Moms with Breast Cancer

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Comment by Denise on November 4, 2008 at 3:32pm

WELL my oncologist office says not to plan a celebration because things come up that put off the ending and then you get yourself all upset. Which is true because I was very upset when they put my treatment off for one week due to heart issues that turned out to be nothing. I was all set to have the chemo end on Oct 29th. Didnt happen. Lucky for me it was only held back 1 week. I keep thinking I am going in tomorrow and they are going to say "Its not over". Well it isnt really due to the herceptin for 1 year. I hate to say it..........I am going to miss going there. I even thought of stopping in and just talking to the patients once a week but it is 45 min away and I cant do that all the time. BUT I shouldnt worry about that until the radiation is over anyway.
BTW anyone have any idea if radiation can be too long? A friend I know who is a nurse and just finished her radiation told me that 12 weeks is to long. She said there is a limit. I THINK this is what I have to do. I will find out for sure tomorrow.

Thanks for the kind words and support Patty and Connie!

Comment by Connie Pombo on November 3, 2008 at 12:01pm

Hi Denise,

Thank you for sharing your story and thank you Patty for filling in while I was "missing in action." This month of PINK has had me everywhere except "home." Now I feel like I can start spending more time here on "Moms with Breast Cancer."

Denise, you have a house full of boys (I can relate!). My boys were just 9 and 14 when they heard the word "breast cancer" in our family. And because I worked full-time in the medical field and never stopped working, they hardly noticed that anything was wrong. The problem was I learned 12 years later, I couldn't hide the truth which is another topic of discussion entirely (so I will hold off on that right now).

But I do want to congratulate you on finishing up treatment and heading into the last phase of treatment--radiation! After chemo, it will be a piece of cake! I never noticed anything different except the last week when I got REALLY tired. Get your resources lined up: Don't say "no" to anything: meals, cleaning, and having the boys spend overnights at someone else's house!

Also, set up something special for the last day of radiation: a celebratory dinner, a weekend away, or spa retreat. If people ask you what you NEED, tell them you would like something to celebrate the end of your treatment (and set a celebration of life day!). Mine is April 12th (the day of my surgery and it's celebrated in a BIG way--bigger than my birthday).

So here's to the rest of your life, Denise! Congratulations and blessings to you! Keep us up to date on your treatment and now that the "Nurse is In" - Patty Bateson, we can all ask her questions from time to time!

Blessings!

Connie

Comment by Connie Pombo on November 3, 2008 at 11:45am

Interview with Patty Bateson, oncology nurse, cancer survivor, and holistic adviser. The first one to comment on the blog will receive the book, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover's Soul (which includes my story, "Touched by a Coffee Loving Angel." Ready, set, GO!

Comment by Patty Bateson on November 3, 2008 at 6:03am

Welcome Denise;
Congratulations for finishing your main course. Bravo to you. It is sometimes challenging in the midst of the storm to see thru to the other side but you are getting glimpses already. I hear strength in your words and envision so much courage in your spirit.
This is a journey and a process and each person and family is uniquely different. It is unchartered territory for all of us.
Taking care of you is the absolute most essential piece as I hear how invaluable you are to your family. Allow yourself those breaks . You are worth it.
And I am so proud of you for your driving skills as I too have learned to maneuver my way around the big city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Denise on November 2, 2008 at 5:57pm

Hi I am a 41 year old mother of 3 boys (7,10, &17) who is going for her last chemo treatment on Wed. I have her 2 positive breast cancer so I will continue to go to the oncologist for herceptin for 1 year BUT the main course is done.
I dont know how it has changed my life. Dont know where the last year went. My younger boys seem not to notice. My oldest (17) I think believes if he buys everything pink or that has a pink ribbon on it mom will be all better. I think a big problem for me is I havent really gotten sick from the chemo so some days when I am just blah it is hard to get anyone to realize that I may just need a break. I havent stopped doing anything. Mom takes care of everything. Some people have told me I need to stop and let others do for me. But I dont feel bad. The worst is the hair loss. I have not gotten wigs. I have worn hats since the first day I got my hair cut. Let me tell you it was a hot summer. The oldest doesnt want to see mom without a hat at all. The other two could care less. Some say the older has to get over it but I feel we all have a lot to deal with so if I can make it a little easier for him by wearing the hats all the time I will. I of course wouldnt take the hats off at first. Finally I got brave and the kids went back to school I thought...........great kids are back in school I can take my hat off......well it got cold so now the hats are back on!
Anyway not looking forward to the daily drive to radiation. Not sure where that will be yet. I guess that is my end of the week job.........finding a place that is close and takes my insurance. I am hoping I can get a place that can take me first thing in the am so I can watch my niece (2) in the afternoons. I used to watch her all the time but because of treatments I had to give her up for a bit. I have her 2 days a week now. I miss her. Need my girl fix. HA.
Anyway just thought I would say hi and tell you a little about myself.

OH It has changed me a little. I am a local person but my oncologist is 45 min away down a highway. I do not drive highways often and at rush hour?! NO! the thought had me having panic attacks. But I had to. I couldnt expect people to take time off to take me all the time. Now I just go with the flow right down that highway. Oh ok so I still panic a little if chemo is running late and I think I may get caught in the rush hour traffic going home but not like I used to.

Comment by Patty Bateson on November 2, 2008 at 2:32pm

Congratulations Connie;
That is an honor to receive such an award. It is indeed with research such as this that our goal to abolish breast cancer will happen one day very soon.

Comment by Connie Pombo on November 1, 2008 at 6:57pm

Tomorrow I will receive the Celebration of Life Award from the Eileen Stein Jacoby Foundation and Fox Chase Cancer Center. It's a great to be the honoree of such a special award since the money will go into researching the hereditary as well as non-hereditary aspects of breast cancer, thanks to Dr. Godwin and Dr. Chen.

When I return I have some great interviews lined up: one from an aromatherapist who works with breast cancer patients and an oncology nurse who is also a breast cancer survivor. Stay tuned for more interviews and giveaways.

In the meantime, I'm updating my e-mail list and if you know of any moms with breast cancer, tell them about us!

Blessings to you all on this November 1st!

Comment by Connie Pombo on October 30, 2008 at 7:16pm

My neighbor just brought this over for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; he carved it himself. How cool, huh?

I'm sorry, but I don't carve pumpkins that well!

Enjoy everyone!

Comment by Connie Pombo on October 30, 2008 at 7:13pm

Hi Patty,

I'm so glad you've joined our group! We cherish your input!

Blessings!

Comment by Patty Bateson on October 30, 2008 at 5:16pm

Hi ladies;
It;s a pleasure to be with you two awesome ladies. Looking forward to sharing and supporting each other. It is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
Blessings

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