Cancer Survivor, writing about Health and Fitness as you age

I didn't expect to have such a delay in posting out, but thankfully, this week has been so boringly consistent, I didn't feel like I needed 2 updates.  I even felt well enough to go to work Mon, Wed-Fri! Sunday June 19 : Happy Father's Day!  Unfortunately, I had been somewhat pre-occupied so I didn't actually get any presents for the daddies at my house this year :( .  I took the kids and Grandpa to a playdate with friends on Sunday morning.  I felt ok, but by the time I got home, it was time for me to have a bit of a relax. Tuesday 21 June : Follow up visit with the nurse.  My mouth is starting to get irritated, so I have to use a baking soda solution rinse religiously before my mouth is so sore I can't eat.  My white blood count is terribly low, so I hope that the booster shot I got to help with that kicks in before my treatment next Tuesday.  That afternoon I went wig-shopping with a friend (thanks Patti!). It was fun, but the combination of the nurse's

This post is my one rant to looking back (I've been told by my doctors not to), but I've justified it to myself by deciding if it makes one person make a different choice, then that's fine with me.  So now that I know what I know, what do I wish? I wish I understood that when a mammogram comes back negative, it does not necessarily mean that they examined all the tissue and they were able to see clearly that nothing was there (a true negative). It could also mean, they've looked and they cannot distinguish normal from tumour tissue (inconclusive).  So ladies, when the radiologist tells you "Ma'am you've got dense breasts", know that it means they can't see a darned thing. If you think something is going wrong, press for an alternative diagnostic tool or monitor yourself more closely in the coming months knowing that the mammogram you just had that said negative, really said, "We don't know".  Oh..and enlist the aid of a specialist

Two days after my  chemo, and still a bit tired, somewhat queasy and drinking water at every turn  - apparently now that they have the nausea issue somewhat licked, dehydration is a big deal.  G has said he doesn't want to have to drive me to the hospital to get 3 bags of fluids so I am trying to help in this regard. Thursday 16 June :  Felt not quite myself. Brief surge of energy in the morning then tired and lack of appetite for the day.  Had to take a nap in the afternoon.  Some chills, but still able to move around and do little things. Friday 17 June :  Repeat of Thursday.  I feel quite drained of energy, much like a balloon that's been popped.  No interest in watching TV, at least, not any show that has a plot.  Interestingly enough, while I am not so sick that I cannot do anything, I feel lethargy set in. It is hard to get motivated to do stuff.  Hopefully that will return with my appetite. Saturday 18 June: Feel a bit better. Took a spin to the grocery with my Da

So when last I posted, it was the weekend we told my dad about my diagnosis. Good grief, that was just last Saturday! Sunday 12th June : Told my brother and his wife the news.  We also planned to go out for brunch since my dad was in town, so we did that, after we all went for hair cuts (mine shocked the kids a bit).  They are not sure they like it.  That evening, a friend of ours was celebrating a milestone birthday, so we did go out and tried to forget about the week ahead, and enjoy some time with friends. Monday 13th June : No food - surgery Monday morning to insert a port-a-cath. This is new technology where they setup a catheter directly to the large vein under your collarbone to allow for easy access to do the chemo infusions (since it is very hard to do an IV each time). It remains under the skin so the nurses can access it each time.  As soon as I was sufficiently recovered, we headed off to do an Echo cardiogram (since the chemo drugs could affect the heart - added bonus)

For those of you who don't already know, I was recently diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer (last week).  The stage diagnosed was a big blow to us, but we (me and my family) are looking forward to successfully completing the treatments and being cancer-free - at least whatever that means to any survivor. I'll be using this blog to keep track of what's happening and you'll see in the title "Week" in some form or fashion. If you don't, then the post is going to be about some random topic that interests me for example, the sheer insanity of some parents who have 5 kids. It is also interesting to note that if I had any doubt I'd run out of topics to blog about, one has presented itself. To begin- what is the Week 1 reference? I consider Week 1 the week I received the confirmation from the doctor that I was positive for cancer. Here is what had happened before that (and I put in some detail because friends and family who know have asked me this. Fr

Well I'll tell you - shoes. For any family managing on one salary (or even two), there isn't usually any budgetary leeway for frivolous purchases like shoes.  Which I can now afford to buy.  But seriously, what has going back to work been like? I was at home for about 2 1/2 years, so now the entire family has to make the adjustment back to work with me. Sticking to the schedule, mapping out school holidays weeks in advance, planning the rotation of parent duty, ensuring I have remote access so I can work from home, transition to full-time daycare and after-school care, etc. Here is my experience. Exhaustion Yes.  No doubt about it.  The share pace of having a full morning (getting kids out of the house) and then having to focus on work and then come back to the kids and get ready for the next day.  Exhausting.  Mentally and physically. No energy or reserves for friends, books or blogs.  Just put the TV on please. Insomnia Surprised? Maybe not so much?  We