The challanges of being young with breast cancer
The average age of a woman with breast cancer is 64 years old. The youngest is 13. I was diagnosed at 40. A full 24 years before the average patient. Only 5 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women that are 40 and younger. Lucky me.
Being young with breast cancer has it’s own set of problems. Most of us have small children to raise. Raising kids takes a lot of energy. Energy that a cancer patient in the middle of chemo or radiation doesn’t have.
The fact that we have young children to raise and many of us jobs to work. This fact is somehow over looked by the medical community. I have found it to be a huge aggravation to get the “nurses” in oncology to schedule my MANY, MANY treatments and appointment with the consideration that I have an hour drive home and 3 kids to get off the bus. They are used to dealing with retired women that have all day to kill. I would have appreciate some understanding in this area. I finally had to get down right nasty in order to get scheduled in a time that I could live with.
It is also a challenge dealing with peers who can’t begin to understand how difficult it is to be ill at 40. Most cancer patients in their 60’s among their peers are all in the same boat. They all have some kind of medical issues. My peers are healthy, happy and enjoying the life I was cheated out of by cancer. When my daughter started soccer for the first time last Fall I wondered why the other mom’s on the team were less than friendly, and I finally figured out that they were uncomfortable by my cancer. I was just starting to grow hair back at the time so I was still wearing turbans which made it obvious I was a cancer patient. I am hoping to be more accepted this year since my hair is all grown back and I will no longer be in treatment.
The thing that scared me most when I found out that I had cancer was the fact that I might leave my young children without a mother. I can’t imagine how hard that would be for them. Who is going to talk to my daughter about the things that only a mother and daughter should share?
I pray every day that I will live long enough to meet my grandchildren. I so want to be there for my kids and family. I have a CAT scan coming up in a week. Please pray that they don’t find any cancer anywhere.
I was sorry to hear of the death of Farrah Fawcett from cancer last week. It just goes to show that no matter who you are, no matter how much money you have, if cancer is going to kill you, it’s going to kill you. You cannot buy your way out of it.
Add comment June 28th, 2009 Julie
One more infusion down and ONE MORE TO GO!!
I had my second to last infusion of Herceptin today. It went quickly for a change. I did however have to argue with the nurse about putting the IV in. I swear, people in the medical profession (doctors, nurses, physicians assistants, etc.) should have to take a class in how to listen to a patient. They just don’t get it.
Just two weeks until my final infusion in breast cancer treatment. I can’t believe it. The time went faster than I expected it to.
I have to go for another heart function test (MUGA) when I finish the Herceptin to see where my heart ended up after all of the abuse. I am also going to a CAT scan soon of my soft tissues in my mid section, including my stomach, liver, kidneys, etc. My primary care doctor wanted to be extra careful because of the blood test I had that was off. He sent a note to my oncologist and told her his thoughts, and a day later they called me and got me set up for a CAT scan. I have the best primary care doctor. He saved me at least twice already. He made me go for a mamogram just in time. He also figured out my chronic pain issues and got me on a treatment program that has been a lifesaver. He takes my health personally. ha
It will be nice to have the confirmation from the CAT scan that I am cancer free. I had a bone scan a few weeks ago that was clear. A mammogram a couple of weeks before that that was clear. With this CAT scan done, I will be pretty much checked over from head to toe.
Please pray for good news, which is what I am expecting. I would really appreciate a break from any and all medical problems for awhile now. I deserve it. ha
Add comment June 22nd, 2009 Julie
Casting for Recovery Trip
I just got home yesterday from my Casting for Recovery trip. I went fly fishing on a ranch in Oregon with several other women who are survivors of breast cancer. Fly fishing was a blast. I had a great time.
We all arrived at the Big K Ranch in Oregon on Friday afternoon. It was a LONG drive for me. About 4 hours. Ugh! The Ranch was huge and beautiful. 2,500 acres in southern Oregon. There was a huge river and also a pond near the lodge.
We all stayed in small cabins with one other roommate. The cabins were simple, but clean. Nothing luxurious, that’s for sure. No TV or any other distractions in the room. There was a phone. ha Happily, my cell phone worked well out there.
We ate our meals in the lodge. The Ranch is quite a ways away from the nearest town, so they provide all of your meals for you on the ranch. The food was okay. Not great, but not bad either.
We had some interesting discussion groups about cancer and it’s effect on you physically and emotionally. All of the “staff” was volunteer. Incredibly nice ladies. My fly fishing instructor was GREAT! She was basically a professional fly fisher. She works in a fly fishing shop and really knows her stuff. She was a lot of fun and a good instructor. I caught 5 or 6 trout, one right after another. I waded all the way up to my hips in the river to fish. What a blast! ha It made me feel like myself again. Adventurous and strong.
