I had a lot to discuss with Dr. Zap and his nurse at my weekly Wednesday visit with him the week before last. It was my final visit with him during my radiation therapy and I had a list, including the chafing wherein I was gifted those heart pillows. One item, however, was not on… Continue reading Mammogram? Already?
Today was appointment #2 of the week: my first visit with Dr. Zap, my radiation oncologist. Well, not the very first visit – we met Dr. Zap a long time ago, when I first got my diagnosis. We really liked him, and today did not change that opinion. At today’s appointment, he explained to us that he… Continue reading New Tattoos!
This week I have three different cancer-related medical appointments in three days. Tomorrow I have my radiation oncology mapping appointment, and Thursday I get to go under general anesthesia to have my port removed (yahoo!) – I will try to take recovery room selfies as always. Today’s appointment was my first physical therapy appointment to… Continue reading Lymphedema
At my very first visit with Dr. Cancer, she told me that of all the potential lifestyle factors that cause cancer (besides the big ones like smoking and maintaining a healthy weight), there is good evidence that drinking alcohol is one of them. Even the standard recommendation of one drink per day is too high. Certainly I… Continue reading A Toast to Thanksgiving
Quick housekeeping update: I’ve noticed that my Perk-o-Meter page had gotten pretty long, so I’ve added an Executive Summary. Now when I find someone I have not told about my fun new hobby, they can get the quick & dirty without slogging through the whole page. You’re welcome. Here’s the ES as of today, but… Continue reading Executive Summary
Between bald women on SNL, election day, and infusion #5, I have not had a chance to post this little side story about my hand. Yes, my hand; if it’s not one thing it’s another. If you’ll recall, during my mastectomy, I had a sentinel lymph node biopsy done on my right side. They removed… Continue reading So here’s a long story
I have waited to post this until I had an outcome; spoiler alert: This story has a happy ending. You may recall that in July I had a full body scan. This was done because one of my lymph nodes came back positive from the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. Shortly after those tests were done,… Continue reading Scare Averted
First I was told I’d most likely only need a lumpectomy + radiation, but that turned into a mastectomy. Then they thought I’d get away with just the mastectomy and no chemo; but one positive lymph node was found, indicating chemo + radiation. So when it was explained to me that I’d need CT &… Continue reading “No Distant Disease”
I expected today to be hectic and it did not disappoint. This week, the kids are in Watersports Camp at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. The MBAC is a solid 30 minutes from home, all the way at the beach, and drop-off is 7:30-8am, so at 7am we headed out the door – this is… Continue reading Radioactive!
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, it somehow seemed inevitable. I have strong and vivid memories of my mother’s mother suffering with breast cancer for many years, and it ultimately took her life. On my dad’s side of the family, he and both of his siblings have all had some form of cancer. … Continue reading Good Genes
Project Perky 