Bad doctor day!

Today was supposed to be my second infusion of  Zometa.  I spent 3 hours at the oncologist and never got it done.  What  a pain. They called me at 7 a.m. to remind me that they should have reminded me yesterday to have a blood test for my infusion.  I wasn’t aware that they needed a CBC for my infusion today.  So, I had to go early and get my blood test.  It was supposed to be done in an hour.  3 hours later, they still didn’t have the information they needed for the okay for my infusion.  What a hassel.  So now I have to go back and have the infusion next week.  Yippie.  I have been dieing to get this over with for two weeks, and now I have to wait 4 more days.

Basically, it was a typical day at oncology.  It has never been an easy place to get anything done.

My doctor was happy with how I look.  She noticed I have lost a lot of weight and look healthy.

Now, it’s back to plastic surgery to finish my breast.  Oh boy.

Add comment December 10th, 2009 Julie

6 month post treatment check-up coming

I have my six month check coming up next week.  They will do blood work, feel me up, etc.  I also have my second infusion of Reclast.  Ugh!  Last time it made me feel like I had the flu for a week afterward.   The doctor they would infuse it slower this time to see if it helps or not.   Don’t know what that has to do with it, but I hope it works.  I am not looking forward to being sick for a week.

This January it will be 2 years since I was diagnoised with breast cancer.  Hard to believe.  The time goes so fast.

I will write another up date after my appointment to let you all know how things are going.

Add comment December 1st, 2009 Julie

Perscription for Death, Breast Cancer Guidelines

I am sure you have all heard about the “New” guidelines for breast mammography.  After drilling it into our heads for years  that we need to have our first mammograms at age 40, now they are changing course and saying the “Average” person doesn’t need a mammogram until they are 50.  If I followed this so called guideline I would be DEAD for two years now.  That’s DEAD!!!!

Breast cancer is the SECOND leading cause of DEATH in the United States.  The second.

Speaking as a cancer survivor and as someone who  does not fall into the “Average” population when it comes to breast cancer, this stinks of socialized medicine.  “Well the other countries are doing it, so why don’t we?” Since when does the United States let other countries tell us how to do things?  We are a sovereign country for a reason.  I do not wish to DIE under socialized medicine.

“It will save undue stress and unnecessary harm.” Big deal if some woman has to be under stress for a week until they can verify with an ultrasound and a biopsy that she doesn’t have breast cancer.  This is the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard.  And that “undue harm” they are speaking of amounts to a biopsy.  A biopsy that takes a string of tissue from your breast the size of a starving (and I mean starving)  worm.  It  hardly qualifies as  “harm”.   Please!?   What ridiculous fear mongering.

By the way, The American Cancer Society (who would be the authority on this) is against the “New” guidelines.

Take it from someone who has been there instead of some ridiculous statistics that some idiot cooked up that will change next year any way.  Get your mammogram when you are 40.  It may be YOUR life it saves.

This country is going down the drain.  Wake up people!

Add comment November 17th, 2009 Julie

6 years old w/ Leukemia

Just last week we found out a little girl that plays soccer with my daughter was diagnoised with Childhood Leukemia.  The only thing worse than going through cancer yourself, would be to have to watch your child go through it.  Cancer doesn’t discriminate.  It attacks young, old and in between.

Thank God that medical advances are such now that 85% of children with Leukemia  are curable.

Please join me in praying  for this sweet, little girl.

Add comment October 29th, 2009 Julie

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  As you all know, breast cancer victims are dear to my heart.   I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer.  It was my very first mammogram.    As you can imagine, it was very shocking to have breast cancer at 40.  I didn’t have ANY risk factors.  There is no family history of breast cancer in my family.  I have never smoked, drank or done anything else that you would expect that would lead to cancer.

Treatment was long and difficult.  I had a mastectomy right away, dose dense chemo for 4 month following surgery and 6 weeks of daily radiation after that.  I also had Herceptin infusions ever 3 weeks for a year.   In the mean time I had several surgeries to reconstruct my breast.  All while raising a family of 3 kids, running my store, and taking care of my house and husband.  It was challenging, but I am proud to say I am a Survivor!!

