I went for lymphatic massage today, and the physiotherapy coordinator finally called me to confirm my spot in the post-op support group next week. Despite the way things seem to be looking up, I find myself in a funk. I suppose it's understandable to become philosophically morose (or morosely philosophical, whichever makes more sense to you) during times like these, to be down about being numb--emotionally and physically. When I was having the massage done today, I felt particularly numb when the therapist worked on my breasts, and other than feeling light pressure, there was no sensation whatsoever. She could have put a flame to my flesh, and I wouldn't have known the difference. I've been reassured by nurses and doctors that this is only temporary, that I will regain some feeling back in my body. But they can't guarantee that.
It makes me think that the body is so needy for touch (think of babies, for whom touch is the only true form of affection), and at the same time, the body itself really doesn't matter at all. I have almost forgotten what my old body looked like--the size of my nipples, the way my breasts drooped, the way they felt. I don't have phantom limb syndrome that people sometimes get when they lose a part of themselves. I'm glad--I think it would hurt to the core to ache like that.
During my second follow-up appointment today, I asked the nurse when I would have nipple reconstruction. She laughed and said I'm too eager. Well, who wouldn't be? I don't exactly enjoy looking like a FrankenBarbie doll. But yeah, I have to wait until the new boobs "settle" first, which is hard for me to imagine right now. I just feel like they're two stiff mounds that are hardly a part of me.
I'm grateful for all the comments about how strong I've been through this ordeal, but my typical reaction is that anyone would do it if they had to--to go through all this to live. Well, most people would, I assume. But tonight, I had a moment, reflecting on what I and my loved ones have been through since July 2007, and I'm like, "Fucking hell yeah, I've been through it all. My body's been through the ringer, and it's sucked ass." But I'm healing. And waiting to be felt again.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
the day after
I don't know why I always do this.
Ahead of time, I plan on being in bed the day after chemo (sure) but I also imagine all the things I will get done. In particular, I always seem to think the day after chemo will be a good day to get writing done.
And it always, turns out that, in reality, I can't concentrate long enough to read a book, knit on an easy project or even answer emails with any coherence.
And I am always disappointed in myself.
I know that some women work right through chemo treatments but I am not 'some women.' I am me.
And I have to stop beating myself up about it.
And I need to learn to lower my own expectations of myself. It's just so weird to remember, when I am feeling so well and healthy most of the time, that just a few hours of treatment will make me feel this crappy.
I did manage to read (and comment on) two great posts at BlogHer today. Check them out and let me know what you think:
I Want To Like Eckhart Tolle's Work. I just Can't Get There From Here by Mata H.
Paying The Price Of Vet Care - How Much Is Too Much? by lauriewrites
Mama drama-o-rama!
This is a really long story, so I'll try to sum up: The stay-at-home moms' group I belonged to (and also served as Administrative VP of) was a local chapter managed by an international office. The executive board decided to disband from the international group and form our own, independent group. We were having some troubles with the international people, but we are a group of about 50 awesome women and have a great local group and wanted to stay together and set our own rules. For example, International said we weren't supposed to be out after dark more than once a month. We already have a Moms' Night Out once a month, so the book club I've been running for about two years has been -- gasp! -- completely illegal! I don't know how we managed to sit around and discuss "My Sister's Keeper" without getting abducted or having all of our husbands file for divorce, but we did. Anyway, we were in the middle of carefully following all of the "rules" for the disbanding process and planned to start up our new group May 16.
Yesterday, the entire executive board got registered letters informing us that we were all "fired." I've never been fired from anything, let alone via registered mail. It was all very exciting and dramatic. I was accused of "officer malfeasance"! Malfeasance! Me! Actually, our president, Brooke, was fired first. She called to see if I'd gotten my letter.
"No," I said. "I haven't gotten anything."
"Well, International has removed me as president," she said. "So I guess you're president now."
Five minutes later, the mailman showed up with my Official Firing Letter. Let me tell you, for the whole five minutes that I was president, I was nearly drunk with power!
It's all OK, though. Within a few hours, we had our brand-new web site all set up and our new group up and running. We changed all of our executive board titles, so I'm now "Community Service Director". I'm going to be doing the same stuff I did before. I'm kind of relieved that it is all over.
As for the firing letter, I plan to stick it in WCK's baby book for posterity, so she knows what a rebel I was. Here's my one big issue with it, though: The international office spent over $5 per letter to fire all of us. Did any of us even get a regular letter or even a short little e-mail congratulating us when we raised $800 for a cancer patient's family? When we dropped off almost 700 toys at the children's hospital? When we collected toys for seven children at Christmas? When the entire group sent me a giant care package and gift cards and completely supported me through the three weeks I was having my stem-cell harvest?
Um. No. No we did not. Hence, the disbanding. I guess I sound bitter, but I'm not, really, because our new group is going to kick butt! Well, I guess it will as soon as I actually start posting the playgroups like I'm supposed to instead of spending my free time typing up a giant blog entry. More malfeasance on my part.
Yesterday, the entire executive board got registered letters informing us that we were all "fired." I've never been fired from anything, let alone via registered mail. It was all very exciting and dramatic. I was accused of "officer malfeasance"! Malfeasance! Me! Actually, our president, Brooke, was fired first. She called to see if I'd gotten my letter.
"No," I said. "I haven't gotten anything."
"Well, International has removed me as president," she said. "So I guess you're president now."
Five minutes later, the mailman showed up with my Official Firing Letter. Let me tell you, for the whole five minutes that I was president, I was nearly drunk with power!
It's all OK, though. Within a few hours, we had our brand-new web site all set up and our new group up and running. We changed all of our executive board titles, so I'm now "Community Service Director". I'm going to be doing the same stuff I did before. I'm kind of relieved that it is all over.
As for the firing letter, I plan to stick it in WCK's baby book for posterity, so she knows what a rebel I was. Here's my one big issue with it, though: The international office spent over $5 per letter to fire all of us. Did any of us even get a regular letter or even a short little e-mail congratulating us when we raised $800 for a cancer patient's family? When we dropped off almost 700 toys at the children's hospital? When we collected toys for seven children at Christmas? When the entire group sent me a giant care package and gift cards and completely supported me through the three weeks I was having my stem-cell harvest?
Um. No. No we did not. Hence, the disbanding. I guess I sound bitter, but I'm not, really, because our new group is going to kick butt! Well, I guess it will as soon as I actually start posting the playgroups like I'm supposed to instead of spending my free time typing up a giant blog entry. More malfeasance on my part.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Advocacy
I'm trying to reclaim my bionic body. It's hard. And it's surprising and frustrating that there's not all that much support out there. It's been difficult trying to register for this post-op mastectomy physiotherapy group that this city claims to have at various health clinics. Yesterday, I went to one that not only claimed was held on the 4th Monday of every month, but also specifically listed "April 28th" as the date--to be told that I was completely wrong, and the woman who runs the group even called me this morning to apologize, but still made me feel like I was in the wrong. Then I tried to register for another group that's being held at another clinic next Wednesday morning, only to be shunted off to someone's voicemail--twice--with no return call confirming my registration.
I'm currently reading Living in the Postmastectomy Body, which has been helpful in learning some exercises to help me deal with the lymphedema. In the book, the author says that even though all the oncologists and surgeons always tell breast cancer surgery patients that they might experience lymphedema, that pretty much all breast cancer patients who've had any lymph nodes removed will experience this condition. This makes me feel that doctors should spend more time talking with their patients about this so that they can expect it and know beforehand what to do when it happens. It's really true that if one hasn't had this surgery, one really doesn't know what kind of discomfort and pain is on the way. It's almost as if medical professionals are there to just do their job--which is to treat the cancer--and then leave the patient to herself afterwards to deal with what might happen.
I also found some information for post-op exercises at the Patient Guide to Breast Care. So I was able to print these out and follow them. Two more resources that I found are Alicethenics, which is a very gentle exercise program (with very low production quality--but anyway, whatever), and Pilates Therapeutics Breast Cancer Survivor's Guide to Physical Restoration, which I haven't received yet but ordered yesterday. I'm excited to get this DVD because my focus now is to just get movement back. I list these resources because there might be some of you out there who are in search of this information, which I know now from experience is so hard to come by.
I also had my first acupuncture appointment today since surgery. It made me feel relaxed, and I even fell asleep for a moment, only to wake myself up with some weird gurgling I was making. I'm sure the other two women in the room who were receiving acupuncture were amused.
One last thing--I was at a friend's son's birthday party the other day, and she works at the cancer agency. One of her co-workers was telling me that she received a call from some man in Abbottsford who was expressing anger that the cancer agency's literature is available in Punjabi and Chinese (in fact, Henry was instrumental in having the literature available in these languages when he volunteered with the cancer agency 20 years ago!)--basically, this man in Abbottsford was saying that it should only be available in English, and that if you have cancer and don't know English, then you should learn it! What kind of racist, small-minded people are out there? And I was telling her that in fact, I think more should be done to help cancer patients who aren't fluent in English because in my experience in going for chemo, I've seen more people struggling with their treatments because they weren't able to communicate their reactions to the nurses. The cancer agency needs more people who speak different languages to be able to help anyone who needs help, period.
So I guess what I'm saying is that even in a place like Vancouver where we have top-notch facilitates for cancer patients, there's room for improvement--which is also saying that overall, more needs to be look at in terms of a patient-centered model for treatment, rather than just merely attacking the illness. Because even in the best-case scenario where the cancer is defeated, there's still a human being left to pick up the pieces.
I'm currently reading Living in the Postmastectomy Body, which has been helpful in learning some exercises to help me deal with the lymphedema. In the book, the author says that even though all the oncologists and surgeons always tell breast cancer surgery patients that they might experience lymphedema, that pretty much all breast cancer patients who've had any lymph nodes removed will experience this condition. This makes me feel that doctors should spend more time talking with their patients about this so that they can expect it and know beforehand what to do when it happens. It's really true that if one hasn't had this surgery, one really doesn't know what kind of discomfort and pain is on the way. It's almost as if medical professionals are there to just do their job--which is to treat the cancer--and then leave the patient to herself afterwards to deal with what might happen.
I also found some information for post-op exercises at the Patient Guide to Breast Care. So I was able to print these out and follow them. Two more resources that I found are Alicethenics, which is a very gentle exercise program (with very low production quality--but anyway, whatever), and Pilates Therapeutics Breast Cancer Survivor's Guide to Physical Restoration, which I haven't received yet but ordered yesterday. I'm excited to get this DVD because my focus now is to just get movement back. I list these resources because there might be some of you out there who are in search of this information, which I know now from experience is so hard to come by.
