When They Don't Tell You Everything

After my last post, I was thinking my cancer was at bay.  This week was my scheduled Oncologist visit, Falsodex and Zometa treatments.  When I told the doctor what had been relayed to me from my GYN, he then asked what radiation treatments and chemotherapy was recommended.  I replied, none.  I could see from his head shakes and demeanor that something was wrong.

One thing my GYN didn't relay was the blood test taken at the Oncologist's office.  She didn't receive the results when we were discussing my MRI results.  Now at the Oncologist office he told me the normal range for ovaries is between 0-35.  My blood test results were a scary high number, too high to share.  My cancer is in my ovary.


Regan, IV Nurse

He began to tell me about chemotherapy.  It would be 8 treatments every three weeks and can't remember the name of medication.  I will lose my hair and become nauseous.  I have been going to my IV infusion treatments with Zometa monthly.  Now these visits will become weekly with blood tests, treatments and doctor appointments.  He also scheduled a PET scan so we would have a base line prior to treatment.  I will have those results next week.

Since I have trouble with my IV, Regan my IV nurse, talked about getting a IV port installed.  It is all so real and unwanted, a place I was hoping not to be.  I am so tired of being poked in my hands because of my deep veins.  I resign myself to having one installed.  I also found out that I will be on Zometa for the rest of my life instead of the 12 treatments mentioned at my first appointments.  Regan said it was like taking your vitamins for your bones.  They could only get approval for 12 months of treatments at a time with health insurance.  Oh boy!

At this point I am scared that I may be at the point of no return which is why they recommended no ovarian surgery.  That question will be asked at my next appointment.  I am thankful that I switched from an HMO to a PPO healthcare plan this year because it would take weeks before getting any testing or chemotherapy treatment approved.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

Deciphering The Results

It has been a while since my last post.  Emotionally, I had a lot going on, MRI's, doctor appointments, my birthday, holiday's and then the wait for these results.  Knowing that the results would be in 2-3 business days, I was anxious.  What would happen now.  Surgery, biopsies, hospital stays and more downtime had me contemplating ahead of what the doctor would report.

Mid-week after my MRI, my GYN doctor called, it was unsettling.  I have never had a doctor call usually the doctor's assistant would be relaying the results, or so I thought.  The good news is the doctor suggested there be no surgery for removal of my ovaries.  The MRI showed a few lymph nodes by my ovaries had been metastasized from my breast.  She had consulted with an ovarian oncologist and they concurred the results.

My father had prostate cancer, then spots showed on his liver and bout six months later had colon cancer.  They removed a portion of his colon and even though he went through chemo treatments as well, he didn't have the quality of life he wanted.  He died 10 days before his 65th birthday.  The cancer had become more aggressive after his first round of treatments.

In hindsight, I have heard others who have had cancer.  Doesn't matter what type, cancer when not caught in its early stages can travel to other areas.  I know that my breast cancer is in stage IV (in my bones) and now in other lymph nodes.  I am optimistic with no surgeries, my time here will last longer than if I had surgeries.  Right now it has not gone into major organs which is a great thing.

So now I enjoy going to my community pool for relaxation, exercising in the water for resistance training in a safe environment.  Have to change my mindset, destress.  I have my monthly visit with the oncologist tomorrow along with my Falsodex and Zometa treatments.  Hydrating today so my IV infusion is not difficult tomorrow.  So for about 3-4 days I will be recouping from my treatments.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

Anniversary ... Cancer's Constant Timeline

My anniversary of being diagnosed with breast cancer was yesterday.  Also my birthday, funny how that works out.  This month has been a challenge for me with all my doctor appointments, impending test results.  Since my last post I had experienced a lot of emotions.

As always, I miss my mom, her words, her comfort.  After learning from my GYN doctor that I may have ovarian cancer too, little things set me to tears.  Damn those commercials from TV, sometimes I have to change the channel for 30 seconds.  Oh boy!  I had an MRI scheduled for the 20th at a local hospital.  I received a message of instructions the night before.  No jewelry worn, no metals on clothing and no food or drink 4 hours before test.  The appointment was at 3pm.  When I arrived and taken back to the MRI area I was advised that they would need a blood sample and an IV inserted for the contrast.  None of this had been relayed when making appointment or on the message the night before. 

I have a hard time giving blood or getting IV's started.  My veins are deep and I really didn't hydrate well based on the message the day before.  The technician said they had 22 gauge needles, nothing smaller.  They found one vein possible for insertion, but had trouble once inserted to get blood in the needle, my veins jump.  My hands were the next possible area and I protested about the size of their needles.  Couldn't believe the didn't carry any smaller sizes for a hospital outpatient center.   I am tired of being poked.  It definitely happens monthly with my Zometa treatments.  The technician said I could reschedule the appointment, so I did.

