My procedure went very well the Doctor said, it was a little harder to get at than he thought, but all went well. He went a little bigger around the area to be safe. When I saw that instrument they were using I was like, I am glad I will be asleep when that goes in, but he informed me he needed me awake in the beginning to breathe, but that it would be numbed and that I would not feel a thing which I did not. I had a IV in my hand which I hate it always hurts, and they put something in it, my whole arm hurt so bad, they said it would go away very soon, thank heavens it did, something the anesthesiologist did maybe because I wasn't going all the way under yet. I do remember them trying to position me just right. But was all over, went to recovery I can remember laughing, I thought I dreamed this, no wonder my side was so sore too, but I was laughing and told them they all looked like cartoons. It was really sore when I just woke up but of course they give you pain killer and it was better.
Later that evening it was starting to really hurt again, the nurse gave me morphine, ugh I will not have that again made you feel awful. Sam had just brought me a subway sandwich which all came up, they finally brought me some medicine for the nausea. But really these are little minor things. The surgery was great, I would definitely go through it again!!!
Which I may be going through this again, they could not do my Lung at the same time, to dangerous. The next day he had me come down for scans of my Lung. On my back or stomach they couldn't get to it, so then they had me get on my right side left shoulder forward then he said that would be perfect he would be able to do it. So I am waiting for an answer from him they had to reorder CT Scans from another place that got misplaced and compare them to these. He said he is not sure it is Cancer but if it is and it got bigger they would not be able to do the procedure because of where it is at. So when he calls and if he tells me yes let's go ahead and do it, I hope to do it in the next 2 to 4 weeks. It is a wonderful procedure that they can do. I will have scans in another two to three months to see how the spots reacted for sure.
So Again I say Thank you so very much for all your wonderful words of inspiration and beautiful prayers that you know always carry me through and keep me safe!!!
When going through this Trial that I have, one may say "I now realize that I am going to die one day, Maybe not from Breast Cancer but from something. And so the question becomes, "HOW DO WE WANT TO LIVE?"
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Radio Frequency Ablation Procedure
http://www.cancerablation.com/
This is the website to the procedure I am having, it is a short animated video. It is very interesting, I will be put all the way under and will have to spend one night in the hospital. I thought this might help someone going through the same thing, I have never heard of this before. You can do it again if you need too. I imagine if it just spread all over you would have to do Chemo or some other procedure. Not sure on that.
This is the website to the procedure I am having, it is a short animated video. It is very interesting, I will be put all the way under and will have to spend one night in the hospital. I thought this might help someone going through the same thing, I have never heard of this before. You can do it again if you need too. I imagine if it just spread all over you would have to do Chemo or some other procedure. Not sure on that.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Update of My Cancer and Treatments
I am so sorry I have not been on here in a long time, I just got really busy and boy does time fly by. I know a lot of you were keeping up with me on here. I will try and update you without making this really long.
If you can believe this September 2nd will be 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
I did finish my 7th week of radiation and everything went great, I remember thinking I was almost afraid to quit, because you feel like it's killing the cancer and then you just stop treatment and then what. The staff was just wonderful it made it so easy to go everyday. They had a graduation ceremony for all of us who finished with this treatment and we wore pink hats and gowns, it was really nice and fun. Hopefully I can get my son to down load some pictures of some of these events. I did a modeling show for First Friday with other cancer patients it was such a blast the theme was "Grease" boy did they make you feel special, we wore outfits from Jullian Golds. It was a wonderful experience. I did a 5k walk for "Making Strides against Breast Cancer" with my daughter Samantha, niece Brittany and sister Jeni, oh it was so much fun. I believe there were around 8,000 people. I will do it again this October also, I had friends who didn't know I was walking and want to do it this year, such a great cause of course.
I have continued doing my herceptin treatments every 3 weeks, will be two years on October 2nd. My Oncologist said I will be doing this for a long time. I have to have Echo cardiograms
every 4 to 5 months to make sure my heart is doing well. I continue to take my 5 year pill, which has been a year now.
