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Hooray!! My hair has been coming back - it's still pretty soft, like baby's hair, but it seems to be getting a little bit of texture. But even more importantly (and excitingly!) I have eyebrows again! And eyelashes! The eyebrow hairs are pretty soft & thing (again, like baby's hair), but I have discernible marks over my eyes. I'd post a picture, but meh. I still need makeup, of which I have none on at the moment.
Tomorrow I have my port out. If I remember, I'm going to ask them if I can keep it. I have no idea if they'll let me or not . . . . If they give it to me, it'll probably wind up in the trash shortly thereafter. I just want to see what it looks like when it's not under my skin. So one more time under the knife! Sigh. And then Tuesday is my fist appointment with the radiation oncologist. All sorts of fun! After that doctor's appointment, it's back to work for me. It's been so long! Sigh. I guess we all have to go back & earn a living at some point, though, eh?
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
Clear Margins!
I saw my surgeon on Tuesday who told me that hooray! The margins were clear! Such a relief. So I won't see her again until December. Today I went & saw my oncologist & everything went well there, too. Although before meeting with her I had a mammogram, which I do NOT recommend one week out of surgery. God. I didn't really think about it, my surgeon just said to her assistant "Get her a mammo before starting radiation." And I was just trying to get it scheduled at the same time as something else. But yeah . . . I should have scheduled it in about 2 weeks. Especially b/c the tech flattened, then raised the screen, repositioned me, flattened, raised, repositioned . . . so my boob got squished about 8 times more than it needed to. Ouch. So the radiologist who reviewed the films said that you could see the air pocket in there. Heh. I took a peek at the images on the computer & you could see a big old hole in the middle. Interesting stuff! My one (relatively minor) irritation is that they didn't take out the port. So I'm going in on Monday to get rid of it. I've just tolerated it these past few months, but I really don't like it & now that I don't need it, I really want it gone. I just can't stand it. Argh! It will be nice to be done with that, too.
My oncologist said that my achiness is something called 'post-chemo rheumatism'. So I feel better that it's not just from my trying to get in shape. It should go away . . . eventually. Hopefully sooner than later. In the meantime, I'll just grunt & groan when I'm getting up from a chair, & walk around like an 80-year-old. Siiiiiigh. Also, I am in a study for bisphosphonates to see if that lowers metastasis in bones. There's a 2/3 chance I'll be getting a pill, and 1/3 chance I'll be getting an IV. I'm hoping for the IV. The pills you have to take in the morning, and you can't eat or drink for 1/2 or 1 hour after you take them. And you have to sit up in bed after you take them, or you risk really bad heartburn. Argh! The IV you only get once a month for 6 months, then every 3 months for 2.5 years. I'd rather deal with it once every 1 or 3 months.
And in fundraising news - I've already hit my goal! And even before the fundraiser!! Which means the fundraiser money can go to bringing the rest of my team up to their minimum. Yay!! Thank you EVERYONE!!! I really appreciate it!
My oncologist said that my achiness is something called 'post-chemo rheumatism'. So I feel better that it's not just from my trying to get in shape. It should go away . . . eventually. Hopefully sooner than later. In the meantime, I'll just grunt & groan when I'm getting up from a chair, & walk around like an 80-year-old. Siiiiiigh. Also, I am in a study for bisphosphonates to see if that lowers metastasis in bones. There's a 2/3 chance I'll be getting a pill, and 1/3 chance I'll be getting an IV. I'm hoping for the IV. The pills you have to take in the morning, and you can't eat or drink for 1/2 or 1 hour after you take them. And you have to sit up in bed after you take them, or you risk really bad heartburn. Argh! The IV you only get once a month for 6 months, then every 3 months for 2.5 years. I'd rather deal with it once every 1 or 3 months.
And in fundraising news - I've already hit my goal! And even before the fundraiser!! Which means the fundraiser money can go to bringing the rest of my team up to their minimum. Yay!! Thank you EVERYONE!!! I really appreciate it!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Stupid Human Tricks
So, the surgery was last Wednesday. Things went well, I think! I find out tomorrow if the margins were clear. Fingers crossed!
