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Q and A about my breast cancer
Greetings everyone!
I have so many people who are wanting to know information about my breast cancer, get updates on what is going on and how I am doing soooooo here ya go, my own blog about my breast cancer for everyone to have up to date information straight from the horses mouth!
Here are some questions that some have been asking me about my condition and the answers that I currently have at my disposal.
Q: What exactly do I have ?
A: I have a breast cancer that is called " invasive ductal carcinoma "
Q: What is "invasive ductal carcinoma" ? IDC
A: It's a cancer that is in the ducts of the breast. There are different forms of ductal carcinoma, mine happens to have broken through the walls of the ducts which gives it it's name, and the fact that it's invasive.
Q: How long am I going to live ?
A: Only God knows that. My doctor said, "ya know ... I don't know how long you're going to live. You could get killed by a milk truck on your way home today." ( we both laughed when she said this, and no I didn't ask the question. It's a typical question so I figured I'd include it here. )
Q: What stage is my cancer?
A: Technically it's stage 2, however that really doesn't mean anything to be honest. There are some genetic tests that are done when they dissect tumors that have been removed from the body. The genetic testing I am referring to, is the actually genetics of the tumor, not testing to see if it's a family medical problem. Only through the genetic testing and dissecting will they know just how fast it was growing, how they should treat it, and how likely it is to come back with certain treatments. Generally, according to my doctor, the stage only gives you a general size and some other "very general" information, nothing more.
Q: Since I have had surgery, am I cancer free ?
A: Most likely not. Every single person has cancer cells in their body and one time or another. Your bodies condition determines whether or not these cell can develop into something more substantial like a tumor. My body happened to make a tumor which has been removed. That does not mean that I do not have lingering cells that were left behind during surgery. Those tiny cells are not able to be seen so really in order for any surgery to make you cancer free, they'd have to take every living cell out of your body. Guess what? Then you'd be dead! Pointless in my opinion. This is why we do further treatments such as radiation, chemo, or radical diet changes.
Q: What treatments am I going to have to endure to become cancer free?
A: As of right now I am going to have to do 6 weeks of whole breast radiation, followed by 8 days of concentrated radiation to the site of the tumor ( which has been removed ). Depending on what oncology says about the testing that took place on my sentinel nodes ( AKA lymph nodes directly attached to the section of breast where the tumor was located ) I may have to also do chemo treatments. I will know more about this on October 30th. ( There is now a page dedicated to chemo since I will be taking some pretty serious chemo treatments. Read more on the chemo page!
Q: How did I find my cancer ?
A: Well it's a funny story actually! Most people assume that I actually was doing self breast exams and found it that way, but sadly enough my OBGYN did not recommend to me to do that or I may have caught my BC earlier. I actually found my breast cancer from a strange itch that I had and went to scratch. The itch was deep in my breast and I felt the lump and knew something wasn't right so I called my doctor to make an appointment immediately. I highly recommend this decision for anyone who finds anything strange in their body. Early detection is the key to any cancer, including but not limited to breast cancer.
Q: What caused me to get breast cancer?
A: It is uncertain at this point. My doctor did say that smoking was not the cause of my breast cancer, but possibly could have played it's role in the development. Because of my healthy state, diet, and supplements that I digest on a daily basis, it was said that something in my environment was likely the straw that broke the camels back. It was also mentioned that because of my healthy lifestyle and all the supplements I do take, it very well could have effected the fact that I have this lazy, lower growing cancer in stead of a fast growing, crazy eat your body type of cancer.
Q: Have I quit smoking?
A: Yup! Been smoke free since, before the first biopsy , September 17th, 2012.
Q: What goes through your head when you get told you have cancer?
A: This is a tricky one to answer. Dealing with my father having cancer and watching him battle it for nearly 5 years now, I can honestly say that the first thing that went through my head was " oh crap, I'm going to die! " I can't lie, I honestly thought for an entire day I was as good as dead. I cried about it. I wondered why me? What did I do to deserve this hand to be dealt to me? I had all sorts of questions that not one single person on this earth could answer. Only after getting somewhat educated about my cancer did I begin to feel better about it and fall into my positive attitude that I try my best to keep. The honest truth is, I'm not going to die from my cancer so anyone who's all worried about that, no need to be. I'm going to be around to annoy my fellow co-workers, family, and friends for a long time! I just have to heal up before I get all crazy with that.
Q: If I do have to do chemo and lose my hair, what am I going to do with it all?!
A: Well I have given this some thought already of course! My plan is simple. I am going to have it cut off and given to locks for love so that someone else can have a beautiful wig out of my hair. I will proudly strut around bald as an eagle, sporting my bandanas and santa hats like nothing happened at all. I actually am considering making a little fun out of this hair cutting event. I believe it would only be fitting to allow people who have -always- wanted to cut my hair to be able to do so at that point in time. After all, we all know I get pretty protective about my hair. This event will be posted in this blog along with being emailed to people and posted on my FB account. I will give plenty of time and notice as to when my appointment will happen for this rare occasion.
* OK so it had been confirmed, I AM going to be losing my hair which is going to suck. I won't have it for many months to come. Oh well right? It'll grow back. I will update here when my hair cutting party will be taking place along with where it'll take place. I'm hoping in support of breast cancer many of the people who are in my group at work will do something to show their support. I think it'd be awesome to have a group photo with everyone in it who wanted to shave their head . For those who didn't, maybe do some pink hair ? Just a crazy thought. It'd be neat to send that picture to the UA for publication and how the pipefitters support breast cancer.