I also had my first acupuncture appointment today since surgery. It made me feel relaxed, and I even fell asleep for a moment, only to wake myself up with some weird gurgling I was making. I'm sure the other two women in the room who were receiving acupuncture were amused.
One last thing--I was at a friend's son's birthday party the other day, and she works at the cancer agency. One of her co-workers was telling me that she received a call from some man in Abbottsford who was expressing anger that the cancer agency's literature is available in Punjabi and Chinese (in fact, Henry was instrumental in having the literature available in these languages when he volunteered with the cancer agency 20 years ago!)--basically, this man in Abbottsford was saying that it should only be available in English, and that if you have cancer and don't know English, then you should learn it! What kind of racist, small-minded people are out there? And I was telling her that in fact, I think more should be done to help cancer patients who aren't fluent in English because in my experience in going for chemo, I've seen more people struggling with their treatments because they weren't able to communicate their reactions to the nurses. The cancer agency needs more people who speak different languages to be able to help anyone who needs help, period.
So I guess what I'm saying is that even in a place like Vancouver where we have top-notch facilitates for cancer patients, there's room for improvement--which is also saying that overall, more needs to be look at in terms of a patient-centered model for treatment, rather than just merely attacking the illness. Because even in the best-case scenario where the cancer is defeated, there's still a human being left to pick up the pieces.
is that my ass?
Wow. I really need to lay off the cake.
And where did D. learn that pose? I have a whole bunch of photos of him doing that, now.
Chemo today.
I'll probably be back online tomorrow.
False Alarm
False alarm (for now) folks Bo did not get the transplant, so we shall consider this a minor glitch on the road to getting rid of the cancer. Some false alarms / dress rehearsals are good though because you don't want to get the wrong lungs and have even more medical stuff to contend with after transplant, heck it is hard enough adjusting to the lungs.... it has taken me over a year to somewhat adjust and I am still trying to find the new norm. One thing I will say is that it takes cancer patients who are fortunate enough to get a transplant longer to get back in shape after transplant if they have neuropathy in their hands and feet.
I will keep you all posted on Bo, I have not communicated with him as I am giving him space to make sense of what all he and the family just went through, and I know they are being bombarded with questions from friends, and family.
I will keep you all posted on Bo, I have not communicated with him as I am giving him space to make sense of what all he and the family just went through, and I know they are being bombarded with questions from friends, and family.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Same old, same old
Today I was back at the Cancer Center for my monthly visit. My INR is fine; my blood counts are better than last time. My white counts are still a little bit too low, but my hemoglobin is kicking butt at 12.9. Must have been that cheeseburger I ate last night.
Cheeseburgers = Better Health.
Anyway, no big cancer news to report right now. I'm now about to start Cycle 12 of the Revlimid. Can you believe I've been on this stuff for over a year now? I should have celebrated a Revlimid-iversary.
Cheeseburgers = Better Health.
Anyway, no big cancer news to report right now. I'm now about to start Cycle 12 of the Revlimid. Can you believe I've been on this stuff for over a year now? I should have celebrated a Revlimid-iversary.
Bo Got the Call
1712 CST
Hey Everybody just got a call from Bo he just got the call, I just spoke with him, Pray everything Goes Well, I will keep you posted as I get info. He was driving down and sounded calm and mellow and Christi was with him and doing well too.
2342 CST
up all night wondering how the procedure is going for Bo I hope this isn't a false alarm call (a false alarm call is a call that you get to come to the hospital for your transplant procedure and it does not happen for one reason or another. Examples of things that might stop the procedure would be if the donor lungs had some sort of undetected virus in them, if the recipient has a cold/virus or is running a temp, also for a lung transplant patient they check us over at the time of transplant to make sure the cancer has not spread to our lymph nodes if so the transplant won't take place.) Bo and Christi will be enjoying his new lungs in a few days once he is out of the ICU.
I now know how Stu (Lockheed Lung Transplant Buddy in California) felt when I called him to tell him that I had just gotten the call to come into the hospital for the transplant.
I will have to take a sleeping pill to sleep tonight.
Hey Everybody just got a call from Bo he just got the call, I just spoke with him, Pray everything Goes Well, I will keep you posted as I get info. He was driving down and sounded calm and mellow and Christi was with him and doing well too.
2342 CST
up all night wondering how the procedure is going for Bo I hope this isn't a false alarm call (a false alarm call is a call that you get to come to the hospital for your transplant procedure and it does not happen for one reason or another. Examples of things that might stop the procedure would be if the donor lungs had some sort of undetected virus in them, if the recipient has a cold/virus or is running a temp, also for a lung transplant patient they check us over at the time of transplant to make sure the cancer has not spread to our lymph nodes if so the transplant won't take place.) Bo and Christi will be enjoying his new lungs in a few days once he is out of the ICU.
I now know how Stu (Lockheed Lung Transplant Buddy in California) felt when I called him to tell him that I had just gotten the call to come into the hospital for the transplant.
I will have to take a sleeping pill to sleep tonight.
Springtime has been berry, berry good to me!
I'm seeing red from an overabundance of ripe, red strawberries.
Read all about it and have a slice of fresh strawberry pie at Open Mouth, Insert Fork.
Read all about it and have a slice of fresh strawberry pie at Open Mouth, Insert Fork.
Robot Refrigerator
Mylo's been going around saying "Ro-bot Re-frig-er-a-tor" for a while now, in this mechanical monotone. It makes me laugh. I really feel like a robot refrigerator right now (whatever that is). It's like there's a cutting board in my torso, and my right arm and side are swollen. It's like I have a padded bra on, but I don't. It's just me.
I went to the physio group this morning, only to be told that the information that they gave me is incorrect, and the physio group was last Tuesday, and the next one is at the end of May. I was pretty pissed and annoyed. I wanted to learn some exercises to help me with my discomfort and get the range of motion back in my right arm. But it's not to be. I ordered a DVD that will hopefully help me, so I just have to wait for that.
I also was supposed to get my stitches out tomorrow, but when I called my surgeon's nurse to report this swelling in my arm, I was told that my appointment for tomorrow had been cancelled, there had been some mix-up, and that I'd see the nurse on Wednesday morning instead. If I hadn't called them, I would've wasted my time going there tomorrow.
These things always happen to me like this. Like, one bad thing doesn't happen--it's usually two or three things. I guess it's not so bad, just pretty annoying. Hopefully, my week will end up better than it started. I should be hearing from the breast cancer surgeon soon regarding the pathology report, so we can know if the cancer is gone or what. Until then, I'm not moving much.
I went to the physio group this morning, only to be told that the information that they gave me is incorrect, and the physio group was last Tuesday, and the next one is at the end of May. I was pretty pissed and annoyed. I wanted to learn some exercises to help me with my discomfort and get the range of motion back in my right arm. But it's not to be. I ordered a DVD that will hopefully help me, so I just have to wait for that.
I also was supposed to get my stitches out tomorrow, but when I called my surgeon's nurse to report this swelling in my arm, I was told that my appointment for tomorrow had been cancelled, there had been some mix-up, and that I'd see the nurse on Wednesday morning instead. If I hadn't called them, I would've wasted my time going there tomorrow.
These things always happen to me like this. Like, one bad thing doesn't happen--it's usually two or three things. I guess it's not so bad, just pretty annoying. Hopefully, my week will end up better than it started. I should be hearing from the breast cancer surgeon soon regarding the pathology report, so we can know if the cancer is gone or what. Until then, I'm not moving much.
why we do what we do
Yesterday, we had my young son's birthday party at the noisiest place on earth.
Why? Because we love him and that is what he really, really wanted.
I cannot express how wiped out we all were when it was over.
But as I was towelling D. off after his bath last night (and boy did he need it. We all did!), I asked him if his birthday party had been everything he'd hoped for.
He nodded vigorously.
And then he said, "Actually, it was even better!"
So, I'd have to say that it was worth it.
And that I would do it again.
But I am really, really glad that birthdays come only once a year.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Happy Endings, Happy Beginnings
I was sorry to miss the City of Hope's Celebration of Life BMT Reunion on Friday, but got to enjoy the event through local news coverage
Check out the ABC News coverage of Christine meeting her bone-marrow donor from Hong Kong.
Tommy Lasorda, the keyote speaker and one helluva passionate guy, wrote about the event on his blog.
And, of course, the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group covered the event.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: I had my first blood and platelet transfusion.
Check out the ABC News coverage of Christine meeting her bone-marrow donor from Hong Kong.
Tommy Lasorda, the keyote speaker and one helluva passionate guy, wrote about the event on his blog.
And, of course, the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group covered the event.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: I had my first blood and platelet transfusion.
Breast Reconstruction Advances Fix Distortions Left by Lumpectomy
ASPS Report Examines Reconstruction Innovations for Breast Cancer Patients Including Partial and Full Mastectomies
For Immediate Release: April 2008
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery is the most common type of breast cancer surgery currently performed. A benefit of the surgery is that only part of the breast is removed, but a drawback can be the resulting physical appearance of the breast, which may be disfigured, dented or uneven. A report in April’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® , the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), examines advances plastic surgeons have made in breast reconstruction to repair the damage left when cancer is removed.
“Although breast conversation therapies are a huge advance in the treatment of breast cancer, women are still concerned about how their breast will look after surgery,” said Sumner Slavin, MD, ASPS Member and report co-author. “Breast conservation surgery or lumpectomy can mean many things; a biopsy, partial mastectomy, wedge resection, or having a quarter of the breast taken. Women are often left with portions of their breasts removed and there are currently no implants that can address this unique cosmetic issue.”
After lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery, plastic surgeons are now approaching the challenge of misshapen breasts by immediately remodeling the breast with remaining breast tissue or tissue taken from another area of the body. The result is a more natural looking breast that is more symmetrical with the unaffected breast.
Three additional advances the report examines are nipple-sparing mastectomy, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and acellular dermis graft slings. These are options for women who require a full mastectomy and young women who opt for preventative mastectomy due to a strong family history of breast cancer.
In nipple-sparing surgery, cancerous tissue and the duct system of the breast are removed, but a pocket of skin, the nipple and areola are saved. Plastic surgeons insert either an implant or the patient’s own tissue into the pocket to recreate the breast. The result looks very similar to the patient’s original breast because the original nipple and areola are used. Nipple-sparing surgery is still somewhat controversial, but if the origin of the tumor is away from the nipple and areola, it is considered safe, according to the report.