January 15, 2011 I was hospitalized for a blood infection called Streptococcus, they said you can get it through a cut on your finger, which I had on my thumb at the time. Anyone can get it the Doctor said. I am more vulnerable now from all I have been through. I was in the hospital a week and had IV's of antibiotics. During this time they did a Chest X-Ray on me and this Doctor had come in later and told me there was a spot on my lung, which I said no there shouldn't be.
The next morning my Oncologist came in and I told him what that Doctor said and he said not to worry about it I would be doing CT Scans in March. So I did not dwell on it and was hoping it was something of no significance.
March came and I went and had my CT Scans on March 1st. We left on the 9th to Utah to my daughters Wedding. When I came back I had a Doctor's appointment and he showed me the papers and said there is a spot on my Liver and Lung and the spot on my Liver had grown .5cm.
He then said to stay positive and we would see what happens in August or September my next CT Scans, if treatment isn't working we would maybe have to do Chemo again.
Well my heart dropped I went to my car and cried for a tiny bit, I had always told my family once it goes to your liver and lungs that's it. Well that is so not true, but I did not know that. I told my husband not to tell my kids or parents until we see what happens in September. Well thankfully he did not listen to me and told my kids, who then were upset with the Doctor, wondering 'Why is he waiting and not doing anything now?" I was trusting his opinion, well now they got my younger sister involved and look out, they were all digging and researching like crazy. Meanwhile my daughter had her reception here April 30th and I informed my kids and sister I will concentrate on me after the reception. It did keep my mind off of me and focused on her totally, which really helped. After it was over, oh it was time to take care of me. My sister has a friend who is friends with a Radiology Oncologist and my sister talked to him and he said for me to call him. Meanwhile this past year my dad got throat cancer, and he was treated by the Oncologist that I went to see for a second opinion. Dad is cancer free, voice is still not the same he talks to much.
When I called Dr. Voorhees the first thing he said was "This is not a death Sentence" oh that is all I needed to hear. My husband and sister came with me to the appointment, he was just awesome. He spent over 2 hours with me, he told me this was treatable and something I have to live with the rest of my life, Like people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems,etc... But in 5 or 10 years who knows what they will come up with. So he told me about this procedure he thought I should have called Radio Frequency Ablation it basically microwaves the cancer tumor. So at the end he told me to put away my shovel, and told me to exercise 4 times a week for 45min. and some other things.
He made me feel so good, my fight was back in me and my spirits totally back to normal. I am having this procedure Monday, June 6,2011.
Don't ever be afraid to get a second opinion, and don't try to fight this alone. I learned my kids are adults and they can handle anything, I was wrong to want to wait to tell them, I needed them all more than I had realized, just like in the beginning of all this I needed the support and it helps to talk to everyone, it's a wonderful therapy. I should have known better, we learn through experience and I know you can NEVER fight something like this alone EVER, I need all those prayers and support that is what makes me so strong, the person I never thought I could be.
I have prayed for strength and comfort and received that from a blessing from my Bishop and Sam. When ever you feel sad and down, do not stay there, that is a horrible place to be. I am so happy now even though I go through all this it is okay, it is my trial, and I know now it is necessary for my salvation that I have to endure this, and I think I have endured it very well. I have two new grand babies that makes 9 and I plan on being around for many more. I will update you on my surgery after Monday.
You people are who keep me going strong, those wonderful prayers that have strengthened me from the beginning. Thank you to all my children and sister who fight for me, my eternal love to all of you and the rest of my family and friends!!!
If you can believe this September 2nd will be 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
I did finish my 7th week of radiation and everything went great, I remember thinking I was almost afraid to quit, because you feel like it's killing the cancer and then you just stop treatment and then what. The staff was just wonderful it made it so easy to go everyday. They had a graduation ceremony for all of us who finished with this treatment and we wore pink hats and gowns, it was really nice and fun. Hopefully I can get my son to down load some pictures of some of these events. I did a modeling show for First Friday with other cancer patients it was such a blast the theme was "Grease" boy did they make you feel special, we wore outfits from Jullian Golds. It was a wonderful experience. I did a 5k walk for "Making Strides against Breast Cancer" with my daughter Samantha, niece Brittany and sister Jeni, oh it was so much fun. I believe there were around 8,000 people. I will do it again this October also, I had friends who didn't know I was walking and want to do it this year, such a great cause of course.
