tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478470125662290860.post673083799828220805..comments2024-02-24T03:54:55.435-05:00Comments on SUE'S ESCAPE FROM CANCERLAND: Hair today-gone tomorrowSue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11146373251097877539noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478470125662290860.post-18966021995713923912008-10-27T22:55:00.000-04:002008-10-27T22:55:00.000-04:00As you noted, but in different words, life is diff...As you noted, but in different words, life is different than living. <BR/><BR/>We all fight the fight as best we know how, and you're doing a kick-ass job. Hang in there.<BR/><BR/>KathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478470125662290860.post-47607879297843571102008-10-25T22:06:00.000-04:002008-10-25T22:06:00.000-04:00Sue, your Naomi is a beautiful girl, just lovely.I...Sue, your Naomi is a beautiful girl, just lovely.<BR/><BR/>I never did a "here's my deal" post on my blog. I guess I should have but then I never expected to have others want to share it with me (except family of course).<BR/><BR/>I found a lump in my right breast in late June. It turns out that lump was precancerous but there were calcifications in my right breast that were of great concern. After a biopsy of all of those, it turns out I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. My husband and I did alot of research and with the help of our oncologist, decided to do an elective left mastectomy as well. We didn't want to be diagnosed with BC twice. It turns out we made an excellent choice because buried under the mass of my right breast was a 4.5 cm tumor, throwing out tentacles that was actually Stage 2 cancer.<BR/><BR/>I'm 40 and my youngest is just 3. But you know what? I've found the best medicine is my kids. 90 percent of the time, even when I was absolutely immersed in personal grief, I let them take me away into the land of daily living and mania. I look for the little things to lift me up. In the summer, it was my little Jackie's zinnias that just grew almost 7 feet tall and bloomed like crazy. Now it's the gorgeous leaves on the trees.<BR/><BR/>I do write. And I decided last November that I wasn't going back to my regular job because of my girls. So I ended up trolling the net looking for employment. I'll save that long story for another time as this post is turning into a novel. Suffice it to say, it's been a blessing in every way for me. <BR/><BR/>I love being a mother. I love being a wife. Full time. And nothing will take that away from me - not even BC.<BR/><BR/>My cancer ended up being estrogen positive, which I'm told is good. I'm currently in the throes of my second session of chemo and it's just been better than the first time. Not by much, but at least a little :) Because of my age, I'm being plagued with menopause symptoms. <BR/><BR/>My Mom is a 5 year BC survivor. She recently had markers show up in her blood. We thought it was a recurrence but it turns out that it is lung cancer in her liver and lungs. She is in chemo (1st session) and we are already seeing an improvement in her. In just 5 days. She's tired but she has stopped coughing which is a primary sign of it getting worse.<BR/><BR/>Sue, be aggressive and your own advocate throughout this nightmare. Demand answers from your Doctors - don't pick between the information and misinformation on the internet. If no one addresses things to your satisfaction, go somewhere else. The care you get now will make every bit of difference in how you feel about yourself now and later. Your medical team (surgeon, oncologist, plastic surgeon, nurses, counselors) should be the absolute best fit for you.<BR/><BR/>You'll see those cousins - I know you will. Please keep running as it's so good for your body and your head. Take care of yourself and remember that I'm here to share what I can with you. Even if it's a virtual hug :)<BR/><BR/>Fondly,<BR/>SharonS. F. Heronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03918066747733658394noreply@blogger.com