2012 off to a good start

I had appointments with my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist yesterday.
My radiation oncologist ( Dr. MacKay) said I looked great was healing great and she was ready to " graduate " me. I no longer need to see her. She gave me a hug and me being me got weepy. She and the entire staff at the Marshfield Radiation Oncology dept. were and are amazing. Thank you all..

I also met my new medical oncologist, since my former one ( Dr. Tipping) decided to retire. Her name is Dr. Gale and she too is amazing, I wish I would have met these people in 2004 when I had my first BC diagnoses. But I know them now and am so comfortable. I only need to get yearly mammograms and see Dr. Gale 2x a year that to me is AWESOME! I don't think anyone is still reading this but I am going to continue posting, just not as often.
Happy 2012 and God Bless
Lah

year end

This month started out rough, we said good bye to my grandma 20 days short of her 99 birthday she was a amazing lady and she had a great life, but we still miss her..

The day of my Grandmas wake I got news from my BB we went through radiation together 8 years ago, she called to tell me her cancer returned in the same breast and had a mastectomy last week. Please remember her in your prayers

On a brighter note : yesterday I had my  6 month check-up had a mammogram and saw the surgeon and 6 months post op I got a clean bill of health. Once again prayers were answered!  AMAZING


I want to wish all of you and your families a safe and blessed Christmas and a HEALTHY 2012
God Bless
Lah

I had a bit of a scare last week, toward the end of the week I was doing a job that I don't do often ( it involved a lot of cleaning and use of a pressure hose etc.) anyway I had sharp hot poker like pains running through my left breast which is the side of my most recent cancer scare, I didn't think anything of it at first but the pains proceed into the next day ( which was my day off) so I called my regular doctor her nurse said I probably just pulled a muscle doing a job I don't normally do, but to be aware if I get nauseous or short of breath or have sharp pains running down my left arm, in other words I probably pulled a muscle but it could be heart related. ( and there now is a heart health family history, my dad had a heart health scare a few months back.. So far the pain has subsisted but it is back to work tomorrow so we'll see. Until then I wish you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving... Count your Blessings not your woes!
God Bless
Lah

BC Awareness

OK so we all know that Oct. is BC Awareness month, so here are some quotes;
Squeeze in time for a mammogram
Save a life grope your wife
Save the Ta-ta's
Breast Cancer Survivors are sisters by heart.
Imagine a world with out cancer
Stand Up to Cancer
Fight like a girl
The list goes on and on, bottom line is ' Ladies get your mammogram, they truly save lives, it saved mine twice. Fellows encourage the ladies you love to get their mammogram. Lets work together to fight the fight and kick cancers a**!
God Bless
Lah

God @ work

I work with some amazing people. We had a benefit bake sale yesterday for a co-worker going through cancer treatments for the 3 time and we raised a crazy amount of money. It is such a comfort to know that when push comes to shove human nature takes over and we all look out for one another. God was truly at  work not only with all the amazing cooks that brought in baked goods but also in the generosity of all the people that instead of making a purchase donated gift cards. I had a goal in mind for what I'd be happy with and we doubled that. DPE is so deserving. and a HUGE thank you to my Nestle co-workers who helped make the sale a success.
Thank you all and God Bless
Lah

routine

Had my routine physical today... And was joyfully reminded why I love my Doc. ( Dr. Jackie ) and her nurse ( Joy) they rock. I haven't seen them in about 7 years... And i was like I never left. They are awesome! And FYI! Squeeze in time for a mammogram.
Lah

7 years

Well this year it went by without even a thought but Sunday 7.24.11 marked 7 years since I was diagnosed with ( stage 2 ) BC the first time.  I always celebrated that as my " Life Day" . Now I guess I have a new one, March 8 ( which is when I was diagnosed with stage 0 ) Just another day to celebrate.
Please anyone seeing this get your mammogram it truly does save lives.
God Bless
Lah

4 week check up

Gosh can you believe it has been 4 weeks since I finished radiation? Me either. I saw Dr.MaKay today she is my radiation oncologist and she said everything looks great I am healing well , Thank you God. I did tell her of some discomfort I experience and she said that is perfectly normal and she is pleased with how I am progressing. So I feel good with that. She also assured me that the medical oncologist I will be seeing ( Dr. Gayle  [ I think] and not sure if that is a first or last name) is a nice lady and " good" since my current medical oncologist Dr. Tipping is retiring { how dare he :) } All is well and I will be posting again after my next Dr.Visit please continue to check in. I hope this is helping others as much as it is me.
God Bless
Lah

Yesterday's oncology visit.

