2 Years Cancer Free!!

What a difference two years makes! This time two years ago I was still on the operating table after a 7:30am start. 15 hours later I was finished and off to recovery.

This second year has been difficult. I have NOT regained my energy,and I am just emotionally flat. I have recently resumed running. I usually tackle the university hill from our home.It proves to be a 10km run, but I am not enjoying myself. It is still and chore.

Will this ever change?

Remembering the Fight

"For me, breast cancer has been a great challenge, and an even bigger triumph!"

Lisa Norman, Mom, wife, breast cancer warrior, amazing woman

Pretty awesome reconnection with Suzanne. Here's her post. Thanks friend!

http://www.amazingwomenrock.com/stories-written/breast-cancer-triumph.html

BOOB -A -GRAMS

SEND A BOOB-A-GRAM !!!
By sending one, you will be helping an important woman, 50-69, become aware by reminding her about the significance of mammograms. But don’t stop there! Send it to all the women in your life and ask them to pass it on to the women they know who should have a mammogram.

Just fill out the “to” and “from” fields, customize your Boob-a-Gram with your own personal message, and then hit “send” and your message will be on its way.

http://boobagram.cancer.ca/sendaboobagram.asp

Still Amazed!

I am stunned by the number of women who opt for a lumpectomy or single mastectomy despite the incredible stats of cancer reoccurring in the other breast. I just completed an eight week online group study conducted by the BC Cancer Agency. This two year study is aiming to target women in their early 40's who have recently battled breast cancer to better understand the recovery process after treatment. Two of our group had a double mastectomy as well as having our ovaries removed. The others in the study had single lumpectomies or mastectomies. These women live with the constant fear of cancer coming back. These fearful thoughts impede the recovery process.
This does not make sense to me. Would you not rid yourself of all possible sites for cancer to reoccur? If the breasts are removed, the ovaries are the next best site for the cancer to metastasise. Have it all removed and live - knowing you've done all that you can. It takes a long time for recovery, so why give cancer ANY chance to come back just to do the whole process over again? No thanks. Yes, it's a personal decision . . . I guess it's just a no brainer for me.

One Year Check-up in Vancouver!

A year ago I completed my chemotherapy and started tamoxifen. I have one more year of tamoxifen. Dr. Gelmon does not want to see me until next August. She will then start me on Anastrozole for 3 years; then I'll be free and clear :)I had a great check up. We had a chat about Bev because, of course, she was Bev's doctor for 13 years. She marveled at Bev's courage and spoke about talking with Bev just days before she passed away. Sad. Bloody cancer!

After my appointment with Karen Gelmon, Jordyn and I whipped across the street to see Andrea and Sheina (plastic surgeon). Thank God I did. I slipped in for a quick hello AND I got taken in for a consult! It looks like next summer I will go under the knife. A little lipo suction here and a little tuck there . . . I cannot wait. These dog ears on my hips are gross. They are flaps of skin that I have to tuck in to my waistband. On low cut pants - it's a mushroom situation. REALLY attractive!


All is well and I am healthy! If the flaps are my biggest problem . . . it's a no brainer. Suck it up buttercup - or should I say butterball!

Metabolism Booster

I have just about completed 2 weeks of my metabolism boosting meal plan. I have lost 12 pounds and I feel energy plus! This will give me a good kick start to Clean Eating. After our trip to Vernon/Kelowna/Vancouver - our home will be using the meal plan from the Fall 2008 edition of Clean Eating. I have my food processor ready to go! There is even zucchini hummus! slurpy!

A Year Later

Last year, at this time, I finished my last chemo treatment. I am amazed at my slow recovery time. I am a buck up and get at it person, but holy moly - not this time. I had last fall off from work to recoup. I grew some hair and began to exercise. I felt great heading into the new year. I went back to teach in the second semester. I tried to exercise, but was too exhausted. Summer could not come fast enough. I was able to keep a working schedule and that was it.

This summer I have slept more than ever! A position even remotely close to horizontal has me snoring away in no time. I have had zero energy. I even had to quit jogging!

I have learned to listen to my body. I now walk, and I am exercising at a reasonable rate. If I am exhausted, I stop and rest. I am on a metabolism boosting meal plan and I have lost some weight. I am feeling better than ever. Slow and steady wins the race. I have learned to SLOW down.