educate girls...educate!!!

I have been so inundated with questions re: breast density. I am no expert...but it does NOT matter how large or small your breasts are....we can NOT determine density by ourselves....it is a radiology term.....
It is a question that we need to ask our doctors when we get back our annual mammogram results. If your breast tissue is dense....then you need further testing. Cancer may not show up.
I know that for many of you out there reading this....taking my other breast may seem radical...but for ME.....the hardest part of this is the not knowing....and I will significantly reduce my chances by removing all of the breast tissue.
For those of us that are mothers of daughters.....please continue to stay updated on the fight against breast cancer....take nothing for granted..and don't rely on test results that may be outdated before your results are even in!
I feel so useful in this fight against breast cancer with the emails I have received re: breast denstiy and mammograms.......take charge of your health!!!!
Love you.
Nancy

Glowing....or radioactive

Today marked the last screening treatment that I have to go through. Yeah! This was a PET scan...they inject radioactive material as well as glucose...then I get scanned.
The purpose in to monitor the glucose activitiy in the cells.
Cells that use a lot of glucose...are multiplying quickly....hence more likely to be cancer. Very interesting. A side effect is being radioactive for 24 hours. Can't be around people or food. No carpooling today...or cooking. Life is good.

I'm instructed to drink plenty of fluids...and to flush twice after voiding! Fun times. I am looking forward to having a week of normalcy. And time to celebrate the 4th of July!
Love,
Nancy






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A plan in place.

Today lived up to it's expectations....and more. I am so lucky to have my sister, Karrie, and my sister-in-law Michele to interpret and advise me. Michele is so knowledgeable, thoughtful and caring (thank you for the books and CD"S)...and Karrie is on the same learning curve as me..so she sometimes asks those hard questions that I may think are too dumb...to ask...but we need answers for just the same. We joked about walking in as my "Entourage". And I was SO glad they had my back.

The Dr. at BreastLink was SO informative..and knowledgeable and she spoke to us in language that we could understand. She drew diagrams and printed out information on a special website. I won't go into the details..but I left there feeling like I had so much more information at my disposal. Michele's input was so valuable.

I transcribed all of the notes and made questions for my next appointment with Kaiser. At first I think my Dr. was a little scared of our bombardment of questions..but then she smiled and said it was amazing how much we had learned within 2 short weeks....of course I answered that it didn't seem like 2 SHORT weeks.!!!

After careful input from all concerned...I made the decision to go ahead and schedule the bilateral mastectomy, with concurrent reconstruction, to be followed with chemotherapy.

For me personally, I need to have the cancer removed now rather than later....and weighed all of those options.

My surgery is scheduled for Friday, July 6. I will most likely be in the hospital for a couple of nights.

The good news is that this weekend we get to celebrate Sonny's 20th here in OC,,,and also get to enjoy the 4th,,,,and plan for the recovery process.

Please...don't consider my decisions either the right or wrong way to deal with breast cancer. What I have learned in these 2 short weeks..is that it is an extremely personal decision...and it takes a great deal to sort out what is important to each individual.

I made my choice...and actually feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders....or in this case ..breasts.

Thanks.

Love you.

Nancy

tomorrow,,tomorrow...the sun will come out tomorrow

Well,,tomorrow is a big day. I have my 2nd opinion at 9....then my 2nd surgery appmt. at 2. Hopefully I will come away with some important information...and maybe some dates for the calendar.
I spoke with some of you today...and yesterday. I can't tell you how much your support and advice means to me.
Thank you.
Please continue with the jokes,,,quotes and prayers.
Love,
Nancy

grass is always greener and the sky is blue..ok sometimes gray

Today I have had to reach really deep...and not do the feel sorry for myself....oh...why me...routine...just when things were going so well.....but my tarot cards said this would be an awesome year....ETC...etc...
so how do I make myself feel better? I think of all of the things that could be worse...a sick child..a son in a war zone....being alone....
OK so now I feel REALLY bad...and now guilty for even thinking I have a bad situation....
Do over....I can handle this. It is not so bad. Just an inconvenience.
Cleaning my room and reorganizing made me feel so much better! I also made a couple of great contacts at my open house today.....and I am NOT going to let them get away...I will help them find the home of their dreams.
Thank you sooooo much for all of your support...those that are "blog phobic" and send me emails and phone calls....to those of you that are brave and just "go ahead and post"...
It is kind of weird...but today my breast has been throbbing...and throbbing...time to let it go.
Nancy

Public Service Announcement!

Girls.....please ask your doctor about the density of your breast tissue. To help you understand this....pick up the July issue of O (oprah) magazine...they discuss how this knowledge is so important for mammograms!
for example...I had a mammogram in Dec. got the all clear---come back in 2 years..and now here I am with breast cancer.....well come to learn that my density of breast tissue (4 out of 4) would not show cancer. especially the type I have..lobular...I should have been referred to a digital mammogram.
It seems to me that we are all pretty diligent about getting our annual mammo's.....but for some of us these led to a false sense of security.
Early detection is key!
Love,
Nancy

what will I do....