Well I was very inpatient yesterday, when I finally got in to the doctors office ( which was right on time, I was just early cause I was anxious to get this Holiday weekend started) I sat there for 20 minutes in his office, finally I opened the door to ask how much longer he was going to be  and he was at the desk doing paper work. He came in and asked if I had to use  the rest room ( really???) I smiled and said I'd be ok until we were done. He asked how I was and then said Here is where we talk about Hormone Therapy.. He gave me 2 choices ( Last time I was on Arimidex and can't do that again) My first choice ( and he and my surgeon recommended  this ) was Tamoxifen I did not want to go on this 7 years ago because a side effect is uterine cancer, the other choice was a fairly new drug Aromasin ( Exemestane )  and according to the Doc didn't have much for side effects. I decided on that one because the Tamoxifen still scares me. He then said we have one other thing to discuss " I am retiring ... :( ( sad face because I really like him for a oncologist) So I am getting a new oncologist, not only will she be new to me but she is new to the Marshfield Clinic.
 So I get to the Pharmacy to pick up the RX and the Pharmacist tells me one of the side effects may be hair loss, bad but not as bad as possibly getting uterine cancer, then he said good thing you have insurance. your co pay is ( are you ready for this) $96.00 and change) after I picked my jaw up off the floor he said this is what it would be with out insurance $348.00 and change) That is per month for 5 years , in short a huge chunk of change.  I swallowed my pride and asked how much Tamoxifen would be and he said considerably less because it comes in generic form, he then said if you want to wait and talk to your doctor you can do that but once you leave with it , it is yours. So I left with out it called the doctor and I am now on a 5 year course of Tamoxifen. :(   ( My co pay with the Tamoxifen is $5) Reading the side effects this morning not only is uterine cancer one but so are Stroke, Heart Attack, Blood Clots and other less severe ones. Jeekers is it worth it????
Have a great and Safe 4 of July.
God Bless
Lah

Last night

Last night was miserable I was so sore and swollen ( remember I am burned in places that weren't meant to see the sun) that to even have a sheet on hurt so I swallowed my tough gal persona and then I swallowed a pain pill, and put in a decent night. This evening at work it started acting up again so on my last break I took 2 Advil and that seems to have ebbed the pain. I am not going to take anything now ( before I go to bed) but you can bet your pa-toot-ie I am going to get up and take something as soon as I feel discomfort tonight  ( if I feel it tonight)

Thanks again to all who have and are following me, and to anyone who stumbles on this 

Good night and God Bless

Lah

Back from seeing the surgeon

Saw the surgeon today and she said all is going well. So that was good news one more hurdle I made it over, she wants to see me again n 6 months I imagine she'll get a better idea of how I am healing then, since I am still pretty burned it is hard to see the healing process. But she seemed confident that everything was going well.

Have a great weekend

God Bless

Lah

certificate

A picture of my DONE WITH RADIATION CERTIFICATE.
Is it any wonder why I grew to love these people??
I cried like a girl saying good-bye to them. The first time in 6 weeks I didn't say " see you tomorrow " In fact I couldn't even say good bye to the last few because i was so choked up! Don't get me wrong I am so happy 2 B Done.
God Bless the staff at Marshfield Radiation Oncology and God Bless everyone reading this.
Lah

DONE!!

