Breast Cancer again

It is back...I had a biopsy on Monday 11/24 and i do have breast cancer again. We will know more after the PET scan on Tuesday of next week and i will keep everyone up to date. All we know so far is that the chest wall where I had surgery already is inflamed and showing the same results as before. The treatment will probably be more chemo and radiation, but we are not sure until next week. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Laura and Travis

Brain Cancer

Last Monday I had an MRI to determine if I had brain cancer. After 4 long days of waiting, they decided i do not have it. We had several sleepless nights, but got thru it together. I am sure we will have several more events like this and we should get used to it. I am getting my port out on Tuesday and this marks the final step of my 1.5 year process. Yeah.

This will be a very thankful Thanksgiving for us. Hope you all have one too.

Laura

This might get you talking

Since i don't seem to get many posts these days lets discuss something that really fires people up...politics. Don't report rumors, just facts. I don't want to hear how Obama is the anti-Christ or how Palin is a racist, but let me know why you choose the candidate you did based on policies. I just saw an interesting study on the History Channel and among other people they studied the verbal and physical language each candidate puts forth. It was quite interesting that Obama's style of speech can ignite a crowd regardless of what they have to say and McCain has a no nonsense style of speaking. Do you think the way a candidate speaks sways your vote? Both Reagan and Clinton had charismatic types of speech where Dole and Nixon did not. Only 23 days left to decide who is going to lead our country...

Back to CNN, CNBC, and Headline News for my daily does of politics. What will i do when this election is over...

Bye

New Boob

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

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"

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

Metal Out

Today I had surgery to remove the metal that was in my expander that was never used. I already feel more comfortable and the surgery was a piece of cake compared with the last one. I do have a drain in and if anyone has ever had one, they are disgusting. Not to mention I get very worried that little G-money will try and pull it. That would cause me some major discomfort. The only bad thing about this is i could have up to six weeks of recovery and i am in the middle of tri and marathon training for the fall. Since i am already feeling great i am hoping i can cut that time way, way down.

Any who, my next step is to have an MRI, one last Herceptin treatment, get preggers, and then have reconstruction. This is a 2-3 year time-line, but it was my best option if we want to have another baby.

For those who know the Sauer Family, Bruce lost his four year battle with cancer Saturday evening. Please keep the Sauer Family in your prayers.

I will miss you Mr. Sauer!