The surgery was, by far, the most interest I've had so far. I've been having hot flashes from my premature menopause, which sucks, b/c you're down in the OR wing & everything's cold & they've given you these hot blankets (warmed in some kind of blanket oven), and then you get hot & start tearing everything off. I had a student (of some sort) putting my IV in . . . or trying to put my IV in, I should say. She started at the wrist & hit a nerve, I guess, b/c I could feel it up in my fingers. OOOOOWWWWWWW!!! They stopped that one & started another one on the back of my hand. So I've got bruises all over my hand and wrist. When they started wheeling me into the room, they started what they called a light sedation, and they would start the serious stuff when I was in the room. Well, I don't really remember being wheeled away. I've become such a lightweight! But, I wasn't under deep sedation, so I have vague recollections of the surgery. No feeling of it, thank god, but I woke up a few times. Once I woke up with that vague feeling of needing to change positions, so I tried to roll over, but hey, my arms were strapped down. Oh, right. Surgery. Another point (I have no idea what sequence these are in), I woke up & looked at the really bright surgical lamps overhead. Another time, I woke up & there was a sheet over my face! Which was more disturbing in retrospect than at the time. And I woke up, but didn't have my eyes open, when they did a half-roll with me to get me onto the recovery bed. I heard something about the recovery bed being wheeled in & I thought "Do I need to do something to help them get me into that bed?" but they did it all. Which was good, b/c I was pretty out of it, and probably of more help by just being still. After some time in the recovery bed, they wheeled me over to the recovery easy chair. When I was transferring myself, I realized I had just about sweat through all the sheets on the bed! They were completely sopping. I couldn't even wear my underwear home, they were so damp. Ugh! The sweats are not good, and most especially not when you can't throw the covers off yourself!
So tomorrow I'll find out all the (hopefully) good stuff, like that the margins were clear (hope hope!). And in the meantime, I have a new stupid human trick. Apparently I have fluid build-up, which makes sense. But there's also some air trapped in there, too! So when I jiggle around, you can hear the fluid sloshing about. It's kind of disturbing. Ask me next time you see me. If you buy me a beer or three, maybe I'll even let you hear it.
The surgery was, by far, the most interest I've had so far. I've been having hot flashes from my premature menopause, which sucks, b/c you're down in the OR wing & everything's cold & they've given you these hot blankets (warmed in some kind of blanket oven), and then you get hot & start tearing everything off. I had a student (of some sort) putting my IV in . . . or trying to put my IV in, I should say. She started at the wrist & hit a nerve, I guess, b/c I could feel it up in my fingers. OOOOOWWWWWWW!!! They stopped that one & started another one on the back of my hand. So I've got bruises all over my hand and wrist. When they started wheeling me into the room, they started what they called a light sedation, and they would start the serious stuff when I was in the room. Well, I don't really remember being wheeled away. I've become such a lightweight! But, I wasn't under deep sedation, so I have vague recollections of the surgery. No feeling of it, thank god, but I woke up a few times. Once I woke up with that vague feeling of needing to change positions, so I tried to roll over, but hey, my arms were strapped down. Oh, right. Surgery. Another point (I have no idea what sequence these are in), I woke up & looked at the really bright surgical lamps overhead. Another time, I woke up & there was a sheet over my face! Which was more disturbing in retrospect than at the time. And I woke up, but didn't have my eyes open, when they did a half-roll with me to get me onto the recovery bed. I heard something about the recovery bed being wheeled in & I thought "Do I need to do something to help them get me into that bed?" but they did it all. Which was good, b/c I was pretty out of it, and probably of more help by just being still. After some time in the recovery bed, they wheeled me over to the recovery easy chair. When I was transferring myself, I realized I had just about sweat through all the sheets on the bed! They were completely sopping. I couldn't even wear my underwear home, they were so damp. Ugh! The sweats are not good, and most especially not when you can't throw the covers off yourself!
So tomorrow I'll find out all the (hopefully) good stuff, like that the margins were clear (hope hope!). And in the meantime, I have a new stupid human trick. Apparently I have fluid build-up, which makes sense. But there's also some air trapped in there, too! So when I jiggle around, you can hear the fluid sloshing about. It's kind of disturbing. Ask me next time you see me. If you buy me a beer or three, maybe I'll even let you hear it.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Surgery Tomorrow!
I'm having my surgery tomorrow. It's nice to finally have this thing out! I'll be having a lumpectomy & also am getting my port out. I'll be really happy to get rid of the port. Me no likey. Hooray!
And in other news, the silent auction/raffle fundraiser will be Tuesday, June 16th! Save the date! And bring your money!
And in other news, the silent auction/raffle fundraiser will be Tuesday, June 16th! Save the date! And bring your money!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My 3-Day Walk
Sorry for the delay (Liz R., I'm on it! Finally!)!
***************************
Dear Friends & Family,
As most of you already know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall at the age of 35. It was pretty terrifying at first, but I've got great doctors (I can't say enough good things about all the doctors and nurses at Georgetown) and my treatment is going really well. I'm finished with chemotherapy, and the tumor has shrunk considerable, which means a lot less tissue will have to come out when I have my lumpectomy - thankfully! Afterwards, I'll have radiation to clean up any extra cells that might not have made the trip out of my boob to the pathology lab. I tell you, having cancer sucks. It's going to end up taking up the better part of a year, time I could be putting to better use. And chemo is a real energy suck – I spent more time sleeping & napping over the winter than ever! And, of course, the whole no-hair thing – did you know that hair continues to fall out for a few weeks after chemo is done? So I'm still bald and am continuing to lose what little remains of my eyelashes and eyebrows! But, for all my complaints, I've had it relatively easy. For one thing, it was caught early. For another thing, not too long ago, treatment for breast cancer (even early stage cancer) involved a radical mastectomy, and chemo that would have you flat on your back for months, when you weren't in the bathroom, sick as a dog.
My cancer was caught early and the treatment is working because of advances made in the areas of detection and treatment. And how are all these advances made? I'm glad you asked! Through the efforts and support of organizations like Susan G. Komen For the Cure, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, the beneficiaries of the 3-Day Walk, in which I will be participating this October, in the Washington, DC walk. Every major advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education, and prevention in the past 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund provides ongoing support to breast cancer initiatives. Thanks to the hard work and support of organizations like these, there are many more options for treatment these days, and the treatment itself is more targeted and less debilitating – I even worked throughout chemotherapy, with just the occasional day off! But (there's always a but, isn't there?) for all the advances made recently, there's still work to be done, which is why I'm walking. My goal is to raise $5,000. I know that with your help, I can raise even more than that!
Until there's a cure, the best way to ensure survival is through early detection. So, please, everyone (you guys, too!), feel your unmentionables! Don't just do a monthly exam – feel them when you're getting dressed, or getting undressed, or soaping up in the shower. Get to know what's normal for you, at all times of the month. And if you find something, get it checked out. Most of the time, these things turn out to be nothing, but better safe than sorry!
So please consider donating to my goal, or someone else's – these are wonderful and worthy organizations. If you'd like to join my team and walk with me, please get in touch and I can give you information on the walk. One last thing – a donation to my goal isn't for me. It's for your mother, your sister, your daughter, aunt, niece, father, brother, friend. It could even be . . . for you (ooh, spooky)! So keep getting to know those breasts!
Love, Liz
To donate online, go to http://www.the3day.org/, click on 'Donate', and search for me (as Elizabeth Scott).
One last thing: if you have any goods or services (sports tickets, weekends at vacation houses, anything!) you'd be willing to donate for a raffle and silent auction I'm having soon, please let me know! And keep an eye out for invitations to this fundraiser and other events!
