Category: Thoughts

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CT Guided Biopsy

A few days ago, I had a CT Guided Biopsy of my 8th rib on the left side, on my back. Everything went well; I am in a little bit of pain, but nothing that Tylenol can’t help. The doctor instructed me to rest for the rest of the day on Thursday, remove my bandage on Friday, and resume my normal activities.

After finishing my paperwork in the hospital registration office, I went to the lab to have my blood drawn for a few panels; among a few other things, they had to check my kidney function before doing the CT, and after that, I went to radiology to wait to be taken to the pre-op area.

Once my nurse was done prepping me for my procedure, my anesthesiologist came to get me and take me to the CT room. He explained that he would only give me enough medication to make me relaxed and a little sleepy but not entirely out. He said that if I did get sleepy not fight it and let myself fall asleep. I did fall asleep for some of the procedure, but I don’t think it was for very long because the process only took about 30 minutes.

When I walked into the CT room, they had me lay on my stomach on the CT table. I was shocked to find out that the lesion is actually on my 8th rib on the left side of my back, not in the front, and it is very close to my spine, so that has me a bit concerned. The rib that I fractured some 18 years ago, that I was thinking was what was showing up in my scans, was a few ribs down from where the lesion is located, so it has nothing to do with the lesion at all. So with that said, I don’t know what to expect when I meet with my oncologist next Tuesday to get my biopsy results.

I have had many people ask me what I think of all of this, how I am feeling, and what my gut is telling me. I can’t help but see the similarities to the first time I went through cancer three years ago. With every appointment, things get worse and worse, more scans, more biopsies, etc. As before, I want to know what type of cancer I have to fight against, and I want to get started on whatever treatment plan my doctors and I agree on as soon as possible so I can get this over with and move on.

I am feeling OK so far. Even if the lesion on my rib is positive for cancer, it appears to be localized like the tumors in my neck, so it is not as aggressive as it was in 2019, and because of that, I have been feeling much better physically this time around so far. Mentally I am up and down; the stress is unreal because this is the moment as a cancer survivor that I have been fearful of, having to deal with recurrence.

Lastly, what is my gut telling me? I will be shocked if the lesion on my rib is negative for cancer. After reading the PET scan report and looking up a few medical terms that I had not seen before, I immediately thought that it would be a bad result once the biopsy results came in. I, of course, hope that I am wrong, and in a few days, I will know for sure.

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🎀 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀

I can’t believe that it is already October 1st! Up until now, it seemed like 2020 was going by as slowly as possible, tormenting everyone with endless challenges and sacrifices. But it is finally October; Fall has begun, and the end of the year is around the corner.

I have to admit that October never really held any special significance for me in the past, but after going through my journey with breast cancer, it has a new meaning for me. October is a time to reflect on everything that I went through last year, to help newly diagnosed women in any way I can through a breast cancer app that I am active on, to support those going through treatments and surgeries, to chat with other survivors and see how they are coping, and to remember those that we have lost to this horrible disease.

I received a free eBook today that I want to share with everyone because, as I have learned over the last 19 months, knowledge is power! I share information that I trust with you, my readers, because I have been there. I know how scary the words “you have breast cancer” are and the thoughts that flood your brain after hearing it.

If you have any questions for me or if you just want someone to talk to, please contact me at any time. I have a Contact Me page on this website, or you can contact me through one of my Social Network links at the bottom of each page on this website.

Your free eBook, Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer, is here! We are thrilled to provide this helpful guide for you.

Click this link to get your free copy

Did you know National Breast Cancer Foundation is committed to helping people (including you!) with their breast health? NBCF is helping people at every step of the journey by providing breast health education, delivering access to vital early detection screenings and breast health services to those who could not otherwise afford them, and helping those diagnosed with breast cancer—and their families—navigate the complex cancer care system.

I hope you enjoy this free resource!

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Life & Upcoming Appointments

Mood: Hopeful 🙂

Sorry that I have been quite lately and not posting at all. I have been concentrating on resting, working and doing some soul searching since finishing radiation. I have been working on a blog entry about my recent thoughts, but it is taking me more time than expected, as it has not been easy to write.

