Here's the scoop

There have been appointments and healing since I last wrote.

Amy, my OT and all around wonderful person, has her own business called Whole You. She has amazing talent and listens incredibly well. She challenges me, laughs at my humor, and completely energizes me into wanting to do the things that boost my healing. In a nutshell, she is incredible.

I have been visiting Amy weekly since a few weeks after surgery. So far she has given me the stretches and muscle building exercises that have increased my range of motion by a substantial amount. According to her, my healing is happening quickly. As happy as I am to hear those words, I'm still me and therefore think the healing is taking its sweet time. Yes, I know. I'm a bit of an over achiever. No new newsflash there, right?

If you are local and need help in this way, Amy Kay is the woman to see. Find her here: Whole You

I think I'll go by what the calendar shows me...

I was able to travel down with my friend Leticia to pick up young adults from the NBTSC Session II. Bringing Milo home, and hosting a new friend, was good for my heart. Kade's birthday was a special day - and I still have trouble thinking of my baby being 15 now. Time goes by quickly. Embrace the joy in it.

I went in to see Dr. Allderdice on September 22nd. He changed up some of the herbs I was taking, and the blood draw he requested I have done before this visit gave him the information he needed to adjust the treatment plan he recommends for me. The main therapy I still need to research is the high dose vitamin C infusion. This is not something I've done yet...and will need to make it a priority. Otherwise, so far I'm looking good.

On September 26th, I had my last visit with Dr. Ting. She is still an amazing surgeon and a true artist. She gave me the all clear and I feel fortunate she was the surgeon we chose. The incision is healing as expected. All surgical concerns have been resolved.

I have been taking the Tamoxifen since the Monday after the last Dr. Solti visit. It has now been over a month, and this is when the full effects of the drug usually show themselves. It is interesting to me to know how drugs work. If my understanding is correct, the drug works like a stopper. It recognizes the cells that are requesting progesterone/estrogen and serves as a cork in those cells to prevent the requesting cells from receiving the hormones. This is going to help me because it will slow down the growth of any cancer cells (directly related to the cancer found in my breast and lymph nodes) that may still be present within my body.

Side effects from the Tamoxifen are the classic symptoms of perimenopause. Those I'm experiencing on a regular basis are hot flashes, night waking/sweats, some mood swings (most notable is a few times of intense anger), and brain fog. Thankfully I don't have the joint aches and muscle fatigue that can present itself in some women.

Ok. So my biggest complaint about being on the hormone blocker...is that I still will have cycles. What gives?! I get to have all these lovely symptoms and still have to deal with  a menses. Not only that, but I get to deal with these for a potential five more years. Seems slightly unfair, doesn't it?

Experiencing the above is still worth all of the above mentioned inconveniences if it will hinder other possible cancer cells in my body.

The brain fog has been a guest that has stayed too long. To be fair, I don't know if the fog is completely hormone related or if it has been compounded by the fact I have pushed myself incredibly hard over the last two months. It lasted 2 full weeks. I'm fine with not being able to hold on to thought as long as it doesn't directly cause me to miss appointments, doesn't impact important decisions, or cause me to miss time with friends. This time, though, it did all of those things. It just is not cool.

The appointment I missed was the one scheduled to talk with the radiologist, Dr. Schneider with Compass Oncology. I am thankful the staff was able to reschedule the appointment which led to the insights gleaned on October 13th. First, his assistant, Sandy, spent some time with me. Here's a huge appreciation shout out to all the support staff at the Vancouver branch of Compass Oncology. They have been incredibly considerate, nice, and connected each time I come in. I am very, very appreciative. Sandy went over the basics of what the treatment would entail. As a side note, they tattoo dots on the bodies to receive radiation treatments to ensure the positioning of the patient is exact. How cool is that? The question I failed to ask is whether or not I could choose the design of the dots. Could there be a list of encouraged dot options? Maybe an "x" marks the spot? Bullseye? Dust sprite? These questions will top my list if I return for a consult again. OK, so Sandy let me know about the mechanics of the treatment. Then Dr. Schneider came in for the consult to present me the why treatment is recommended, to hear what my concerns are, and to provide help in making the choice to treat or not. I have to say, that out of all the Dr.s I have visited, this consult was likely the most entertaining. The levity we were able to sustain during the heavy subject matter was refreshing. So, the crux is: there would be potential scarring to the top right lung. It would be caught in the margin area. It wouldn't affect the function of my lungs in a large way, though. Second is that the treatment would only increase my percentage points in the 10 year "survival" statistics. The bump would be 10%. The numbers don't amplify my survival stats enough to make radiation a viable option for me.

Things I procured from the consult with Dr. Schneider:
1) if a tumor grows in the mastectomy site, it will be easy to detect and then treat.
2) there is a 30% chance of the lymph nodes along the collar bone being invaded by the cancer cells, even though they didn't show signs thus far. This area would automatically be included in radiation therapy, if I chose to have it.
3) afore mentioned cell disruption in the lungs causing scarring.

As awesome a physician as he is, I am still not opting for radiation therapy.

And, alas, there is more general information I will share. Scarring occurs horizontally and vertically. The main issues I currently have are the tension that is created by the scar growth and the mobility I need to maintain to prevent it from not only adhering to the tissue below the scar, but also I need to prevent it from trying to fill the gap made when the tissue around the lymph nodes was taken. I have been blessed by having little swelling. I have a fairly smooth topical surface along my chest wall. And I have the will power to continue with baby steps in keeping (and gaining) flexibility.

Stretching is a 3-4 times a day activity. Herbs that support my body and help fight any abnormalities (like cancer) are taken regularly.

The things I didn't anticipate are numerous. I didn't expect to have such a drive to make each day count.  I have energy to spare, and a mobility that is quite refreshing. Since the second week post surgery, I have not napped, rested more than a few hours, nor have I been incapacitated by the RSD/CRPS pain. All of this has been a blessing.

I didn't anticipate a continual loss of weight. I have lost 35 lbs. thus far. This puts me at the weight I was just prior to starting the Amitriptyline for the RSD/CRPS. While I am please to be free of the weight (and frankly would love the last 15 lbs. extra join the exodus) I will start to become a bit more concerned if the rate in which I am loosing the weight doesn't slow down or stop on its own. Yes, I would be healthier at my target weight of 115, but I want the weight loss to be because of a healthier diet and body, not because of stress or cancer. The best part for me, right now, is that I can fit into clothes I have been longing to wear. And, because I'm happy to wear those clothes, I look pretty good in them.

This is all for now. I have more to share, but will have to convey it all to you at a later date.

Pause for a minute. Send or state your love to those you truly love. Take those few extra minutes. Let the happiness love can bring enhance your ability to live life joyfully.