Happy Holidays!

The holidays are upon us.  There is much to be grateful for as we head into 2013. Wishing everyone a happy and HEALTHY New Year!

Four Years and Counting

Another great mammogram and another great oncology visit!  Everything is status quo, and the oncologist says only 1 years and 3 months to go on the Tamoxifen. I started January 9, 2009 and will end on January 9, 2014.  It really has gone faster than I could imagine.

On another note, I rarely think about the cancer anymore except for mammogram and oncology visit time, which is the same time as Pinktober. It is only when someone starts talking about cancer, or I see something in the media that sparks my thoughts.

When I was first diagnosed, the breast cancer surgeon told me that this will only be a bump in the road of my life's journey.  I am really starting to believe it!

Another Biopsy in Two Weeks

I have been on Tamoxifen for 3.5 years.  Only another 1.5 years and I'm off...finally!  However, one of the side effects has been an overgrowth of the uterine endometrial lining. A year ago, I had a pelvic sonogram due to this, and it was recommended that I have a biopsy since it is not uncommon to get uterine cancer from this.  About six weeks ago, I had another sonogram, because of lower abdominal pain. It showed that the lining was even thicker than it was a year ago.  Again, the Gyn feels I need another biopsy. It's the only way to know that I am healthy.  I hope that this will be the last one...it was quite painful the last time.  Only two weeks to angst over this...

Update: Biopsy was negative. YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!

Mother's Day May 13, 2012 - 22 Years Later

My mother died of breast cancer mets on Mother's Day, May 13, 1990. This year, the dates coincided for another very sad Mother's Day. However...the day was made brighter. My daughter, living in Chicago, invited all of us to her place for the weekend.  Part of the weekend was participation in the Y-Me annual walk (see picture).  Y-Me is a wonderful organization that provides women with breast cancer a 24 hour hotline for support and answering questions.  It has become a lifeline for women with nowhere else to turn.

There were tens of thousands of partipants walking the 3 mile journey through Millenium Park in the heart of Chicago. The weather was glorious. The atmosphere was charged.  The first time I walked a breast cancer event, it was emotionally painful.  I was with other survivors and we were all sharing stories, and I just cried...for my mother and for myself.  I swore I would never do another walk again. It was just too difficult.

However, my daughter had taken up the cause since my diagnosis in late 2008, and I could not say "No" to her. She cares too much.  Her boyfriend's family joined us, which helped to make the walk more fun.  It ended up being a joyous day - with a beautiful brunch to follow the event and a weekend of total frivolity and family love. It doesn't get much better than that.

Update: Not long after the walk, Y-Me mysteriously disappeared off the Internet; their offices shut down too. Wonder where all the money we collected went?

6 Months Later

Everything is going well.  My cancer breast has really shrunk in size after all these months between the surgeries and the radiation.  I call it "Mini-Me."  It's better than crying, right?  I tend to cover my chest with sweaters or jackets so no one call really tell.

In January, I decided to bite the bullet, and make life all about me instead of pleasing everyone else. I went on Weight Watchers, and have done very well. I try to stick to organic foods, and have concentrated more on fruits and vegetables, although I do have to have one sweet per day. I also give myself weekly manicures and exercise more than I used to. So often, we live to make everyone else happy, but exclude ourselves in the process...not anymore. I count too!

In two weeks, I go back to the oncologist for my 6 month checkup. Only 20 more months of Tamoxifen and that part of my life is over.  I don't think about the cancer as much anymore, unless someone mentions someone who was recently diagnosed or died from it.

I am hoping by living a cleaner and healthier lifestyle that I keep the beast away. In the meantime, it feels great to be good to me!!!