Putting Me First to Achieve Optimum Health
I have discovered that the biggest obstacle to my own wellness is me. Like most people I can get by with my lifestyle. I don’t smoke, don’t drink, no recreational drugs or major medications; I sleep well and I exercise just a little less than moderately. Probably the best thing I have going for myself is that I have great sleep habits and I attribute that to great skin and shiny hair, well, you know, it is called beauty sleep. Still, there is a lot of room for change if I want to live an optimum healthy life. Changing habits isn’t easy though and so much less so when it means spending more time and money on myself. I...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - March 19, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer treatment alternative care emotional health Source Type: blogs
No Bone Scan for Me Right Now
For the past several months I have been complaining of pain in my right rib area that comes and goes. My primary doctor immediately took an x-ray that revealed that all was fine. My oncologist took it seriously also, first assuring me that the x-ray would most likely show any signs of metastasized cancer to the bone then having me wait for blood test results that showed there were no changes in my blood chemistry to warrant alarm.
On my last appointment I still complained of occasional pain so my oncologist booked me for a bone scan. I rescheduled twice and then finally cancelled. After doing all the research I realized ...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - March 8, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer diagnosis Breast cancer treatment bone scan Source Type: blogs
More Reasons to Consider Genetic Testing
I get questions all the time from people who are trying to make a decision about getting genetic testing for breast cancer. So many of them want to avoid the pain and the gruesome responsibility that comes with knowing you have a familial risk for the disease. I can’t blame anyone. Once you know, it is hard to ignore the possibility of breast cancer, and it can become consuming and depressing to think you have an increased risk.
My entire family has benefitted from genetic screening for breast cancer. Because I tested positive for the BRCA II gene mutation, my sister and nieces also had genetic testing done. The outcome...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - February 25, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: BRCA II genetic testing breast cancer mutation Source Type: blogs
Planned Destinations on my Wellness Journey
I haven’t traveled as far or as fast as I should have on my wellness journey. I wrote early in the New Year that I was embarking on a wellness journey for my own welfare in 2013 instead of making any resolutions. In addition to a regular visit to my oncologist for follow-up, so far I have had a check-up with a doctor that revealed that my cholesterol is borderline high and an eye exam that indicated I need stronger eye glasses. Although these are all health concerns that needed to be addressed, it is time to switch gears.
As much as I support conventional medicine and evidence based practice where cancer is concerned, I...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - February 20, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: alternative medicine wellness journey Source Type: blogs
Planning for Chemotherapy
Many people choose to work through chemotherapy treatment and a lot of those people still have to work in order to pay bills and continue to have health coverage. It isn’t easy, but it can be managed. I worked throughout the six months of my treatment. I was adamant about continuing to work; it kept me feeling normal and in control of the disease.
It really depends on how you react to your treatment. I still had enough energy throughout the treatment to carry on with normal living but I really had to rest during my down time, and I paid attention to my physical needs and symptoms. Most importantly was how I planned the...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - February 11, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy Source Type: blogs
When Cancer Comes Home
Yesterday was National Cancer Day. Now who thought of that? We have President’s Day, Memorial Day and Martin Luther King Day. It makes sense to honor heroes and leaders, but a whole day to acknowledge the enemy? That is just plain ridiculous!
There is no greater enemy to the United States than cancer. It claims more American lives than any war and shakes millions of American homes to the core every year. Cancer consumes billions of American health-care dollars, it uses up valuable resources and it steals our peace. The day is meant by promoters to raise awareness and debunk cancer myths but that is something we should ...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - February 5, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer diagnosis Breast cancer recurrence national cancer day survivng cancer Source Type: blogs
Old News is Good News for Breast Cancer Patients
Much has been made about a new study showing that a lumpectomy with radiation can be more effective in preventing deaths from breast cancer for people diagnosed with early stage breast cancer than a mastectomy. This is old news with a twist. For years the data has shown that a lumpectomy with radiation has been as effective in fighting breast cancer as a total mastectomy. The twist in this case is that it has been show through this study that this treatment option is more effective. The study released by Duke University revealed that 112,000 women were studied in California, and that of those women, the ones who had a lump...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - February 1, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: lumpectomy radiation Source Type: blogs
Should you Google your Medical Condition?
I listened to an interesting interview with a doctor on the radio in my car that discussed the claim that 1 in 3 Americans use Google to search out medical problems. According to PEW research and reported by Global News in Canada, 35 percent of American adults self-diagnosed this way and 41 percent of people who self-diagnosed have had their diagnosis confirmed by their doctor. My thinking is that it allows people to learn more about their condition and be more informed when discussing treatment options with their doctor.
I did the same thing when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is conceivable that a cancer diagno...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - January 22, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer research breast cancer and the internet medical conditions and the internet Source Type: blogs
You are Strong and You are Beautiful
I stopped to pick something up at a local store that is part of a national drug store chain and came face to face with a big aisle display that told me that I was strong and I was beautiful. I so loved reading those words that it took a moment before I realized that it was advertising cover girl cosmetics. I have adopted this as my mantra; I have begun telling myself that “You are strong, and you are beautiful.” It just feels right to believe these things about myself at this time in my life.
One thing we don’t do enough of is positive self talk. Many of us are quick to tell our loved ones and friends how talented a...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - January 8, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: Breast cancer diagnosis depression breast cancer and emotions strength and breast cancer Source Type: blogs
Starting a New Years Journey
Instead of a resolution for the New Year, I have decided to start a new journey. I am thinking of it as a wellness journey. The point of this journey in 2013 is to lead me to a more balanced and satisfying life. The ultimate goal is to reach a place where I live my life fulfilling my needs. I tend to only sporadically focus on my needs while trying to fulfill all that is required of me as a mother, wife and daughter. That doesn’t include a demanding work schedule and other life challenges that frequently come my way. If I can reach a destination that provides for me, then I will surely do better at providing for others.
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Source: Life with Breast Cancer - January 3, 2013 Category: Cancer Authors: admin Tags: depression breast cancer New Year Source Type: blogs
