Tittyology

PLEASE READ THIS...

I am reposting this link to the Wired magazine article from my post the other day.

I encourage you to read it and pass it on...you can also just pass on the link to this post.

You could save your own life or that of someone you love.

Here's the article link:

With cancer, catching it early is key.

In fact, there's a great article in Wired magazine this month about just that - the fact that catching it early is key.

The article is called "The Truth About Cancer" - I was blown away. Bravo to Thomas Goetz on a well-written, necessary piece of information...and bravo to Wired for having the balls to put this out there.

The cancer survival rate if it's caught early is 90%. If later, that number drops to 10%.

I've known this truth about cancer from my own experience.

This disease strikes such fear because people don't fully understand the nature of the beast.

Yes, it's scary as hell to hear the words, "It was cancer."

Part of the reason cancer is so scary for so many is that it's not caught until it's darn near too late.

Is Cancer Back?

I haven't posted here in a while.

The truth is...I had let all the blogs lapse. I've been rethinking everything I'm doing. (I still wrestle with only doing what I love to do, and I'm still learning to rely on feeling instead of my thinking for that.) In "letting go" of things and activities, I then feel free to take back only what I truly love doing with all my heart...and that's one of the many lessons I learned from cancer.

My mom's acupuncurist put it this way...so wise. She said that the Chinese have a saying, "Think with your heart, not with your head."

I keep owning that at a deeper and deeper level. After all, any of us who have had this disease, know that life is fragile, that time can be limited...life is meant to be lived, enjoyed and experienced.

I'm currently in Bahrain (an island right off of Saudi Arabia). I got very sick shortly after arriving...and of course, the thought crossed my mind - more than once - that the cancer was back.

Here's what happened...and some reminders about early detection. Early detection is key! Please read down the page to the Wired article...you'll be glad you did. (This post is from another blog of mine called, Soul First Living at www.soulfirstliving.com.)

Back (and no longer sick) from Bahrain

I'm back to reporting from Bahrain...and there's lots to report.

(That's my "new" hair. I got a little wild with the hair color and needed a fix. I also got a FAB cut...thanks for all to Natalie!)

Here's what happened... I have been out and about in Bahrain and seen some cool stuff, but a couple of days after I arrived, I got alarmigly sick. I didn't feel particularly bad - and it had nothing to do with the water or anything I may have caught here.

Since cancer - and any time I hit that "fear and death place" again - I pull back and really take a good look. I ask myself, "Am I LOVING what I'm doing?"

Then, I let go. I let go of any feeling of "wanting", any feelings of "pushing". I just sit back and enjoy life - taking that feeling of "just being" to an even deeper place.

I get reminded again that we only have a certain amount of time here on the planet. I remember that none of us has to "do" anything to be "worthy". We were created in perfection, and that there's nothing we have to "earn"...That our mere presence is enough...and I feel free all over again.

Here's are the details about what happened with my health...

(Anyone who's easily grossed out, skip down to "continue reading".)

Thursday evening after I arrived, I began bleeding profusely from places I shouldn't be bleeding. I'm not one to get overly alarmed...but I'll admit that I started thinking the cancer was back. The bleeding continued all night.

I finally went to sleep about 6 am. (I could have gone to the doctor...but I'm always one to wait - not always wise.)

By noon Friday, it had stopped. (Friday here is like our Sunday - and even the American facility was closed.) I could have gone to the Bahrain emergency room, but at this point, there was no bleeding and probably no emergency.

I drank a ton of water in an attempt to flush out my system - which apparently worked. When I went to the doctor on Sunday, they found no evidence of bacteria. The doctor felt fairly certain that it was a bladder infection even without the evidence of bacteria as my back and abdomen were sore. So he gave some meds.

(In case you were wondering, Sunday is like Monday here.)

I rested and felt much better. The aching and soreness in my back went away.

Continue reading  : )  - squeamish part over

I will still go get checked when I return to the states. I'm certain it was a bladder infection. The medication worked, but it doesn't hurt to be careful, especially since there was no bacteria present at the time of testing...and I have, in fact, had cancer before.

I feel confident because I had some follow-up testing done a few months ago which showed no tumors on the ovaries or uteras...other than fibroids which are benign.

Just FYI in case you didn't know --- cancers like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer are related. Having one or any of these in yourself or in your family presents a higher risk of the others.

It doesn't mean you should walk around in fear. However, it does present an opportunity to stay on top of things which I plan to do because...

With cancer, catching it early is key.

In fact, there's a great article in Wired magazine this month about just that - the fact that catching it early is key.

