemo but that would have meant that my Cancer would kill me. For the past few weeks my oncologist has been urging me to make a choice between Lumpectomy and Mastectomy. This is one of the hardest choices I have ever been faced with. Per the oncologist the survival rate is the same for Lumpectomy plus radiation and Mastectomy. But, do I want to put myself at a risk for a reccurance, even though the chance is low? Do I want to lose my breast or breasts? I am so afraid of making the wrong choice. Even if I do get rid of both breasts there is still a chance this cancer will come back in another part of my body.
I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow to discuss my choices. I have questions for him and the radiation oncologist, the answers will determine my choice. I just hope to make the right one.
That is all for now
-I Fight Like a Woman
I have not been blogging recently due to a crappy bought with bronchitis. Got another script for antibiotics to help fight off the remnants. I was moved to blog tonight because I am faced with yet another choice associated with Cancer.
When someone is diagnosed with Cancer they are thrust into a world of choices. Most of the choices really are not choices because it is do this or you can die. For instance, I could have turned down chemo but that would have meant that my Cancer would kill me. For the past few weeks my oncologist has been urging me to make a choice between Lumpectomy and Mastectomy. This is one of the hardest choices I have ever been faced with. Per the oncologist the survival rate is the same for Lumpectomy plus radiation and Mastectomy. But, do I want to put myself at a risk for a reccurance, even though the chance is low? Do I want to lose my breast or breasts? I am so afraid of making the wrong choice. Even if I do get rid of both breasts there is still a chance this cancer will come back in another part of my body.
I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow to discuss my choices. I have questions for him and the radiation oncologist, the answers will determine my choice. I just hope to make the right one.
That is all for now
-I Fight Like a Woman
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Still recovering/planning for surgery
Hi All,
I am still recovering from big chemo number 6. Cannot believe I made it through, yeow! Anywho, still dealing with feeling crappy, I think I have thrush again. At least I can get that addressed when I see my oncologist again tomorrow.
As I mentioned in previous blogs surgery is the next step in this process. It is very scary because my husband and I are making a choice that will change me forever. Our choices (currently) Lumpectomy with Radiation (and that is if a scan says it is okay), Mastectomy or Double Mastectomy. Many women have said that they would do the Double Mastectomy. I think I would say the same if I were in their position. But, these are my breasts, part of me. I dreamed that one day they would nourish my future children, now they can kill me; heck one has already tried! The thing that makes this choice more difficult is that I do not think I would qualify for immediate reconstruction because we do not know how many lymph nodes had/have cancer in them. If I have over a certain amount of lymph nodes effected I will need radiation and they just do not do reconstruction before radiation. So I could face being boobless or a one boober for awhile. Not fun. So I have been exploring the internet looking up breast forms, bras etc. Information about recovery times from different procedures etc. It is all very sad and scary. But in the end I will make the hard choices and reach my goal of growing old with my husband.
I am going to try to start posting to this blog more often now that I am past chemo, so check back for updates.
On a positive note I got hair trying to come back in!!! So its time for hairwatch 2013!!! hehehe. I will keep you updated and post pics of my progress! After chemo hair can come in differently. So... will my hair come in curly or straight? what color will it be? will I just dye it anyways. We will see. I am going to try and have fun with this part.
That is all for now,
-I Fight Like A Woman
I am still recovering from big chemo number 6. Cannot believe I made it through, yeow! Anywho, still dealing with feeling crappy, I think I have thrush again. At least I can get that addressed when I see my oncologist again tomorrow.
As I mentioned in previous blogs surgery is the next step in this process. It is very scary because my husband and I are making a choice that will change me forever. Our choices (currently) Lumpectomy with Radiation (and that is if a scan says it is okay), Mastectomy or Double Mastectomy. Many women have said that they would do the Double Mastectomy. I think I would say the same if I were in their position. But, these are my breasts, part of me. I dreamed that one day they would nourish my future children, now they can kill me; heck one has already tried! The thing that makes this choice more difficult is that I do not think I would qualify for immediate reconstruction because we do not know how many lymph nodes had/have cancer in them. If I have over a certain amount of lymph nodes effected I will need radiation and they just do not do reconstruction before radiation. So I could face being boobless or a one boober for awhile. Not fun. So I have been exploring the internet looking up breast forms, bras etc. Information about recovery times from different procedures etc. It is all very sad and scary. But in the end I will make the hard choices and reach my goal of growing old with my husband.
I am going to try to start posting to this blog more often now that I am past chemo, so check back for updates.
On a positive note I got hair trying to come back in!!! So its time for hairwatch 2013!!! hehehe. I will keep you updated and post pics of my progress! After chemo hair can come in differently. So... will my hair come in curly or straight? what color will it be? will I just dye it anyways. We will see. I am going to try and have fun with this part.
That is all for now,
-I Fight Like A Woman
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