I have also been doing some research before my follow-up appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday. I have quite a few questions for him so I want to make sure that I make the most of my time with him. The big question at hand is about having one last surgery on my chest. There are many factors to this question so I really can’t say anything more until I have my appointment and see what his advice is for me.

I had an appointment with my doctor this past Saturday, yes during our snow storm, and it was so great to see her! The last time I saw her was about 13 months ago after I had found the first tumor in my breast during a self exam. When she came into the exam room I gave her a big hug and thanked her for referring me to my surgeon. I let her know that I have absolutely no doubt that I am getting the best care from him and my other cancer doctors as well.

We chatted about everything I have been through in the past year and she let me know that she has been getting all of the notes from all three of my cancer doctors. My burn area on my collar bone is finally healing and looking better but because it is so close to my thyroid she decided to run a few tests specifically on my thyroid just to make sure that there is no damage from my radiation treatments. I should have the results back in another day or two. I will be following up with her in another three months as she is my main doctor for managing my diabetes.

So overall I am doing well…I have a lot on my mind these days, some of it is good and some of it is not so good, but I am making my way through the new status in my life of being a breast cancer survivor.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Some people have asked me if I am done with my journey now that my chemotherapy treatments are over, and the answer is “No”. I will not be done until I have been through my 3rd surgery, radiation and follow-up imaging showing that there is no sign of cancer anywhere in my body. With that said, the piece I have shared below is so true…I have already been through some of these with more to come….😔

🎀 Breast cancer awareness month is NOT all pretty pink bows 🎀

Please consider the following women this month:

🎀💪🏻 The woman being diagnosed right now scared out of her mind wondering how long she has to live.
🎀💪🏻 The woman about to undergo surgery to have a part or all of her breasts amputated.
🎀💪🏻 The woman undergoing her first chemo treatment wearing an ice cap on her head in an attempt to save her hair and therefore her identity.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who cries herself to sleep from the agony of the pain in her bones from the medication she has to take to combat the low blood cell counts.
🎀💪🏻 The woman trying to comb her hair as gently as possible as to not have too many clumps come out at once.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who has radiation burns so badly she can barely lift her arms.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who’s trying to choke down soup or water but mouth sores, throat, and esophagus make it painful.
🎀💪🏻 The woman in the beautiful scarf covering her newly bald head.
🎀💪🏻 The woman hovering over the toilet trying not to throw up from the stomach pains and nausea.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who’s stuck at home because the diarrhea makes it difficult to be away from a bathroom for too long.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who financially can not afford to miss another day of work for yet another treatment session.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who has to take maintenance medication that changes her and makes her feel like a different person.
🎀💪🏻 The woman lying in bed at night unable to sleep wondering if she’s done all she can to prevent it from coming back to kill her.
🎀💪🏻 The woman lying in bed at night unable to sleep because she knows it’s already come back and wants more than anything to live to fight another day.
🎀💪🏻 The woman who’s lost her fight and family mourns her loss in this world.

~Written by Bethany Young, Cancer Survivor~

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Day to Day Thoughts

August 7th, 2019

Mood: Anxious 😟

My thoughts can be overwhelming at times….

Work is an excellent distraction. I am thankful every day that I work from home and that I still have my job. I love my job and in many ways it is helping me “keep it together” from day to day.

I try my best to have as many normal days as possible but it isn’t easy because I know that my body is fighting hard and that I am sick with cancer. Most days I try to forget that I have another treatment coming up, that I am sick, that I am fighting cancer. To most I look like I am brave and dealing with all of this well but I am not as brave as you think.

I have cancer….those 3 words still make me cry when I say them outloud or even think them. I still cry when I look in the mirror and see that all of my hair is gone, that my left breast is deformed. I cry often, if that makes me weak then so be it…I am doing the best I can.

This is a terrible and difficult journey, one that I didn’t ask for, one that isn’t in my family history and one that will change my life forever…..

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Life

June 7th, 2019

Mood: Hopeful 😏

So true, but now I realize this more than ever….I told Matt tonight that it is time to make a list of the places we want to travel to, places we have never been; because we don’t know what the future will hold and I want to see and do as much as I can in the coming years.

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