Well today was my last treatment. And as thrilled and happy as I am to be DONE!! It was bitter sweet, the people there are wonderful and I grew to love them all. In fact they got hugs from me. Not only did I get a standing ovation from them I got a " certificate of merit" that they all signed and it will get framed and hung in my office.  They became family, and that is a true testament to their wonderful caring ways. And as much as i love them I hope to never see them professionally again! :)
I intend to continue my blog but it probably wont be daily anymore. I see my surgeon on Friday so I will blog a update then. I see my oncologist next week and I see my radiation oncologist in about a month. I will blog as I get results and as " stuff " worth blogging comes up.
Thank you all for following me and reading this and thank you for the support and words of encouragement. I hope someone stumbles on this and it helps them... Pay it Forward.
God Bless you all
Lah

1 more

One more treatment to go woooooo~hoooooooo! I am thrilled to be this close to the finish line. However I am very disappointed with my behavior yesterday: Yesterday a co-workes looked at me and said I am 1/2 way there. I asked half way to what? She said she is 2 1/2 years cancer free, ( she was saying she is 1/2 way to the infamous 5 year mark. ( Great I know) But did I react by telling her how great it is? No I became a martyr I said I was almost at the 7 year mark but now I am starting over..L( boo hoo poor Laura) Why couldn't I just express how happy I was for her mile stone?? I know I did not act how He wants me to. I failed a test He had given me. I instantly felt horrible.. Please forgive me..
I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday.
God Bless
Lah

In sight

The finish line is in sight. I only have 2 more treatments left. It is hard to believe 6 weeks is almost here ( it seemed like a long way off when I started this blog.) I am thrilled to be nearing the finish line. The RX the doc gave me seems to be helping, I am still blistered but the pain is subsiding. I put the RX on then a gauze bandage and there seems to be some oozing hopefully that = healing.
I made my last treat for my amazing team and gave it to them today they got a loaf of banana bread and a loaf of lemon poppy seed bread. They are a wonderful group of people and I hope I NEVER see them ( at their place of work ) again!
Have a wonderful Monday and God Bless
Lah

3 more

I am on the home stretch. Saw Dr. MacKay ( I love this women) she was looking at my skin and the blistering from the burn. ( She actually noticed I had open blisters under my arm as well, the one under my breast is so big and painful I didn't even realize I had a open one there. Anyway she gave me a RX for a burn cream. I am hoping to have relief by the end of the weekend.
When I got the RX filled a women at the pharmacy said this is amazing if anyone gets a burn, just put it on right way and you will have no problem. Good to know since it came in a " vat" and I have 1 refill.
Enjoy your weekend
God Bless
Lah

4-2go

I have only 4 more treatments! Today was the first day of the more intense treatments, where they are only radiating the area of the incision and where they took the " mass" so now treatments are 1/2 of a Our Farther.  I am really just not feeling like myself lately. I have a case of the blues. I try to put on a good front and as long as I am not alone I am OK , but I am kind of blue.. Hopefully when I can get my routine back I'll snap out of it.
Happy Thursday
God Bless
Lah

1 week left

Well 1 week from right now I will be DONE with radiation therapy! Thank the Lord! I am really ready for this to be done, for a number of reasons, 1 ) I am putting gas in the car every other day, and trust me it really adds up it is probably close to $125 if not more a week. 2) I am tired and ready to be able to sleep in in the morning and not have to get ready as soon as I get up. 3) I am starting to get a little depressed, for no reason and it doesn't last long, but I have moments of sadness. All and all I am just ready to be done running every day!
God Bless you all
Lah

6 more

Treatments are moving right along. Tomorrow is my last one where it is a full scan, starting Wednesday I will start my more focused treatment where they just treat the area where the " mass" was removed. and that is what my last 5 treatments will involve.  So as they say so far so good. Other then the effects I have mentioned.
Happy Tuesday and God Bless
Lah

7 more

Well I now only have 7 more treatments and I will be done. God willing forever!  They saw the burning and suggested very strongly that I use sunscreen when ever I am outside. Due to radiation I will be sensitive to the UV rays ( more so then usual). I had a massage today and found it difficult to lay on my stomach for that amount of time. Couldn't wait to get home and put my suave on!
I took them in a white chocolate and raspberry cheese cake today they were ooooooooing and aaaaaaaaing over it, I told them my dad told me I should't bake for them because they wont want to let me finish treatment. Becky ( one of the gals I see daily) said we'd like to keep you coming back for the goodies but my pants are getting tight.:)
Back to work today
Have a great Monday
God Bless
Lah