The article is called "The Truth About Cancer" - I was blown away. Bravo to Thomas Goetz on a well-written, necessary piece of information...and bravo to Wired for having the balls to put this out there.

The cancer survival rate if it's caught early is 90%. If later, that number drops to 10%.

I've known this truth about cancer from my own experience.

This disease strikes such fear because people don't fully understand the nature of the beast.

Yes, it's scary as hell to hear the words, "It was cancer."

Part of the reason cancer is so scary for so many is that it's not caught until it's darn near too late.

When I went in for my first biopsy, I was terrified - and rightly so. I had three aunts who died around my age from the same disease.

When the nurse told me that I was in good shape, that even if it turned out to be cancer, I would be okay...I questioned her about why she thought this was so. After all, my family history said different. I had read about how dangerous breast cancer is in younger women and how it's a harder fight the younger you are when you get it, and I'd seen this to be true with my aunts and friends.

All I knew who had gotten disease young had died.

I wanted to believe this nurse...but why - if what she was saying were true, then why did so many young women die of the disease? I wanted to know why it was so lethal for younger women.

I'll never forget her answer.

She said, "Because nobody's looking for it."

In other words, the cancer's lethal because it's not getting caught early.

That news should have thrilled me to hear.

After all, she's not saying that it's because one cancer is worse than another or because one person's system is stronger than another...although these can definitely play a role in the recovery of health.

She was saying that the primary indicator of success in treating the disease was whether or not it was caught early.

In my later "run in" with the disease, I would run into the politics of "early detection"...you can read more about my experience in referral hell here and here at "Breast vs. Board of Insurance".

Here's a brief insight on early detection.

When the powers that be talk of early detection with breast cancer, early detection means 40 and over. The MRI, while not entirely accurate, is ideal for detection in younger women when used with a mammo because of the dense nature of the breast tissue when women are younger. However, it isn't - and won't be - used as a regular detection tool because it's too expensive. (They say it's because it's because the MRI gives too many false positives, but I've been told it's because it's too expensive.)

Just look at my story...I had a family history of breast cancer. There were already suspicious findings, and I was told "no" on the MRI recommended by my doctors. (If you read the links above, you'll see that they eventually agreed to pay.)

The news sensationalizes cancer and the media pushes for research money for a cure...but the truth is, there's already technology available to catch it early - but no one wants to pay for the tests. Rather the tests don't get recommended because of costs.

Doesn't it make sense to stop it BEFORE it gets started?

The GOOD NEWS is...when it's caught early , it is highly - and much more easily - treated.

Lives are being lost because "nobody's looking".

A last note...

I owe a "thanks" to the Wired article for reiterating for me the nature of the disease.

The article was perfect timing and reminded me that cancer is easily beatable if caught early. A gentleman in the article, Don Listwin, lost his mother to cancer and started an amazing foundation dedicated to early detection...and to making certain that these tools are affordable. (Go, Mr Listwin!!!  And may God bless you and your work!)

His mother had had breast cancer years earlier. She was having problems and went to her doctor who twice diagnosed her with a bladder infection.

By the time they diagnosed the real cause of her problems - stage IV ovarian cancer - it was too late.

I will be going in when I get home to make sure that the bladder infection really was a bladder infection.

Thanks to Wired and to Mr. Listwin for the reminder!

The truth is...either way, I know that all is good, and that everything happens for a reason. I now know that under every seeming adversity lies an even greater asset. I know that everything - even cancer - goes to my greater good.

P.S. If anyone knows Mr. Listwin or his work, I'd love to connect with him. I think what he is doing is absolutely brilliant, and I'd love to help in any way I can. Besides my personal experience, I also have training that might be useful in his endeavors.

I'm back to reporting from Bahrain...and there's lots to report.

(That's my "new" hair. I got a little wild with the hair color and needed a fix. I also got a FAB cut...thanks for all to Natalie!)

Here's what happened... I have been out and about in Bahrain and seen some cool stuff, but a couple of days after I arrived, I got alarmigly sick. I didn't feel particularly bad - and it had nothing to do with the water or anything I may have caught here.

Since cancer - and any time I hit that "fear and death place" again - I pull back and really take a good look. I ask myself, "Am I LOVING what I'm doing?"

Then, I let go. I let go of any feeling of "wanting", any feelings of "pushing". I just sit back and enjoy life - taking that feeling of "just being" to an even deeper place.