***************************
Dear Friends & Family,
As most of you already know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall at the age of 35. It was pretty terrifying at first, but I've got great doctors (I can't say enough good things about all the doctors and nurses at Georgetown) and my treatment is going really well. I'm finished with chemotherapy, and the tumor has shrunk considerable, which means a lot less tissue will have to come out when I have my lumpectomy - thankfully! Afterwards, I'll have radiation to clean up any extra cells that might not have made the trip out of my boob to the pathology lab. I tell you, having cancer sucks. It's going to end up taking up the better part of a year, time I could be putting to better use. And chemo is a real energy suck – I spent more time sleeping & napping over the winter than ever! And, of course, the whole no-hair thing – did you know that hair continues to fall out for a few weeks after chemo is done? So I'm still bald and am continuing to lose what little remains of my eyelashes and eyebrows! But, for all my complaints, I've had it relatively easy. For one thing, it was caught early. For another thing, not too long ago, treatment for breast cancer (even early stage cancer) involved a radical mastectomy, and chemo that would have you flat on your back for months, when you weren't in the bathroom, sick as a dog.
My cancer was caught early and the treatment is working because of advances made in the areas of detection and treatment. And how are all these advances made? I'm glad you asked! Through the efforts and support of organizations like Susan G. Komen For the Cure, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, the beneficiaries of the 3-Day Walk, in which I will be participating this October, in the Washington, DC walk. Every major advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education, and prevention in the past 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund provides ongoing support to breast cancer initiatives. Thanks to the hard work and support of organizations like these, there are many more options for treatment these days, and the treatment itself is more targeted and less debilitating – I even worked throughout chemotherapy, with just the occasional day off! But (there's always a but, isn't there?) for all the advances made recently, there's still work to be done, which is why I'm walking. My goal is to raise $5,000. I know that with your help, I can raise even more than that!
Until there's a cure, the best way to ensure survival is through early detection. So, please, everyone (you guys, too!), feel your unmentionables! Don't just do a monthly exam – feel them when you're getting dressed, or getting undressed, or soaping up in the shower. Get to know what's normal for you, at all times of the month. And if you find something, get it checked out. Most of the time, these things turn out to be nothing, but better safe than sorry!
So please consider donating to my goal, or someone else's – these are wonderful and worthy organizations. If you'd like to join my team and walk with me, please get in touch and I can give you information on the walk. One last thing – a donation to my goal isn't for me. It's for your mother, your sister, your daughter, aunt, niece, father, brother, friend. It could even be . . . for you (ooh, spooky)! So keep getting to know those breasts!
Love, Liz
To donate online, go to http://www.the3day.org/, click on 'Donate', and search for me (as Elizabeth Scott).
One last thing: if you have any goods or services (sports tickets, weekends at vacation houses, anything!) you'd be willing to donate for a raffle and silent auction I'm having soon, please let me know! And keep an eye out for invitations to this fundraiser and other events!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Watch This Space!
I know I haven't updated recently, but there is news a-brewin'! Keep an eye on this space for information coming soon!
In other news, my recovery is continuing! I am getting my energy back and I've started training for the 3-Day Walk I'm doing in October. And wow, am I out of shape! I've done several 3 mile walks and . . . oooowwwwww! I'm glad I started early. And my surgery is scheduled for May 27, so we're in the countdown period! 2 weeks from today! Er . . . yesterday, actually, I guess.
Ok, I should be in bed now, not blogging. Good night, y'all!
In other news, my recovery is continuing! I am getting my energy back and I've started training for the 3-Day Walk I'm doing in October. And wow, am I out of shape! I've done several 3 mile walks and . . . oooowwwwww! I'm glad I started early. And my surgery is scheduled for May 27, so we're in the countdown period! 2 weeks from today! Er . . . yesterday, actually, I guess.
Ok, I should be in bed now, not blogging. Good night, y'all!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Liz's Makeup Tips and Update
Do you ever feel like you look a little ghostly? Do you start at your own reflection in the mirror? Do small children cry out at your pale visage?
Freaky!
Well, fear not, I'm hear to help you out so your eyes will pop!
Step One: put some makeup on, dude. Eyeliner & under-eye concealer, especially, can do wonders.
Getting there . . . .
