research: preventive surgery helps BRCA mutation carriers

Studies* indicate that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 changes who have undergone preventive surgery, bilateral prophylactic mastectomy or bilateral prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, have an increase in survival. Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) help … Continue reading →

chemo induced menopause: hot flashes

This week in SoCal the temperatures have been hitting 100 degrees. It reminded me of the hot flashes I got when I began menopause during my original diagnosis of breast cancer. The first time I went through chemo I went … Continue reading →

anemia postponed my chemo 2.2.3

What a busy week. Work has been intense as we had two events and other business that even without the fatigue of cancer are overwhelming. Saturday I missed our big event of the year–our graduation banquet–because my white blood cell … Continue reading →

coping with bone pain and queasiness

Hmmm, I thought that bone pain would be something to come along sometime later on my chemo calendar. The last two days, though, I now realize, I have been feeling it already. What’s up with that. I have looked for … Continue reading →

PowerPort healing and post chemo 2.1.1

I’m doing well so far. The PowerPort installation had two incisions, and the one in my neck quite sore. I’m just taking some ibuprofen, and that seems to help. My face was a little red on that side, but it … Continue reading →

chemo 2.1.1–my new dance

2.1 is because it’s my second round through chemo, the first having been in 2004 when we first found breast cancer in my left breast. After I got my port this morning, transport took me by wheelchair to the infusion … Continue reading →

radiation fatigue fading

fading clouds make way for big blue sky and sunshine energy surging I’m feeling moments of really normal energy. Woohoo. Saturday morning we were listening to swing music, and it inspired me to dance a little swing. I didn’t even … Continue reading →

strawberry shortcake before chemo

Marvin just took me for the best strawberry shortcake ever: a very tender biscuit drenched in strawberries not overly sweetened and topped with extravagantly delicious whipped cream. It was a heavenly way to end this weekend. What was special this … Continue reading →

weekend before starting chemo

What a great start to the last weekend before I begin chemo next Wednesday. Marvin wouldn’t tell me what we were going to do today and then took me for a manicure and pedicure; it was wonderful. I can’t really … Continue reading →

fatigue and a handy tool for remembering

Some days working, and even just talking, exhausts me beyond description. Meetings drain me. When I work at the computer (most of my work), I try hard to take breaks. I work from about 7:00 to 9:00 and then break … Continue reading →

two-week follow up post radiation

Not only did I get the news yesterday about my chemo schedule, I met with my radonc. Radiation continues to work even after treatment ends, so evaluating the effects of the radiation on the tumor won’t happen for another few … Continue reading →

scheduled for PowerPort and chemo

My hemonc nurse called today with my schedule. Wednesday, April 29, 2009, I’ll get my PowerPort® early in the morning. After that they will wheel me over to the infusion center where I’ll get my first weekly dose of chemo. … Continue reading →

revving for chemo

Saturday we took a drive down PCH to Laguna Beach and then had dinner at Las Brisas, which is surrounded by a rose garden and walkways and overlooks the ocean. The seafood there is excellent, and it was nice to … Continue reading →

lion naps today

lion naps today while I celebrate being twelve years old again mysterious gem sparkling faceted beauty life reveals itself

PET scan results

Vacillating between optimism and fear, I was anxiously awaiting today’s appointment. My hemonc reported the news. She said the PET scan showed two more spots of cancer: one is on my fifth rib and the other is at my eleventh … Continue reading →

fear

Tomorrow I go to see my hematology oncologist. We’ll find out about my chemo plan. Also, I’ll get the results of my PET scan, which I had on 3/24/09, the same day as my surgery follow-up.  I haven’t stopped thinking … Continue reading →

youtube–placing metal bars in patient’s spine

If you’re into this sort of thing–and I have at least two friends who are–check out the link I added to the medical information section in the margin of my blog here to the BBC’s posting on youtube of a … Continue reading →

radiation burn–WARNING yucky photo :)

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I’m glad my doctor warned me that the effects of the radiation would get worse before they get better, even after the radiation treatment ended. My back is quite a mess. I’m posting a photo for others who may be … Continue reading →

face the lion

a silent sneaky lion creeps into my path veering me sideways regain my footing with inelegant movement dazed and caught off guard struggling to keep my balance i teeter and wave planting a wide stance with an air of strength … Continue reading →

radiation effects cumulative

Monday was my last radiation treatment. I hadn’t remembered that the effects of the treatment build, however, and so the worst of it is yet to come. My radiation oncologist said it could continue for another two weeks. That explains … Continue reading →