It’s a Guy Thing

Through my breast cancer journey I have met some courageous and inspiring women. But I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that men get breast cancer as well.

Since men have less breast tissue than women, more often than not— breast cancers in males spread beyond the breast, resulting in a more advanced tumor at diagnosis. Cancer found later may be less likely to be cured. Although breast cancer is less common in men than in women, it is currently more deadly; 27 percent of men with breast cancer will die from the disease, compared to 19 percent of women. Breast cancer also has a higher death rate than more common male cancers such as prostate cancer (9 percent) and testicular cancer (4 percent). 

Did you get that?
More men die of breast cancers than prostate and testicular caner combined. That's a pretty amazing statistic!
 

Yes, it's personal, not something one wants to talk about or admit. The more we talk about it the better we are. Don't let lack of awareness, embarrassment and social stigma result in a later diagnosis of male or female cancer—of any kind.
 

And I Would Like to Thank.....

It is Thanksgiving, and I of all people have a lot to be thankful for. Please allow me the opportunity to express my gratitude to all who got me to this cancer-free point.

Many were women who have either suffered through what I have—or worse. Ironically a lot of these women didn’t know me very well before hearing of my diagnosis, but they all dropped what they were doing to take my many calls, tell me their stories and show me their scars.

There are far too many women, who are far too afraid, to investigate a lump or get a mammogram. Because of these fears, they let the cancer grow and face a terminal diagnosis instead of a cure.

I applaud my newly made, cancer fighting friends for speaking openly about their breast cancers, and hope more will do the same. Yes, I know breast cancer is personal—Oh, get over it!! An open dialog has not only provided women insurance benefits and treatments they did not have in the past, but has also helped me, and hopefully others learn that breast cancer—caught at the right time, is no longer a death sentence.

I would have never found my wonderful team of physicians and the Nurse Practitioners at Baylor Medical Center if it hadn’t been for this group of outspoken women. Dr. Osborne, Dr. Albo and Dr. Izaddoost along with Nurse Practitioners, Mari and Sandra have given me three things you don’t find in all, top-notch medical professionals.  First they have given me their medical expertise—on par with MD Anderson. Secondly they have provided me with facts backed by research, allowing me to make educated decisions about my own care.  And last but not least, they have provided me with compassionate patient care to the extent I have never seen before.

I am thankful I had the courage to trust my gut in selecting this wonderful team of professionals. It’s harder than you think. It is my hope that patients demand medical expertise, patient involvement and compassion in their healthcare.

Lastly, I know, I know —this sounds like an Oscar speech, but I would like to express my gratitude to my friends, family and very stoic husband. Thanks for the food, gifts, care and unbelievable advice and support. May you all have a happy, healthy, Thanksgiving.

Oh, and don’t eat too much. Obesity and physical inactivity may account for 25 to 30 percent of several major cancers!

Pain Pain Go Away!

The pain dissipation has been so slow I was beginning to get discouraged thinking it would last forever. Then, the other day as I pecked away on my beloved mac—which is something I can easily do with my arms by my side, I realized I felt pretty darn good. I had more energy too. Yehaw, I had turned the corner.

Yesterday I had my second fill appointment with my plastic surgeon, and that didn’t hurt as much either. He was able to put 75 ml—25 ml more than he did last week. It is a weird sensation of pressure. Then, blamo at 3pm I awoke in pain. I thought I was over that, but I guess when you stretch a thin-skinned person’s hide it is going to hurt. Two pain pills and 7 hours later I feel pretty good.

Fill er Up.

Today I had two, back to back appointments with my plastic surgeon and general surgeon.

The plastic surgeon took my tubes out (thank goodness) and told me to limit my range of motion by keeping my arms by my side and to continue taking it easy. To be quite honest there is not much you can do with your arms by your side and I am a bit tired of taking it easy—but I will. 

The wounds from the drains needs to be monitored and bandages changed every two hours for the next day or so to prevent infection. A cancer buddy of mine got infected from doing too much after her tubes were removed. Say no more doc. I will continue my life of reading, working on the computer and watching TV for another week.

Once the drains were removed the expanders that were put in when the breast tissue was removed were filled with 50 ml of water. I was anxious about this—tired of pricks and the wonderful sensation of pain. A few pricks a little tightness, but all in all it wasn't bad in the great scheme of things.

The expanders will slowly be filled on a weekly basis until I get to the size I want. Then another surgery, ugh, to replace the expanders with the implants. This surgery will just be an over night procedure. My surgeon assured me I would not have to go back to the same hospital and Randy said he would stay the night with me.

I then met with my general surgeon who declared after seeing several cancerous and precancerous areas in both breasts, it was all removed, the margins are clean and I am cancer free. Yippee!

So Now What?

In my excitement over the no chemo/no radiation news I forgot to tell you what my treatment would be. Since my tumors were small, slow growing and estrogen fed, I will be taking Tamoxifen, an estrogen blocker, once a day for the next five years. It will keep the chance of recurrence down to 3% over the next 10 years.

My Oncologists did say I had the option of not taking Tamoxifen. If I choose that option my chance of recurrence is  only 5% over the next 10 years. I will take the pill daily and if the side effects of nausea, uterine cancer and blood clots raise their ugly heads, I will go off of it.

The advantages of taking Tamoxifen is that it improves bone density to the point where I can eliminate my Actonel, and it also lowers cholesterol levels.

Next step: Tube removal and Expansion tomorrow!

It's the No Chemo/Radiation Dance!

Sung to the tune of Do The Hokie Pokie..Every body sing!
You put your right breast in you put your right breast out
Your put your right breast in and you shake it all about.
No need for Chemo/Radiation makes me want to scream and shout!

Since I have no breasts at this point, you are going to have to do this dance for me. But soon I'll be dancin :)