DIEP flap surgery involves using skin and fat from the lower abdomen to recreate the breast. The muscle is left intact, eliminating potential muscle weakness in the donor area, according to the report.
For patients undergoing a mastectomy, the DIEP flap procedure may allow them to better resume normal activities since they have not loss muscle function in their abdomen.
Finally, the use of acellular dermis (connective tissue layer of the skin) derived from cadaver tissue (such as "Alloderm") allows plastic surgeons to create a new breast pocket, in patients undergoing a mastectomy, without using a tissue expander. A breast implant may then be inserted, creating an aesthetically pleasing breast. This one-stage method of breast reconstruction is often referred to as "Alloderm one-step breast reconstruction".
“Many women don’t know the full scope of their reconstructive options or are intimidated to ask,” said Dr. Slavin. “For breast cancer patients, even though they are living through the anguish of cancer, there are reconstructive procedures that will improve their quality of life and reduce the negative long-term impact of the disease and its treatment.”
In the United States today, there are nearly 2.5 million breast cancer survivors – the largest group of cancer survivors in the country, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. More than 56,000 breast reconstructions were performed in 2007, according to the ASPS.
Learn more about your breast reconstruction options here.
******
Dr Chrysopoulo is board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and specializes in breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy for breast cancer. He and his partners perform hundreds of microsurgical breast reconstructions with perforator flaps each year including DIEP flap reconstruction. PRMA Plastic Surgery, San Antonio, Texas. Toll Free: (800) 692-5565. Keep up to date with the latest breast reconstruction news by following Dr Chrysopoulo's Breast Reconstruction Blog.
******
For Immediate Release: April 2008
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery is the most common type of breast cancer surgery currently performed. A benefit of the surgery is that only part of the breast is removed, but a drawback can be the resulting physical appearance of the breast, which may be disfigured, dented or uneven. A report in April’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® , the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), examines advances plastic surgeons have made in breast reconstruction to repair the damage left when cancer is removed.
“Although breast conversation therapies are a huge advance in the treatment of breast cancer, women are still concerned about how their breast will look after surgery,” said Sumner Slavin, MD, ASPS Member and report co-author. “Breast conservation surgery or lumpectomy can mean many things; a biopsy, partial mastectomy, wedge resection, or having a quarter of the breast taken. Women are often left with portions of their breasts removed and there are currently no implants that can address this unique cosmetic issue.”
After lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery, plastic surgeons are now approaching the challenge of misshapen breasts by immediately remodeling the breast with remaining breast tissue or tissue taken from another area of the body. The result is a more natural looking breast that is more symmetrical with the unaffected breast.
Three additional advances the report examines are nipple-sparing mastectomy, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and acellular dermis graft slings. These are options for women who require a full mastectomy and young women who opt for preventative mastectomy due to a strong family history of breast cancer.
In nipple-sparing surgery, cancerous tissue and the duct system of the breast are removed, but a pocket of skin, the nipple and areola are saved. Plastic surgeons insert either an implant or the patient’s own tissue into the pocket to recreate the breast. The result looks very similar to the patient’s original breast because the original nipple and areola are used. Nipple-sparing surgery is still somewhat controversial, but if the origin of the tumor is away from the nipple and areola, it is considered safe, according to the report.
DIEP flap surgery involves using skin and fat from the lower abdomen to recreate the breast. The muscle is left intact, eliminating potential muscle weakness in the donor area, according to the report.
For patients undergoing a mastectomy, the DIEP flap procedure may allow them to better resume normal activities since they have not loss muscle function in their abdomen.
Finally, the use of acellular dermis (connective tissue layer of the skin) derived from cadaver tissue (such as "Alloderm") allows plastic surgeons to create a new breast pocket, in patients undergoing a mastectomy, without using a tissue expander. A breast implant may then be inserted, creating an aesthetically pleasing breast. This one-stage method of breast reconstruction is often referred to as "Alloderm one-step breast reconstruction".
“Many women don’t know the full scope of their reconstructive options or are intimidated to ask,” said Dr. Slavin. “For breast cancer patients, even though they are living through the anguish of cancer, there are reconstructive procedures that will improve their quality of life and reduce the negative long-term impact of the disease and its treatment.”
In the United States today, there are nearly 2.5 million breast cancer survivors – the largest group of cancer survivors in the country, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. More than 56,000 breast reconstructions were performed in 2007, according to the ASPS.
Learn more about your breast reconstruction options here.
******
Dr Chrysopoulo is board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and specializes in breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy for breast cancer. He and his partners perform hundreds of microsurgical breast reconstructions with perforator flaps each year including DIEP flap reconstruction. PRMA Plastic Surgery, San Antonio, Texas. Toll Free: (800) 692-5565. Keep up to date with the latest breast reconstruction news by following Dr Chrysopoulo's Breast Reconstruction Blog.
******
SAG is not just a union.
My cutis laxa (aka "loose skin") is slowly spreading. The original spots grow larger while new areas of sagging skin continue to develop. It's not life threatening, but it seems to be growing like an insidious cancer. And that's distressing.
The doctors from the USC Dermatology Grand Rounds recommended an antibiotic, Myoxidine. The hope is that this antibiotic will destroy the culprit in my body that's gobbling up the elastin in my skin. It's not a fountain of youth - we can't restore the elastin that's already lost - but I'm hoping we can slow down the sagging process.
The doctors from the USC Dermatology Grand Rounds recommended an antibiotic, Myoxidine. The hope is that this antibiotic will destroy the culprit in my body that's gobbling up the elastin in my skin. It's not a fountain of youth - we can't restore the elastin that's already lost - but I'm hoping we can slow down the sagging process.
what we did in london (part 3)
Wednesday, April 16th
My friend K., S. and I set out reasonably early (thanks to K. arriving at the hotel with good, strong coffee) to visit the Tower of London on Wednesday morning. I had skipped it on previous visits to London in favour of less touristy destinations but S. provided me with the excuse to make this historic site a priority (K. had been before but she happily joined us).
We took a little tour and did some wandering around on our own. The Bloody Tower and the Crown Jewels (which we visited twice!) made the biggest impression. I am never sure, on these occasions, how much my son is taking in. But yesterday, I was in his class for knitting club and the kids were asking about our visit to London and the Tower, in particular. One of the kids asked, "Which king was it who had his nephews killed?". I couldn't remember. But S. replied, without missing a beat, "Richard the Third."
I checked. He's right.
After a couple of hours at the Tower, the three of us found a heated patio where we could have lunch outside. Then we reluctantly said goodbye to K., who needed to return home to work and family. The visit went by so quickly!
S. and I were both sad to see her go but he perked up pretty quickly when I offered to take him shopping (back to Oxford Street) for cds (he had some cash from Grammy and Granddad to spend and he was pretty keen to do so. After he had managed to procure a Rolling Stones DVD set and some Doctor Who audio cds (read by David Tennant, the good Doctor, in his most recent incarnation) and I had found a Spike Milligan compilation for T., a very happy boy and I met Grandpa at the Statue of Anteros.
After we all had dinner, Grandpa took us to see the Thirty-Nine Steps (a comical adaptation of the Hitchcock movie, itself based on the novel by one-time Canadian Governor-General John Buchan). I love live theatre and it was a real joy to see S. get swept up. In fact, in a week full of wonderful experiences, S. consistently says that the play was his absolute favourite.
Thursday, April 17th
Thursday was the day we had set aside for the Doctor Who Exhibition. Expectations were very, very high as we arrived at Earl's Court but I have to say that they were met and perhaps exceeded.
I enjoyed myself far more than I might have without my excellent tour guide (the young S.), whose detailed knowledge of every episode of Doctor Who since the series was revived in 2005 is truly impressive.
That afternoon, it was time for something a little more highbrow. S. wanted to go to an art gallery and, based on Grandpa's recommendation, we chose to visit the National Portrait Gallery. I highly recommend this gallery, as much as a lesson in history as for the beautiful artwork. I especially loved the portraits of Mary Wollstonecraft (an early feminist, she wrote The Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792) her daughter Mary Shelley (who wrote Frankenstein) and Lord Byron (check out the portrait. Doesn't it explain both his reputation and why he made women swoon?).
The Karsh collection is also truly wonderful (especially the famous photo of Winston Churchill, taken just after Karsh had yanked a cigar from out of the Churchill's mouth). It was also neat to see the photo of John Buchan, since we'd just seen the theatrical adaptation of his novel the previous evening.
S. and I both also enjoyed the Vanity Fair Portraits. We disagreed over the amount of time we wanted to spend in front of each portrait (a couple of minutes versus ten seconds or so) but he waited for me with tremendous patience. I was very proud of him.
One of the best things about travelling with S. is that we were both quite content to wrap our day up in late afternoon and head back to the hotel to lounge around for the evening.
And so we did.
My friend K., S. and I set out reasonably early (thanks to K. arriving at the hotel with good, strong coffee) to visit the Tower of London on Wednesday morning. I had skipped it on previous visits to London in favour of less touristy destinations but S. provided me with the excuse to make this historic site a priority (K. had been before but she happily joined us).
We took a little tour and did some wandering around on our own. The Bloody Tower and the Crown Jewels (which we visited twice!) made the biggest impression. I am never sure, on these occasions, how much my son is taking in. But yesterday, I was in his class for knitting club and the kids were asking about our visit to London and the Tower, in particular. One of the kids asked, "Which king was it who had his nephews killed?". I couldn't remember. But S. replied, without missing a beat, "Richard the Third."
I checked. He's right.
After a couple of hours at the Tower, the three of us found a heated patio where we could have lunch outside. Then we reluctantly said goodbye to K., who needed to return home to work and family. The visit went by so quickly!
S. and I were both sad to see her go but he perked up pretty quickly when I offered to take him shopping (back to Oxford Street) for cds (he had some cash from Grammy and Granddad to spend and he was pretty keen to do so. After he had managed to procure a Rolling Stones DVD set and some Doctor Who audio cds (read by David Tennant, the good Doctor, in his most recent incarnation) and I had found a Spike Milligan compilation for T., a very happy boy and I met Grandpa at the Statue of Anteros.
After we all had dinner, Grandpa took us to see the Thirty-Nine Steps (a comical adaptation of the Hitchcock movie, itself based on the novel by one-time Canadian Governor-General John Buchan). I love live theatre and it was a real joy to see S. get swept up. In fact, in a week full of wonderful experiences, S. consistently says that the play was his absolute favourite.
Thursday, April 17th
Thursday was the day we had set aside for the Doctor Who Exhibition. Expectations were very, very high as we arrived at Earl's Court but I have to say that they were met and perhaps exceeded.
