Cancer Survivor, writing about Health and Fitness as you age

So here is what I know/have come to know so far: I have successfully completed the first 3 of 33 radiation treatments scheduled. I have 30 minutes added to my daily moisturizing routine to account for the creams I need to apply to my skin to reduce the radiation effects.. While my radiation oncologist has told me that their equipment does not really have much scatter (a maximum of 2 millimetres), all the technicians leave the room when the beams go on. I have breast tissue in my back, and by "I" I really mean you too. So if you hug yourself, tissue extends to where your hands can reach around under your arms and over the top of your shoulder, so that area needs to be irradiated too. The lead "mats" you see at the dentist, used to protect the rest of you when you have x-rays, won't stop these rays. In addition to the actual radiation treatment I have to have, I also have additional x-rays each week in addition to the 33 radiation treatments. In addition to

To all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful holiday with loved ones. We are having a very quiet Thanksgiving and in fact,this year is the first year we actually had a traditional Thanksgiving holiday as most people in the US would celebrate (I imagine). We even went around the table saying what we were thankful for. The boys don't have the hang of it yet, but I am hopeful it will come. The first of a tradition for us. As you can imagine, this year is one of much reflection for my husband and myself. This year, we've also started another tradition: family game night. Initially it started with lots of steam, but seemed to have fizzed out a bit, but we'll keep plugging along. Once we start playing a game, the kids actually seem to enjoy it (and not miss TV and/or video games - but you'll never hear them admit that). Short post today - hug your loved ones, give them a call and my heart goes out to those of you who do not have them close.

Last week was a very busy week - I had follow ups with my oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist and I had my first physical therapy session. But first, the surgeon. So what did they find? The surgeon decided to remove 4 lymph nodes, all of which tested negative for cancer - a tremendous relief for us. This is significant. As had been seen in the MRI, the pathology confirmed the shrinkage of the tumour and the surgeon had clear margins (that is, no cancer around the excision site). All good. The surgeon said everything was healing up quite nicely and at the appointment removed my drains. (After surgery, the surgeon leaves tubes attached to the surgery site that drain into plastic containers shaped like grenades. It drains lymphatic fluid and prevents infection.) The care and management of those drains (I had 4), while not painful in themselves was a very big hassle. The process of checking the drains, changing dressings, wrapping bandages etc., all without having the kids s

Well, let me tell you, these past two weeks have been very very difficult for me, but not for the reasons you may think. The week of my surgery my older son was suspended for a week from school for bullying. Feel free to skip this post, because it is all downhill from here. I don't know how to describe how distressing this was, for the other family involved and for us. It would have been easier if my son was the one being picked on. To put it in context, this was more upsetting to me than hearing the diagnosis of cancer from my doctor those months ago. Really. I expected better of big son. To be the parent of a bully is a terrible thing. (I am ok not having a discussion about where we went wrong. As you can well imagine we've had a few of those already.) We first learned he was picking on another child shortly before my surgery and there was insufficient time between learning what was happening and suspension to successfully address the issue with Lucas. Hardly surprisi

If you don't see your cards/flowers or dishes..sorry about that, but I got it and I am grateful to you too!  From all my mommy friends who've sent me stuff! And then some!  These here? From my badger-peeps!  Flowers on the right? Big 'ole bunch from client services.  Just a few of the cards I've received - full of inspiration, hope, good thoughts and prayers. The stockpile of tupperware I have from all the goodies that came home to me. And which must leave my house.