I have officially completed my "active" treatment for breast cancer. I had my last radiation treatment on October 20th. I had a genetics test to see if I had a mutation on the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and the results were negative! If it had of been positive, I was going to need a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes. So happy that it was negative. The reason that was needed was becuase my type of breast cancer was Tripple Negative Breast Cancer. I had an appointment with my onchologist a few days ago and was told that I can now have my port-a-cath removed from my chest!!! I will schedule that in the next few weeks and that will be my last surgery. I will have check-ups with the onchologist every 3 months for two years, then every 6 months for two years and then once a year for a few years more. Looking back it does not seem that this has taken so long to get to this point, but going through it there were times when it seemed that it would never end and times when I felt I could not endure or survive any further treatment. Thank you, thank you, to all of you who have listened to me complain and cry and who have given me much needed hugs and words of encouragment. My family has been amazing. They have endured my grouchiness and sickness, taken over the tasks that I would usually do and given me lots of love and encouragement. I am a lucky woman!
FAMILY MAKES ALL THE STRUGGLES WORTH IT
Friday, November 4, 2011
'GAINS OUT WEIGH LOSSES"
SINCE FINDING A LUMP IN MY BREAST ON JANUARY 2, 2011:
I HAVE HAD: 33 radiation treatments
14 chemo treatments (love the nurses at Arizona Onchology)
20 blood draws
26 doctor appts (besides chemo dates)
3 iv’s for nausea
4 injections to enhance white blood cell production
3 surgeries
2 CT scans
1 pet scan
2 MRI’s
1 mamogram
1 ultrasound
1 biopsy
1 EKG
1 echocardiogram
2 injections of radioactive dye
1 genetics test (was negative - yipee!)
I’VE EXPERIENCED: nausea, rash on arms and hands, loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes
neuropathy in hands and feet, loss of some fingernails, dry eyes, mouth and nose, sores in mouth and nose, nasty taste in mouth and all food tasted bad, FATIGUE, and achy joints and muscles.
I missed 30 ½ days of work - 18 of those without pay
BUT....... I’ve also received LOTS of love, hugs, kisses and prayers on my behalf; flowers; meals; cards; letters; phone calls; e-mails; pink breast cancer clothing and jewelry; "pink party"; beautiful quilt made for me by friends; foot rubs; cute knited hats to cover my cold, bald head; and words of encouragement.
I’VE GAINED a deeper appreciation for life, love and relationships; new friends; new perspective; more strength and confidence in my ability to deal with tough things; and a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I HAVE HAD: 33 radiation treatments
14 chemo treatments (love the nurses at Arizona Onchology)
20 blood draws
26 doctor appts (besides chemo dates)
3 iv’s for nausea
4 injections to enhance white blood cell production
3 surgeries
2 CT scans
1 pet scan
2 MRI’s
1 mamogram
1 ultrasound
1 biopsy
1 EKG
1 echocardiogram
2 injections of radioactive dye
1 genetics test (was negative - yipee!)
I’VE EXPERIENCED: nausea, rash on arms and hands, loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes
neuropathy in hands and feet, loss of some fingernails, dry eyes, mouth and nose, sores in mouth and nose, nasty taste in mouth and all food tasted bad, FATIGUE, and achy joints and muscles.
I missed 30 ½ days of work - 18 of those without pay
BUT....... I’ve also received LOTS of love, hugs, kisses and prayers on my behalf; flowers; meals; cards; letters; phone calls; e-mails; pink breast cancer clothing and jewelry; "pink party"; beautiful quilt made for me by friends; foot rubs; cute knited hats to cover my cold, bald head; and words of encouragement.
I’VE GAINED a deeper appreciation for life, love and relationships; new friends; new perspective; more strength and confidence in my ability to deal with tough things; and a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
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