I enjoyed myself far more than I might have without my excellent tour guide (the young S.), whose detailed knowledge of every episode of Doctor Who since the series was revived in 2005 is truly impressive.
That afternoon, it was time for something a little more highbrow. S. wanted to go to an art gallery and, based on Grandpa's recommendation, we chose to visit the National Portrait Gallery. I highly recommend this gallery, as much as a lesson in history as for the beautiful artwork. I especially loved the portraits of Mary Wollstonecraft (an early feminist, she wrote The Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792) her daughter Mary Shelley (who wrote Frankenstein) and Lord Byron (check out the portrait. Doesn't it explain both his reputation and why he made women swoon?).
The Karsh collection is also truly wonderful (especially the famous photo of Winston Churchill, taken just after Karsh had yanked a cigar from out of the Churchill's mouth). It was also neat to see the photo of John Buchan, since we'd just seen the theatrical adaptation of his novel the previous evening.
S. and I both also enjoyed the Vanity Fair Portraits. We disagreed over the amount of time we wanted to spend in front of each portrait (a couple of minutes versus ten seconds or so) but he waited for me with tremendous patience. I was very proud of him.
One of the best things about travelling with S. is that we were both quite content to wrap our day up in late afternoon and head back to the hotel to lounge around for the evening.
And so we did.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
AACR Scientist<-->Survivor Post #6 New on the Horizon
Most chemotherapies up until recently "poisoned" all rapidly growing cells in the body, both cancerous and non-cancerous. That's why hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia and low white blood cell counts are commonly associated with chemotherapy. The side effects are caused by damage to normal cells that also grow rapidly like those in the digestive system and blood and hair cells.
New therapies for cancer treatment that are undergoing investigation by researchers include:
Molecular Targeted Therapies: Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably, develop a blood supply, and metastasize due to abnormal signals they receive inside the cell from proteins or enzymes. In cancer the normal protein and enzyme signaling pathways that regulate growth do not work properly because of genetic mutations in the cell.
An analogy often used is that of a car with the gas pedal stuck to the floor, the cells don't stop growing and dividing when they should, the signal to grow is stuck in the "on" position and the protective mechanisms, the "airbags" and "antilock brakes" aren't working. New research is directed to targeting abnormal protein and enzyme signaling pathways that cause cells to become cancerous. Different cancers have different signaling pathways based on different gene mutations, so the targets are different for different types of cancer.
An example of a targeted molecular therapy is the drug Gleevec. Gleevec targets a specific abnormal protein in cells of the cancer chronic myeloid leukemia. This cancer is caused by a defect in the Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality that causes the production of a cancer-causing protein molecule called BCR-ABL. Gleevec blocks this cancer-causing protein. Gleevec is taken in pill form and has few side effects, it does not involve receiving IV chemo through a port for hours in an office setting.
When Gleevec was being tested in an early clinical trial, the drug was only being tested to see if it was toxic to humans, not if it worked on the leukemia yet. But in the study, once a dose of 300mg was reached, all 31 of the 31 patients involved in the trial went into remission from their cancer. In a later study, 54 patients who had become resistant to all other forms of treatment for this leukemia were given Gleevec, and 53 responded. 5 year survival for those with this type of leukemia who are treated with Gleevec is now 95%. Prior to Gleevec, 30-50% of patients with this leukemia reached the advanced and often terminal stage of this disease in 3-5 years.
Some targeted therapies may be effective in more than one cancer if another cancer has a similar genetic mutation. Gleevec is also an example of this. Another cancer, a stomach cancer called GIST that had few treatment options but has responded well to Gleevec also.
Many other similar "targeted therapies" are currently under study and being developed. They have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
Metastasis: 90% of cancer deaths are related to metastasis. If a cancerous tumors didn't metastasize, in many cases cancer could be an easy disease to treat. Most of us with appendix cancer have been asked by someone in the general public "Well, can't they just remove your appendix?". For most of us that is almost never the answer, because appendix cancer has almost always metastasized into our abdomens by the time it is discovered. The metastasis is what has the potential to kill us, not usually the original tumor on the appendix. Some of the most fascinating lectures I listened to were those discussing molecular targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. Cancer that couldn't metastasize would be a benign disease in many cases.
microRNA: micro RNAs are tiny segments of RNA that have just recently been discovered. Unlike other RNA segments in a cell that help transcribe proteins, these RNA segments function to turn genes "on" and "off". In many cancer cells, mutated genes inappropriately turn "on" to manufacture proteins or enzymes that cause the cancer cells to grow out of control or to metastasize. Sometimes protective genes are wrongly turned "off". Harnessing the power of microRNa could allow us to turn abnormal cancer genes "off" or protective genes that are not working "on".
p53 Pathways: The p53 gene is the "guardian gene" in preventing cancer. It also functions through protein signaling pathways that initiate repair of abnormal mutations in a gene, or initiates the destruction of a mutated cell that cannot be repaired. In some cases when the P53 gene itself is mutated or does not function, molecular targeted therapies are being developed to enhance or correct the function and molecular pathways of a mutated P53 gene. Over 50% of those with cancer have a mutation of the p53 gene.
Biomarkers: in these studies, blood tests are being developed to identify cancers before symptoms or other tests can identify them. The goal is for these tests to be 100% accurate. Cancers caught in early stages are the most curable. Colon cancer caught early is 90% curable, but even in it's early stage, there is an identifiably tumor. Biomarkers could allow cancers to be identified before tumors are even present so that progression can be stopped before the disease has a chance to cause harm. The goal is for the development of biomarkers that are 100% accurate.
Cancer Genomics and Personalized Cancer Therapies: In some cancer therapy, the majority of patients with a specific cancer respond to particular chemotherapies and medicines, while for others, the therapy has no effect. This is often related to subtle differences in the particular genetic mutations in an individual's tumor. One scientist said even every breast cancer tumor is genetically different from another.
Personalized genomic cancer therapies in the future may involve genetic testing of a persons individual tumor when a biopsy is done, and identification of the particular genetic abnormalities in their own tumor. This would identify which specific targeted therapies would be effective for their particular cancer. This would prevent a patient from receiving and paying for a cancer therapy that would not be effective on their particular tumor and would allow the patient to receive the most effective treatment for their disease.
Chemoprevention: This could involve medications taken to prevent cancer in highly susceptible individuals. Currently some drugs like Tamoxifen are used to prevent recurrence in those with diagnosed breast cancer, but drugs could be developed to prevent cancer in those who have been identified to have abnormal genes that make them highly likely to develop the disease. I know a woman who's family had a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. All of her female family members had died of breast cancer, so she had both of her breasts removed to prevent the disease in her own body. Chemoprevention may allow someone like her to take a targeted medication to prevent the disease without such radical prevention.
I'm sorry this post is so long, but I learned so much about so many avenues being pursued in cancer research at the AACR meeting. It was amazing. I have one last post to add to my series about my AACR involvement, rest your eyes in the meantime!
New therapies for cancer treatment that are undergoing investigation by researchers include:
Molecular Targeted Therapies: Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably, develop a blood supply, and metastasize due to abnormal signals they receive inside the cell from proteins or enzymes. In cancer the normal protein and enzyme signaling pathways that regulate growth do not work properly because of genetic mutations in the cell.
An analogy often used is that of a car with the gas pedal stuck to the floor, the cells don't stop growing and dividing when they should, the signal to grow is stuck in the "on" position and the protective mechanisms, the "airbags" and "antilock brakes" aren't working. New research is directed to targeting abnormal protein and enzyme signaling pathways that cause cells to become cancerous. Different cancers have different signaling pathways based on different gene mutations, so the targets are different for different types of cancer.
An example of a targeted molecular therapy is the drug Gleevec. Gleevec targets a specific abnormal protein in cells of the cancer chronic myeloid leukemia. This cancer is caused by a defect in the Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality that causes the production of a cancer-causing protein molecule called BCR-ABL. Gleevec blocks this cancer-causing protein. Gleevec is taken in pill form and has few side effects, it does not involve receiving IV chemo through a port for hours in an office setting.
When Gleevec was being tested in an early clinical trial, the drug was only being tested to see if it was toxic to humans, not if it worked on the leukemia yet. But in the study, once a dose of 300mg was reached, all 31 of the 31 patients involved in the trial went into remission from their cancer. In a later study, 54 patients who had become resistant to all other forms of treatment for this leukemia were given Gleevec, and 53 responded. 5 year survival for those with this type of leukemia who are treated with Gleevec is now 95%. Prior to Gleevec, 30-50% of patients with this leukemia reached the advanced and often terminal stage of this disease in 3-5 years.
Some targeted therapies may be effective in more than one cancer if another cancer has a similar genetic mutation. Gleevec is also an example of this. Another cancer, a stomach cancer called GIST that had few treatment options but has responded well to Gleevec also.
Many other similar "targeted therapies" are currently under study and being developed. They have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
Metastasis: 90% of cancer deaths are related to metastasis. If a cancerous tumors didn't metastasize, in many cases cancer could be an easy disease to treat. Most of us with appendix cancer have been asked by someone in the general public "Well, can't they just remove your appendix?". For most of us that is almost never the answer, because appendix cancer has almost always metastasized into our abdomens by the time it is discovered. The metastasis is what has the potential to kill us, not usually the original tumor on the appendix. Some of the most fascinating lectures I listened to were those discussing molecular targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. Cancer that couldn't metastasize would be a benign disease in many cases.
microRNA: micro RNAs are tiny segments of RNA that have just recently been discovered. Unlike other RNA segments in a cell that help transcribe proteins, these RNA segments function to turn genes "on" and "off". In many cancer cells, mutated genes inappropriately turn "on" to manufacture proteins or enzymes that cause the cancer cells to grow out of control or to metastasize. Sometimes protective genes are wrongly turned "off". Harnessing the power of microRNa could allow us to turn abnormal cancer genes "off" or protective genes that are not working "on".
p53 Pathways: The p53 gene is the "guardian gene" in preventing cancer. It also functions through protein signaling pathways that initiate repair of abnormal mutations in a gene, or initiates the destruction of a mutated cell that cannot be repaired. In some cases when the P53 gene itself is mutated or does not function, molecular targeted therapies are being developed to enhance or correct the function and molecular pathways of a mutated P53 gene. Over 50% of those with cancer have a mutation of the p53 gene.
