The struggle is real. I was doing great after my bilateral mastectomy until mid December when apparently the aromatase inhibitor (Arimidex/Anastrozole anti-hormone pills) kicked in. This is how the American Cancer Society describes aromatase inhibitors: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) lower estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue (called aromatase) from changing other hormones into estrogen. … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Aromatase inhibitor side effects
breast cancer
Breast cancer Round 2: Birthday update
Here on my December 6th birthday I look back at the past few months of my latest cancer journey. At this point I'm almost three months post bilateral mastectomy. I've been taking the aromatase inhibitor (Anastrozole, brand name Armidex) for about a month. I'm not sure if I'm having side effects or not. They're the … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Birthday update
Breast cancer Round 2: Next (long term) step
Today I saw my radiation oncologist. He was the one in charge of my radiation last time, 11 years ago, the first time I had breast cancer. This was the scene of my radiation then: But it will NOT be the scene of my cancer journey this time! My doctor came in the room and … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Next (long term) step
Breast cancer Round 2: Positive news!
Today is six weeks to the day after my bilateral mastectomy, and it's the day I saw my medical oncologist to find out the results of the OncotypeDX Breast Recurrence Score Report. When my medical oncologist came in the exam room, her first words were "Good news!!" That's what I was hoping to hear. I … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Positive news!
Breast cancer Round 2: Meeting with my medical oncologist
I saw my medical oncologist this morning. She was more concerned than my surgeon about the tumor and the pathology so far. More extensive pathology will give answers. That more-extensive pathology will take two to three weeks. My medical oncologist's concern is that the tumor was larger than expected (and therefore in a range of … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Meeting with my medical oncologist
Breast cancer Round 2: Almost a week post-mastectomy x2
Another day when I'm the grouchiest grouch that ever grouched. That probably means I'm healing, right? I'm tired and sleepy. Some nights I sleep great. Some nights my restless legs kick in and make it hard to fall asleep. I was worn out yesterday from getting up early to watch the Queen Elizabeth funeral events. … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Almost a week post-mastectomy x2
Breast cancer Round 2: Mx2 surgery day tomorrow
I'm almost there. Bilateral mastectomy tomorrow. Mastectomy x 2. Today was the sentinel node shot to show my surgeon which lymph nodes to remove tomorrow for pathology. Last time I had breast cancer that shot was the day of my lumpectomy. It was the most painful thing I'd ever experienced at that point. But today … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: Mx2 surgery day tomorrow
Breast cancer Round 2: The liminal space of waiting
Too often in my life when things are hard, I just want them to be OVER. That's because waiting times can be difficult. I can imagine all kinds of scenarios. And in the past I've had trouble getting negative, worrying thoughts out of my mind. But this time, to my surprise, I'm doing so much … Continue reading Breast cancer Round 2: The liminal space of waiting
Breast Cancer Round 2: My surgery decision (and more)
If you just want the short version, here it is: I've chosen to have a double mastectomy, no reconstruction. If you'd like to know more, keep reading . . . My decision is two-faceted, the rational and the intuitive. The rational: The percentages of having cancer return are the lowest with a double mastectomy. If … Continue reading Breast Cancer Round 2: My surgery decision (and more)
Breast Cancer: Round 2
If you'd told me even a year ago that I'd be happy to get a cancer diagnosis, I'd have told you that you were crazy. Yet here I am . . . . because it's not the nasty cancer version I had before. A routine 3D mammogram on August 5th looked suspicious so the radiologist … Continue reading Breast Cancer: Round 2
eddies and currents 