When They Want To Change Your Pain Medication ...

At my last Oncologist appointment, my doctor discussed going on a study with marijuana extract.  I am all for a natural pain medication and will be thrilled when Florida becomes the next state to accept medical marijuana.  As a young person and adult I did use marijuana recreationally so being familiar with the side effects is a non compete. 

For the past year, I have been on a IR (immediate release) Morphine pill for pain.  I didn't have all of the side effects, but constipation is constant.  In order to be on the study, my doctor changed my Morphine IR to an Morphine ER (extended release) pill.  My prescriptions came in the mail on Friday and I had my first ER pill that night.  I remember feeling better with very little pain breaking through.  It was a good feeling.

On my morning rise Saturday, I took my Tamoxifen then added the ER pill.  It was on an empty stomach.  Within hours I was experiencing nausea and dizziness.  Yes, I was experiencing a lot of symptoms.  The prescription document also recommended taking the pills with food.  When my first pill was consumed I didn't experience any side effects.  Now I realize the ice cream I had eaten before taking my night time medication helped.

Not a breakfast person, I generally have something after a few hours of waking.  I made lunch and it didn't make me feel any better.  Then drinking some water and within 20 minutes I began to feel like vomiting.  Oh my goodness ... this is not where I wanted to be.  When I got up to go to the bathroom the sensation started to subside. 

I needed to relax.  I hadn't slept well the night before either.  After taking a 2 hour nap I was feeling better but could still feel the sensations of the morning dose.  Giving this a chance because I did feel a difference in pain levels.  It was an improvement.  I am required to manage the pain level before being placed on a marijuana extract regime.  Again, looking forward to when Florida makes marijuana legal. 

Since the Morphine ER requires 1 pill every 12 hours, by Sunday morning I was still feeling the uncomfortable side effects.  So I wanted to see how long the sensations would last.  By about 4pm on Sunday, the sensations or side effects lessened to a tolerable level.  Sunday night I had dinner and took the Morphine ER for the night.  I didn't have the experience felt on Saturday and today can still feel the medication, but at an tolerable level.

My Oncologist visit is next week for my monthly Zometa and Falsodex treatment.  I don't know if I can handle the Morphine ER on a long term basis.  Is it worth it to be on Morphine ER to be involved in the study?  The next week will be an adjustment period.  Say a prayer for me ...

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I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

Doctors, Doctors, Doctors!

I recently changed my HMO to a PPO to have more control over my medical problems.  After visiting my new primary care doctor, she recommended going to my GYN doctor.  Because when you have one women's disease, it could lead to more, she stated.  What a way to make you more nervous than you already are.

I was able to get a GYN appointment with my doctor right away.  Of course it was emotional.  I cried when I told her I should have listened to her.  How I was stubborn and now have to live with the results.  She was sweet when we spoke about my mom passing.  It was touching to have a doctor care in such a manner.  After explaining my concerns for my visit she prepared tests for the pelvic exam, first a pap smear.

It is never a comfortable exam being propped up in certain manner to see the cervix, but once she was viewing my insides she said I had a polyp.  A pretty big one.  Uh oh, now I'm scared about another health issue.  The doctor then removed the polyp, showing me before placing in the cup for pathology.  Yup, it was a big polyp, about 2 inches in length.  The doctor also performed a test by inserting something through the cervix into the uterous.   Not a pleasant experience, but lasted 20 seconds.  She explained with these tests and a sonogram (scheduled for next week), will help determine if there is anything to be addressed.

Today's technology has certainly improved over the years.  Before entering the doctor's office, I kept thinking I would be subjected to a colposcopy.  These are not pleasant, bee sting my a$$.  If you've had one, then you know what I mean.  The good news is the polyp pathology came back benign. 

My GYN doctor also gave me a breast surgeon recommendation.  It's time to have the lump removed, it has been a year.  The Tamoxifen has put me into menopause and hasn't reduced the lump.  Which now concerns me. 

I'm thinking about having a double mastectomy.  It's about the possibility of cancer spreading to the second breast in the future.  Why go through breast cancer surgery twice.  Also for me the idea of having a deformed breast and then having to get specialty bras or bathing suits is unappealing.  It's about being comfortable.  I've had DDD breasts, wearing underwire bras for most of my adult life.  Plus I have gotten used to not wearing one.  My boobs are no longer perky, swinging left and right like they just don't care. 

Besides having scars after a double mastectomy, I would have a tattoo to cover what once was.  A breast cancer survivor representation.

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I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

Have You Had Your Mammogram Yet?

If someone had told me the full extent of what could happen when you don't get a mammogram, I would have been more compliant with my doctor.  My last mammogram was in 2010.  Like many of us it becomes a scary scenario when the radiologist wants to take another picture.  For me, they took over 8 images of my right breast, putting more skin in the x-ray field.  They didn't see anything and that was the problem.  My previous mammogram had little grains they said to keep watch on. 

