.png)
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!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
All Done (Well, With Chemo)!
Hooray! I am done with chemo! I didn't have very much neuropathy at all since the penultimate chemo, so we went ahead with the last one. My oncologist was very happy at the progress, and said she thinks my surgeon will be pleasantly surprised. I have to admit, I had an odd feeling leaving the infusion unit for the last time - not sadness exactly, but sort of a bittersweet feeling. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be done. I guess b/c all the nurses were so nice, but I really, really don't want to ever have to see them again, in that context. Mom & I made cupcakes to show our appreciation. I hope they enjoyed them!
So at any rate, I am so glad to be done with chemo, though I still have a couple of days of feeling like crap ahead of me. Sigh. Yesterday I was doing ok until mid-afternoon, when I started my slow crash - we went to the mall & got me some under-eye bag concealer (when did I develop such dark circles??) and then swung by Lush real quick for some fun soaps - just a little treat! I got 2 - Figs & Leaves, and Ring of Roses. Yum yum. And since we got back, I've been feeling pretty cruddy. I've taken a couple of 2-hour naps today, and there might be a third coming up before bedtime. We shall see. I figure tomorrow will be a bad day, and Tuesday probably won't be so hot, either. I'm intending to sleep in the rest of the week. The cumulative effect is alive & well!
So to sum up: the good news is, I'm done with the chemo portion of our cancer journey. Next stop: the OR. Again!
So at any rate, I am so glad to be done with chemo, though I still have a couple of days of feeling like crap ahead of me. Sigh. Yesterday I was doing ok until mid-afternoon, when I started my slow crash - we went to the mall & got me some under-eye bag concealer (when did I develop such dark circles??) and then swung by Lush real quick for some fun soaps - just a little treat! I got 2 - Figs & Leaves, and Ring of Roses. Yum yum. And since we got back, I've been feeling pretty cruddy. I've taken a couple of 2-hour naps today, and there might be a third coming up before bedtime. We shall see. I figure tomorrow will be a bad day, and Tuesday probably won't be so hot, either. I'm intending to sleep in the rest of the week. The cumulative effect is alive & well!
So to sum up: the good news is, I'm done with the chemo portion of our cancer journey. Next stop: the OR. Again!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
One More Down, One More (Probably) To Go
Last Thursday was Taxol #3. Once again, I got drunk off the Benadryl drip & provided endless amusement for my mom & Nichole. I'm glad the two of them seem to get along, since I spend a fair portion of my treatment passed out. Nichole & I actually started a puzzle this week - there's usually a puzzle started in the waiting room - and it's usually got the easy parts all done, leaving things like foliage, or sky, or open water. This time we got to pick a puzzle & start it! Which means a grand total of probably 10 pieces got put together, since we were just starting & trying to sort the edge pieces out, sort the colors, etc. before the nurse came & called my name. Ah well! It was a painting of the NY skyline (pre-2001).
Friday & Saturday were fun girly-shopping days. Relatively, I mean. Friday, Mom & I went to Sephora & bought me a proper eyebrow pencil & some faux lashes. They are all getting really thin. I will take some before & after shots soon & show them off. I need to get better at putting the lashes on, though. B/c when I embrace the bald look in the summer, I'm going to need something on my face. Sephora has a bunch of fun lashes, too. I wish I had known about that before my wig party! I could have passed off a few hints (matching acid-green? Purple & feathery? Sparkly lined? Such fun!). Saturday, Mom & I went to pick up my compression sleeve. So now I really have no excuse to not start working out again . . . I need to see if there's a breast cancer yoga tape or something. I'm not supposed to put that much weight on my arms, but I'd really like to get back into it. I must do some research. Tips or advice much appreciated! At any rate, I got a hot pink sleeve & gauntlet (glove) set from Lymphediva's. A couple of women with breast cancer or a family history of same started this company to make fun sleeves. They basically said "I don't want to wear an Ace bandage. Why not make some fun & colorful ones?" And so they did. And I've gone with hot pink for my first one. It was a tough choice - they have a lot of fun patterns. I thought the black would look cool, but I also thought it might be bad (hot) in the summer. So hot pink it is! And it is cozy. Now I just need a full-body one!
