Thursday 24 December 2015
Merry Christmas
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and hoping you can forget about cancer for at least just one day.
Saturday 19 December 2015
Zoladex or Ovaries removed???
If you had the choice, what would you choose, zoladex injections or surgery to have your ovaries removed??
What a difficult decision. I've done both, so here is my view and if I could go back what my decision would be.
So, we know that both procedures will put us into menopause. I don't think the symptoms of menopause are any worse for either option. I was having zoladex injections for 2 years. That is, every 4 weeks an injection in my tummy, yes it hurts a little depending on the person injecting it. I had my injections at the cancer centre at the hospital, so each time I had the injection it was a different nurse.
I wasn't given the option of surgery to remove my ovaries, not until I had a recurrence in September. I had my ovaries removed in October, 2015. Whilst I had a few complications, I think that was the best decision for me. I feel healthier than I have for some time. Yes, I still get the menopause symptoms and there is not much I can do about that. One very important detail I learned from my gyno was that you should only be on zoladex for 6 months at a time because of the damage it can do to your body, particularly your bones, zoladex can cause osteoperosis. Something I wasn't aware of. I am yet to have any bone scans or checks on my bones to see if there is any permanent damage but yes I suffered from bone pain with zoladex and I continue to get some pain now.
So, if you are given the choice, think hard, if you are definitely finished having children maybe the surgery is the way to go for you, but if you are wanting children then perhaps you should have zoladex injections, because that is not a permanent procedure.
What a difficult decision. I've done both, so here is my view and if I could go back what my decision would be.
So, we know that both procedures will put us into menopause. I don't think the symptoms of menopause are any worse for either option. I was having zoladex injections for 2 years. That is, every 4 weeks an injection in my tummy, yes it hurts a little depending on the person injecting it. I had my injections at the cancer centre at the hospital, so each time I had the injection it was a different nurse.
I wasn't given the option of surgery to remove my ovaries, not until I had a recurrence in September. I had my ovaries removed in October, 2015. Whilst I had a few complications, I think that was the best decision for me. I feel healthier than I have for some time. Yes, I still get the menopause symptoms and there is not much I can do about that. One very important detail I learned from my gyno was that you should only be on zoladex for 6 months at a time because of the damage it can do to your body, particularly your bones, zoladex can cause osteoperosis. Something I wasn't aware of. I am yet to have any bone scans or checks on my bones to see if there is any permanent damage but yes I suffered from bone pain with zoladex and I continue to get some pain now.
So, if you are given the choice, think hard, if you are definitely finished having children maybe the surgery is the way to go for you, but if you are wanting children then perhaps you should have zoladex injections, because that is not a permanent procedure.
My Breast Cancer Journey. : Headscarf or Wig?
My Breast Cancer Journey. : Headscarf or Wig?: When you are about to start chemo and you know you will lose your hair one of the big decisions you will have to make is whether to wear a h...
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: My Breast Cancer Journey
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: My Breast Cancer Journey: One of the best pieces of advice that I received when I was newly diagnosed was to keep a diary. If you are newly diagnosed it is one of the...
My Breast Cancer Journey. : Fighting The Storm
My Breast Cancer Journey. : Fighting The Storm: Did you know my book can be read for free? Go to Amazon.com and if you haven't joined already you can start a free 30 day trial, then j...
Sunday 13 December 2015
Fighting The Storm
For 24 hours only you can purchase my e-reader for just US$1.99 in the Amazon Store. http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Storm-Breast-Cancer-Journey-ebook/dp/B017UTFFRQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1449960940&sr=1-1&keywords=fighting+the+storm
Thursday 10 December 2015
Fighting The Storm
Also now available in paperback
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Newly Diagnosed
If you have recently been diagnosed one big tip I can give you is -
Ask your doctor/s for a copy of your pathology results. You are entitled to a copy and it may just come in handy at a later date. Sometimes, doctors don't always explain to us all of the details, we can also forget what our doctors have told us. Your pathology results will give you such things as the type of cancer you have. This can help you down the track when you will have loads of questions and are learning what this all means for you.
