Coping with Women's Cancers
Yesterday, I posted a brief announcement that I remain cancer-free on the three-year anniversary of my total robotic hysterectomy for uterine (endometrial) cancer on December 13, 2013 (a lucky Friday). I said I would provide the full scoop today, and I have provided more information below. But this will need to be just a quick update as… Continue reading Quick Update – My Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Story: Three Peach Roses on My Three-Year Anniversary
In Part 1–Chemotherapy, we entered Diane’s story as she was undergoing pre-operative chemo for invasive lobular cancer (ILC) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) of the right breast, a relatively uncommon form of the disease. That post discusses breast cancer statistics, as well as the details of Diane’s chemotherapy protocol and its effects. In Part 2–Diagnosis, we reviewed why Diane… Continue reading Diane’s Story – Breast Cancer: Part 3–Surgery
In Part 1—Chemotherapy, we entered Diane’s story as she was undergoing pre-operative chemotherapy for lobular breast cancer. In this post, we will take a close look at how Diane’s journey began a year ago last month and how she is currently preparing for surgery by getting second opinions while her body recuperates from chemo. This is a cautionary tale… Continue reading Diane’s Story – Breast Cancer: Part 2–Diagnosis
Mammary gland at 40x under lab microscope (Accessed July 2016) © MicroscopeWorld 2015 Beginning with this post, we will be following the progress of my friend Diane, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has generously agreed to tell her story. Along the way, we will provide reliable information and resources to help others… Continue reading Diane’s Story – Breast Cancer: Part 1–Chemotherapy
Still my favorite story of all time, A Christmas Carol was published 171 years ago, on December 19, 1843. Click the book to view the only existing manuscript version of the novella. See it in person at the (J. Pierpont) Morgan Library & Museum in New York. Do take a look—it’s a treasure. On that same date last… Continue reading Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Post Christmas 2014 Reflections on “Christmases Yet to Come”
On Friday, December 13th, 2013, I had a total robotic hysterectomy for what turned out to be Stage 1B, Grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma. One year later, after vaginal brachytherapy, colposcopies, and repeat Paps, I am . . . if not fancy free, cancer free. And I know how lucky I am. My journey with cancer has acquainted… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Year Two Starts Today
Yesterday began another two-week waiting period for more Pap results. In the July 22, 2014 post, I described the results of the uncomfortable colposcopy and biopsy I had earlier in the month (reported on July 10). I returned to the doctor's office yesterday for what I thought would be a routine Pap test. However, after the doctor… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Second Colposcopy and Repeat Pap
Cancer Awareness Ribbons - Foundation for Women's Cancer As I mentioned in the November 15, 2013 post, awareness ribbons are all over the web, although the color schemes may not yet be standardized (and ribbons and products related to causes have become very commercialized). I happened to wear a turquoise-aqua-tealish-color sweater (with matching socks!) to my medical appointments… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Three-Month Reviews, Views, & News
In the 1977 movie Demon Seed based on the book by Dean Koontz, Julie Christie's character is impregnated by a computer that wants to experience life. This is what I thought of during my second vaginal brachytherapy treatment yesterday--although it's too late for me to be impregnated by anything but radiation (so to speak). The only… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: The “Demon Seed”
Glowing, Radiant Health RECAPPING MY STORY TO DATE AS I PREPARE TO START VAGINAL RADIATION THERAPY ONE WEEK FROM TODAY . . . Note: The blue-green highlighted terms in the text contain links to previous posts. Symptoms & Preliminary Diagnosis When I started this blog on November 9, 2013, it was with a warning for all… Continue reading My Story – Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Looking Back & Forging Ahead to Radiation
The Patient Path 