Today I had my plastic surgery appointment. It was very informative...but seemed to leave me with more questions than answers. One that came up was....should I just do a double masectomy? I have extremely dense breast tissue...and cancers do not show up on regular mammograms.... also the plastic surgeon will have to do some work on my non-cancerous breast to match the right one anyway....SO....a new round of research and also more questions for my surgeon. Apparently,,,it will be a decision between me and my surgeon. I know that just a few years ago that HMO's wouldn't allow what they call prophalactic masectomies....now they do.
I am so confused right now. UGH!!!

new day, new hair

Well today brought the great news that my bone scan was clear! Yeah!

The only glitch in my day was when my doctor ordered another test a PAT scan....because there were some areas of concern on my CAT scan. I explained that I had pnemonia 3 times in 2 years etc....and that may in fact be their concern. I really wish that this scan part was done...but I am so full of positive energy that I know this will be OK.

And today...I had my haircut....I really wanted it really short...but dear Shannon said it was not time...so we just ...well check it out...let me know what you think..

Great day,,,,,

Well, today was so beautiful here in S.CA....I was able to spend some time outdoors....walking around lake RSM....and then got in the car and did my driving around from Kaiser to the Breast Link..for my 2nd. opinion. It turns out that the Breast Link wants to do their own pathology and radiology before my appmt...so we had to move my appointments.. Now I have the plastic surgeon on Friday...and my 2nd op. 9 am. next tues. and my 2nd appmt with my Kaiser surgeon at 2 that same day. I think I actually have a day to focus on work tomorrow! I really need to! Colin got his license today...after reaching all of the incentives that we asked of him this semester in school, etc. That will be a big help to me. The ourpouring of support from this blog and emails (some can't get the hang of the blog) and phone calls,,,,I feel so loved! Cherie's quote of the day on the blog was so perfect ! Unfortunately, the bone scan report was not recorded today....I was hoping to check that one off of my "worry-list" today,.....should be done tomorrow. Don't be shy...tell me something funny...or a quote..inspirational...or just a quick hello. It all helps. Thanks...Nancy

warm blanket

When I awoke this morning and read the comments from my friends....it made me feel like wrapping myself in a warm blanket on a cold day! and it gave me strength! Off to conqueor the world! Choose to make it a great day.....see the beauty in the little things...and remember to laugh.

traffic and friends

Well today was a lot of driving. I went to my office to get my listings updated and on track for the "showcase of homes" open houses this weekend....then picked up C & M and went to lunch with the Mello's to CPK for lunch. Then began the crazy circle of picking up tissue slides (gross...I didn't even open the envelope) and all of my xrays...mammo's ,,,ultrasounds..etc... to deliver to the offices of my 2nd opinion.
I was SO impressed with the personal service that I received.at Kaiser....after 20 yrs. of having a PPO and then having to go to a HMO...I must admit I was really scared...but so far it has been really reassuring. I am going to get a 2nd opinion from Michele's doctor at the Breast Link who just released his 4th edition of The Breast Cancer Survival Guide"... I am hopeful that they will give me all of the necessary info. that I can give to my doctor next Tuesday when we meet to schedule my surgery. It looks like I will have a masectomy and the reconstruction...and most likely some type of chemo.
But...that is the GOOD news. I think the hardest part of this process was the intial diagnosis and then having to wait for the news if it had spread...at this point I am SO
ready to deal with the breast cancer...just let me be early and clear from all of the other reports. Tomorrow will be a big day.
The comments are SO appreciated. Go ahead and post pics of yourselves..your families..etc...
this will be my lifeline for the next few months.
Love,,
Nancy

update

well,,,this has been an incredible week....from the diagnosis last wed. to the results of my CAT scan today (Negative) and all of the tests going on this week....WOW.
all i can say is welcome to the world of breast cancer....it takes you up in its wake and pulls you along,,,kind of like a rip tide...you can either swim with the current or relax and go with it..until at least you know how to swim against the current...or ask for help.
I would like to thank Sonny for getting this BLOG set up for me...he knows how many phone calls I have been getting..and insisted on me utilizing the latest in technology..
BUT don't let this mean that I don't want to hear from you...it really means so much for me to know that you my friends are out there helping me.
LOVE you.
Nancy

Welcome!

Hey Everyone!
Thanks a ton for stopping by and supporting my awesome mom!

On June 14th, Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although it was unexpected and never something that you are prepared to hear, she has been extremely positive and is just viewing it as a bump in the road. But that's for her to tell you...

Because she is the most amazing person ever, she is lucky enough to have friends like YOU to help support her through this tough process. However, although she appreciates every phone call, e-mail, note, etc. that she recieves, it is pretty much impossible to update everyone on how she is doing on a consistent basis, while still being a full-time realtor and extremely committed mother (reverse order, of course... ;) ). So she asked me about a blog (haha what a weird word...) and I told her that I would look into setting one up. So here we are!

I'll let her give a little introduction as well as I turn the reigns over to her.....

Thanks again for stopping by and take care!
Sonny