Went to the prosthesis bra store and got fitted for a new boob. Not very exciting, but the girls look much better. Not to mention insurance actually covers my $400 little friend and 6 new bras each year. At least i get something out of all this. Not much else to report, but for those of you who know Mr. Stilwell please keep him in your prayers. He is in the hospital and on oxygen.
Will report more soon,
Laura
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Found this on the web...
"Depression after cancer
I know how hard it is to overcome the expectations of your family and friends once your treatment is over. They truly think you will just bounce back to your old self. You, on the other hand, don’t even know where to find your old self. That and the strain of trying to stay strong and optimistic can take their toll. How many of us really take the time to realize what we have been through and just how much it has affected us? I did an earlier blog on depression that showed research and statistics. Depression is a big issue if you’re dealing with it, so it deserves a revisit now and then.
Dealing with chemo brain is depressing, but depression and chemo brain are not the same condition. I believe that many people experience depression during and after breast cancer treatment than are willing to admit. Diagnosis is overwhelming; fear of death, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all things that can take its toll on anyone’s psyche. For the survivor, the fear of recurrence and the struggle to regain control of your life can be the challenge that throws you into an emotional tailspin. Dealing with the onset of menopausal symptoms from treatment can also be a factor in depression
As reasonable as it is to expect that cancer survivors are going to feel a bit depressed, many survivors are still reluctant to discuss the symptoms with their family or doctor. The reasons aren’t clear, but the majority of people suffering from depression need to be encouraged by someone else to seek treatment. Even if you have the strength to put on a happy face and pretend everything is okay, if under it all you feel emotionally raw and distressed, it is time to tell someone.
I have had people dear to me suffer from depression, and it got worse when they didn’t address it. It is a real condition, and thankfully there are real treatment options. The one that worked for me was prayer and faith in God combined with the support of my friends. But first I had to tell someone about it (I started with God) before they could help me. I also sought out a Christian psychologist.
When you are looking for help, your doctor is a good place to start. There is no longer a stigma attached to mental issues. Just remember you have come through some pretty tough stuff. It’s time to drop the act. After all, you’re only human. You battled cancer and won, and now it’s time to take on the rest of what ails you to become truly healthy, because your life is worth it. I know that some of you really are okay, but there are those of you who suffer the low points, and it is to those individuals that I am speaking to.
With all my heart,
Kathy-Ellen"
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Way to long
I know, I know, I need to blog more. It is just way more fun when y'all comment.
The stuff no one wants to hear about...I am dealing with some adjustments since i am able to have "a mostly normal life" and somethings it is kind of hard to remember who i used to be and what i used to do. I didn't know this, but apparently lots of people after cancer get put on antidepressants. I didn't and didn't really have any problems until recently. I don't know if it is all the drugs getting out of my system, my hormones leveling off, or just trying to figure out what i am supposed to do know. I read this book called "Sick Girl" and it discusses how no one whats to hear about the real issues. They constantly tell you how good you look or how great your attitude is and so you have to live up to every ones expectations. It gets exhausting, especially when it is your own family (mom) who really cant take hearing how sick i really was. I think the spouse also gets forgotten and what he went through. Travis wants me to be my old self, but i still nap everyday and don't have the strength that i used to. We are all going through some adjustments and it gets hard sometimes.
The stuff everyone wants to hear... Since May, I have been training for a marathon and that is going great, I turned 38 and that is going great, I went to Sacto and got to see my parents, Ham, Tab, Missy, and Dave, that was great, and the kids are back in school and that is fabulous. I am so glad that i don't have to make weekly doctor appointments anymore and that I was able to attend a Polo match benefiting a children's charity at my plastic surgeons ranch that is extravagant. He takes his own personal helicopter to get to work every morning. I definitely picked the wrong profession. Any who, i will blog more often if y'all respond.
Sincerely,
Boobless in Atlanta
The stuff no one wants to hear about...I am dealing with some adjustments since i am able to have "a mostly normal life" and somethings it is kind of hard to remember who i used to be and what i used to do. I didn't know this, but apparently lots of people after cancer get put on antidepressants. I didn't and didn't really have any problems until recently. I don't know if it is all the drugs getting out of my system, my hormones leveling off, or just trying to figure out what i am supposed to do know. I read this book called "Sick Girl" and it discusses how no one whats to hear about the real issues. They constantly tell you how good you look or how great your attitude is and so you have to live up to every ones expectations. It gets exhausting, especially when it is your own family (mom) who really cant take hearing how sick i really was. I think the spouse also gets forgotten and what he went through. Travis wants me to be my old self, but i still nap everyday and don't have the strength that i used to. We are all going through some adjustments and it gets hard sometimes.
The stuff everyone wants to hear... Since May, I have been training for a marathon and that is going great, I turned 38 and that is going great, I went to Sacto and got to see my parents, Ham, Tab, Missy, and Dave, that was great, and the kids are back in school and that is fabulous. I am so glad that i don't have to make weekly doctor appointments anymore and that I was able to attend a Polo match benefiting a children's charity at my plastic surgeons ranch that is extravagant. He takes his own personal helicopter to get to work every morning. I definitely picked the wrong profession. Any who, i will blog more often if y'all respond.
Sincerely,
Boobless in Atlanta
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