Biomarkers: in these studies, blood tests are being developed to identify cancers before symptoms or other tests can identify them. The goal is for these tests to be 100% accurate. Cancers caught in early stages are the most curable. Colon cancer caught early is 90% curable, but even in it's early stage, there is an identifiably tumor. Biomarkers could allow cancers to be identified before tumors are even present so that progression can be stopped before the disease has a chance to cause harm. The goal is for the development of biomarkers that are 100% accurate.
Cancer Genomics and Personalized Cancer Therapies: In some cancer therapy, the majority of patients with a specific cancer respond to particular chemotherapies and medicines, while for others, the therapy has no effect. This is often related to subtle differences in the particular genetic mutations in an individual's tumor. One scientist said even every breast cancer tumor is genetically different from another.
Personalized genomic cancer therapies in the future may involve genetic testing of a persons individual tumor when a biopsy is done, and identification of the particular genetic abnormalities in their own tumor. This would identify which specific targeted therapies would be effective for their particular cancer. This would prevent a patient from receiving and paying for a cancer therapy that would not be effective on their particular tumor and would allow the patient to receive the most effective treatment for their disease.
Chemoprevention: This could involve medications taken to prevent cancer in highly susceptible individuals. Currently some drugs like Tamoxifen are used to prevent recurrence in those with diagnosed breast cancer, but drugs could be developed to prevent cancer in those who have been identified to have abnormal genes that make them highly likely to develop the disease. I know a woman who's family had a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. All of her female family members had died of breast cancer, so she had both of her breasts removed to prevent the disease in her own body. Chemoprevention may allow someone like her to take a targeted medication to prevent the disease without such radical prevention.
I'm sorry this post is so long, but I learned so much about so many avenues being pursued in cancer research at the AACR meeting. It was amazing. I have one last post to add to my series about my AACR involvement, rest your eyes in the meantime!
Friday, April 25, 2008
This is why America rules: motorized carts
These past few days have been different kinds of weirdness. A couple days ago, I noticed that my whole torso was numb; it was a very odd sensation to be able touch my stomach with my hands, but there was no sensation whatever that registered on my stomach. In other words, under normal circumstances, your hand feels what it is touching, and whatever is being touched can sense being touched by the hand. Now, when I touch my stomach, my hand senses my stomach while my stomach senses nothing at all. It's as if I'm touching someone other than myself--a one-way touch. My stomach--nothing. In fact, if I closed my eyes and lay there naked and someone came over and touched me on my stomach, I would never be able to tell.
Additionally, I seemed to have developed lymphedema, which is a common condition that develops after a woman's lymph nodes are removed along the with breasts. I'm doing the best I can with the exercises they've told me to do, and I'm also going to a physio group on Monday for mastectomy patients. Hopefully, I can get this taken care of and that it doesn't remain a permanent condition.
But good news--I've been feeling slightly more mobile. Except for the trauma my body's experienced in the past 9 months, I'm feeling pretty good. So tomorrow, H, the kids, and I are off to Victoria for the book launch over there for Eating Stories. In case you don't remember, that's the book that was my last editing project before I started my cancer treatment. The weather calls for gorgeous sunshine and skies, and the kids love going on the ferry. So it should be a nice, relatively low-key break for me to get out of the house.
Henry and I always go to Wa-Mart to pick up stuff. I know, I know! Some of you think Wal-Mart's this evil gigantor monster that's out to suck the souls of humanity, but let's save that conversation for another time. I like Wal-Mart, and I wanted to go to Wal-Mart. But more important, I wanted something that I've dreamed of ever since Wal-Mart existed in my world: to ride their motorized carts, the ones for customers who "need a lift," as the little sign on the cart's basket says. Yes, I am finally one of those people! I rode a Wal-Mart cart--and IT WAS FUCKING AWESOME.
As soon as I hobbled into the store, I walked over to a group of ladies standing around doing nothing. This was the moment that Henry and I were talking about for the past hour--of whether or not I should get one of those motorized carts. I thought, "Yeah, I know. I mean, I really don't need a cart..." Henry: "Yes you do! If they give you any shit, just raise your shirt." Me: "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Sure, I'll give it a try." So I got all worked up on the way to Wal-Mart--getting pumped up to the moment when I could show my bodily disfigurement as proof that I needed a cart. Instead, when I asked for the cart, one of them immediately spoke up, "No problem. See you gals, I gotta get a cart for this young lady." The way she said it, it sounded like she was doing the most important job that she's qualified to do. She said as I did my hobbly-hunch, "Don't mind if I walked faster, do you? Get a head start?" "Go ahead," I said, and she sped-walk to the carts. Even though I caught up to her in about two seconds, she still hopped on the cart, drove 6 inches, and stopped it at my feet and said, "There you are! Ooh, the seat's still warm. I assume you know how to work this thing?" I said, "Uh, I never had one of these before." She said, "It's easy--just put your thumb on that button there and steer and go!" And I was off!
I have to say--this weird life goal of mine--to someday ride in Wal-Mart's motorized carts--falls in the category of "exceeds expectations." I totally want to pretend for the rest of my life that I'm somehow physically challenged and never have my shoes touch the ground beneath at Wal-Mart ever again.
And here is me with my old lady shuffle:
Additionally, I seemed to have developed lymphedema, which is a common condition that develops after a woman's lymph nodes are removed along the with breasts. I'm doing the best I can with the exercises they've told me to do, and I'm also going to a physio group on Monday for mastectomy patients. Hopefully, I can get this taken care of and that it doesn't remain a permanent condition.
But good news--I've been feeling slightly more mobile. Except for the trauma my body's experienced in the past 9 months, I'm feeling pretty good. So tomorrow, H, the kids, and I are off to Victoria for the book launch over there for Eating Stories. In case you don't remember, that's the book that was my last editing project before I started my cancer treatment. The weather calls for gorgeous sunshine and skies, and the kids love going on the ferry. So it should be a nice, relatively low-key break for me to get out of the house.
Henry and I always go to Wa-Mart to pick up stuff. I know, I know! Some of you think Wal-Mart's this evil gigantor monster that's out to suck the souls of humanity, but let's save that conversation for another time. I like Wal-Mart, and I wanted to go to Wal-Mart. But more important, I wanted something that I've dreamed of ever since Wal-Mart existed in my world: to ride their motorized carts, the ones for customers who "need a lift," as the little sign on the cart's basket says. Yes, I am finally one of those people! I rode a Wal-Mart cart--and IT WAS FUCKING AWESOME.
As soon as I hobbled into the store, I walked over to a group of ladies standing around doing nothing. This was the moment that Henry and I were talking about for the past hour--of whether or not I should get one of those motorized carts. I thought, "Yeah, I know. I mean, I really don't need a cart..." Henry: "Yes you do! If they give you any shit, just raise your shirt." Me: "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Sure, I'll give it a try." So I got all worked up on the way to Wal-Mart--getting pumped up to the moment when I could show my bodily disfigurement as proof that I needed a cart. Instead, when I asked for the cart, one of them immediately spoke up, "No problem. See you gals, I gotta get a cart for this young lady." The way she said it, it sounded like she was doing the most important job that she's qualified to do. She said as I did my hobbly-hunch, "Don't mind if I walked faster, do you? Get a head start?" "Go ahead," I said, and she sped-walk to the carts. Even though I caught up to her in about two seconds, she still hopped on the cart, drove 6 inches, and stopped it at my feet and said, "There you are! Ooh, the seat's still warm. I assume you know how to work this thing?" I said, "Uh, I never had one of these before." She said, "It's easy--just put your thumb on that button there and steer and go!" And I was off!
I have to say--this weird life goal of mine--to someday ride in Wal-Mart's motorized carts--falls in the category of "exceeds expectations." I totally want to pretend for the rest of my life that I'm somehow physically challenged and never have my shoes touch the ground beneath at Wal-Mart ever again.
And here is me with my old lady shuffle:
what we did in london (part 2)
Tuesday, April 15th
My friend K. flew all the way from Holland to be with us! We were college room-mates almost twenty-four years ago and became close friends within minutes of meeting (I have very fond memories of being silly together and confiding in each other. She also went to great lengths to help me get over a broken heart. Our adventures included her taking me out on a sail boat so I could scream far away from human ears and to Vancouver, where we stayed at a seedy hotel and pretended we were all grown up).
We'd met up only three times since she graduated. She came to my home town for a few days that first summer and back to visit a couple of years later. Then we lost touch until 2005, when she came to Montreal for a conference and I took the train to meet her for dinner out and a pajama party. Every time we've re-connected, we've picked up the thread of our friendship as though it had never been dropped.
K. is a doctor now, with two beautiful daughters and a spouse who sounds like a great guy. We had a fantastic time together, talking, laughing and playing tourists in London.
That Tuesday morning, S. and I met K. at her hotel, which was just around the corner from ours. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to walk through Kensington Gardens towards Buckingham Palace, stopping for lunch on the way. We hung for a while outside the palace, went into the palace shop to get some souvenir baubles and then toured the Royal Mews. I have to admit that I would have skipped the mews if it weren't for K.'s suggestion that we go. And it really was fun. We saw the queen's horses,
and carriages (the most impressive of which was the one last used for the coronation in 1953).
I am not a monarchist but I was fascinated by the palace and its trappings. It's hard to imagine that these things and all that staff (most of whom actually live in flats on the palace grounds or in the mews themselves) actually belong to real people. How bizarre.
Once we were done with the palace, we crossed the street to buy a teapot. I know this is very cliche of me but this will be my third from this particular London store (the previous two were broken. I bought the first when I first went to London in 2000 and the second was a chemo present I ordered through the mail) and that use a particular kind of filter for loose tea. The three of us decided that I should spurn the more tasteful teapot for it's more garish counterpart.
Teapot in hand, we made our way back to the hotel, where we had curry, dessert and wine, courtesy of Marks and Spencer.
More Storms
More storms here in TX, all these winds can pick up a house and move it away, I better type quickly before we lose power. Speaking of power I need to let the electric company and the people they subcontract with/to know that I am disabled (a respiratory patient) and need my power I need my dang Air Conditioning in the Summer (period).
Thursday, April 24, 2008
what we did in london (part 1)
I can't believe it but I am still jet-lagged. I have been in bed by nine every night this week and I could be sleeping the day away as well, if I'd let myself.
It was a really great week, though, and totally worth it. For those who've been asking, here is a more detailed account of how we spent our days:
Sunday, April 13th
We arrived in London early in the morning (but two hours later than scheduled) and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and walked the two minutes to our hotel.
Happily, we were able to check in early and our room was a pleasant surprise (other than the overwhelming smell of bleach). It was much bigger than I had expected, and bright, with windows that opened and laminate flooring instead of carpet.
