25 posts tagged “breast cancer”
- I struggled with a title, hence the one you see above. I thought this looked cool!
- 5 days post chemo treatment. I'm hoping I start to feel better over the next few days. Mainly muscle and joint aching has been the culprit following this cycle. I experienced this with the last treatment but it wasn't as bad as this go around. The is a side effect of Taxotere. The pain is making it difficult to sleep. I meet with my Oncologist tomorrow, I think I will have her prescribe something for the pain. The hot flashes started with is cycle too. I feel like I've aged 20 years!
- Still going to support group meetings at Gilda's Club. It's going "ok" what I'm starting to see though is that they do a lot of conversing about non cancer related topics/issues/concerns. I mean this week, 1.5 hours were spent with folks talking about their recent vacation to Ireland, walking dogs and grandchildren with about 30 minutes of participants speaking on their status and sharing. And there is one women that monopolizes the entire session! She talks too much, and when anyone else speaks she takes that over with her stories. I can tell that it annoys the faciliator and the other people too. Its called "group" for a reason biatch!
- Gilda's also has another support group that meets at their clubhouse once a month called "Sisters Network." C and I thought this would be a great opportunity to connect with African American women who have experienced breast cancer. So, we went to the meeting to check it out. It was very structured, with a formal agenda and everything - a little too structured - actually, I thought I was on a conference call for work! Anyway, it seems the purpose of the organization is to raise money for breast cancer awareness and community outreach - essentially knocking on doors to talk to African Americans about breast cancer. This is all fine and well and something I will be interested in doing once I get on the other side of treatment, however right now I'm looking for support groups to get through this ordeal. I was so syched for this organization too! The perfect group for me would be gay, African American women with breast cancer - I honestly don't think that exists.
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
Me on my work laptop (not working) maxin and relaxin in the Chemo Lounge:
- I've reached the middle ground, 3 of the 6 treatments completed today!
- 3 weeks following the 6th treatment I start radiation therapy - everyday for 6 weeks. Blahs!
- Met with Dr. M., my Oncologist before chemo today. She said my CBC (Complete Blood Count) looked great and my limited number of side effects was very positive! At this point with the exception of increasing fatigue, I shouldn't experience any new side effects.
- My blood pressure has been increasingly high, something she is very concern with. I have had a problem with high blood pressure before the Breast Cancer diagnosis and at one point was on medication. She said we have to get it under control quick fast and in a hurry!
- C, T and my brother came to treatment with me today, thanks family!
- I will try hard to have an enjoyable weekend, before the after effects of treatment kick in around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
- Next chemotherapy treatment August 8th, yeah-boo-hiss!
- The "Air" is doing great, still loving it! The Steve Sleeve showed up, I don't like it as much as I thought I would. Definitely not worth the 50 clams I paid for it. Probably will be replaced PDQ (pretty, damn, quick).
- T got all four wisdom teeth removed on Monday. Monday was the toughest due to all the bleeding, she had a lot of soreness but experience no pain - mainly because I kept her loaded up on the pain meds they prescribed - Vicodin. She has a little swelling looking rather "chipmunkish." She insisted upon going with me to treatment today even though I suspected she didn't feel totally up to it - which she confirmed this evening. The worst of it is over and overall I think she feels pretty good. It was actually kind of weird, I enjoyed babying my 19 year old daughter the last few days! It made me feel good :)
- T told me today she plans to take real estate classes early next year and then take the licensing exam to become a Realtor. The plan is to partner with me to sell homes next summer. How cool is that?! I've had my license since 2003 - although I have a full time job I like to sell homes on the side!
- I had doubts, but I'm really enjoying the Wendy Williams Show! How yooooou doooin? The show debuted on Monday of this week, for a 6 week run in a few selected markets - New York, Detriot, Dallas and Los Angeles.
- Went to Urban Taco for dinner tonight following my brother's recommendation. Didn't like it! Everything was blan and I felt it was overpriced too. $9.25 for 3 tiny tacos, don't think so. I called him afterward and told him, I didn't care for it. This place puts them to shame - Tin Star. The tacos at Tin Star are flavorful and much larger and much cheaper!
- The local Smart Car dealer called me this afternoon to tell my triple black Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe will be here Aug 14th! She wanted to know if I was still interested in it. Of course I am! I reserved this car back May 2007, so its been a long wait. It will be a second car for me as I purchased a new car the end of May this year - AKA "Benzie" which I really love! The Smart Car is something cute, fun and gas efficient to possibly add to the household.
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- Nuff said, enjoy your weekend!
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
2nd Chemotherapy treatment was done on Friday successfully. The voluntary poison begun after blood was drawn from medi-port to be tested in the lab. I met with Dr. M before going to the Infusion Room (The Cocktail Lounge) for the chemo drugs. She reviewed the blood work that came back from the lab which indicated my blood counts were good! She wanted to look at my hands for thinning nails and detachment - which is a side affects from the chemo drugs. I'm starting to get a deep purple line at the base of my thumb nail bed, she said it was a side affect from the drugs also. We discussed other side affects that I experienced none of which were out of the ordinary. The treatment was started and was shorter in duration, about 4 hour vs. the 5 for the first one. The Oncologist Nurse explained that the first treatment takes longer because the meds were administered slowly to see if I would have any reactions. Since I did not, the 2nd treatment (dose) was set to run faster.
I saw the claim for the first treatment today on a statement sent by my insurance company - for saline, Benadryl, anti nausea, and 3 chemo drugs - charges were $26,300.00! For drugs! I have several more treatments at $26K a pop - whoa!. Thank god for insurance!
