Hi there friends of my blog
I am sorry that I have not been updating on a consistent basis. I know that you all are busy too. Once I got back from Harvard, it was Thanksgiving, then planning Mairin's sweet 16 and all of a sudden it is Nov. 3o!
Because this blog was started to keep friends and family updated on my attack on the cancer that had invaded my body...I feel like I should give you an update on the latest.
I am now taking Arimidex, daily for the next 5 years. This is a pill for estrogen positive cancers, it has shown much success in killing any leftover cells that are cruising around the body. The major consideration for side-effects is on the bone density..I take 1500 mg of calcium daily along with vitamins and fish oil. I am seeing my plastic surgeon to get my flat chest ready for the removal of the hard plastic shapers, and the insert of the natural placeholders.
The secondary side effect is the hot flashes in the middle of the night. Not bad enough to wake me up...but a run for the shower in the morning. Things like this might have made me crazy 6 months ago, but with all I've been through, it is really just a bump on the radar.
The future appointments for me will include a check up with my oncologist every 3 months, and my surgeon every 4 months, and my plastic surgeon frequently until I'm "reconstructed".
I may have to meet with a vascular surgeon to figure out the best course of treatment for my blood clot, that is stubbornly taking a long time to vanish.
The most anxiety producing doctor appointment is coming up this Monday. I will be meeting with my Genetic Dr. who will give me the results of my blood tests, to determine weather I carry the Bracca 1 or 2 gene. We really anticipate a negative test, based on my family history and a whole host of questions and answers that I had to provide. This is a plug for HMO's and Kaiser Permanente who will provide this test even if I didn't fall into the percentage of patients that might prove positive. Many PPO's will only provide this test if there are certain indicators in the family history. There is only one testing site in the US, and it is in Utah. Very expensive if your insurance doesn't cover it.
The downside is , I have to prepare myself for a positive result. If I am positive I will have to have immediate surgery to remove my ovaries. Ovarian cancer is highly probable with this diagnosis. Worse, I will have to have my daughter tested, and also tell my sisters, and even the boys in my family will have an increase in prostate cancers. This is so much for me to feel responsible for. We'll deal with it if it happens, but I really don't think we will be in this group.
On a good note, I went to work this week, and spent many hours on a business plan on how to attack this crazy real estate market. We also spent time on a marketing plan for listings we have to get them sold! It is amazing to me to see the agents that are still in the business are the ones that have been through the tough times of the 90's and also those agents that are savvy,,,and willing to work the hours...and hours that it will take to get clients out of this market downturn. Many agents are now working for Costco or seasonal work...or just evaporated...from the marketplace. I am committed to doing the time. It was great to put a plan into place ....I am the realtor for all of your needs in the year 2008!
I have a special thank you for my friends that provided me the services of Holly Maids. I can't even tell you how much it meant to me 1to come home to a spic and span home..!...THANK YOU!
I am humbled by your support.
Nancy
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ivy League Championship
What a weekend! Harvard blew Yale away in "The Game"! Karrie, Michael and I had an incredible time. I almost completely forgot about the "C" except that it was cold and my head would feel frozen. It was so much fun to see these guys all celebrating their win, after a long football season. More pics to follow! Just flew in, Sonny crashed out on the couch.
Happy Turkey Day all!
Love,
Nancy
Thursday, November 15, 2007
I'm going, I'm going!
I can't believe it, when I was first diagnosed in June, I prayed that I would be able to make it back to Boston for the Harvard/Yale game. I have had it on my calendar. The blood clot seemed like it might derail me, then my extreme fatigue made the trip seem implausible.
But I'm packed and ready to go! I don't think I would have been able to make it if my sister Karrie was not going with me. She has been such a pillar of strength for me. I know I can lean on her if I start to fade. We leave early tomorrow and arrive in Boston in the afternoon. It was strange packing for a cold, almost frigid east coast when the weather here was a balmy 80 today! We will take a booster bus from Harvard Sat. am to New Haven. We will then meet up with Uncle Michael who will join us for the game. We'll cruise the infamous tailgates (they started here after all, over a hundred years ago...although I think it must have been horse and buggy gates!). Both Harvard and Yale are undefeated in the Ivy League, so this game is for the championship.
We will be attending the football banquet on Mon. and then flying back on Tues. morning. Sonny will be joining us and spend some days at home recuperating from a brutal football season. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Love,
Nancy
PS..Good luck Mission in the CIF round against Orange Lutheran!
