Monday, June 22, 2015

Taken by Surprise

Hi everyone not sure why but Cancer still takes me by surprise.  

I got to meet my surgeon yesterday it has taken 18 months to get in (I KNOW) but that's not for today.  

We reviewed my file and all the oncology notes and such.  To my surprise when he said I have to have a double mastectomy (well 1.5 mastectomy) To hear the surgeon say it shock me to my core. I knew this was coming but I don't think you can really prepare yourself to hear that out loud.  

It is an all day surgery and I don't have the date yet; but here is the plan. 
One team remove what I have left and then a second team will reconstruct my chest. I will get leg compression set up before I go into surgery to reduce blood clots (that's cool just like a pro cyclist) I am going a little bit smaller so apparently a littler easier to do.  I am not having implants put in.  Not that there is anything wrong with that but I don't want any stuff in my chest.  If this was just a breast enhancement sure but this is cancer.  So because no implants we are going to use my own tissue to rebuild, yes you got it my tummy will be my chest.  I am looking forward to seeing how that pans out.  He told me it is where the tissue comes from will hurt the most and I will have scares. I laughed scares are no problem they are my badges of survival I am very proud of them.

My nipples are a two part process of some fancy needlepoint done by the surgeon and then once all heeled some tattooing. Yup a bionic chest.

I am still keeping my head up and positive.  I will keep you posted on when but for now.  I will continue to get as strong as possible.  I will be more than cancer and more than this event. 

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Why Me

I wrote this last week I was trying to get accepted to an Amercian course on being a Cancer Advocate.  I didn't get selected but I am not quitting.  Tomorrow I see the surgeon for the next step to try and beat cancer at it's own game.

This is my note on why me...

I have just launched my own company "I Will Fight For Me" (while still working full-time as Compliance & Control Analyst) I have breast cancer and deeply involved in trying to help other cancer survivors get stronger.  I want to be a better stronger advocate.  I have been lucky enough to be a spokesperson for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the ride to conquer cancer.  To create awareness and to build funds to go toward research.  I want to do more and I there is a huge gap I can help fill.
  
Breast Cancer is a very emotional issue and I think if I knew more about the science will be a better advocate.  To be able to speak to and about the science of breast cancer would increase our audience.  To be a strong advocate you need emotion and science working together to create a better voice. I need to be able to understand more to be able to speak to more.


I have been fighting breast cancer for 3 years and know first-hand how much we still need to understand to then be-able to treat and then prevent and cure.  I have been though surgery (still waiting for more) chemo, radiation, and still on meds for 5 more years. I believe in talking about what scares us. When you bring things into the light and talk they become less scary and now you can see what still needs to be done. We need to reduce fear and increase education awareness and research.  I believe I have a strong voice and can speak to what really happens.

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME


Thursday, June 11, 2015

On the Cover

This past week has been crazy busy and just strange...

Last week I had my oncology appointment and I always get nevous god knows why.  I still don't get to say I am cancer free (grrrrr) and I had to have a bone scan and xrays done. Still waiting on the results.  But on the same day the summer issue of LEAP magazine came out, it is a Cancer Magazine here in Alberta. It ain't the cover of the Rolling Stone but it is to me.  Here is the link  http://myleapmagazine.ca/2015/06/summer-2015/

I am working towards being a cancer advocate, I must do my best to help anyone with cancer.  Far to many people and families are being affected by cancer and we can all do more. 


I WILL FIGHT FOR ME

Great Quote by George Bernard Shaw

Here is a great quote my friend Peter Smith sent me
“This is the true joy in life — being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations.

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME