May 8, 2013

Greetings Family and Friends!

Springtime has arrived along with the gorgeous weather we have been longing for. Yahoo!

FIFTH-THIRD RIVER BANK RUN

I am excited to share with you upcoming events gathered around my "THINK PINK" motto. This Saturday (May 11) a few of my family members will be walking a 5K event through the Fifth-Third Annual River Bank Run http://www.53riverbankrun.com/event-information.php. We will joyfully be walking in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. This walk is stroller and pet friendly which means Deacon will be joining us!

 

 

RELAY FOR LIFE

On May 17 and 18 many family and friends have joined my team "THINK PINK" through Relay For Life via the American Cancer Society. We have a booth for our event at http://www.relayforlife.org/getinvolved/findanevent/app/findanevent.aspx?searchQuery=comstock+park+mi&resultsPerPage=25&x=42&y=11 called "Pamper Yourself Pink"! This is going to be a fun and exciting time to celebrate being a cancer survivor. Along with the Relay is a Survivor Dinner and I have been ask to be the Host Speaker. I am extremely happy to have this honor and to share my story with all the other cancer survivors attending. There are five other cancer survivors from my team alone who will join me at this dinner!

Once again, I would like to express my 'thanks' to all who donated to the cause on my behalf. Currently, I am the personal LEAD donator at $1070!! A HUGE THANKS to my out-of-state family. If you feel so inclined to offer a donation, the event is still open and I would gratefully appreciate your participation.

I will post pictures of the event, our team and the festivities. Stay tuned! Here are pictures of the shirts my boss designed for our team "THINK PINK". I love them! And it has my favorite Bible verse on the back. Thank you Ethan!

In honor of my "THINK PINK" motto, my hair has gone PINK! I personally love it and might just have to keep it PINK after the Relay for Life event.

On a personal note, I am feeling GREAT! My energy has been restored and my medication is treating me well. My side effects have subsided and my sleepless nights have significantly dropped. I suppose you wonder, 'doesn't she ever have a bad day? Things can't be so rosy'. I am digging deep to find something that is not so rosy, but I have nothing to contribute.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

April 11, 2013

Time has passed since my surgery on February 20, 2013. I went back to work full time on March 25. I am doing well and feel I have recovered from surgery.

 

The hormone medication that has been prescribed for me (Arimidex) was something I was not sure I wanted to take because of the many side effects. I met with my oncologist again and then got a second opinion on the drug. The outcome was if I don't try it, I won't know if I would receive the side effects. I must at least try. If I do not to take it I would have a 30% chance of cancer recurring. If I take it, I have about 12% chance of recurrence.

 

On Friday, March 29, I took the medication. It seems to be going OK. I have a constant headache, jaw ache and backache along with sleep apnea. I am going to continue to take this until June when I meet with the oncologist again. Stay tuned......

Lymphedema has arrived. I have explained what this is in a prior post. My left arm has more swelling than my right. Currently, I am waiting for my lymphedemia sleeves to arrive. They had to be ordered. Can't wait!

 

On a good note: My dad, Jana and I are going to participate in the 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run http://www.53riverbankrun.com/  on May 11. Don't get too excited, we are doing the 5K walk. But nonetheless we are participating and moving forward with life. On May 17 & 18 my family and many friends are participating in Relay For Life. Please visit my Relay page if you would like to join my team or make a donation to this worthy cause. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY13GL?px=31937572&pg=personal&fr_id=50197&__utma=2443503.643006718.1363405933.1365691051.1365693798.18&__utmb=2443503.3.10.1365693798&__utmc=2443503&__utmx=-&__utmz=2443503.1363788542.4.2.utmcsr=2013thinkpink.blogspot.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/2013/03/relay-for-life.html&__utmv=2443503.|3=registration%20status=registered=1&__utmk=219842842

 

2 Corinthians 5:7 - for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Relay for Life

My school district hosts a Relay for Life event every year. This is the first year Central Office is hosting a team. Why, because I am a Cancer Survivor and a team has been formed for this reason! Team "Think Pink" has just registered and will be walking and pledging to the American Cancer Society in the Relay for Life Event at Comstock Park High School Stadium on May 17 & 18.

 

I would like any and all people who find this event a worthy cause to come out and support my team. Please visit the link www.relayforlife.org/comstockparkmi to learn more about the relay, join my team or donate to this special event. All registrations and donations can be done online. Let's make this first year for team "Think Pink" the leader in donations to help find a cure!

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18          

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

  

Luminaries lit for those who have passed on, those who are fighting cancer

 and those who have survived.

Great News!

I received a call from the oncologist regarding the Oncotype DX test. My recurrence score results is 18. It is borderline of low to moderate risk range for the cancer to reoccur. With a score of 18, it is suggested that NO CHEMOTHERAPY treatments would have any impact on subsiding the recurrence and that a hormone therapy treatment orally is the best option. 

Interpreting the results

Oncotype DX test results assign a Recurrence Score – a number between 0 and 100 – to the early-stage breast cancer or DCIS. Here are the ranges to interpret the results:

• Recurrence Score lower than 18: The cancer or DCIS has a low risk of recurrence. The benefit of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS is likely to be small and will not outweigh the risks of side effects.
• Recurrence Score between 18 and 31: The cancer or DCIS has an intermediate risk of recurrence. It’s unclear whether the benefits of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS outweigh the risks of side effects.
• Recurrence Score greater than 31: The cancer or DCIS has a high risk of recurrence, and the benefits of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS are likely to be greater than the risks of side effects.

Many breast tumors are "estrogen sensitive," meaning the hormone estrogen helps the tumors to grow. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) which are taken in pill form, can help block the growth of these tumors by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body.

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and other tissues of the body, using a substance called aromatase. AIs do not block estrogen production by the ovaries, but they can block other tissues from making this hormone. That's why AIs are used mostly in women who have reached menopause, when the ovaries are no longer producing estrogen.

Another drug, tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), also helps to prevent the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast tumors, but it works differently from AIs. Whereas AIs reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, tamoxifen blocks a tumor's ability to use estrogen.

Currently, three AIs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: anastrazole (Arimidex®),exemestane (Aromasin®), and letrozole (Femara®).

• My doctor has recommended and is putting me on Anastrozole (Arimidex®) which helps prevent recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive tumors. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which interfere with the body's ability to produce the hormone estrogen, are rapidly changing the standard of treatment for breast cancer. 

I will be on this treatment plan for 5+ years. There are side effects from this drug such as:

• The most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache.
• In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX.

Understanding that any form of treatment for cancer is awful, I would rather have the pill versus chemo. Although the pill does not sound pleasant either and will take some toll on my body with the countless side effects. It makes me wonder how my every day life will be affected. In all things I will continue to let my light shine brightly through it all! Remember....it only takes a spark to let your light shine. 

So let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:16

Drains Removed!

I went to the surgeons office this morning escorted by Deacon!

It is always a joy to bring him with me. The patients and office staff enjoy getting their Pet Therapy. It is amazing how many people talk to you when you have a dog by your side.

I continue to get stronger every day. I feel good for the most part. Just need a little more energy. Where is that energizer bunny rabbit when you need him?

Today I was able to have my drains removed!! PRAISE!! One does not realize the freedom you have until you are physically attached to something. Just doing normal every day things is a strain. Laying down to rest and having to be strictly on your back wreaks havoc with other parts of your body. Ah, it feels great to be free! I do not need to go back to the surgeon's office until August for a recheck unless anything unforeseen comes up.

From the doctor's office, I went straight to work. I am released to work 2 hours a day for this week, 4 hours a day next week and back to full time the next. It felt good to be in the office but it was exhausting. Came home and took a 2 hour nap!

My journey is not over it has only begun. There will be some sort of treatment in the near future along with supporting breast cancer events until a cure is found. I would like to invite and have anyone who wishes join my team "Think Pink" in walking and supporting Relay for Life on May 17 & 18, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on September 22 and Bee Brave on October 12. Please put these dates on your calendar as I will be posting more information about each event as dates near. It will be a fun and exciting time!

Thank you all for your many acts of kindness, the tumultuous cards I received along with wellwishes, meals and gifts. Mostly your prayers. God is Good!

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will sing praise to him.

Pine Island Elementary Pics

Here is Pine Island Elementary pictures from "Pink Day" on February 20.

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Surgeon (of Oncology) Appointment

Meet Dr. Marianne Melnik with Spectrum Health Medical Group. She is a surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer and leads the Spectrum Health Breast Care Program.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oy_jlrDX_A

Today, Janelle took me to my pre-op appointment to see my surgeon Dr. Melnik, in hopes of getting my two drains out. Well, NO GO! I am a little disappointed as they are a pain (literally and figuratively). I have to have an output of less than .25 cc's in a 48 hour period in both sides. I am at .35 cc's. I drain my drains every 12 hours and pour the output into a small measuring cup and record what the amount is. She told me to call the office when I am recording less than .25 cc's and then hopefully they will remove them. Looks like it will be a few more days at least or early next week. Therefore, I may not go to work or drive. Seriously?! I am driving and she said she didn't hear me (so that means I will). As for work, the HR Director requires a doctors statement releasing me back to work. She is pretty strict about that. Do you think I can get away with it since it is me? 

 

There is still a lot of swelling. She said it will take a year to look like it should. I can see why! Patience for me is a virtue.

Me and Janelle

I received a beautiful card in the mail from my niece Danae in Florida. She wrote a quote from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in it (with her pink ink ink pen) that says "The most beautiful people we know are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way back out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen". Thanks Danae, that is a wonderful quote!

 

Danae

Romans 5:3-5 - We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.