The following Monday I rescheduled my MRI to another hospital in the area for that Friday (27th) in the morning.  I was not going to fast for 4 hours mid day, it would be hard not to keep hydrated.  Funny thing is I hydrated very well this past Thursday and was prepared based on the scenario from the other hospital.  Once there the technician thought we may need the IV sonogram insertion because of my veins, they at least had 23 gauge needles there.  No mention of a blood test before the MRI (from the previous hospital), they brought me into the MRI room.  First series of pictures were without contrast, then the contrast would be inserted via IV for second set of pictures. 

Man that MRI machine is loud.  I had selected classic rock for music and the first song was Hotel California by the Eagles.  After a few songs they moved me out of the MRI to insert the IV.  I was confident that I had hydrated myself and the technician did it in one try with a butterfly needle for the contrast.  All in all it took about an hour to complete.  Now to wait for the results in 1-2 business days.

In between these MRI appointments I had my monthly IV infusion of Zometa, then I met with a breast surgeon, overdid it with errands.  By the end of that week I was in a lot of back pain and needed to rest vertically for awhile.  It has been a challenge of ups and down, stress from time to time but I made it through. 

One year as a breast cancer survivor ... keep me in your prayers ... fingers crossed for good news this week.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

When The Doctor Comes In After A Test

Today I was scheduled for a sonogram my GYN doctor recommended to rule out any other problems with my uterous from my last visit.  My pap smear and polyp pathology came back benign or negative.  A relief for sure.  As I was waiting all ages of women were there to have a sonogram.  I felt like I was in a club for women's issues, there to eliminate any doubts perhaps each of us was feeling.

The technician called me in, asked me to void my bladder and undress for the sonogram.  She was a nice lady and proceeded to start the sonogram.  First up vaginal pictures.  At this time I asked her if I was to see the doctor after and she replied she usually sends them home unless there was something the doctor needed to see then and there.  Ok, no problem, that was fine.  I could wait to hear the results later.

The technician spent about 10 minutes looking and printing out pictures for the doctor.  She had a little trouble looking at one of my ovaries and needed to perform a sonogram through the stomach.  Once she finished she explained she was having trouble seeing the ovary and wanted the doctor to review the pictures while I was still here.  So I sat on the table that felt like forever before the technician and doctor came back in. 

My uterine lining was a little thick and the doctor recommended a D&C.  But apparently one of my ovaries had a cyst or fibroid on it.  Performing the sonogram through the stomach while the doctor was there and then confirming through vaginally with pictures.  My doctor started recommending a ovarian oncologist.  This alarmed me, but the doctor assured me that she could perform the ovary removal.  The recommendation came because if it was cancer the right doctor could do everything possible then and there. 

I understood what she was saying but it seems to me doctors, doctors, doctors and more doctors.  We discussed bloodwork and a ovary MRI to determine whether an oncologist specialist was necessary.  I now have something else to worry about and next week will be meeting with my oncologist for Zometa and Falsodex treatments.  Oh boy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

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 ...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

Hydration Is Key ...

Water has no calories, it is colorless and is essential for maintaining a healthy body environment.  Yet most people do not have the recommended eight glasses of per day.  A natural resource, individuals will choose soda, energy drinks and others over water.

For me, I was a soda drinker.  I loved Coca-Cola!  As a young person it would help any hangover, the sugary caramel flavor.  Yyyuuummmmm!  Coca-Cola always satisfied my thirst cravings, but it wasn't until later in life did I realize the effects it was causing.

Drinking 4-6 cans a day, I had sugar rushes as well as crashes.  It was hard to give up.  Gradually I reduced the amount of soda and incorporate water into my diet.  After a year of not drinking soda, I can say when I indulge, it no longer has that pleasure factor.   Soda doesn't taste the same either, it now has an aftertaste.

Regan putting in my IV.
 

As mentioned, water is essential to a health body.  It maintains your organs, bloodflow, hydrates the body, aids the digestive system, removes toxins through the kidneys and sweat through the skin.  For me I need a steady drink of water throughout the day.  When I start to feel a headache coming on, I have water and within minutes feel better.  It is your system signaling you are dehydrated.

Each month I have Zometa treatments to help strengthen my bones via IV.  Requiring tests to ensure my kidneys are running properly and other indicators, my veins are difficult for blood draws and IV's.  Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water the day before and a fair amount in the morning, my IV's have become easier to put in.  Usually it would take 2-4 sticks.

Are you still drinking soda or energy drinks?  Make a change for a healthier body environment, drink water.  My reasons may not be yours, but you never know when the body becomes acidic.  An environment that accepts disease.  Over time you will feel a difference and perhaps change the course an unhealthy body environment.  Now is the time.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. 

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)