I get reminded again that we only have a certain amount of time here on the planet. I remember that none of us has to "do" anything to be "worthy". We were created in perfection, and that there's nothing we have to "earn"...That our mere presence is enough...and I feel free all over again.

Here's are the details about what happened with my health...

(Anyone who's easily grossed out, skip down to "continue reading".)

Thursday evening after I arrived, I began bleeding profusely from places I shouldn't be bleeding. I'm not one to get overly alarmed...but I'll admit that I started thinking the cancer was back. The bleeding continued all night.

I finally went to sleep about 6 am. (I could have gone to the doctor...but I'm always one to wait - not always wise.)

By noon Friday, it had stopped. (Friday here is like our Sunday - and even the American facility was closed.) I could have gone to the Bahrain emergency room, but at this point, there was no bleeding and probably no emergency.

I drank a ton of water in an attempt to flush out my system - which apparently worked. When I went to the doctor on Sunday, they found no evidence of bacteria. The doctor felt fairly certain that it was a bladder infection even without the evidence of bacteria as my back and abdomen were sore. So he gave some meds.

(In case you were wondering, Sunday is like Monday here.)

I rested and felt much better. The aching and soreness in my back went away.

Continue reading  : )  - squeamish part over

I will still go get checked when I return to the states. I'm certain it was a bladder infection. The medication worked, but it doesn't hurt to be careful, especially since there was no bacteria present at the time of testing...and I have, in fact, had cancer before.

I feel confident because I had some follow-up testing done a few months ago which showed no tumors on the ovaries or uteras...other than fibroids which are benign.

Just FYI in case you didn't know --- cancers like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer are related. Having one or any of these in yourself or in your family presents a higher risk of the others.

It doesn't mean you should walk around in fear. However, it does present an opportunity to stay on top of things which I plan to do because...

With cancer, catching it early is key.

In fact, there's a great article in Wired magazine this month about just that - the fact that catching it early is key.

The article is called "The Truth About Cancer" - I was blown away. Bravo to Thomas Goetz on a well-written, necessary piece of information...and bravo to Wired for having the balls to put this out there.

The cancer survival rate if it's caught early is 90%. If later, that number drops to 10%.

I've known this truth about cancer from my own experience.

This disease strikes such fear because people don't fully understand the nature of the beast.

Yes, it's scary as hell to hear the words, "It was cancer."

Part of the reason cancer is so scary for so many is that it's not caught until it's darn near too late.

When I went in for my first biopsy, I was terrified - and rightly so. I had three aunts who died around my age from the same disease.

When the nurse told me that I was in good shape, that even if it turned out to be cancer, I would be okay...I questioned her about why she thought this was so. After all, my family history said different. I had read about how dangerous breast cancer is in younger women and how it's a harder fight the younger you are when you get it, and I'd seen this to be true with my aunts and friends.

All I knew who had gotten disease young had died.

I wanted to believe this nurse...but why - if what she was saying were true, then why did so many young women die of the disease? I wanted to know why it was so lethal for younger women.

I'll never forget her answer.

She said, "Because nobody's looking for it."

In other words, the cancer's lethal because it's not getting caught early.

That news should have thrilled me to hear.

After all, she's not saying that it's because one cancer is worse than another or because one person's system is stronger than another...although these can definitely play a role in the recovery of health.

She was saying that the primary indicator of success in treating the disease was whether or not it was caught early.

In my later "run in" with the disease, I would run into the politics of "early detection"...you can read more about my experience in referral hell here and here at "Breast vs. Board of Insurance".

Here's a brief insight on early detection.

When the powers that be talk of early detection with breast cancer, early detection means 40 and over. The MRI, while not entirely accurate, is ideal for detection in younger women when used with a mammo because of the dense nature of the breast tissue when women are younger. However, it isn't - and won't be - used as a regular detection tool because it's too expensive. (They say it's because it's because the MRI gives too many false positives, but I've been told it's because it's too expensive.)

Just look at my story...I had a family history of breast cancer. There were already suspicious findings, and I was told "no" on the MRI recommended by my doctors. (If you read the links above, you'll see that they eventually agreed to pay.)

The news sensationalizes cancer and the media pushes for research money for a cure...but the truth is, there's already technology available to catch it early - but no one wants to pay for the tests. Rather the tests don't get recommended because of costs.

Doesn't it make sense to stop it BEFORE it gets started?

The GOOD NEWS is...when it's caught early , it is highly - and much more easily - treated.

Lives are being lost because "nobody's looking".

A last note...

I owe a "thanks" to the Wired article for reiterating for me the nature of the disease.