Another tip is-
Put all of your appointments into a diary or in your phone. Once you start with treatment you will have appointments galore.
Ask your doctor/s for a copy of your pathology results. You are entitled to a copy and it may just come in handy at a later date. Sometimes, doctors don't always explain to us all of the details, we can also forget what our doctors have told us. Your pathology results will give you such things as the type of cancer you have. This can help you down the track when you will have loads of questions and are learning what this all means for you.
Another tip is-
Put all of your appointments into a diary or in your phone. Once you start with treatment you will have appointments galore.
Headscarf or Wig?
When you are about to start chemo and you know you will lose your hair one of the big decisions you will have to make is whether to wear a headscarf or wig,some people also decide not to wear anything. What will you choose? A headscarf or wig? Whatever you decide you have to choose the option that you feel most comfortable with. I couldn't bring myself to buy a wig, for me it was an easier option to choose to wear headscarves, beanies and hats. They were comfortable, pretty, and fun. I wore an under scarf/headwrap of cotton fabric and wore slouch beanies over the top when I went out. Some days I wore a headscarf but I was most comfortable with my beanies. When I was in the privacy of my home I wore only the cotton under scarf/ head wrap. My beanies were pink, black, white and beige.They became a kind of security blanket. I have kept them as a reminder. I wore the slouch beanies because they are larger than the average beanie and fit better on my head so people couldn't see my baldness
.
Tamoxifen and Zoladex
I was on tamoxifen and zoladex for two and a half years. My belief was that both of those together would stop any recurrence, especially a recurrence of the same er+ pr+ breast cancer. After all, tamoxifen is used to block or kill any cells and zoladex puts my ovaries to sleep, so I will be producing little to no estrogen. For two and a half years I was in menopause, hot flashes, the works. I was safe, at least from getting breast cancer again, maybe I would get a secondary cancer but it wouldn't return in my breasts, right? WRONG.
Apparently, there is only a 4% chance of a recurrence or being diagnosed with breast cancer in the other breast when on this treatment . I am in that 4%.
My point, if you are on this treatment, keep checking your breasts, don't think that this treatment will stop your chances of getting breast cancer again. It does lower your chances, yes, but it doesn't stop the cancer from coming back. Be and stay vigilant.
Tamoxifen and Zoladex (chemical name: goserelin) are hormonal therapy medicines used to lower the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in premenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. A study found that tamoxifen and Zoladex work about the same to lower the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers grow. Hormonal therapy medicines treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers in two ways:
by blocking the action of estrogen in the body
by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body
Apparently, there is only a 4% chance of a recurrence or being diagnosed with breast cancer in the other breast when on this treatment . I am in that 4%.
My point, if you are on this treatment, keep checking your breasts, don't think that this treatment will stop your chances of getting breast cancer again. It does lower your chances, yes, but it doesn't stop the cancer from coming back. Be and stay vigilant.
Tamoxifen and Zoladex (chemical name: goserelin) are hormonal therapy medicines used to lower the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in premenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. A study found that tamoxifen and Zoladex work about the same to lower the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers grow. Hormonal therapy medicines treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers in two ways:
by blocking the action of estrogen in the body
by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body
Monday 7 December 2015
Loss
The loss of a loved one is heartbreaking. Three years ago today I lost my beautiful Mum to Cancer. It wasn't the first time in my life that I had experienced loss but it was the most devastating. Those who have lost someone in their lives will understand how it feels but there will always be people who think time heals and you eventually move on.
For me, there is no healing and you never move on. You simply exist, you live because you have no choice. There will forever be a hole in my heart. I try not to think too much about those that have past because it upsets me too much but sometimes I have to feel that pain. On anniversaries, like today, or birthdays and Christmas, I have to think of those I have lost and I will always wish them back.
Our Hearts Will Always Touch
When I laid there beside you,
Could you feel me there?
