Moms with Breast Cancer

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Comment by Denise on November 12, 2008 at 1:14pm

CONNIE! I got the basket today. It is beautiful. I was having such a bad afternoon and then this arrived. Thanks so much! I am passing the site around to my friends.

Comment by Denise on November 11, 2008 at 12:27pm

Ok I am not all that up on computers, sites and stuff. I had a heck of a time finding the Change your life giveaway and the interview. Maybe it is just me. Anyway......how is this site working. Do we just post thoughts and stuff here? Is there a certain spot?

Comment by Patty Bateson on November 10, 2008 at 1:43pm

Wondeful to hear the positive news about your daughter , Suzanne. Life is filled with so many blessings. That is surely one of them.

Comment by Connie Pombo on November 10, 2008 at 1:41pm

Wow, Suzie...what a scare! I'm so thankful your daughter is okay. Working as a "tumor registrar" for 20 years, I was amazed--shocked really--at all the young women being diagnosed. If a mom is diagnosed with BC in her 30's, her daughters should be checked in their 20's. There is usually a 10-year lag from mom to daughter. It held true for my mom and me. When I came out of my surgery 12 years ago, there was an 18-year-old "girl" next to me who just had double mastectomies (DCIS in both breasts). I was in shock!

Hugs!

Comment by T. Suzanne Eller on November 10, 2008 at 1:14pm

Call me Suzie. : )

Comment by Denise on November 10, 2008 at 1:07pm

I am so glad you got good news about your daught T.Suzanne Eller.

Comment by T. Suzanne Eller on November 10, 2008 at 10:01am

Ladies, this past weekend my 25-year-old daughter went for an MRI. They found two spots on her breast that appeared abnormal. As we waited for the biopsies, it brought back a flood of memories, but this time from the perspective of my own mom who had to hear the news 17 years ago. We heard back a few moments ago that the spots of concern, initially thought to be early BSCI, were nonmalignant. Relief. Joy. For those of you who are going through treatment now, I hope that Connie's site is a place of encouragement and education and friendship!

Comment by Denise on November 9, 2008 at 6:21am

Well I went and made an appointment at a place that the oncologist recommend. They gave me 3 places but I think this will be the most convient. Since they recommended them and the head nurse couldnt say enough about them I think I am going to stick with them and not see the other two. 1 I dont think will carry my insurance because it isnt in my state and the other will be a big pain in the butt to get to. I have my first appointment on the 20th I believe.

Comment by Connie Pombo on November 5, 2008 at 12:47pm

Thanks, Patty. That was great advice for Denise. I wish you were my oncology nurse going through treatment!

Actually, the end of treatment was a difficult time for me, so I needed something to look forward to. I talk about that "precarious" time in my book. I felt like the rug had been pulled out underneath me. Everyone was tending to my needs--days filled with doctor appointments and every minute scheduled with treatments. And then, I was left "dangling" with white space on my calendar and a sinking feeling in my stomach.

My parents actually sent us on a cruise as a belated 20th anniversary present. It was the best gift we could have received. I realize that's not possible for many moms--especially in the state of our economy. The best part was just having something to look forward to. And, yes, oncologists and radiation oncologists can be "doom and gloom" sometimes. So we took out insurance on the cruise just in case complications arose.

Thankfully, we didn't have to postpone any of them and treatment went as scheduled. I had six weeks of radiation and no problems. External beam radiation is very precise; so much so that when I lost a couple of pounds, they put me right back in the scanner to make some adjustments so everything was perfectly on target.

I actually interviewed several radiation oncologists before I made my decision on which facility and which oncologist I felt most comfortable with. I know sometimes that's not a possibility depending on where you live, but having worked in the medical field for 20 years (I was VERY picky!).

Hugs to you Denise!

Comment by Patty Bateson on November 4, 2008 at 5:46pm

Dear Denise;
I have some knowledge regarding the radiation and am quite familiar with herceptin treatments.
The radiation docs are quite astute in their field and everything for me was done very precise and with great expertise. My radiation for breast cancer lasted about 7 weeks. I would say, be your own advocate ,or bring someone who can be and ask questions. As many as you like.
You will get lots of advice from so many medical friends who may not be familiar with treatments for cancers so keep that in mind too.
Yes, the herceptin does last for a year, but in my book that doesn;t mean you can;t celebrate the major hurdles along the way. A cup of tea with a friend, watching a special movie, etc to acknowledge what you have accomplished thus far. I would love to applaud you for your courage and your strength.
It is also quite common to experience the feelings of missing coming all the time to your clinic. So you are not alone in this thought. There is a comfort and safe feeling coming for treatments as you see the doc and nurses who have taken care of you. For sure, go by for an unexpected visit occasionally as in my clinic we love to see our patients anytime.I would like to recommend a few books to you that I use in my relaxation classes with cancer patients. The Healing Way by Margie Davis is a journal for cancer survivors. Journaling can be very therapeutic and can enhance both your physical and emotional well being. it can be a wonderful outlet for working thru fears and anxieties that most people go thru at some time or another on their cancer journey. You can make it a special time for you and you never know what you might learn about yourself too. It can truly be a time of "self discovery". I found it to be extremely helpful. Drawing is another fabulous outlet which helps with emotions and believe me you don;t need to be an artist or a writer to do either.. My personal belief is that we don;t tend to our emotional and mental well being all that well in our culture. I feel that healing on both these levels is essential to ones recovery.
You are never alone written by Maureen Murray is a lovely book of prayers and meditations to sustain you thru breast cancer. Maureen is a breast cancer survivor herself so knows firsthand the different emotions we women may feel.
Books by Dr. Bernie Siegel I found quite helpful. He is a pioneer in working with cancer patients.
Louise Hay, a gorgeous 83 or so year old young lady has a great cd out, "You can heal your life". She is amazing and a cancer survivor too.
Denise, I can;t say enought about honoring the magnificent spiritual being that you are. Taking time for you is so important. Cherish your time with your husband and childen but also time spent alone nurturing you!!!!!!!!!! And let them help you create that special time. You are in control of your life and you are more powerful than I think you even realize. Healing thoughts to you, my friend and I shall sip my peppermint tea and honor you finishing your "main course".
Namaste
Patty

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