It was interesting to listen to the other campers stories. I couldn’t believe the people that were floored by stage I cancer and a minor lump-ectomy. (no chemo and no radiation) I wish that was the only problem I have had in the last 5 years. I guess it’s all in your perspective. My journey has been much more difficult and very long. 5 years of serious medical issues. However, I know many people who have had a much more difficult time then me with cancer and other medical problems. There is always someone who has had it better or worse than you. We all have our crosses to bear.
I missed my family while I was gone. My baby (my youngest and only daughter) told her Daddy while I was gone, “Mom shouldn’t go on trips.” ha That’s my girl. She loves her Mommy.
Add comment June 8th, 2009 Julie
Tips for choosing an Oncologist
Once you are diagnoised with cancer, you will be sent to an Oncologist. That is a doctor that specializes in the treatment of cancer. This person will be one of the most important people in your life for the rest of your life. You will see him/her several times in the first year or two of treatment, and then often in the years to follow as well. They are in charge of your treatment for cancer, all test for diagnosis and follow up, keeping you up to date on the most current treatment options available to you for your kind of cancer.
Tips for choosing a good doctor.
1. Find a doctor that you are comfortable with. It is important that you feel like you can talk to your doctor about anything.
2. Experience. Now is not the time to have the new kid on staff. You want someone who has been around the block a few times, but is also up on the most current treatment options as well.
3. Good communication. My doctor can be reached by e-mail in hours. I LOVE that! It is so nice to be able to pop off a quick note about a question or two and receive an answer.
4. Compassionate. My doctor has a really gentle way about her. She talks softly and clearly and has true compasion in her voice. She seems to understand the fear and agony that many cancer patients feel.
Choosing a good doctor can been a process. The first one you meat isn’t necessarily the best. As for recomendations from friends.
Add comment June 3rd, 2009 Julie
And then there were two!
I had my third to last infusion this week of Herceptin. Just two more infusions to go and I am done with breast cancer treatment. I should add up all the hours I have spent at the hospital, doctors office, lab and treatment rooms in the last year and a half. On second thought, I don’t want to know. I feel like I live there. I have to say that I am VERY tired of being stuck at appointment after appointment. Oncology is always slow. A few weeks ago I spent 5 hours getting a 30 minute infusion. I waited in the waiting room for an hour and a half before I finally went into the infusion room to ask if they ever planned on doing my infusion that day. What an incredible waste of time. So frustrating.
I do have to have another MUGA after I finish treatment to see where my heart ended up after all of the Herceptin infusions. There was a period of time in the middle of treatment that I had to take a break from the Herceptin because it was bothering my heart. My heart function started at 60, which is really good. It went down as low as 48 at one point, out of the good range (good being 40 to 70). My last MUGA I was back up to a 52. I am hoping my heart will return to a 60 or better after the Herceptin is over.
Cancer treatment is a true challenge and there are all kinds of things to think about and a finess to treatment. Thank God, I have a great oncologist that I really like and I am very comfortable with her. I wouldn’t hesitate to change to a different doctor in a second if I didn’t feel like she was the best doctor for me.
Add comment June 3rd, 2009 Julie
Bloom Of Hope, A (Breast Cancer Tribute)
A friend and pattern designer has created a pattern as a tribute to family, and friends with breast cancer.
by Glendon Place
A tribute to breast cancer survivors and others affected by this life-threatening disease. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each chart will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. More than 80% of all donations to NBCF go to programs that benefit women through free mammograms for the needy, breast cancer awareness campaigns, and breast cancer research projects. By supporting the cause, you give every woman hope. And with hope, anything is possible. Stitched on 28ct Water Lily Jobelan. Requires 6 colors of Anchor/DMC floss and 3 colors of Caron Waterlilies (12-strand silk). Stitch Count: 68w X 176h.
Add comment May 29th, 2009 Julie
Warning about Zometa
I received a note from a nice lady a few days ago with some advise about taking Zometa. I already knew about the possible side effects because my oncologist covered them with me before I agreed to take the drug. I thought I would post her note however (with her permission), because it has some great information. Thank you Elinka. Elinka is a Specialist in Oral Medicine in Australia and she enjoys cross stitching.
Here is the note she sent:
Dear Julie,
I do not blog, so am sending this via your cross stitch website. Before starting Zometa, please make sure that you have had a check-up with a dentist, if your hospital/oncologist has not already suggested this. Zometa is a fantastic drug for preventing major problems with a number of different types of cancer, so should always be used when advised by your oncologist, but it also appears to be related to delayed bone healing after tooth extractions. You will need to avoid extractions where possible; prevention in this case is infinitely better than cure. Sometimes, ulcers can develop in the mouth even without extractions, so regular checks are really important.
