My Life in August of 2010

It's been soooooo long since I've written on my blog. I suppose it's because I try to consider my breast cancer a thing of the past. Unfortunately, we survivors know that although the cancer is gone, the memories of the treatments are still paramount in our minds. Of course, those darn check-ups are constant reminders, too! I meet with my oncologist about every 3 months, and I have a mammogram and an MRI every year (6 months apart).

Since my last update, I've had two minor shoulder surgeries and somewhere around 18 months of physical therapy. About 4 weeks after I finished my PT, I was back in the office getting more PT on my elbow. Not sure if it's just age or the chemo, but apparently I'm not as agile on roller skates as I used to be.

My life is really full these days. I am still employed full time, I am interning with a photography studio, I'm learning about real estate investing, and I have a fantastic business called the Impressive Water Wellness Group (www.impressivewater.com). I got such great results throughout my breast cancer treatments with drinking Kangen Water, that now I share the water with everyone I know. It's awesome to watch people get great results. I've personally witnessed people go from having trouble getting out of bed daily to having their lives back. What a blessing.

I am thankful to be alive, and I'm thankful for my family and friends and specialists who have helped to get me to this great place in my life!

March 6, 2009 - One Year Ago....

On March 6, 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.   

"The news isn't good.  Unfortunately, it's breast cancer."  My gynecologist said she gives that news to 1 in 7 women who have a biopsy.

I'll never forget the feeling I had that day.  I didn't cry.  I walked quickly to my car, and I called my best friend, who is also my husband of 16 years.  I felt like I was outside of my body as I told him the diagnosis.  I immediately had the attitude of .... what's on the list?  What do I have to tackle to put this behind me and move on with my life?  I remember the questions that went through my head.  At what stage am I?  Will I lose my breast?  Will I have to go through chemotherapy?  Radiation?  How will Parker react after losing both of his grandmothers within 18 months, one to cancer and the other to CHF?  What doctor do I see first?  WHAT CAUSED THIS????

The answers to those questions would come very slowly.  One answer, the cause, will probably never be known.  

First there was the surgeon, then the lumpectomy.  Then the pathology report.... stage 1, highly aggressive, hormone receptor-triple negative (not receptive to being treated with hormones).  Then we told Parker (10), whose first question was "Is mom gonna die?"  An emphatic "No." was the answer.  Then there was the oncologist for eight chemotherapy sessions over 16 weeks.  Can't forget the shingles onset.  Ugh.  Then there was the radiation oncologist for 33 radiation sessions, one every weekday.  Photography (my passion) classes started in the middle of radiation.  Clayton learned to cook some really wonderful meals, and I'm practically kicked out of the kitchen.  Thank you Lord!  Treatments ended Oct. 13, 2008.  

The start of shoulder pain at the end of radiation is still a mystery.  I know it's a torn rotator cuff, but I don't know how it happened. 

I went from long hair to short hair to no hair to short hair again.  I lost my eyelashes twice and my eyebrows once (all AFTER my treatments were complete).  Fortunately they grew in quickly (within two to three weeks).  I lost 15 pounds and have managed to keep it off.  The weight loss took me from a size 10 to a 6.  Yay!  I also got my part time business underway.  I've learned to live with numb feet and semi-numb fingertips.  My Raynaud's disease disappeared from chemotherapy treatments.  Strange, I know.

I had my first follow-up mammo two days ago, and the results were NORMAL.

Wow.  What a difference a year makes.

Have your loved ones do their breast self-exams (BSE).

Hugs and blessings,

Sandy

P.S.  I was hoping that my blog would eventually help someone I didn't personally know.  I met that objective today (on my 1 year anniversary), as someone I don't personally know left a comment on one of my older posts.  (I got notified via email.)  So very cool!

February 14, 2009 - Pics of Me and Clayton Taken Today

I wanted to make sure that I have a photo posted every few months, so I can remember what I looked like with short hair.  :-)  It's finally growing a bit, and it looks so dark!  I thought I'd also post one of my handsome hubby!!!    

February 12, 2009 - Doc Visit Today

Dr. VanderMolen ordered my March mammogram.  I'll do MRI scans once a year and mammograms once a year, alternating every 6 months.  He said my blood counts were good and he felt no masses anywhere, so all is good with me.

I'm doing physical therapy for my shoulder issues.  It's been a week.  We'll see how I do after 6 weeks of therapy.

My photography instructor is having us take a photo every day.  I'm posting them on this blog.... www.sandythephotographer.blogspot.com.

We have to pray for my friend and co-worker of 26 years.... Dwight.  He's having surgery on his brain in the morning to see where the bleeding is coming from.  May the Lord be with him and Carolyn now and always.  He's a great guy who doesn't deserve what he's going through.  Please pray for him as I am.

February 2, 2009 - Winding Down The Blog

Thank you to all who have followed my progress through my breast cancer treatments.  It means a lot that you care enough to read my blog and to comment on occasion.

I am doing really well these days.  Recent scans have shown there is no evidence of cancer.  Yay!  It's been 3 1/2 months since the end of my treatments.  I finally feel like I'm getting back to normal.  Clayton and I walked 4 miles yesterday, and it felt great!  My shoulders still have the same issues, but since I don't relate that to the cancer, I'm gonna stop talking about it.   

I am thankful that cancer gave me the butt kick I needed to finally pursue my passion.  I will continue to pursue my photography career via classes, hands-on, and trial and error.  My business should begin to build as I build my skills.  I've registered a domain name, and at some point in the very near future I will actually have a site to look at.  If you're interested in seeing it in the future, check out www.snow-productions.com.

Updates from this point on will be few and far between (i.e., months apart).  Thanks again for all of your support.

Hugs and blessings,

Sandy

January 20, 2009 - Don't Lean on Me

Don't lean on me, because my shoulder hurts.  OK.  I'm reaching for a good title.

I saw the orthopedic doc on Friday.  He gave me a cortisone shot in each shoulder and told me to come back in 3 weeks to get some physical therapy tips.   Since my rotator cuff has a near-full-thickness tear and it's not completely torn,  I think I might get through this without surgery.  I'm not supposed to lift anything in front of me or above my head.  Looks like I'm checking my bag for my Houston trip next week!  No carry-ons for me.

My hair is about an inch long on top.   Since I use so much gel, it looks really dark. :-)  I am feeling better these days.  Do you think God gave me the shoulder problems to forget about the chemo/radiation effects?  :-)  It's working!  Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.  Looks like the numbness in my feet will be around for awhile, though.

Happy Tuesday!  

Hugs,

Sandy

January 16, 2009 - Shoulder Mystery Revealed

Maya did it.  She hurt me.  I know it seems strange blaming a character in an X-Box workout video, but who else can I blame?  Ummmm.... me?  OK.  I'll admit it.  It was ME.   I tried to get in shape, but those 3 pound weights were just way too heavy.....  whatever!

So I've got a nearly full thickness rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder.  My right shoulder (which hurts, but not as bad) has what appears to be an old injury (20 years of softball, perhaps?) and tendonitis and arthritis.  I never thought I'd be talking about arthritis at 44.  Ugh.  

I am very, very happy, because now I know what's wrong, and I know it was a good thing that I didn't try to push through the pain (too long).  I have an appointment today to see an orthopedic doc.  I hear I may be able to get this fixed without surgery.  Yay.  We'll see.

So the message for breast cancer survivors is .... start an exercise regimen VERY slowly, and listen to your body.  If something hurts, wait a couple of days to see if the pain subsides.  If it doesn't, get it checked.  If you can muster up the energy to stretch and walk through your treatments, I'd highly recommend it.