As you guys know, I still get an infusion every 3 weeks. This past Friday I went in for that. They did all the norm stuff.... stuck a needle in my port, flushed it, took blood, hooked up a catheter.... blah blah blah. No biggie. My nurse even showed my that my blood work was good. So why when I asked her for the results from an echocardiogram I had done the week before, everything changes. While it's still good, according to these results my heart function has dropped. Previous results had my heart function at 75%; which is an excellent reading, is now 65%. Nope! there isn't a human heart the works at 100%. In order to clarify what is really going on they have ordered additional test for me. This one is called a Muga scan. I want nor need anymore drama!
From my research, I understand that in order to perform this Muga scan they will inject a low-level radioactive substance into my bloodstream and then take pics of the heart with a special camera called a Gamma Camera. From these pics they can determine if a patient has had a heart attack; I know that didn't happen to me; or has heart damage.
Right now I'm waiting for the hospital to call and set that appointment. For the time being my oncology team has postponed my next Herceptin for an additional week. If anything, they believe that could be the cause of he decrease... If that is really what's happening. There are variables that my affect the results so I guess they will wait for the Muga results. Not sure what exactly that means for the remainder of my treatment but I will certainly keep you informed.
Healing
Hey , "the left side of the team" is almost back to it's original color. :D Almost looking normal. So I decide to wear one of my previous bras the other day. I thought I was ready but I guess not quiet. My left boob was soooo deformed and indented when I took that damn bra off. The damaged tissue had been misplaced, but popped back by morning. Per my surgeon "most of the damaged tissue will be addressed when I get my mastopexy"... "a lift."
Hair
It's coming in nicely. Still fine like baby hair but a kinda unruly. You know when you take a knitted hat off a baby and their hair sticks out everywhere and goes in all sorts of directions... well that's how I wake up looking every morning. Doesn't take much to care for it though, a little water and a brush. Not like my permed hair. LOL!
The other day at Whole Foods, a lady complemented me on it. "oohhh, miss... your hair is so cuute." I turned to check an see who she was referring to. "Excuse me" I say. She repeats and the gestures to my head. "Thanks" I say and leave it at that. Not that I had any intention of sharing my story with this woman but all sorts of stupid shit kinda ran through me head. Like, "thanks"; "woman, you have no clue"; "do you want to go through what I did to get this hair?"; "Mel, just take the complement... she just likes your hair... it is cute." I stuck with the last one. :) Don't get me wrong, I wasn't upset with her for saying anything... My mind just went on a mini rampage.
Well gonna end here. Hubby is tryna sleep and he said it sounds like I'm typing a never ending story. LOL! uhh....he pulled his pillow over his head.
Good night :D
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Phenomenal Woman- That's Her
Another's Story
I found myself in a somber mood after learning some heartbreaking news. The wife of a friend of ours isn't doing well. Well, I don't know them well at all but we double dated once a while ago. I remember them to be a nice couple that gave good conversation. Anyway, they have been very supportive to us during my course of treatment as we have to them. See, the wife is fighting cancer ... and has been for about the past 4 or 5 years! Yea, she been in this battle for a looong time... and like most patients with this condition, wants it to be over. She has been an absolute trooper! However, her doctors slammed them with even more devastating news on a recent appointment. UHG! Her body is no longer responding to Chemo treatments, as a matter of fact... her cancer has spread. My heart broke for her and her family. I'm not sure what stage she is now but I know she was once treated for brain and I THINK lung cancer. They are supposed to be coming by our house on Saturday to get some Kangen Water, and I hope to get a better understanding of her position.
I just as that you all pray for this family. They are the Howard family. I believe them to be in their early to mid 40's with a young son... but that doesn't matter. They don't deserve this.
I'll be walking in the 2011 Susan G. Koman 3 day. This is a little heads up...I will be sending out requests monitory donations. Please help me reach my goal. Please don't ignore my e-mail... that will make me have to call y'all. LOL!
Love, Peace, and Happiness.
Mel
I found myself in a somber mood after learning some heartbreaking news. The wife of a friend of ours isn't doing well. Well, I don't know them well at all but we double dated once a while ago. I remember them to be a nice couple that gave good conversation. Anyway, they have been very supportive to us during my course of treatment as we have to them. See, the wife is fighting cancer ... and has been for about the past 4 or 5 years! Yea, she been in this battle for a looong time... and like most patients with this condition, wants it to be over. She has been an absolute trooper! However, her doctors slammed them with even more devastating news on a recent appointment. UHG! Her body is no longer responding to Chemo treatments, as a matter of fact... her cancer has spread. My heart broke for her and her family. I'm not sure what stage she is now but I know she was once treated for brain and I THINK lung cancer. They are supposed to be coming by our house on Saturday to get some Kangen Water, and I hope to get a better understanding of her position.
I just as that you all pray for this family. They are the Howard family. I believe them to be in their early to mid 40's with a young son... but that doesn't matter. They don't deserve this.
I'll be walking in the 2011 Susan G. Koman 3 day. This is a little heads up...I will be sending out requests monitory donations. Please help me reach my goal. Please don't ignore my e-mail... that will make me have to call y'all. LOL!
Love, Peace, and Happiness.
