"It's alive!"
For the past month, I have been experiencing varying degrees of pelvic pain. Unsure of the cause, I have been to see my family doctor, a urologist, and a gynecologist. I have had a pelvic ultrasound, a CT scan, and a cystoscopy. All of the test results were normal. One unexpected cancer diagnosis and an overactive imagination has turned me into the hypochondriac who goes to the doctor for the slightest twinge.
Yesterday, the gynecologist tells me that the pain is probably caused by the awakening of my ovaries. Chemo shut down my ovaries. Now that I am 6-months out from my last session of Taxol, this diagnosis makes sense. Wow, it hurts! I'm beginning to remember why I went on the Pill in the first place. Hopefully, the pain will lessen with time.
13 October 2009
05 October 2009
Decision to Make
Two weeks from today I will have my reconstruction surgery. I have been waiting for this day to come for a while. I am undergoing the DIEP procedure which means that my stomach fat will be used to build my breasts.
I have chosen to have a prophylactic mastectomy on the left breast. If all goes according to plan, I will live for many more years, and I don't want to spend those years being worried about a recurrence of breast cancer.
So about the decision that I need to make... Do I chose to have the sentinel lymph node on the left side biopsied during this procedure? Not a really big decision, but a decision that should not be made lightly. By having the lymph node removed, I develop the risk of developing lymphedema. It won't be a high risk, but nonetheless, it will be a risk.
When I had a mammogram in August, no lumps were found. But last year, when I had the mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI, the second tumor was not noticeable. The second lump was only found during the biopsy of the removed breast tissue.
My least favorite part of the breast medical community is when they tell me it is my decision to make. I don't know what I am doing. Even one year later, I still don't know what is best for my body or my mental state. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll know what is best.
I have chosen to have a prophylactic mastectomy on the left breast. If all goes according to plan, I will live for many more years, and I don't want to spend those years being worried about a recurrence of breast cancer.
So about the decision that I need to make... Do I chose to have the sentinel lymph node on the left side biopsied during this procedure? Not a really big decision, but a decision that should not be made lightly. By having the lymph node removed, I develop the risk of developing lymphedema. It won't be a high risk, but nonetheless, it will be a risk.
When I had a mammogram in August, no lumps were found. But last year, when I had the mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI, the second tumor was not noticeable. The second lump was only found during the biopsy of the removed breast tissue.
My least favorite part of the breast medical community is when they tell me it is my decision to make. I don't know what I am doing. Even one year later, I still don't know what is best for my body or my mental state. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll know what is best.
02 October 2009
20 September 2009
10 September 2009
Strength???
From the New York Times Health blog, written by Tara Parker-Pope, "Does Cancer Make You Strong?"
Comments from me on their way, but I wanted to be sure to post this article. I'm even tempted to comment on the NYT site, but we'll see if I can come up with any insightful and/or thoughtful comments for the public-at-large.
Comments from me on their way, but I wanted to be sure to post this article. I'm even tempted to comment on the NYT site, but we'll see if I can come up with any insightful and/or thoughtful comments for the public-at-large.
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