We both crashed for a couple of hours (and I witnessed my son sleep-walking for the first time that I can remember) and then set out to meet my father-in-law who was in town on business. We had a late lunch and strolled from Regent's Park to Oxford Street where we went to Hamley's (truly the most marvelous toy store I have ever visited).
That night, we had Indian curry at a little hole in the wall that was a favourite haunt of Ghandi's when he was a law student. We got home on the tube (after a couple of false starts), despite the fact that we were both hysterical with exhaustion.
Monday, April 14th
We took the a double decker bus from Paddington to St. Paul's Cathedral (a lovely way to get a better sense of Central London).
We walked across the Thames to the waterfront (I couldn't convince S. to get on the London Eye) and toured the Movieum (movies are my son's latest obsession). At twenty pounds for both of us (I had to stop converting to Canadian dollars every time I paid for something. London is expensive), this place this place was a bit of a rip off. Some neat stuff from sets but far two many cardboard cut outs and movie posters.
S. loved it, though.
I thought the animation wing was the best thing, with a comic book illustrator at work in his studio, taking time out to give lessons to the kids who dropped by. We both thought that was pretty cool.
After the Movieum, we went to the movies. After watching the Rolling Stones do their thing (and directed by Martin Scorsese) on a giant screen, I now, finally understand their appeal.
After the credits rolled, we headed home (on the tube again, we didn't take a taxi once the whole week), after stopping to pick up dinner at Marks and Spencer Simply Food (we did this almost every night. S. loved it. We would walk into the store and I would say, "Pick yourself some dinner." We would each get what we wanted, with dessert for him and wine for me and take it back to the hotel to heat up and eat).
S. did some impressive air guitar back in our hotel that evening.
It was a really great week, though, and totally worth it. For those who've been asking, here is a more detailed account of how we spent our days:
Sunday, April 13th
We arrived in London early in the morning (but two hours later than scheduled) and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and walked the two minutes to our hotel.
Happily, we were able to check in early and our room was a pleasant surprise (other than the overwhelming smell of bleach). It was much bigger than I had expected, and bright, with windows that opened and laminate flooring instead of carpet.
We both crashed for a couple of hours (and I witnessed my son sleep-walking for the first time that I can remember) and then set out to meet my father-in-law who was in town on business. We had a late lunch and strolled from Regent's Park to Oxford Street where we went to Hamley's (truly the most marvelous toy store I have ever visited).
That night, we had Indian curry at a little hole in the wall that was a favourite haunt of Ghandi's when he was a law student. We got home on the tube (after a couple of false starts), despite the fact that we were both hysterical with exhaustion.
Monday, April 14th
We took the a double decker bus from Paddington to St. Paul's Cathedral (a lovely way to get a better sense of Central London).
We walked across the Thames to the waterfront (I couldn't convince S. to get on the London Eye) and toured the Movieum (movies are my son's latest obsession). At twenty pounds for both of us (I had to stop converting to Canadian dollars every time I paid for something. London is expensive), this place this place was a bit of a rip off. Some neat stuff from sets but far two many cardboard cut outs and movie posters.
S. loved it, though.
I thought the animation wing was the best thing, with a comic book illustrator at work in his studio, taking time out to give lessons to the kids who dropped by. We both thought that was pretty cool.
After the Movieum, we went to the movies. After watching the Rolling Stones do their thing (and directed by Martin Scorsese) on a giant screen, I now, finally understand their appeal.
After the credits rolled, we headed home (on the tube again, we didn't take a taxi once the whole week), after stopping to pick up dinner at Marks and Spencer Simply Food (we did this almost every night. S. loved it. We would walk into the store and I would say, "Pick yourself some dinner." We would each get what we wanted, with dessert for him and wine for me and take it back to the hotel to heat up and eat).
S. did some impressive air guitar back in our hotel that evening.
Bo Got listed offically
Bo is officially on the list now; thank you Duke.
I will be taking my last antibiotic tonight from the prescription I was released from the hospital with.
I will be taking my last antibiotic tonight from the prescription I was released from the hospital with.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
American Idol commentary
I don't know which of these is more disturbing: The fact that Annoying Dreadlock Man did not get voted off, or the interview with Clay Aiken. What's up with Clay's hair? And why was he dressed like a colorblind Mr. Rogers? Clay used to be my secret boyfriend. I might have to break up with him now.
Next week is Neil Diamond week. Can't wait.
Next week is Neil Diamond week. Can't wait.
phoning it in
I had an appointment with my oncologist today.
When we arrived at the cancer centre there was a line-up for the registration desk, which appeared to be staffed by someone who was new at the job (I actually muttered to the woman behind me,"It looks like they have the B team on today." Don't judge me. The cancer centre makes me cranky). I stood in line for twenty minutes, only to be informed that my oncologist was running an hour behind.
The waiting room was absolutely packed with grumpy people. At one point, I turned to T. and said, "I loathe this place. I don't just dislike it a little. I really and truly loathe it."
Then I saw my oncologist. It was a very strange appointment. I had no concerns about my health to discuss and neither did he. He told me that I look great. We chatted about our families. He also said that it's silly that I have to come into the cancer centre and wait around for him when we have nothing to talk about. He asked me if I wanted to start doing my appointments over the phone.
I jumped all over that offer.
I still need to go and see him in person every three months or so ("when it's convenient" or when I feel the need to see him). I will continue to have regular tests and scans and to have treatment once a month. But no more waiting for hours to see the oncologist, "just to say hello."
I love that man (and so does my spouse. I am so glad that he was there with me today because my oncologist is so reassuring. I think it might have freaked him out a little if I had come home today and announced, "I don't have to go and see Dr. G. in person any more!").
Dr. G. mentioned again today that cancer is a chronic illness ("like diabetes") that needs to be monitored, treated and managed over the long term. If we see any spots, we will deal with them. And when we need to, we will begin a more aggressive course of treatment.
He also said that there are so many new drugs to treat cancer now that he can barely keep track of them all. He also said that "it's a very exciting time."
This really does make me very hopeful. I am very glad to know that when the time comes to ramp things up again I will have so many options. And that a doctor who is smart, compassionate and really good at his job will be helping me to make treatment choices.
But until that time comes, I am very happy to just phone in my appointments.
When we arrived at the cancer centre there was a line-up for the registration desk, which appeared to be staffed by someone who was new at the job (I actually muttered to the woman behind me,"It looks like they have the B team on today." Don't judge me. The cancer centre makes me cranky). I stood in line for twenty minutes, only to be informed that my oncologist was running an hour behind.
The waiting room was absolutely packed with grumpy people. At one point, I turned to T. and said, "I loathe this place. I don't just dislike it a little. I really and truly loathe it."
Then I saw my oncologist. It was a very strange appointment. I had no concerns about my health to discuss and neither did he. He told me that I look great. We chatted about our families. He also said that it's silly that I have to come into the cancer centre and wait around for him when we have nothing to talk about. He asked me if I wanted to start doing my appointments over the phone.
I jumped all over that offer.
I still need to go and see him in person every three months or so ("when it's convenient" or when I feel the need to see him). I will continue to have regular tests and scans and to have treatment once a month. But no more waiting for hours to see the oncologist, "just to say hello."
I love that man (and so does my spouse. I am so glad that he was there with me today because my oncologist is so reassuring. I think it might have freaked him out a little if I had come home today and announced, "I don't have to go and see Dr. G. in person any more!").
Dr. G. mentioned again today that cancer is a chronic illness ("like diabetes") that needs to be monitored, treated and managed over the long term. If we see any spots, we will deal with them. And when we need to, we will begin a more aggressive course of treatment.
He also said that there are so many new drugs to treat cancer now that he can barely keep track of them all. He also said that "it's a very exciting time."
This really does make me very hopeful. I am very glad to know that when the time comes to ramp things up again I will have so many options. And that a doctor who is smart, compassionate and really good at his job will be helping me to make treatment choices.
But until that time comes, I am very happy to just phone in my appointments.
I have been Broken
Not much to report, I am pretty boring. I have two more day of oral antibiotics so I can clear my system of the crude that has taken up residence in my lungs (pneumonia).
The girls have won, they have beaten me down, I need help b/c the two year old she is the ring leader nothing goes down without her approval, (I know most of the major characters in high school musical, bow wow wusby, wonder pets... and have a whole Dora the Explorer CD memorized) Go Wonder Pets......
The girls have won, they have beaten me down, I need help b/c the two year old she is the ring leader nothing goes down without her approval, (I know most of the major characters in high school musical, bow wow wusby, wonder pets... and have a whole Dora the Explorer CD memorized) Go Wonder Pets......
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Japanese Bagpipes
Piper Robert competes at the 2007 Ligonier Highland Games in Pennsylvania.Several of my friends have asked about Piper's (aka brother Robert's) conspicuous absence from Cancer Banter. He's been busy at a six-week total immersion Piping College on Prince Edward Island. And (Highland drum roll, please) . . . he's getting married and planning a wedding at Casa Carrier.
I thought I'd coax him into commenting with a post about Japanese-Americans who are involved in the Scottish arts. You'll see that Robert's not the only Hapa in a skirt, er kilt.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: I visited the City of Hope "clip joint."
BPA- inceases the risk for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer
The Canadian Federal government has announced its intention to ban the import and sale of plastic baby bottles containing bisphenol A. Several studies have found that the chemical, also known as BPA, can leach into a bottle's contents, increasing the risk for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer, even at low doses. A ban on BPA would make Canada the first country in the world to take such measures.
Out, damned Spot!
Weeks ago, WCK asked to check out a library book called "Spot's Giant Treasury." It contained about a dozen stories about a dog named Spot:
Apparently, the Spot books are quite popular among preschoolers, despite the fact that they are low on action and plot. Some examples of Spot plots: Spot goes on a picnic. It rains. Spot comes home. Or: Spot goes to a fair with his grandparents. It is fun. They come home. Or: Spot's room gets messy. His mom tells him to clean it. He cleans it.
Every night before bed, WCK would insist that I read one Spot story, and then she'd ask Daddy to read one Spot story. WCK looooooved the Spot stories. Jay and I grew to hate them. Obsessively. Sometimes we'd lie in bed at night, complaining to each other about the Spot stories. Like, why is the mother dog bigger than the hippo? Why is Spot called Spot, but his friends get regular names, like Steve? Why are all of the animals "human" (they drive fire trucks, they play tubas, they go into the hospital for x-rays), except for Spot's grandparents' pet cat, who is just a regular cat?