The article was perfect timing and reminded me that cancer is easily beatable if caught early. A gentleman in the article, Don Listwin, lost his mother to cancer and started an amazing foundation dedicated to early detection...and to making certain that these tools are affordable. (Go, Mr Listwin!!!  And may God bless you and your work!)

His mother had had breast cancer years earlier. She was having problems and went to her doctor who twice diagnosed her with a bladder infection.

By the time they diagnosed the real cause of her problems - stage IV ovarian cancer - it was too late.

I will be going in when I get home to make sure that the bladder infection really was a bladder infection.

Thanks to Wired and to Mr. Listwin for the reminder!

The truth is...either way, I know that all is good, and that everything happens for a reason. I now know that under every seeming adversity lies an even greater asset. I know that everything - even cancer - goes to my greater good.

P.S. If anyone knows Mr. Listwin or his work, I'd love to connect with him. I think what he is doing is absolutely brilliant, and I'd love to help in any way I can. Besides my personal experience, I also have training that might be useful in his endeavors.

Knitted Knockers!

Ladies, this is just fabulous for all kinds of reasons...I LOVE the name, and It's FUN...I see businesses and ideas like this, and I see people who are listening to their Inner Wisdom and answering other people's prayers as well.

When you follow your desires and intuitions, all kinds of good things happen!

I went to Maine a couple of weeks ago. (It's only a few hours up the road.) I went to Freeport (home of LLBean)...and I got to chatting with a gal in this very cool shop. (I'll have to find the brochure...great bags.)

Anyway, we got talking about cancer, and she told me about Knitted Knockers.

What a great idea!

I didn't have prosthetics - the kind you slip into your bra, but I've heard that they can be sticky against the skin, especially when it's hot. (Imagine having a plastic form up against your skin...or even in your bra where you slip it in.) I hear that they aren't high comfort.

Plus, I don't know if you've ever seen these silicone breast forms, but they aren't that attractive...and they can be expensive

Call me crazy...but I think visuals are important especially at a time like a mastectomy. Anything you can do to feel pretty - not that you aren't - but anything that lifts you up is a plus. Beauty and a pleasing environment are important for health, healing, and mindset.

These knitted knockers add comfort to breast forms. I hear that the knitted knockers are lighter, feel more like a real boob, and are more comfortable...and you know what, they're attractive!!!

Way to go  Knitted Knockers...and thanks for making them beautiful and FUN!

Here's how to start a knitted knockers group in your area. (I've tried to get pics off the site...go there to see how attractive these knockers are...they even knit nipples on them!!!)

The Question of Your Period and Surgery

     I don't believe in throwing out loopy ideas or quack medicine, but I found this interesting, and as you may or may not know, through a series of events, I ended up using both allopathic (regular medicine)and alternative treatments in dealing with the cancer. I found both to have their place...although this particular idea originated in the allopathic community and more research needs to be done.

     So, let me say that I'm not saying this is true or not true, nor am I advising any particular course of action. I'm putting the information out there with arguments on both sides.

     This is information I had not heard of or run across in my research...probably because I wasn't even thinking about timing the surgery with my period for better post-op results. Once I decided on surgery, I just wanted it over and done with. The only thing that had to be coordinated was the schedule of two doctors and the operating room...which took some time to pull off.

     The only consideration I gave to my period was that I didn't want to be having it at the time of surgery or too close afterwords. Just didn't want to mess with it.

     Well, someone just sent me this blog entry on "The Moon, Breast Cancer Surgery, and Menstrual Cycles". Interesting thoughts. Basically, it's saying that timing your surgery with your cycle may have a positive effect on cure rate.

     It says that the reasons are the high levels of estrogen in the first half of the cycle verses the second half. If this logic is true then the cure rate would affect estrogen positive cancers I would think. - Cancers are like people or jelly beans. There's all kinds and flavors. Breast cancers can be intimately related to hormones. That's why they say ER+, for example. This means that the tumor receptors are estrogen positive, i.e. the cancer "feeds" off of estrogen. In other words, a cancer that's not estrogen sensitive may not be affected one way or the other.

     According to the above post, the survival difference doesn't seem huge. Although, when facing cancer treatment, all odds in your favor are most welcome.

• 75% survival five years later for those who had surgery in the last half of their cycle
• 63% survival five years later for those having surgery in the first half of the cycle

Here's a little history...

     Apparently, this link between menstrual cycle and breast cancer surgery comes from an article by Dr. Hrushesky in The Journal of Women's Health. Here's a summary of that article.