But I'm packed and ready to go! I don't think I would have been able to make it if my sister Karrie was not going with me. She has been such a pillar of strength for me. I know I can lean on her if I start to fade. We leave early tomorrow and arrive in Boston in the afternoon. It was strange packing for a cold, almost frigid east coast when the weather here was a balmy 80 today! We will take a booster bus from Harvard Sat. am to New Haven. We will then meet up with Uncle Michael who will join us for the game. We'll cruise the infamous tailgates (they started here after all, over a hundred years ago...although I think it must have been horse and buggy gates!). Both Harvard and Yale are undefeated in the Ivy League, so this game is for the championship.
We will be attending the football banquet on Mon. and then flying back on Tues. morning. Sonny will be joining us and spend some days at home recuperating from a brutal football season. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Love,
Nancy
PS..Good luck Mission in the CIF round against Orange Lutheran!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
latest updates
Hi friends and family,
I know it has been awhile since I last blogged in. Since my last entry I have had doctor appmts. with my Oncologist, and also my surgeon, and the Genetics doctor who counseled me on the BRACCA 1 & 2 tests for hereditary breast cancer markers. All three of them gave me the same advice regarding this frustrating blood clot. Be patient, and move it, and use hot compresses. They expect that it will take a couple of months before it gets reabsorbed. My surgeon actually showed me a chart with all of the veins of the arm on it. I feel that I know have a better understanding of the situation. Once I get the results of the genetic test back, it may open or close another entire round of action. However, I won't even mention those until I get the results back. I have 2 more doctors appmts. tomorrow. One is the bone scan, that will serve as the baseline for starting my 5 years of Arimedex. One potential side effect is the reduction of bone density. At least I get to have a pill I will take everyday that will give me some confidence that I am still fighting any potential cancer cells that slipped through the chemotherapy.
I have started walking the lake, one lap is one mile. I can do it! Yeah! But have been sore after the three days of doing it. I am bound and determined to keep it up. The dogs are benefiting also.
What felt really good was picking up the phone and talking with Realtors. I wanted to talk with all of the ones that had been through my listings, and make sure they were aware that they were active and on the market. I actually had many great conversations with Realtors out there in this crazy market. Generally, the feeling was good that the lowering of interest rates, and less homes on the market during the onset of the holiday season, more homes were going to be moving. Do any of you reading this know of anyone that needs to buy a home in Rancho Santa Margarita? Or have one to sell? Call me!
Thanks for checking in with me. I hope to get to the MV football game this Friday to watch Mairin cheer. Then next week, I am going to Boston to watch the Harvard/Yale game. It will be televised here on the west coast at 9 am in the morning. Check it out!
Love
Nancy
I know it has been awhile since I last blogged in. Since my last entry I have had doctor appmts. with my Oncologist, and also my surgeon, and the Genetics doctor who counseled me on the BRACCA 1 & 2 tests for hereditary breast cancer markers. All three of them gave me the same advice regarding this frustrating blood clot. Be patient, and move it, and use hot compresses. They expect that it will take a couple of months before it gets reabsorbed. My surgeon actually showed me a chart with all of the veins of the arm on it. I feel that I know have a better understanding of the situation. Once I get the results of the genetic test back, it may open or close another entire round of action. However, I won't even mention those until I get the results back. I have 2 more doctors appmts. tomorrow. One is the bone scan, that will serve as the baseline for starting my 5 years of Arimedex. One potential side effect is the reduction of bone density. At least I get to have a pill I will take everyday that will give me some confidence that I am still fighting any potential cancer cells that slipped through the chemotherapy.
I have started walking the lake, one lap is one mile. I can do it! Yeah! But have been sore after the three days of doing it. I am bound and determined to keep it up. The dogs are benefiting also.
What felt really good was picking up the phone and talking with Realtors. I wanted to talk with all of the ones that had been through my listings, and make sure they were aware that they were active and on the market. I actually had many great conversations with Realtors out there in this crazy market. Generally, the feeling was good that the lowering of interest rates, and less homes on the market during the onset of the holiday season, more homes were going to be moving. Do any of you reading this know of anyone that needs to buy a home in Rancho Santa Margarita? Or have one to sell? Call me!
Thanks for checking in with me. I hope to get to the MV football game this Friday to watch Mairin cheer. Then next week, I am going to Boston to watch the Harvard/Yale game. It will be televised here on the west coast at 9 am in the morning. Check it out!
Love
Nancy
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