Mel
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January Update
Hey guys,
I was recently browsing through my blogs and realized that "Results 10/27/10" is incomplete. No one said anything to me! I was a bit surprised cause that was the moment I was told the cells in the tumor removed was dead and a whole bunch of other stuff. I will go back and make the corrections but I think I have spoken to all of you since then. If you need a fill in just call or in box me.
Healing
Well, what can I say. My skin is trying desperately to return to it's natural color. All the broken skin has since healed and is even returning to a normal.... feel. They are still uneven and my doctors say that wont change without surgery. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to that one.
Daily Life
Seems to be pretty normal now. My workout routine ain't what it used to be but at least I'm doing something. Regaining endurance has been especially challenging but it's getting better. The maximum weight I've lifted is a wweee little 3 pounds.
I was recently browsing through my blogs and realized that "Results 10/27/10" is incomplete. No one said anything to me! I was a bit surprised cause that was the moment I was told the cells in the tumor removed was dead and a whole bunch of other stuff. I will go back and make the corrections but I think I have spoken to all of you since then. If you need a fill in just call or in box me.
Healing
Well, what can I say. My skin is trying desperately to return to it's natural color. All the broken skin has since healed and is even returning to a normal.... feel. They are still uneven and my doctors say that wont change without surgery. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to that one.
Daily Life
Seems to be pretty normal now. My workout routine ain't what it used to be but at least I'm doing something. Regaining endurance has been especially challenging but it's getting better. The maximum weight I've lifted is a wweee little 3 pounds.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Consult with Plastic Surgeon
Very anxious to hear what this surgeon has to say. Her office is nice... kinda like Dr. H (the Radiation Oncologist). Nice hardwood floors, flat screen on the wall, low lights, and the coffee table with a flower arrangement and magazines.
I had already printed all the paperwork at home and filled them out, so I'm ready to go. A staff member shows me to a room. Here I obviously have to follow my now regular hospital routine. hhhuuugghh... take off everything up top and put on the gown. This time I got a cloth gown. :D
While waiting I take advantage of the reading materials left of the counter. Shortly after, the doctor comes in. She is tall; YEA! I know most people are taller than me; pretty, smartly dressed, and pregnant.
She says hello, introduces herself, then inquires about the reason for my visit. The long and short of this section of the story is that I wanted a mastopexy... a breast lift. She did an exam and agreed I was a good candidate for this surgery. I wouldn't require implants, THANK GOD!... she says I got more than enough tissue to work with. During the exam the demonstrates what she has in mind for me. I LOVE IT! :D Everything she described is what I wanted. Right down to possibly going a little smaller. Lets not forget, I'm a bit uneven anyway. She anticipates moving from the full "D" I am currently to a full C or small D.... with CLEAVAGE... :)))) LUVing IT! She calls for her assistant to put on the video regarding this procedure. Needless to say, I was even more excited when the video was done. The only thing that concerned me about the video info was that it mentioned weight loss could diminish the the finish results. NO way. This is a one time deal. Doc told me since I didn't have much fat, mostly tissue, so that wouldn't really affect me. LOL! It's nice when people don't really know that changes you've gone though and complement what you have currently.
The only thing holding up this surgery is the lasting effects of radiation. Standard waiting time after radiation is at least 6 weeks. It's only been 1 for me. Radiation causes restriction of the blood vessels, therefore healing would be poor. Also recommended was the use of Bio Oil to help bring moisture back to my slightly charred skin. Done! I really hope my body is ready when my followup comes around. 5 weeks. :)
I had already printed all the paperwork at home and filled them out, so I'm ready to go. A staff member shows me to a room. Here I obviously have to follow my now regular hospital routine. hhhuuugghh... take off everything up top and put on the gown. This time I got a cloth gown. :D
While waiting I take advantage of the reading materials left of the counter. Shortly after, the doctor comes in. She is tall; YEA! I know most people are taller than me; pretty, smartly dressed, and pregnant.
She says hello, introduces herself, then inquires about the reason for my visit. The long and short of this section of the story is that I wanted a mastopexy... a breast lift. She did an exam and agreed I was a good candidate for this surgery. I wouldn't require implants, THANK GOD!... she says I got more than enough tissue to work with. During the exam the demonstrates what she has in mind for me. I LOVE IT! :D Everything she described is what I wanted. Right down to possibly going a little smaller. Lets not forget, I'm a bit uneven anyway. She anticipates moving from the full "D" I am currently to a full C or small D.... with CLEAVAGE... :)))) LUVing IT! She calls for her assistant to put on the video regarding this procedure. Needless to say, I was even more excited when the video was done. The only thing that concerned me about the video info was that it mentioned weight loss could diminish the the finish results. NO way. This is a one time deal. Doc told me since I didn't have much fat, mostly tissue, so that wouldn't really affect me. LOL! It's nice when people don't really know that changes you've gone though and complement what you have currently.
The only thing holding up this surgery is the lasting effects of radiation. Standard waiting time after radiation is at least 6 weeks. It's only been 1 for me. Radiation causes restriction of the blood vessels, therefore healing would be poor. Also recommended was the use of Bio Oil to help bring moisture back to my slightly charred skin. Done! I really hope my body is ready when my followup comes around. 5 weeks. :)
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