I have continued doing my herceptin treatments every 3 weeks, will be two years on October 2nd. My Oncologist said I will be doing this for a long time. I have to have Echo cardiograms
every 4 to 5 months to make sure my heart is doing well. I continue to take my 5 year pill, which has been a year now.
January 15, 2011 I was hospitalized for a blood infection called Streptococcus, they said you can get it through a cut on your finger, which I had on my thumb at the time. Anyone can get it the Doctor said. I am more vulnerable now from all I have been through. I was in the hospital a week and had IV's of antibiotics. During this time they did a Chest X-Ray on me and this Doctor had come in later and told me there was a spot on my lung, which I said no there shouldn't be.
The next morning my Oncologist came in and I told him what that Doctor said and he said not to worry about it I would be doing CT Scans in March. So I did not dwell on it and was hoping it was something of no significance.
March came and I went and had my CT Scans on March 1st. We left on the 9th to Utah to my daughters Wedding. When I came back I had a Doctor's appointment and he showed me the papers and said there is a spot on my Liver and Lung and the spot on my Liver had grown .5cm.
He then said to stay positive and we would see what happens in August or September my next CT Scans, if treatment isn't working we would maybe have to do Chemo again.
Well my heart dropped I went to my car and cried for a tiny bit, I had always told my family once it goes to your liver and lungs that's it. Well that is so not true, but I did not know that. I told my husband not to tell my kids or parents until we see what happens in September. Well thankfully he did not listen to me and told my kids, who then were upset with the Doctor, wondering 'Why is he waiting and not doing anything now?" I was trusting his opinion, well now they got my younger sister involved and look out, they were all digging and researching like crazy. Meanwhile my daughter had her reception here April 30th and I informed my kids and sister I will concentrate on me after the reception. It did keep my mind off of me and focused on her totally, which really helped. After it was over, oh it was time to take care of me. My sister has a friend who is friends with a Radiology Oncologist and my sister talked to him and he said for me to call him. Meanwhile this past year my dad got throat cancer, and he was treated by the Oncologist that I went to see for a second opinion. Dad is cancer free, voice is still not the same he talks to much.
When I called Dr. Voorhees the first thing he said was "This is not a death Sentence" oh that is all I needed to hear. My husband and sister came with me to the appointment, he was just awesome. He spent over 2 hours with me, he told me this was treatable and something I have to live with the rest of my life, Like people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems,etc... But in 5 or 10 years who knows what they will come up with. So he told me about this procedure he thought I should have called Radio Frequency Ablation it basically microwaves the cancer tumor. So at the end he told me to put away my shovel, and told me to exercise 4 times a week for 45min. and some other things.
He made me feel so good, my fight was back in me and my spirits totally back to normal. I am having this procedure Monday, June 6,2011.
Don't ever be afraid to get a second opinion, and don't try to fight this alone. I learned my kids are adults and they can handle anything, I was wrong to want to wait to tell them, I needed them all more than I had realized, just like in the beginning of all this I needed the support and it helps to talk to everyone, it's a wonderful therapy. I should have known better, we learn through experience and I know you can NEVER fight something like this alone EVER, I need all those prayers and support that is what makes me so strong, the person I never thought I could be.
I have prayed for strength and comfort and received that from a blessing from my Bishop and Sam. When ever you feel sad and down, do not stay there, that is a horrible place to be. I am so happy now even though I go through all this it is okay, it is my trial, and I know now it is necessary for my salvation that I have to endure this, and I think I have endured it very well. I have two new grand babies that makes 9 and I plan on being around for many more. I will update you on my surgery after Monday.