"Why are Spot's parents always referred to by their first names instead of 'Mom' or 'Dad'?" Jay would always say. "I HATE THAT!"
I'm happy to say that the Spot book was returned to the library this morning. WCK seemed to understand that it needed to go back, and she hasn't complained. Jay and I can go back to our happy, pre-Spot lives, but I think the emotional scars will always be there.
Pluging along
- I feel like I am on the mend from the pneumonia, slight rejection, and new virus
- The many IV marks on my arms and hands are starting to fade so I don't look like a junkie anymore.
- The girls are wearing me out as my wife is out of town on business, I need my partner back so we can tag team them WWF old school style (Junk Yard Dog, and Rick Flair)
- Still trying to get in shape for the softball game, taking batting practice; my goal is to swing for the fence and walk the bases. SPEED KILLS
my baby is five
For my darling D., on his fifth birthday:You crawled into my bed this morning, and as you cuddled up with me, I lay there remembering the day you were born.
You came into the world in a real hurry (less than an hour of hard labour) and I remember your plump little body, your lusty cries and the pride on your father's face. When our midwife told us we had a little boy (a surprise, as you were uncooperative during the ultrasound), we knew right away that you would be our D. Your name is one I have loved since I was a little girl but the deal was sealed when S. declared it the perfect choice for his little brother.
We had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days (your little lungs experienced a bit of shock at the rapidity with which you came into the world). I remember how much I missed your big brother (this was during the height of the SARS crisis and only Papa was allowed to visit) but I treasured those first days alone with my new baby.
We had a fabulous maternity leave together (and I lost 48 pounds between your nursing and all the walking I did with you in the stroller). You were, from your first days, the social, engaged, loving, headstrong, mercurial child that you are today.
You are smart, funny, enormously charismatic, and full of wonderful insight into the world around you. It is a privilege to be your mother.
And to quote your own words back at you, "I love you as much as all the days."
More.
Cross-posted to Mommybloggers.
And the Boobee goes to...
me. Of course!
Henry, bless his heart, went out and bought me a trophy. Okay, I asked him to go out and buy me a trophy, but I didn't know he'd actually do it!
The award ceremony was thus: Chloe and Mylo running through the door, shouting, "Mama! Mama! You got a trophy!" I accepted the trophy as I was sitting in the recliner watching Dancing with the Stars. I felt like a champ.
So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me--those who played Scrabulous and Scramble on Facebook with me, those who have brought flowers, food and trashy magazines, those who have laughed and cried with me, those who appreciate that I'm still raunchy (though I'd like to call it "spunky"), especially most of all and forever, my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, and pillows.
THANK YOU!!!
Henry, bless his heart, went out and bought me a trophy. Okay, I asked him to go out and buy me a trophy, but I didn't know he'd actually do it!
The award ceremony was thus: Chloe and Mylo running through the door, shouting, "Mama! Mama! You got a trophy!" I accepted the trophy as I was sitting in the recliner watching Dancing with the Stars. I felt like a champ.
So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me--those who played Scrabulous and Scramble on Facebook with me, those who have brought flowers, food and trashy magazines, those who have laughed and cried with me, those who appreciate that I'm still raunchy (though I'd like to call it "spunky"), especially most of all and forever, my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, and pillows.
THANK YOU!!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
AACR Annual Meeting #5: What I learned about cancer
I learned so much about cancer at the AACR annual meeting. I attended many lectures by many scientists. These are some of the things I learned about cancer:
1. Some say that cancer is genetic, that the genes you are born with determine if you will one day get cancer. The truth is that the number of cancers inherited from parents is very small, though some of us inherit especially effective genes for preventing or suppressing cancer (the people who smoke forever and never get cancer). Usually cancer results from genes that become abnormal or mutated as we age, often in response to environmental factors like cigarette smoke or exposure to carcinogens in our environment. Usually cancer results from a combination of many genetic mutations, not a single mutation.
2. Cancerous mutations occur over a long period of time. Normally cancerous changes take at least 10-30 years to develop, one scientist said they may take even 30-50 years. Because of this, most cancers occur in older people. This is why cancers that occur before the age of 45, like mine, are suspected to have an inherited genetic component. With the aging of the baby boomers, the number of cancer cases in the US will increase by 30-50% as we approach the year 2020. One in three in the US will one day receive a cancer diagnosis.
3. Normally when a mutation causes cells to become abnormal, the cell has genes that automatically repair the abnormality or the cell is genetically programmed to commit suicide (apoptosis)to prevent the abnormality from being passed on. Tumor suppressor genes we normally have regulate this protection from cancer. In cancer some of these tumor suppressor genes are themselves mutated.
4. Normally cells are programmed to stop reproducing when there are sufficient numbers for the body's needs or when they come into contact with other cells. For instance, if you scrape your skin new cells grow to replace the damaged skin, but once there are enough cells to replace the damaged skin, cells have a mechanism to signal them to stop growing. Cancerous cells have lost the mechanism that signals them to stop growing, therefore they continue to grow into masses, or tumors.
5. Normally cells only grow in their own environment and cells of one organ do not travel to other organs, and if they do, they automatically die when they are in the "wrong place". Cancer cells have learned several methods of travel that allow them to go to other places in the body, and when they reach a new destination, their abnormal growth is unstoppable. The name for this is metastasis. Metastatic tumors are usually genetically different from the primary tumor they originated from. 90% of deaths from cancer are caused by metastasis.
6. If you remember in the news, the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. It took 13 years, but new technology allowed the identification of the 20,000-25,000 genes in the human DNA and the identification of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA. This identification of the normal human DNA has allowed researchers to identify genes that are abnormal and that can cause cancer. A project is now in place, the Cancer Genome Project, to identify the abnormalities in the genes of cancerous tumors.
7. One gene discovered, P53, creates a protein that regulates cell division and prevents tumor formation, it also signals a cell to repair abnormal DNA. P53 has been nicknamed the "guardian" of normal cell genes. In one inherited genetic syndrome in which P53 is abnormal, cancer is usually diagnosed at a young age and the person is often diagnosed with multiple different kinds of cancer in a lifetime. I've met one woman my age who has been diagnosed with 5 different kinds of cancer in her lifetime, her first cancer diagnosis was breast cancer at age 13. I wonder if she may have had that syndrome. The P53 gene is mutated or damaged in 50-55% of people diagnosed with cancer.
8. Cancer cells are able to continue to grow into tumors and to metastasize because they are able to produce a substance that causes new blood vessels to form (angiogenisis) to supply blood, therefore food and oxygen, to the tumors. Normally this process doesn't occur in humans except prior to birth when the circulatory system is developing, in the lining of the uterus during menstruation, or during repair of injured tissues.
9. One lecture I attended attributed 30% of cancers to cigarette smoking, not just lung cancer, but also cancers of the mouth, throat and bladder. Cigarette smoking is also related to the incidence of colon, kidney and pancreatic cancers.
10. Twenty percent of cancers are related to obesity, especially in post menopausal women. This is associated with the fact that fat cells produce estrogen. Estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are 50 to 100 percent higher among women who are overweight than in women who are of normal weight. It is also thought that a higher production of insulin or insulin-related growth factors may play a part in promoting cancer in those who are overweight. There is more information here: National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet: Obesity and Cancer.
12. Metabolic syndrome is now seen as a cancer risk factor.
13. Poor diet is responsible for 25% of cancer cases. In one study, colon cancer patients on a Western diet had 3 1/2 times higher cancer recurrence after treatment than those on an Asian diet. While not yet identified, it is believed that there are chemical agents in fruits and vegetables that protect against cancer.
14.Some infectious diseases are also associated with a cancer risk; for example HPV and cervical cancer and H. pylori and gastric cancer. Over-exposure to sunlight is related to skin cancer.
Everything I learned helped me to understand that cancer is not a simple disease. Cancer actually comprises a set of 200 different diseases. Each type cancer is different, there is no easy one-size-fits-all solution. Cancer cells have evolved from a combination of many alterations in a normal cell over a long period of time, and cancer cells have found many ways to overcome and survive the body's normal defense mechanisms. Cancer is a vicious enemy.
I know this was a long post, so I will divide up posts. My next post will be about advances made in cancer treatment and what is new on the horizon.
1. Some say that cancer is genetic, that the genes you are born with determine if you will one day get cancer. The truth is that the number of cancers inherited from parents is very small, though some of us inherit especially effective genes for preventing or suppressing cancer (the people who smoke forever and never get cancer). Usually cancer results from genes that become abnormal or mutated as we age, often in response to environmental factors like cigarette smoke or exposure to carcinogens in our environment. Usually cancer results from a combination of many genetic mutations, not a single mutation.
2. Cancerous mutations occur over a long period of time. Normally cancerous changes take at least 10-30 years to develop, one scientist said they may take even 30-50 years. Because of this, most cancers occur in older people. This is why cancers that occur before the age of 45, like mine, are suspected to have an inherited genetic component. With the aging of the baby boomers, the number of cancer cases in the US will increase by 30-50% as we approach the year 2020. One in three in the US will one day receive a cancer diagnosis.
3. Normally when a mutation causes cells to become abnormal, the cell has genes that automatically repair the abnormality or the cell is genetically programmed to commit suicide (apoptosis)to prevent the abnormality from being passed on. Tumor suppressor genes we normally have regulate this protection from cancer. In cancer some of these tumor suppressor genes are themselves mutated.
4. Normally cells are programmed to stop reproducing when there are sufficient numbers for the body's needs or when they come into contact with other cells. For instance, if you scrape your skin new cells grow to replace the damaged skin, but once there are enough cells to replace the damaged skin, cells have a mechanism to signal them to stop growing. Cancerous cells have lost the mechanism that signals them to stop growing, therefore they continue to grow into masses, or tumors.
5. Normally cells only grow in their own environment and cells of one organ do not travel to other organs, and if they do, they automatically die when they are in the "wrong place". Cancer cells have learned several methods of travel that allow them to go to other places in the body, and when they reach a new destination, their abnormal growth is unstoppable. The name for this is metastasis. Metastatic tumors are usually genetically different from the primary tumor they originated from. 90% of deaths from cancer are caused by metastasis.
6. If you remember in the news, the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. It took 13 years, but new technology allowed the identification of the 20,000-25,000 genes in the human DNA and the identification of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA. This identification of the normal human DNA has allowed researchers to identify genes that are abnormal and that can cause cancer. A project is now in place, the Cancer Genome Project, to identify the abnormalities in the genes of cancerous tumors.
