My Update-

Hello, everyone!

My life has been ON HOLD til today....I had to wait until my second incision healed and we had an appointment today in Hamilton to see my Oncologist again who saw that it finally healed well enough to move forward.  Although we didn't get my bone density results yet, that is no biggie since it was simply a (before we start the pills) "benchmark" level so we can see if there are bone loss changes as I go thru treatment.  We got the results of that special test from California (it’s not available in Canada yet and is very pricy so we had to apply to the Canadian govt to pay for the forensics). GREAT NEWS – the tests show that I am in the low percentage to have recurrance!   My Radiologist startled me last week by asking that, if the California tests show that I have a high liklihood of recurrance, am I ready to agree to having a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy to lower my chances of getting cancer again..holy crap!  That was a shocker and way too premature…hubby was really angry that the doctor (NO bedside manner) was so blatant and hadn’t even waited for the results before hitting me with that.  I had already told JB that I did not want more surgery as, being so sensitive to chemicals, it disrupts me for months after….I’d decided that I’d rather have a shorter life with quality than a long life struggling and unable to live life with dignity and grace.

The good news is that there is NO CHEMO!!! yayy! (just when I was planning an irridescent pink wig with sequins here and there)That means that radiation starts in the next few weeks.  

I begin taking special pills tomorrow to reduce my estrogen levels that caused the cancer..it's all hormone-sensitive..so the estrogen feeds the cancer...reduce the estrogen levels and the cancer cells that are left, will hopefully die.  Since cancer was found in my nodes, there are cancer seeds in my body now but we don't know where...hopefully the pills will kill those loose seeds by starvation. I will take these pills daily for five years. The side effects (blood clots, bone loss, blood clots & bone pain) will be monitored and I will be on a heavy regimen of vitamin D and calcium to save my bone mass/strength.

Radiation on the breast/armpit area will kill cancer cells in that area, being the original target...unfortunately, radiation doesn't know the difference between cancer cells and good cells so there will be severe fatigue and lowered immune system and the Radiologist already affirmed that I will have serious radiation burns due to my delicate skin type (as happened back in 1990).

This last week, I have started really feeling better and I have a few weeks, I hope, to get some things done before starting two months of daily radiation treatments in Hamilton.

Nancy B 

 

Halleluah Fellow Canuck!
I just knew that you'd be okay with all of the people here tossing around poultry and praying for you   -  not to mention all of your family's and friends' prayers and good thoughts. 
I am very, very happy for you and for all of the people whose lives you touch!!
Margaret 

Nancy I am doing cartwheels for you and your good news!!!! (and I don't even know how to do them!! LOL) I am so happy for you and will continue to keep you in my prayers and thoughts!!!!!

HUGS

Nancy...I am so happy for you...that is great news!!

Still sorry you have to deal with Radiation but that sure beats Chemo!!  Keeping you in my prayers every day!!

As for the PINK wig I think you should go for it....we like to change up our look now and then...plus I think you would look grand in PINK w/ sequins!!!

HUGS....connie d

Nancy, so glad you are going to be OK and not have to have chemo. It's the best news I've had today.

Your news sure sounds much better than it might have been!   
Will be keeping you on the prayer list in my house!!

God is good and listens to our prayers. So happy for you and your family.  Just please remember to be good to YOU, You live life so fully and with robust joy.

Nancy, such good news! I hope the radiation is not as hard on your skin as you expect!
Doctors with no bedside manner are plentiful. But sometimes being blunt is what it takes! When my Mom was going through her chemo and stuff for her lung cancer all the doctors kept tiptoeing around the words we did NOT want to hear, but needed to hear. Mom was so relieved when we finally heard what we knew, but no one would say!
You hang on! We are all praying! And your positive attitude is a big plus! And having such support from your family and friends is so important! Keep up the fight!

Great news, Nancy.  I am so happy for you.

Nancy,

Grateful to read your news, too many of my friends have had dealings or scares with that demon cancer, so to hear that you got good news is wonderful indeed.  I certainly hope you have minimal discomfort and burning when you have your radiation and please rest up and take care of yourself, I remember my uncle did well with the chemo, but with radiation, he got very tired.

Hugs and positive healing vibes coming at you, Laureen