What to Expect on Your First Oncology Visit

As I previously mentioned that at one point someone once told me that getting cancer is like walking through a door that only opens one way. Once you walk through it you can never go back to the life you had before hearing those words. When you walk into the Oncology Office the first time you are not a cancer patient but, when you walk out you be one. It is a very rough realization to have to face and you should not be alone when you start this journey. If you do not have someone to go with you … Continue reading →

My First Oncology Appointment

So my oncologist just told me that he could treat me this time BUT when it came back he could not. I am sitting there in a small room with my husband and the doctor and the room feels like it is getting smaller. Did this doctor just tell me that basically a recurrence was a given and it would kill me? I was only 35 years old my youngest child just turned 3 and my oldest was just 6. Was this some cruel cosmic joke? Did I really do something so bad that this is it? Did I take … Continue reading →

I Meet my Oncologist

OK so I have my pathology report it is in my new Cancer Binder now what? I have been down the cancer road before unfortunately. When my dad was 47 he died of esophageal cancer and the year before I got my diagnosis my husband had testicular cancer. His cancer was caught very early and he had his surgery, had radiation and was now considered cancer free. I was sitting in my house with my computer trying to decipher the pathology report but I was VERY overwhelmed. I called my surgeon gave me his recommendation as to what oncologist to … Continue reading →

Your Medical Record Binder

As I previously mentioned keeping your medical records are extremely important. When I got the very first mammogram results and ultrasound findings I put them aside. When I got my lumpectomy pathology report I started my cancer binder. In this binder I put all pathology reports, lab results, and I even got copies of my oncologist notes to keep for my own records. My Oncologist seemed to feel that it was not necessary but as you will find out later it came in very handy. If you are going on any major medical journey I feel that keeping an up … Continue reading →

What is Triple Negative Intra – Ductal Breast Cancer?

So what is triple negative intra-ductal breast cancer? Well it is rather complicated but I am going to try my best to explain it. If you have any other questions email me or post a comment and I will get back to you with what I can. When women under 40 develop breast cancer their cancers tend to have different characteristics than an older person. Although I tend to generalize by saying women, breast cancer affects men too, I apologize for my generalization. The majority of breast cancer patients have tumors that “fed” by estrogen, progesterone, or human growth hormone. … Continue reading →

Deciphering the Pathology Report

The web is a great and powerful source of information. It can also be a great source for anxiety and wrong information. When I got home from getting my printed pathology results I could not stop reading them. I had no idea what I was reading because I was not a doctor. I did not have an appointment with an oncologist yet as it was New Year’s Eve when I got the official printout. I could not wait for an opening to find out all about my cancer. As I previously mentioned I hate waiting. I went to the web … Continue reading →

I Have What?

Have you ever seen a movie where someone walks down a hall with doors on both sides and they open one take a step through the door and fall? That is what hearing the diagnosis that I had cancer was like. It felt like my life ended, my Dad had cancer and he died at 47. I am only 35, I just adopted 3 kids and now I have cancer. What kind of cruel joke was this? Someone once told me that Cancer is like a one way door, once you walk through it nothing is ever the same and … Continue reading →

My First Mammogram

So if you have never had a mammogram than you have never had a “boobie pancake”, before I had mine everyone lied to me. They all told me it wasn’t bad, yeah right!!! I am going to be honest I guess there could have been things that were worse but, off the top of my head I cannot think of what it would be. I am not positive who invented the mammogram but I am convinced either it was a man or a female into pain. Here is how my day went… First, my husband came because I think he … Continue reading →

Why me?

When I was younger I used to pray to not be the flat chested girl I was in high school. All I wanted for Christmas was a chest! Well,God finally decided to grant me a wish and I got them. With my new chest came a realization that I really liked having them. They came in very handy and honestly I may have taken them for granted. I did not really do the monthly self-exams that you are supposed to do; the most attention I ever gave them was to see how they looked in different shirts. When I went … Continue reading →

Why Might You Need a Cesarean Section

If you are expecting a baby, then you may be wondering about cesarean sections or c-sections. This is a form of child birth that may be required for your delivery. There are several reasons why you might need a cesarean section. Let us take a look at them and remember to always talk to your doctor about any delivery options that you might be facing. Choosing a Cesarean Depending on your doctor, you may be given the option to choose a cesarean instead of a vaginal delivery. Some women decide on this option because they want to schedule the birth … Continue reading →