This January it will be two years since I was diagnoised.   Please think of all the mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc.  with breast cancer  this month when you see packages marked with the pink ribbon (breast cancer symbol) and purchase as many of those products as possible to aid in the fight for breast cancer.

God bless.

Add comment October 4th, 2009 Julie

Fall is here!

After a long, hot summer in Washington state, fall is finally here.  It has been raining for two days straight.  Just last week it was still in the 90’s which is unheard of in this neck of the woods.

We are almost done with our home remodeling project.  We just have carpet and touch ups to the paint to go.  It is so great to have a huge kitchen.  I almost don’t know what to do with myself when I don’t have to climb over some one every time I move.  The floor to ceiling windows on the back of the house are gorgeous.  They bring in the beautiful trees and flowers outside.

My dear friend is having one of her kidneys removed today due to kidney cancer.  I am worried about her.  Please pray for her safety, health and a quick recovery.

We wish every one a pleasant Fall!

Add comment September 30th, 2009 Julie

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

My husband and I did the 1 mile walk in Portland, OR today sponsored by Susan G. Komon, Race for the Cure.  It was my husbands idea.  He thought it would be a good way to symbolize the end of my treatment battle.  There were 43,000 runners, walkers, and volunteers there yesterday.  It was a lot of fun.  Survivors got special shirts.  It was amazing to see the Sea of Pink shirts among the 1,000’s of people there.  There are many survivors of breast cancer out there.  There were also many who raced in memory of loved ones they have lost to breast cancer.

I am proud to be a survivor!

Add comment September 20th, 2009 Julie

Cancer and my dear friend

I have a dear friend that I work out with at the gym.   They found a mass in her kidney and they think it is cancer.  She is no stranger to cancer.  She was diagnoised with her first cancer (breast) when she was 50.  A few years later they found cancer in her other breast as well.  Then she was diagnosed with lung cancer.  The truth be known, she was a smoker, so it is not surprising.  A few years later she developed cancer in the other lung.  Now she has kidney cancer.  They have all been “primary” cancers.  That means that they originated in the area where they were found.  It is Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer and Kidney Cancer.  Not breast cancer that has spread to her lungs and kidneys.

She was my own private support group when I was going through breast cancer treatment.  We have become close friend.

She is going to have surgery in a few weeks to have her kidney removed. Thank heaven she has both kidneys, so she should be okay.  Please pray that it is contained to the kidney and that they get it all with surgery.  There is no further treatment planed.

Add comment September 9th, 2009 Julie

A difficult week

This has been a rough week.  I have been very sick.  I haven’t been this sick since my first week of chemo.  Just caught some kind of virus that attacked my throat so badly I almost couldn’t breath it was so swollen by the time I got into the doctor after two days of suffering.  I was spitting my own saliva out it was so painful to swallow.  I had a high fever and aches.  No one else in my home has been sick, which is odd.  My kids are usually the ones who get stuff first and bring it home then cough, sneeze, and slobber all over me until they get me sick.  ha  You know, the joys of being a mom.  ha ha

Thankfully, I got into the doctor and she realized how serious it was and put me on a steroid to shirk the tissues, gave me a shot of antibiotic in my butt like when I was a kid and gave me something to help the pain in my throat.  Ugh.  What a deal.   Just today I can swallow water without having to brace myself for the pain.  Food would be nice some time soon.  I hope tomorrow.  Luckily, I have plenty of reserve to hold me in that department.

Our remodeling project is going well.  We will be done in a few weeks.  I can’t wait.  Tired of having my home all tore up and living out of just a few rooms.

The kids start school next week.  One more summer down.  It’s kind of sad.  This is the last year my oldest will be in jr. high.  Next year he will be off to high school.  Seems like we just took him to kindergarten in Vancouver.  How can it be?  I feel the empty nest syndrome coming on.

My husbands family had their last funeral today for awhile, God willing.  We lost two very close together.  I know there is so much sadness in Arkansas tonight.  We love you.

Add comment August 27th, 2009 Julie

Aunt Kathy passed away

My husband’s Aunt Kathy died a few days ago from Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  She put up a good fight, but just couldn’t fight any more.  We are sad to see her go.  Please pray for a vaccine or cure for Breast Cancer.   It is leaving so many families with out mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, granddaughters, and daughters.

Add comment August 23rd, 2009 Julie