Today wasn't such a good day. I took one of my oxycodones (which is a higher dosage than I'd had before - I think this is part of the problem) right after getting up, thinking I was going to eat quickly enough that I'd be fine. Besides, I rarely have an upset stomach when taking pills on an empty stomach. Well, after one of my many naps today (every time I shut my eyes, an hour or so would pass before I opened them again - pretty much all day long), I realized it wasn't staying down. So hey, my first bout of hurling. Luckily, though, it didn't last very long - no endless heaving (sorry, TMI!). But I really haven't felt very good since. And now since I napped most of the day away I'm afraid I'll have some issues sleeping tonight. Sigh! But my doctor said that that might have been my last chemo - if I'm having worse itching issues she might think about skipping the last round. If I had to have chemo tomorrow, I'd be rooting for no more. But I would rather complete the full cycle. My doctor upped my anti-seizure meds, and I feel like it might have helped already. I haven't really had any itching to speak of. The big test will be next Friday/Saturday. If I can make it through the weekend without going insane, then I will be very happy.
Friday & Saturday were fun girly-shopping days. Relatively, I mean. Friday, Mom & I went to Sephora & bought me a proper eyebrow pencil & some faux lashes. They are all getting really thin. I will take some before & after shots soon & show them off. I need to get better at putting the lashes on, though. B/c when I embrace the bald look in the summer, I'm going to need something on my face. Sephora has a bunch of fun lashes, too. I wish I had known about that before my wig party! I could have passed off a few hints (matching acid-green? Purple & feathery? Sparkly lined? Such fun!). Saturday, Mom & I went to pick up my compression sleeve. So now I really have no excuse to not start working out again . . . I need to see if there's a breast cancer yoga tape or something. I'm not supposed to put that much weight on my arms, but I'd really like to get back into it. I must do some research. Tips or advice much appreciated! At any rate, I got a hot pink sleeve & gauntlet (glove) set from Lymphediva's. A couple of women with breast cancer or a family history of same started this company to make fun sleeves. They basically said "I don't want to wear an Ace bandage. Why not make some fun & colorful ones?" And so they did. And I've gone with hot pink for my first one. It was a tough choice - they have a lot of fun patterns. I thought the black would look cool, but I also thought it might be bad (hot) in the summer. So hot pink it is! And it is cozy. Now I just need a full-body one!
Today wasn't such a good day. I took one of my oxycodones (which is a higher dosage than I'd had before - I think this is part of the problem) right after getting up, thinking I was going to eat quickly enough that I'd be fine. Besides, I rarely have an upset stomach when taking pills on an empty stomach. Well, after one of my many naps today (every time I shut my eyes, an hour or so would pass before I opened them again - pretty much all day long), I realized it wasn't staying down. So hey, my first bout of hurling. Luckily, though, it didn't last very long - no endless heaving (sorry, TMI!). But I really haven't felt very good since. And now since I napped most of the day away I'm afraid I'll have some issues sleeping tonight. Sigh! But my doctor said that that might have been my last chemo - if I'm having worse itching issues she might think about skipping the last round. If I had to have chemo tomorrow, I'd be rooting for no more. But I would rather complete the full cycle. My doctor upped my anti-seizure meds, and I feel like it might have helped already. I haven't really had any itching to speak of. The big test will be next Friday/Saturday. If I can make it through the weekend without going insane, then I will be very happy.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ow (Radio Remix)
I am so uncomfortable. The overall body soreness/pummeling feeling seems to have ebbed a little quicker than last time - though it's not gone. I'm exhausted and just . . . uncomfortable. Not in pain too much (tho a bit in the lower back), but still . . . can't get comfortable. The ride home on the metro was fun today. Stupid metro was backed up - I passed on my first train, but the second was just as packed. I didn't feel like waiting another 5 minutes, so I took it. Now I'm home being uncomforable. And itchy. My feet have started itching. Sigh. Not as badly as my hands were last week, but maybe that's just because I've (thus far) been able to resist scratching. I'm really hoping it's just the power of suggestion, and not actual neuropathy in my feet. Fingers crossed! My hands have had about the same level of itching for the past 5 or 6 days or so. It would be nice for it to go away. Stupid neuropathy. I'm not even sure I'm spelling that right. Ah. I am.
Well, I plan on eating dinner (mac & cheese I made yesterday), and then maybe going to bed. My plan would be perfect if it weren't for that big pile of clothes waiting to be folded on my bed . . . .
Well, I plan on eating dinner (mac & cheese I made yesterday), and then maybe going to bed. My plan would be perfect if it weren't for that big pile of clothes waiting to be folded on my bed . . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)