7. One gene discovered, P53, creates a protein that regulates cell division and prevents tumor formation, it also signals a cell to repair abnormal DNA. P53 has been nicknamed the "guardian" of normal cell genes. In one inherited genetic syndrome in which P53 is abnormal, cancer is usually diagnosed at a young age and the person is often diagnosed with multiple different kinds of cancer in a lifetime. I've met one woman my age who has been diagnosed with 5 different kinds of cancer in her lifetime, her first cancer diagnosis was breast cancer at age 13. I wonder if she may have had that syndrome. The P53 gene is mutated or damaged in 50-55% of people diagnosed with cancer.
8. Cancer cells are able to continue to grow into tumors and to metastasize because they are able to produce a substance that causes new blood vessels to form (angiogenisis) to supply blood, therefore food and oxygen, to the tumors. Normally this process doesn't occur in humans except prior to birth when the circulatory system is developing, in the lining of the uterus during menstruation, or during repair of injured tissues.
9. One lecture I attended attributed 30% of cancers to cigarette smoking, not just lung cancer, but also cancers of the mouth, throat and bladder. Cigarette smoking is also related to the incidence of colon, kidney and pancreatic cancers.
10. Twenty percent of cancers are related to obesity, especially in post menopausal women. This is associated with the fact that fat cells produce estrogen. Estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are 50 to 100 percent higher among women who are overweight than in women who are of normal weight. It is also thought that a higher production of insulin or insulin-related growth factors may play a part in promoting cancer in those who are overweight. There is more information here: National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet: Obesity and Cancer.
12. Metabolic syndrome is now seen as a cancer risk factor.
13. Poor diet is responsible for 25% of cancer cases. In one study, colon cancer patients on a Western diet had 3 1/2 times higher cancer recurrence after treatment than those on an Asian diet. While not yet identified, it is believed that there are chemical agents in fruits and vegetables that protect against cancer.
14.Some infectious diseases are also associated with a cancer risk; for example HPV and cervical cancer and H. pylori and gastric cancer. Over-exposure to sunlight is related to skin cancer.
Everything I learned helped me to understand that cancer is not a simple disease. Cancer actually comprises a set of 200 different diseases. Each type cancer is different, there is no easy one-size-fits-all solution. Cancer cells have evolved from a combination of many alterations in a normal cell over a long period of time, and cancer cells have found many ways to overcome and survive the body's normal defense mechanisms. Cancer is a vicious enemy.
I know this was a long post, so I will divide up posts. My next post will be about advances made in cancer treatment and what is new on the horizon.
Triple Play
1. Just 'Cause I'm Morbid Doesn't Mean I'm Sick
I've heard from a few people, worried about me because I haven't blogged lately and because I talk about my demise in a recent post. I'm fine. I have a routine oncology appointment May 2, and will report on that. I'm going to be a keynote presenter at a conference in Iowa City on Friday. I went to step aerobics tonight and was my usual clumsy self, but didn't fall. One time I fell backwards when I was sitting down and using one of those colored elastic stretcher things. They're dangerous.
2. What Price Friendship
In case anyone wondered, I've figured it out. It's the difference between the cost of a house in Wrigleyville and one in Andersonville (2 miles north). We have been looking at condos and houses because L and I are going to live together full time, after four years of marriage. He still has his house in Gary, though he stays in my condo most of the time. My condo is big but there's no room for his furniture there, or for an office for him. We're planning to sell his house and find a place where we can both have offices, as well as a guest room. A few weeks ago we paid earnest money on a brick farmhouse around the corner. It's very close to B and S; some time ago S and I vowed to stay in the neighborhood. They live down the alley from us now. We found out today that it would cost, roughly, half the selling price to rehab the place properly. So we threw in the towel. We have to have vintage (or else I'll be depressed) and we have to have outdoor space for L. There's tons of vintage north of us, but I promised S. And so we keep looking. My parents chose their neighbors when we moved into a new house in the 1960s. The three families bought the land together and drew straws to see who would be in the middle. We were, with the W---s on one side, and the S---s on the other. The families are still friends.
L and I realize that in most of the world, my condo would house 30 people. I said this to my visiting friend D, and he said: I'm glad you said it because I don't like to criticize my friends. Later he sent me an email in French that said, Property is theft.
3. 85 Years
This year again I didn't go to the homeland (Texas) for Passover. Sunday was my mother-in-law's 85th birthday so we sojourned with her in Litchfield, IL, tripling the Jewish population there for two days. L's kids came from Indianapolis: daughter, son and his wife and stepdaughter. They're all Christian. I led a short seder Saturday night for us. A friend of L's mother's came, too. I used the 1923 Union (Reform) haggadahs on hand, published the same year that L's mother was born. It didn't mention the 10 plagues. I think this is because the plagues seemed too magical to the logical Reform rabbis who felt the need oh-so-strongly back then to differentiate themselves from the superstitious Orthodox. At the seder on Saturday L asked the group: [Cancer Bitch], my mother and I are the least religious people here. Why do you think we wanted to have the seder? Our stepgranddaughter, aged 7, said: Because you're Jew-iss? L said he likes Passover because of the focus on liberation, and the way that you can make analogies with other freedom struggles. I said I like that aspect and also I like to think that people for thousands of years were observing the holiday just like we are. More or less. I'd pointed out that the haggadah was male-centric and had been published only three years after women got the vote. We had our granddaughter open the door for Elijah and look for the afikomen. If I had it to do over, I would have used a simple haggadah written for children, without verbs that end in "eth" and without so much God. In Houston I use an amalgam of texts. Sometimes we just go with the The Telling haggadah, which is egalitarian and progressive and quotes Emma Goldman. How many haggadahs can say that?
I've heard from a few people, worried about me because I haven't blogged lately and because I talk about my demise in a recent post. I'm fine. I have a routine oncology appointment May 2, and will report on that. I'm going to be a keynote presenter at a conference in Iowa City on Friday. I went to step aerobics tonight and was my usual clumsy self, but didn't fall. One time I fell backwards when I was sitting down and using one of those colored elastic stretcher things. They're dangerous.
2. What Price Friendship
In case anyone wondered, I've figured it out. It's the difference between the cost of a house in Wrigleyville and one in Andersonville (2 miles north). We have been looking at condos and houses because L and I are going to live together full time, after four years of marriage. He still has his house in Gary, though he stays in my condo most of the time. My condo is big but there's no room for his furniture there, or for an office for him. We're planning to sell his house and find a place where we can both have offices, as well as a guest room. A few weeks ago we paid earnest money on a brick farmhouse around the corner. It's very close to B and S; some time ago S and I vowed to stay in the neighborhood. They live down the alley from us now. We found out today that it would cost, roughly, half the selling price to rehab the place properly. So we threw in the towel. We have to have vintage (or else I'll be depressed) and we have to have outdoor space for L. There's tons of vintage north of us, but I promised S. And so we keep looking. My parents chose their neighbors when we moved into a new house in the 1960s. The three families bought the land together and drew straws to see who would be in the middle. We were, with the W---s on one side, and the S---s on the other. The families are still friends.
L and I realize that in most of the world, my condo would house 30 people. I said this to my visiting friend D, and he said: I'm glad you said it because I don't like to criticize my friends. Later he sent me an email in French that said, Property is theft.
3. 85 Years
This year again I didn't go to the homeland (Texas) for Passover. Sunday was my mother-in-law's 85th birthday so we sojourned with her in Litchfield, IL, tripling the Jewish population there for two days. L's kids came from Indianapolis: daughter, son and his wife and stepdaughter. They're all Christian. I led a short seder Saturday night for us. A friend of L's mother's came, too. I used the 1923 Union (Reform) haggadahs on hand, published the same year that L's mother was born. It didn't mention the 10 plagues. I think this is because the plagues seemed too magical to the logical Reform rabbis who felt the need oh-so-strongly back then to differentiate themselves from the superstitious Orthodox. At the seder on Saturday L asked the group: [Cancer Bitch], my mother and I are the least religious people here. Why do you think we wanted to have the seder? Our stepgranddaughter, aged 7, said: Because you're Jew-iss? L said he likes Passover because of the focus on liberation, and the way that you can make analogies with other freedom struggles. I said I like that aspect and also I like to think that people for thousands of years were observing the holiday just like we are. More or less. I'd pointed out that the haggadah was male-centric and had been published only three years after women got the vote. We had our granddaughter open the door for Elijah and look for the afikomen. If I had it to do over, I would have used a simple haggadah written for children, without verbs that end in "eth" and without so much God. In Houston I use an amalgam of texts. Sometimes we just go with the The Telling haggadah, which is egalitarian and progressive and quotes Emma Goldman. How many haggadahs can say that?
elated, enamoured, educated, exhausted.
We had a wonderful time. And did lots. And saw friends (and Grandpa).
And I have never been prouder of my beautiful, smart, adventurous, loving son.
I'll write more when I am more coherent (I am still recovering from jet-lag).
This photo was taken at the Tower of London. More are up Flickr (taken from Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16) with others to follow when I am back to life.
I am so very glad we took this trip. It was made possible by people who love us and as a conscious decision to make some very good memories.
I was a bit anxious about going but the trip, my son, my friends and family and the people of London, all exceeded my expectations.
Did I mention that we had a wonderful time?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Fit for Life
I discovered another "side benefit" of cancer today.
The Pasadena Wellness Community, whose mission is "to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being," offers an amazing slate of fitness classes, including Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, Pilates and strength training. These are all FREE for cancer patients and survivors.
Today I attended a class in Qi Gong (pronounced "chee kung"), an ancient Chinese discipline of breathing and movement. I was afraid that once my hair grew back, I could kiss those free classes goodbye, but that's not the case. One woman in my class completed treatment for breast cancer 16 years ago, and another was diagnosed a dozen years ago.
The Wellness Community is helping cancer survivors become thrivers for the rest of their lives. And, if they have their way, that will be a very, very long time.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: I pole danced at Helford Hospital.
The Pasadena Wellness Community, whose mission is "to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being," offers an amazing slate of fitness classes, including Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, Pilates and strength training. These are all FREE for cancer patients and survivors.
Today I attended a class in Qi Gong (pronounced "chee kung"), an ancient Chinese discipline of breathing and movement. I was afraid that once my hair grew back, I could kiss those free classes goodbye, but that's not the case. One woman in my class completed treatment for breast cancer 16 years ago, and another was diagnosed a dozen years ago.
The Wellness Community is helping cancer survivors become thrivers for the rest of their lives. And, if they have their way, that will be a very, very long time.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: I pole danced at Helford Hospital.
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