Step Two: We can't all be blessed with Brooke-Shields-style eyebrows. Some of us got it, some of us don't, and some of us had it & will have it again, but in the meantime don't. If you fall into one of the last two groups, then you'll want to apply eyebrow pencil or powder.
Better yet!
Step Three: Put on those falsies!
Go get a glass of milk, crank the 9th Sympony, & try again.
Flutter, flutter!
Step Four: Put on your best wig & go out for a rockin' good time!
Rock and roll!
Further updates:
I met with my surgeon & I have various scans & poking & prodding over the next couple of weeks. Surgery is scheduled for May 27th - outpatient! Well, assuming we go ahead with the lumpectomy as planned. I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday & I'm more confused than ever. First off, he said I had perfect breasts. A plastic surgeon told me that! That's right, fellows, you missed out on a set of perfect boobs - symmetrical & perky! BUT (and isn't there always a but?), he said for this reason, reconstruction after a lumpectomy (if needed) is more difficult than if the boobs were saggy or flat. So with reconstruction, the nipple could ride up, and then he'd have to graft it lower, so it would be level with the other one; attendant with this is possible lack of sensation. And of course, depending on how much tissue is taken out, I could wind up with different size boobs. The plastic surgeon, (being a plastic surgeon), would prefer I just get a mastectomy, so he can start from scratch. Which would mean a lot more surgery than I was prepared for. Also would mean making a nipple from scratch, too (although I've heard there are nipple-saving mastectomies). On the other hand, there's the fact that mammograms post-lumpectomy are harder to read, because of the scar tissue (with a mastectomy I wouldn't need mammograms on that side, anymore). Also, there's the tummy tuck that comes with reconstruction . . . . I don't know. I was happy with the path I chose, but now I'm confused all over again. And there's always the possibility of having the lumpectomy, and the margins not being clear, and winding up with a mastectomy anyway. So I don't know. I have a lot to think about before the 27th.
Freaky!Well, fear not, I'm hear to help you out so your eyes will pop!
Step One: put some makeup on, dude. Eyeliner & under-eye concealer, especially, can do wonders.
Getting there . . . .Step Two: We can't all be blessed with Brooke-Shields-style eyebrows. Some of us got it, some of us don't, and some of us had it & will have it again, but in the meantime don't. If you fall into one of the last two groups, then you'll want to apply eyebrow pencil or powder.
Better yet!Step Three: Put on those falsies!
Wrong:
Go get a glass of milk, crank the 9th Sympony, & try again.Right:
Flutter, flutter!Step Four: Put on your best wig & go out for a rockin' good time!
Rock and roll!Further updates:
I met with my surgeon & I have various scans & poking & prodding over the next couple of weeks. Surgery is scheduled for May 27th - outpatient! Well, assuming we go ahead with the lumpectomy as planned. I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday & I'm more confused than ever. First off, he said I had perfect breasts. A plastic surgeon told me that! That's right, fellows, you missed out on a set of perfect boobs - symmetrical & perky! BUT (and isn't there always a but?), he said for this reason, reconstruction after a lumpectomy (if needed) is more difficult than if the boobs were saggy or flat. So with reconstruction, the nipple could ride up, and then he'd have to graft it lower, so it would be level with the other one; attendant with this is possible lack of sensation. And of course, depending on how much tissue is taken out, I could wind up with different size boobs. The plastic surgeon, (being a plastic surgeon), would prefer I just get a mastectomy, so he can start from scratch. Which would mean a lot more surgery than I was prepared for. Also would mean making a nipple from scratch, too (although I've heard there are nipple-saving mastectomies). On the other hand, there's the fact that mammograms post-lumpectomy are harder to read, because of the scar tissue (with a mastectomy I wouldn't need mammograms on that side, anymore). Also, there's the tummy tuck that comes with reconstruction . . . . I don't know. I was happy with the path I chose, but now I'm confused all over again. And there's always the possibility of having the lumpectomy, and the margins not being clear, and winding up with a mastectomy anyway. So I don't know. I have a lot to think about before the 27th.
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