You people are who keep me going strong, those wonderful prayers that have strengthened me from the beginning. Thank you to all my children and sister who fight for me, my eternal love to all of you and the rest of my family and friends!!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Fifth and Sixth Radiation
I just finished my fifth week and began my sixth week on Tuesday because of the 4th of July weekend they were closed on Monday. I am doing great, I have some days I get really tired and others I am fine. I find if I keep busy I do not pay attention to how tired I am, but you do have to pace yourself, I tend to overdue a lot but that is me, stubborn. The redness you get is like a very very bad sunburn, the worse spot on me is my shoulder if you can believe that it is so red and hurts from my bra strap and seat belt. I am not being treated there anymore. After tomorrow they will just treat a smaller area, so I have till next Thursday or Friday, so I guess it will be almost 7 weeks after all. My skin could not have taken much more, some people get open soars and peeling and itching. I have been so blessed so far with no horrible side effects.
I have had some days I have felt nauseated even though the Doctor said I should not be, but it has not been everyday and only one time did I have to take something. I have heard some people do get nauseated, but it has not come back. It is different everyday it depends what I am doing and how much sleep I have gotten. I am almost done, I have a high tolerance for pain and I am a very patient person so that helps. This is not painful though only the redness in certain areas, but I can withstand knowing this is helping me I have to.
Time is passing quickly, even though it is a pain to go everyday except weekends, I do not make it something I dread to do. I go knowing this is going to cure me and I get to visit with some wonderful people everyday and meet others going through the same thing. Smiling and being happy makes life so much easier and I am greeted with smiles everyday so it makes me smile too!!! I have also been called "Sunshine" that really made me feel GREAT!
Have I done any good in the world today? I really try and I try to make others happy and stay positive too that makes me so very happy!
I have had some days I have felt nauseated even though the Doctor said I should not be, but it has not been everyday and only one time did I have to take something. I have heard some people do get nauseated, but it has not come back. It is different everyday it depends what I am doing and how much sleep I have gotten. I am almost done, I have a high tolerance for pain and I am a very patient person so that helps. This is not painful though only the redness in certain areas, but I can withstand knowing this is helping me I have to.
Time is passing quickly, even though it is a pain to go everyday except weekends, I do not make it something I dread to do. I go knowing this is going to cure me and I get to visit with some wonderful people everyday and meet others going through the same thing. Smiling and being happy makes life so much easier and I am greeted with smiles everyday so it makes me smile too!!! I have also been called "Sunshine" that really made me feel GREAT!
Have I done any good in the world today? I really try and I try to make others happy and stay positive too that makes me so very happy!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
12th Radiation and Doctor's visit
I just got back a while ago from my appointments today. I would like to mention when I go into the building before I go back to the Radiation office I am greeted every morning also by Carrie and smiling Gracie who are just so sweet, there is Frances and Ada on that floor too, who have helped me so very much and are also the kindest ladies. There are the two Cathy's who help women with all these different programs, HONESTLY what a staff of remarkable people and all the wonderful people in my (Chemo) now Herceptin treatments, how fortunate I have been to be treated by these outstanding people and I truly do mean this from the bottom of my heart. They make going through this easy for me, I sometimes have to tell myself am I really doing all this.
My Doctor says everything is going really good, he tells me to do all my activities that it is good for me, and I told him, "Good, because I would be doing them anyway." I am very stubborn and you can not keep me down, I will go until I am laid to rest one day.ha. I am so grateful to be able to do all the things I enjoy doing again, you do not realize how just the simplest things we take for granite. Right now until I get through radiation I will have to pace myself a little more just until I get through this. But all is well!!!
My Doctor says everything is going really good, he tells me to do all my activities that it is good for me, and I told him, "Good, because I would be doing them anyway." I am very stubborn and you can not keep me down, I will go until I am laid to rest one day.ha. I am so grateful to be able to do all the things I enjoy doing again, you do not realize how just the simplest things we take for granite. Right now until I get through radiation I will have to pace myself a little more just until I get through this. But all is well!!!
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