I have noticed that my hair is coming out somewhat easily, not by brushing, but if I pinch a bunch together and do a slight tug it all comes out, no pain or anything - very weird! I anticipate total baldness by sometimes next week. The wierdness and fatigue are supposed to set in after the 3rd day following treatment which is when the steriods wear off - so Monday or Tuesday of next week, I might be flat out! My plan was to really enjoy this afternoon and tomorrow as much as possible. I'm a bit bummed because I was scheduled to be in Greece next week, however those plan were spoiled with the Breast Cancer show stealer. Since the vacation days were already planned I decided to take them anyway so that I can recuperate from the Chemotherapy without worrying about work.
I had visitors join me in the Cocktail Lounge - thanks Miss "C" and thank you Miss "J". Both your presence were wonderful to have today :)
T took this with the iPhone as after almost 5 hours and a total of 3 drugs the final drops of the poison entered my body earlier today. As you can see, I look happy. I didn't have any immediate reactions to the drugs. They loaded me up with so much anti-nausea medicines I should be good for the next 10 years!
Anyway, I'm told the weirdness (AKA side affects) will probably begin within the next 24-72 hours.
As you can see the medi - port in my chest is in full effect! My brother came by and one of my closest friends to offer their support - much appreciated! Thanks K, thanks L :)
I just received this eCard from someone that I have known a few years, a person that I chat with on Y! instant messenger once or twice a week in the evenings - although we have never met in person. I honestly don't even remember how she ended up on my buddy list. Online relationships in some cases can be stronger than physical ones. I have "friends" here in Dallas that have shown very little interest in my diagnosis/treatment. Not that anyone has to care, however, you expect more from certain people. Her card was so on point about "friends."
and, like rain, they come and go.
some friends are like flowers
and, like flowers, they help us grow.
some friends are like sunshine,
others fall away like snow.
But the best friends are like rainbows,
and you're the best friend
that I know.
Hey there just sending you a lil ecard to say hope your first treatment is easy on you I know you seem like a strong willed woman and you have handled a lot these few month. I’m behind you 100% keep on doing your best your friend Sharon
who needs a wig?
I've worn caps as long as I can remember - collecting around 40 thus far. Actually, way more as I've sold many in garage sales over the years. I've said before, one of the minimal worries I have about chemotherapy is the hair loss. My hair has been short for almost 15 years although I've never gone bald, the hair loss for me is not as traumatic as it might be for some women. Since I've always worn hats, my friends and family are use to it. Now a damn wig on the other hand.... I think all of us, yes including me would be on the floor with stomach pains from the laughter of it all! I couldn't take my serious.
I'm a Puma girl, so the majority of my caps are Puma... check out the collection
Dr.M reviewed all my reports with me - CT scans, chest and abdomen scans, EKGs which she said presented no evidence that cancer had spread to any other locations in my body. She said with that, and the Medi-Port implanted (which was tested by the nurse using it to draw blood - works like a charm) I'm ready for chemotherapy. She seemed excited, me not so much.
The voluntary poisoning begins this upcoming Monday at 9 AM. The total time to administer the three chemo drugs is about 4 hours - Macbook and iPhone will be in hand. I'm told the hair loss should happen about 2 weeks after the first treatment. There will be 6 cycles, one every 21 days which carries me into mid October, after which I will continue with one specific drug every 21 days for another 6 months. I wish you could see the excitement in my face right now... *blank stare*
Thanks DejaVudoo, Barry, Teresa and all the folks that sent me positive vibes and warm wishes for my procedure today. The Medi-Port placement was a success!
With the local anesthesia I was awake through the entire process, however I felt no pain or discomfort. Other than some minor bruising and stiffness in my neck I'm doing great.
I'm supposed to start treatment (Chemotherapy) next week.
Dr. M., the Interventional Radiologist told me if any of the incisions open up to put super glue on them.... YES! He said SUPER GLUE! Mmmmm Kay.
Cancer sux!
The surgery for the Medi-Port failed. My Surgeon, Dr. M was unable to get it placed successfully. While in recovery Dr. M explained to me (I was groggy as hell!) that she tried the right side of my chest, then the left and finally my neck but she was unable to get the catheter into my Jugular vein without something possibly going wrong.
Dr. M says a Interventional Radiologist will have to implant the port - I'm scheduled for 1:30 tomorrow. Time, a sore throat, stiffness in my chest and neck all for nothing. The "attempt" tomorrow will be under local anesthesia, so at least I will be conscious.
I am not a happy camper!
Here I am working as I wait for my surgery for the Medi-Port in 15 minutes.
Wish me luck!
Credits: Missourinet
Photos: A Socialite's Life & WENN
A singing star from Missouri tells Congress there's no reason to play politics with a disease she has fought. Kennet native Sheryl Crow knows breast cancer. She says she remembers President Nixon declaring war on cancer when she was in high school. Twenty-five years later, she says, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery in the fall of 2006.
Crow has told a House subcommittee on health she wants to know why she caught breast cancer. She has no family history of the disease. And she says the research the bill would authorize could answer questions about how the environment affects cancer development.
The bill would provide 200-million dollars in the next five years for research into that possible environmental connection.
Several Republican and federal health officials oppose the bill, saying it sets research priorities that could hamper current efforts on cancer and on other diseases.
But Crow says the bill should be passed because it's time to act, not talk. "I don't live in a political world and while this might seem like a political discussion, until you are the one in seven women diagnosed with breast cancer, you will never know how NOT political this is," she told the committee.
A companion bill requires health insurers to pay for at least 48 hours in the hospital after breast cancer treatment, ending what some call "drive through mastectomies"
It's not known when an effort will be made to get the bill to the floor.
Thanks Sheryl. Somebody needs to figure this shit out! I want to know where this mess came from too, I have no family history of BC.. so uummmmm, yea!
P.S. Loves the watch!