     This article from Oncology, 1997, describes the original and follow-up research, the need for more studies, as well as the controversy surrounding this information. (WARNING: It reads like the research article that it is, but it's worth it to wade through.)

     The big problem with the original study and ones sited in this article is that they all look at results and patient information after the fact. They aren't specialized studies measuring one outcome or objective.

     These are the highlights:

• There seem to be results on both sides, both for and against the original suggestion that menstrual cycle affects recurrence rate.
• It sounds like Dr. Hrushesky was saying he saw a pattern and thought there needed to be some controlled studies. The studies here, at least some, are a matter of people going back and reviewing their data after the fact. Then you get people guessing the date of their last period.
• The correlation between survival rate and menstrual period seem to be most noticeable in those with affected lymph nodes.
• There hasn't been a study singling out menstruation and recurrence as it relates to the type of treatment (lumpectomy, radiation, mastectomy)
• There was suggestion that if the effect of the hormones and surgery is true, then prescribing an estrogen or progesterone suppressor might be warranted pre-surgery
• One study of 122 patients showed that cell proliferation rates change throughout the cycle. The thinking here is that if cell proliferation is at it's lowest during the luteal phase...after ovulation and before menstruation...then there may be a chance that cancer cells wouldn't proliferate as much during this time, either. This would make it more ideal for surgery. 
• Controlled studies need to be done that can measure the effect of menstruation and hormones on surgery...and make sure it's not one of the other treatments that is affecting outcome.

     Finally, here's a short article from 2001 that says menstruation has nothing to do with breast surgery  from the American Cancer Society.

     Like I've said, I believe in advocating for yourself. Once all the information is taken in, all that's left to do is digest it and then listen to what you want to do, what you feel is best. It's your body, your health. If this feels right to you, great. If not, then it's not. After all, I've already made my decision, had my surgery. I did find this worth a read, though. Raises interesting questions, even if it doesn't answer any.

     I'm not being a downer, but the fact is that this would affect younger women, and there simply isn't a great amount of research being done on young women with breast cancer. That's why it's that much more important to take the bull by the horns if you're young and facing breast cancer.

 

Treatment Decision Tool

A friend of mine is in the middle of making a decision about treatment options. I feel for her. Those of you going through this, or who have already been through it, know that it's a hard spot to be in.

I think this is especially true when you're younger and have a longer time in which it can come back. You have to weigh decisions about hormones and what they'll do to your reproductive abilities. You have to think about your peace of mind and long-term health, and you have to get quiet and try to listen to yourself at a time when your head is spinning and when everyone seems to want to offer you advice.

What to do?

I'm a big believer in advocating for yourself. I know that not everyone has the time or luxury of researching as much as I did. (Research affords me some comforting illusions about control. It's part of how I cope.)

If you're not that into research but still would like something to help you sort through treatment options...without offering opinions, then try this out. It's a Treatment Decision Tool from the American Cancer Society.

I found it today and went through it. It seemed pretty thorough, but allows that you may not know or have all the requested information, like type of cancer, size of tumor, ER/PR/HER2. (Speaking of...if you don't have this information, you might want to start requesting copies of all your pathology reports, etc. Just a good thing to have.)

I had already done a lot of research, as I said, and don't know if this would have helped me make a decision. I had already found this information elsewhere. This puts it succinctly into one place. It's a tool I wish I'd had in the beginning.

Hope it helps.

MRI in the news

Just saw this on Yahoo News...New studies show that MRIs may detect early breast cancer.

I was surprised to see this. When one of the doctor's ordered an MRI for me to make sure there was no underlying tumor, I learned that MRI's are ideal for younger women because it "sees" better through dense tissue. I thought this was great news...finally, I thought, maybe young women would get screened earlier. But, my doctor said that this wouldn't be the case because MRIs are expensive. Sad.

There is also a case against MRIs as a screening tool because they can turn out false positives. MRIs are usually done alongside mammos for this reason.

Even though it's probably a long way off, it's good to see something in the news about prevention using MRIs.

Here's the article: MRI scans might prevent breast cancer.

In Sickness and Prevention

This article is a wonderful idea regarding the health insurance crisis. Definitely a must-read. In light of recent battles with my health insurance company, this sounds like an idea that would be a real solution rather than a band-aid on the overflowing dam that is our current health care system. I certainly don't have any brilliant ideas for a solution, but these guys do. Check it out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/16/AR2006101600880.html

These gentleman are at least offering some newer thoughts on an old and increasingly problematic issue.

To see my story on the battle for preventative care, click here.