Good luck with the next stage of your treatment,
Best Wishes,
Elinka
Add comment May 27th, 2009 Julie
Newsletter update on my Breast Cancer Fight
Julie’s Breast Cancer Fight
It has been over a year now since I was diagnosed with stage IIIa Breast Cancer. My fight started in January of 2008. Being only 40 years old when I was diagnosed and having an aggressive breast cancer, my doctor believed it was best to treat my cancer aggressively as well. I had a mastectomy, chemo, radiation, Herceptin infusions and soon I will start taking a Osteoporosis drug called Zometa that has been shown to reduce the chance of a recurrence of breast cancer by 30%. I am also taking it as a preventive measure to prevent osteoporosis. Once you have had chemo it can effect your bones and many people are put into menopause at least temporarily by treatment, which also increases the likelihood you will have osteoporosis. My doctor has given me a date for my last Herceptin infusion. I only have 4 infusions left. I will officially be done with cancer treatment in July. I can’t believe it. When I was diagnosed and went to my oncologist the first time I remember how overwhelming the treatment plan was. I had no idea it took years to treat breast cancer. I will always have to go to the oncologist for check-ups for the rest of my life. At first every 3 months, then every 6 months and finally once a year. The good things that have come out of having cancer for me are an appreciation for my husband and children that most people can’t understand. I am also very proud of the strength I have found during treatment. I have dealt with more in the last year then most people deal with in a life time. I am proud to say that I am a Breast Cancer Survivor!!
Add comment May 24th, 2009 Julie
One more down and three infusions to go
I had an infusion on Monday. It was my 4th to last Herceptin infusion and my first infusion of Reclast. It was not a fun day. A 45 minute infusion took over 3 hours. I waited and waited, and waited, and waited for them to call me back to the chemo room. I cannot tell you how sick I am of wasting minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, and finally year after year in the doctors office. I won’t know what to do with myself when I don’t have to waste two or three days a week at the doctors office. After an hour and 15 minutes, I finally went to ask who ever I could find in the chemo room if they ever planned on getting me started. As usual, no real answer why it was taking so long, if they lost my paper work, who is at fault. Annoying.
It was also my first infusion of Reclast. Reclast is traditionally an Osteoporosis drug. My mother takes it for that reason. It is also used in the treatment of bone cancer. Recently, they have started to use it in the treatment of breast cancer. I will have to have it once every 6 months by IV for 3 years. It will also prevent me from getting Osteoporosis. I am now susceptible since I had chemo therapy.
I had no idea how awful it would make me feel. The night after my treatment I woke up at 3 a.m. just shivering. Terrible chills. I popped an Advil and jumped back in bed. I drug myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. to get the kids to school and I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I had a fever, aches and just plain felt like I had the flu, although the flu had never come on so quickly before, so I suspected that it was the Reclast. I called my doctor to verify my suspicions and I was correct. It was a reaction to the Reclast. I spent the day in bed. I have been exhausted all week from the Reclast.
I will finish my Herceptin infusions in July. I cannot tell you how exciting it is to have an end date in site. I am cancer free and I am a SURVIVOR!! I am a Survivor, and proud of it. It was a long, hard fought battle and I made it.
Please pray that I continue to be in good health and that I don’t have a recurrence of cancer. Thank you for all of your prayers.
Add comment May 15th, 2009 Julie
Cancer scare this week
I had an appointment with my oncologist a couple of weeks ago and she wanted to repeat a blood test that I had recently since it was off by a small amount, but none the less, off. During the visit I had found out I only have 4 Herceptin treatments to go and I am officially DONE with breast cancer treatment after 18 months of grueling therapy. I, of course, was very excited to only have 4 more treatments left.
At the same appointment the doctor repeated the blood test that was askew, and a couple of days later I got a phone call from an oncology nurse that the doctor wanted me to have a bone scan since the second blood test came back outside the range of normal. Bone scans are generally used to see if cancer has spread to your bones, so needless to say, I was a little concerned and disappointed since I am so close to being done with treatment. I just kept thinking, “I can’t stating this whole chemo thing over again right now”. My hair is finally back to normal. I just finished all that crap and I deserve a rest.
During the bone test today, a radiologist doctor just happened to be there watching my scan waiting to use the Gamma Ray machine for something else, so she observed my scan. She came into the room to talk to us afterwords and was kind enough to briefly read the scans and tell us that she doesn’t see anything to cause her to believe that the cancer has spread at all to my bone. Thank you Jesus!
We were very happy to find out I have a clean bill of health.
We have been really lucky during my treatment in many ways. For whatever reason, I have been in the right place, at the right time, with the right doctor, or health care provider and have not had to wait long for test results, scans, or other tests because of that. Must be God working on my side.
Please continue to pray for my recovery and health. I hope to live a long, happy life and to enjoy watching my kids and some day grandkids grow-up.
Add comment April 28th, 2009 Julie
| Previous Posts |