My arms were wrapped around you,
And I was stroking your hair.
I was talking about all the good times,
For me they were every single day.
I wanted you to feel love and comfort,
And happy in some way.
I watched your every breath,
And prayed that each one wasn't your last.
The time we got to share together,
Went by too quick...Too fast.
I wanted you to wake up,
Please Mum...Open your eyes.
Tell me this is a nightmare,
And not our goodbyes.
As your last breath grew closer,
We lay there peacefully together.
My heart continually breaking,
Because I wanted you forever.
Then there it was,
Your final breath of air.
I didn't want to believe it,
This is so cruel and not fair.
I held your beautiful face,
And prayed you'd breath again.
I wasn't ready for you to go,
I couldn't admit that this was the end.
But then I realized that you were now in peace,
And not suffering anymore.
You were beginning the life of an Angel,
And your body would no longer be sore.
I held you close and squeezed you tight,
And tried to say goodbye.
I've lost my Mum and my number one best friend,
All my heart could do is cry.
I slowly got up,
I wanted so much to stay.
I leaned over and gave you one more kiss,
It was so hard to walk away.
Mum, you are my entire world,
And I miss you so very much.
I wish I could feel your lovable cuddle,
And your soft and gentle touch.
But for now I have to wait,
Until we meet again.
You will always be in my heart and thoughts,
My dear Mum and best friend.
Always and Forever,
Our hearts will always touch.
Always and Forever,
Your baby girl loves you so much
Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-hearts-will-always-touch#ixzz3tbrxVhsJ
#FamilyFriendPoems
For me, there is no healing and you never move on. You simply exist, you live because you have no choice. There will forever be a hole in my heart. I try not to think too much about those that have past because it upsets me too much but sometimes I have to feel that pain. On anniversaries, like today, or birthdays and Christmas, I have to think of those I have lost and I will always wish them back.
Our Hearts Will Always Touch
When I laid there beside you,
Could you feel me there?
My arms were wrapped around you,
And I was stroking your hair.
I was talking about all the good times,
For me they were every single day.
I wanted you to feel love and comfort,
And happy in some way.
I watched your every breath,
And prayed that each one wasn't your last.
The time we got to share together,
Went by too quick...Too fast.
I wanted you to wake up,
Please Mum...Open your eyes.
Tell me this is a nightmare,
And not our goodbyes.
As your last breath grew closer,
We lay there peacefully together.
My heart continually breaking,
Because I wanted you forever.
Then there it was,
Your final breath of air.
I didn't want to believe it,
This is so cruel and not fair.
I held your beautiful face,
And prayed you'd breath again.
I wasn't ready for you to go,
I couldn't admit that this was the end.
But then I realized that you were now in peace,
And not suffering anymore.
You were beginning the life of an Angel,
And your body would no longer be sore.
I held you close and squeezed you tight,
And tried to say goodbye.
I've lost my Mum and my number one best friend,
All my heart could do is cry.
I slowly got up,
I wanted so much to stay.
I leaned over and gave you one more kiss,
It was so hard to walk away.
Mum, you are my entire world,
And I miss you so very much.
I wish I could feel your lovable cuddle,
And your soft and gentle touch.
But for now I have to wait,
Until we meet again.
You will always be in my heart and thoughts,
My dear Mum and best friend.
Always and Forever,
Our hearts will always touch.
Always and Forever,
Your baby girl loves you so much
Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-hearts-will-always-touch#ixzz3tbrxVhsJ
#FamilyFriendPoems
Saturday 5 December 2015
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: Sneak Peak- Here is a small piece to read from my ...
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: Sneak Peak- Here is a small piece to read from my ...: We lost our Mum on Friday, 7th December, 2012. In the same hospital that we lost our sister, Annette. The pain and grief I felt that day is ...
Friday 4 December 2015
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey
Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: Fighting The Storm - My Breast Cancer Journey: "Breast Cancer doesn’t always strike because there is a family history. A family history has to start with someone. In February, 2013...
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