Now this mammogram was clear.  Go figure.  The Doctor of radiology came in and said they wanted to take more.  During the conversation it was revealed the center had changed to a digital format.  Since those grains didn't show after the 8th image, I said no more.  The Doctor protested and I asked for an alternative.  Was there an alternative?  Surely the must be something else that doesn't smush your breast like a pancake.

I know many are like me.  Agreeing with those who didn't have a yearly mammogram too.  Yet, I didn't go for the alternatives also.  I am seeing social media more and more offering breast exams and testing, many of them free.  Money should not be an excuse.

Since then I have learned there are several other alternatives to a mammogram, like thermography and sonograms.  They used a sonogram while in the hospital and I saw my lymph node during the pathology testing.  My mother had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer Stage 0 over six years ago.  She had surgery, radiation treatments and placed on Tamoxifen for 5 years.  On stage 0 cancer!  I thought they were covering their a***s on that one. 

But, But, But!!!  There is always a BUT.  It wasn't because I felt invincible or that doesn't happen til my senior years.  I was in denial that would be me, labeled as a Breast Cancer Surviror.  But I am a survivor!  If we could go back in time everyone would change the one thing that would prevent us from change what we know know. 

Unfortunately, I know now why you should not postpone a breast exam.  I have metatastic breast cancer (stage IV) and it is in my bones.  At this point it did not effect any of my major organs.  For someone else this may not be true.  I truly believe the healthy coffee I drink with Ganoderma Lucidum, a reishi mushroom, saved my organs from being touched by these rogue breast cancer cells.

Get a checkup, especially if you have prolonged back pain.  It could be nothing or it could be something.  You don't want the something that takes away your ability to live your life like you want to.  You still have so much to offer, right!  Be Brave, Strong and Fearless!

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I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

My Medications ... Oh Boy!

I had lost my mother the summer before and didn't have the guidance she would always provide.  I was on my own.  My friends have been a great support system when needed, but I am making major decisions on the fly since the hospitals.  I do my research as well.

I depend on my healthcare professionals to provide the best options for my course of treatment.  Taking Tamoxifen twice daily, plus Zometa treatments monthly to help strengthen my bones and just recently Falsodex (another anti-hormonal drug).  I can remember speaking to an American Cancer Society representative and asked about Zometa.  He gave me a long list of side effects.  I was in for monthly blood draws one week to keep an eye on my kidneys, plus IV infusions the next week.  Blood draws are difficult for me because my veins seem to hide and are deep, sometimes requiring multiple sticks.

Generally, after receiving my Zometa treatment, it drains me for a few days.  But my last treatment along with Falsodex (injections to right and left hips) left me hurting in my hips greater than usual.  I think the doctor hit my bone or possibly a nerve, limiting my ability to walk.  It took a week for me to feel my usual self.

I am walking with a cane these days for short distances and looking forward to warmer pool weather here in Florida for water exercises.  At the turn of 2015, it's a new health insurance year with ObamaCare.   Changing from an HMO to a PPO is the best thing I did for my healthcare.  Thankful that pre-existing conditions were eliminated, I know have an affordable plan.  It is certainly better than not having insurance, learned that the hard way.

March will be my 1st year anniversary of breast cancer and on Tamoxifen.  I still feel the lump in my right breast and will be going for a mammogram.  My Oncologist is suggesting possible radiation treatments based on my results.

I have a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

The First Day of The Rest of My Life!

A challenge to say the least!  It's a road one must travel step by step to recovery.  It's never perfect, obstacles everywhere, each day.  Emotional, physical and spiritual awareness questioned daily.

My breast cancer journey started January 2014.  I had just attended an event for my coffee business and came home with back pains.  It was something I thought was about getting older.  My mother had back problems so it was only natural to think that was my course at age 52.  So after time and trying to fix myself I became physically weak and scared.  Made a doctors appointment, had an MRI a week later for my back and right knee and that's the day I learned it was cancer.

Confirmed later at the hospital with pathology reports and with no health insurance.  Each time the five+ different doctors came in to discuss my prognosis, all I could hear in my brain was Ka Ching.  You truly can't afford not to have health insurance in the USA.  After 2 separate stays including a hip replacement for a fractured hip, I had accrued over $225,000 in medical bills. OMG!!!

I have Hormonal Breast Cancer Stage IV with no markers in my blood.  The Oncology doctor with the hospital said it was the best one to have and had only metastasized to my bones and not to any major organs.  (Thanks to Ganoderma Lucidum / Reishi Mushroom).  He said his case team was puzzled by that.  It's not terminal, he said, you could be hit by a bus before this gets you.  Really!!!  It was treatable with Tamoxifen and be on it for the rest of my life. 

It has been a challenging road since the beginning of last year.  I am able to walk short distances with a cane.  I've also lost 130 pounds too, now a size 16.  Going through all the phases of denial and acceptance about life.  My personal pity party (PPP) ended last month with thoughts in the direction of health improvement, happiness and writing my journey with you and for you.  Over the next few months, I will be posting about my progress, weight loss, recipes, supplements or anything interesting.

I have a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity to help is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)