Happy October!!

 

 

October is breast cancer awareness month.  The entire month is dedicated to spreading the awareness and gaining funds for the research of breast cancer.  It is estimated that in 2013 there will be a total of 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,620 breast cancer deaths in the US among women.  Feel those Ta-Tas ladies, don't be ashamed, it could save your life....it did mine!!

　
Breast Self-Awareness
1. Know your risk Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
Sign up for your screening reminder at komen.org/reminder

3. Know what is normal for you The signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. It is important to know how your breasts normally look and feel. See your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area

• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast

• Change in the size or shape of the breast

• Dimpling or puckering of the skin

• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast

• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly

• New pain in one spot that does not go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit menopausal hormone use
Breastfeed, if you can

For more information visit our website or call our breast care helplinewww.komen.org 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
All images are copyrighted, ©2013 Susan G. Komen®. Use of images prohibited without prior written permission.
Komen does not provide medical advice. ©2013 Susan G. Komen® Item No. KOMEED200600, English 7/13


The third week of October has been set aside for the awareness of men's breast cancer.  Although not as common, men DO get breast cancer too.  Women make sure your men feel their ta-tas too, especially if breast cancer runs in their family.  It is estimated that in 2013 there will be a total of 2,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 410 breast cancer deaths in U.S men.  Spread the word!!

Pink Ribbon Connection



Last week I was honored to be able to attend a breast cancer event in downtown Indy.  Pink Ribbon Connection is a non-profit breast cancer support and information organization.  They hold a luncheon fashion show fundraiser every year and my hospital bought a table and invited survivors.  It was an amazing afternoon.  I arrived at the Marriott and the hallways were filled with women in PINK.  I checked in and got my name tag which said "Survivor" on it...that's my new title :)  There were booths and tables along the hallway with information and freebies.  I located my nurse and my fellow survivor friend Debbie.  We then ordered a pink drink to loosen up.  Next, we grabbed some props and headed to the photo booth!

Then we located some other people from our group and went into the ballroom to find our table.  We were seated right next to the runway!  There ended up being 4 survivors and our Nurse Sharlee.  All the models in the fashion show were either breast cancer survivors or health care providers working with breast cancer patients.  Sharlee said she's going to see about getting me in the show next year!

 

 

 

What do you know about Mesothelioma?

source: www.mesothelioma.com


I was asked to include this on my blog.  Always glad to bring awareness!

Decisions, Decisions

I saw my Oncologist on Tuesday and talked with him about what the Radiation Oncologist had told me about recommending more chemo.  Apparently he had "spoken out of his expertise" and I will NOT need anymore chemo.  My oncologist said that if the chemo didn't work the first time, it won't work a second time either.  A different kind of chemo will not make a difference.  As I've stated before, my kind of cancer is highly estrogen + and highly Her2 +, which means the cancer is being driven by either the estrogen or the Her2.  Since the chemo didn't work, this suggests that my cancer is driven by the estrogen.  Therefore, the drug Tamoxifen will prevent any further growth of breast cancer cells.  I was under the impression that I wouldn't start Tamoxifen until ALL my treatment was complete (May 2014), but he said I could start it as soon as my chemo was done, so he went ahead and wrote the prescription for me.  I'm really nervous about taking it, and therefore haven't started it yet.  It's sitting in a drawer in my bathroom.  I have heard that it gives you hot flashes which, let's face it ladies, are NO FUN!  I have had these already throughout my treatments and I am not looking forward to them coming back.  However, what scares me the most is the risk of uterine cancer.  I mean do I really need to trade one cancer in for another???  I shared my concerns with my nurse and she said that of all her patients, she's only known of 1 who developed uterine cancer while on the drug.  And IF I were to get it, it would be years down the road, like 10+ years.  She said the risk is low, but as always I must way the risks, and she said the benefits out way the risks for this drug.  She said that if I were her daughter, she would tell me to take it.  So, I'll take it, but I'm not looking forward to it, especially since I have to take it for the next 5-10 years of my life!

Today, I had another appointment with my Plastic Surgeon.  As of right now, I am not happy with the way my breasts are looking.  I don't think it has anything to do with the handy work of the surgeon, it's just the way the expanders are filling out, the pockets that were created after the tissue was removed, and the scar tissue that is developing.  My right breast is lower and "plumper", and my surgeon says bigger (although I swear it's smaller).  But todays' appointment reassured me.  The surgeon said that during my next surgery he will be able to lift up the lower breast, which will make them look more even and IF needed he can later make a tissue deposit from my belly to the breast to fill in any differences.  I think I am at the size I want to be right now, so I scheduled the date for my next surgery...December 6th.  Now, I just need to decide if I want gel or saline implants.  To my surprise, the Plastic Surgeon said today that over 50% of his patients have chosen to go with gel implants.  My next follow-up with him is on Nov. 11th and I think a decision will be made then.