I have so many people who are wanting to know information about my breast cancer, get updates on what is going on and how I am doing soooooo here ya go, my own blog about my breast cancer for everyone to have up to date information straight from the horses mouth!
Here are some questions that some have been asking me about my condition and the answers that I currently have at my disposal.
Q: What exactly do I have ?
A: I have a breast cancer that is called " invasive ductal carcinoma "
Q: What is "invasive ductal carcinoma" ? IDC
A: It's a cancer that is in the ducts of the breast. There are different forms of ductal carcinoma, mine happens to have broken through the walls of the ducts which gives it it's name, and the fact that it's invasive.
Q: How long am I going to live ?
A: Only God knows that. My doctor said, "ya know ... I don't know how long you're going to live. You could get killed by a milk truck on your way home today." ( we both laughed when she said this, and no I didn't ask the question. It's a typical question so I figured I'd include it here. )
Q: What stage is my cancer?
A: Technically it's stage 2, however that really doesn't mean anything to be honest. There are some genetic tests that are done when they dissect tumors that have been removed from the body. The genetic testing I am referring to, is the actually genetics of the tumor, not testing to see if it's a family medical problem. Only through the genetic testing and dissecting will they know just how fast it was growing, how they should treat it, and how likely it is to come back with certain treatments. Generally, according to my doctor, the stage only gives you a general size and some other "very general" information, nothing more.
Q: Since I have had surgery, am I cancer free ?
A: Most likely not. Every single person has cancer cells in their body and one time or another. Your bodies condition determines whether or not these cell can develop into something more substantial like a tumor. My body happened to make a tumor which has been removed. That does not mean that I do not have lingering cells that were left behind during surgery. Those tiny cells are not able to be seen so really in order for any surgery to make you cancer free, they'd have to take every living cell out of your body. Guess what? Then you'd be dead! Pointless in my opinion. This is why we do further treatments such as radiation, chemo, or radical diet changes.
Q: What treatments am I going to have to endure to become cancer free?
A: As of right now I am going to have to do 6 weeks of whole breast radiation, followed by 8 days of concentrated radiation to the site of the tumor ( which has been removed ). Depending on what oncology says about the testing that took place on my sentinel nodes ( AKA lymph nodes directly attached to the section of breast where the tumor was located ) I may have to also do chemo treatments. I will know more about this on October 30th. ( There is now a page dedicated to chemo since I will be taking some pretty serious chemo treatments. Read more on the chemo page!
Q: How did I find my cancer ?
A: Well it's a funny story actually! Most people assume that I actually was doing self breast exams and found it that way, but sadly enough my OBGYN did not recommend to me to do that or I may have caught my BC earlier. I actually found my breast cancer from a strange itch that I had and went to scratch. The itch was deep in my breast and I felt the lump and knew something wasn't right so I called my doctor to make an appointment immediately. I highly recommend this decision for anyone who finds anything strange in their body. Early detection is the key to any cancer, including but not limited to breast cancer.
Q: What caused me to get breast cancer?
A: It is uncertain at this point. My doctor did say that smoking was not the cause of my breast cancer, but possibly could have played it's role in the development. Because of my healthy state, diet, and supplements that I digest on a daily basis, it was said that something in my environment was likely the straw that broke the camels back. It was also mentioned that because of my healthy lifestyle and all the supplements I do take, it very well could have effected the fact that I have this lazy, lower growing cancer in stead of a fast growing, crazy eat your body type of cancer.
Q: Have I quit smoking?
A: Yup! Been smoke free since, before the first biopsy , September 17th, 2012.
Q: What goes through your head when you get told you have cancer?
A: This is a tricky one to answer. Dealing with my father having cancer and watching him battle it for nearly 5 years now, I can honestly say that the first thing that went through my head was " oh crap, I'm going to die! " I can't lie, I honestly thought for an entire day I was as good as dead. I cried about it. I wondered why me? What did I do to deserve this hand to be dealt to me? I had all sorts of questions that not one single person on this earth could answer. Only after getting somewhat educated about my cancer did I begin to feel better about it and fall into my positive attitude that I try my best to keep. The honest truth is, I'm not going to die from my cancer so anyone who's all worried about that, no need to be. I'm going to be around to annoy my fellow co-workers, family, and friends for a long time! I just have to heal up before I get all crazy with that.
Q: If I do have to do chemo and lose my hair, what am I going to do with it all?!
A: Well I have given this some thought already of course! My plan is simple. I am going to have it cut off and given to locks for love so that someone else can have a beautiful wig out of my hair. I will proudly strut around bald as an eagle, sporting my bandanas and santa hats like nothing happened at all. I actually am considering making a little fun out of this hair cutting event. I believe it would only be fitting to allow people who have -always- wanted to cut my hair to be able to do so at that point in time. After all, we all know I get pretty protective about my hair. This event will be posted in this blog along with being emailed to people and posted on my FB account. I will give plenty of time and notice as to when my appointment will happen for this rare occasion.
* OK so it had been confirmed, I AM going to be losing my hair which is going to suck. I won't have it for many months to come. Oh well right? It'll grow back. I will update here when my hair cutting party will be taking place along with where it'll take place. I'm hoping in support of breast cancer many of the people who are in my group at work will do something to show their support. I think it'd be awesome to have a group photo with everyone in it who wanted to shave their head . For those who didn't, maybe do some pink hair ? Just a crazy thought. It'd be neat to send that picture to the UA for publication and how the pipefitters support breast cancer.
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