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BiographyI was diagnosed with stage 2 in situ breast cancer in July of 2003; I had a long 6 1/2 hr operation that September in which I had a masectomy of my right breast, a tram flap procedure to reconstuct it, removal of my ovaries, and removal of 5 lymph nodes, one of which did have a microscopic spot of cancer. I had 4 sessions of chemo every 3 weeks, and 6 weeks radiation; plus 2 more reconstructive surgeries a year later. I was diagnosed right after my 50th birthday; I was so frightened and scared; what hit me the most was that I felt I had wasted what gifts God had given me; I didn’t feel I had made much of a difference in helping anyone, and that bothered me. I wondered if I would be ever able to do what I had dreamed to do as an artist and singer, or if I just had neglected it too much. I had helped my husband in ministry, we’re both pastors, in a non-denomination church, and was physically and spiritually exhausted pouring into people, and getting more trouble frankly than fruit. At the time I was undergoing treatment, the leaders of our church were not very supportive of either myself or my husband; I had some very hurtful and tramatic things said to me, lacking in compassion, bewildering me as to the cruelty; because both my husband and myself would always go out of our way for them and others. Somehow I got through with God’s grace, and learning something about His grace and forgiving others in suffering. A hard lesson. It was in the following year, 2005, that we lost our church due to a leadership overthrow and both my husband and I not only had to start a new ministry, but work part time. Six months after chemo and radiation, I began to experience incredible pain and weakness in my ankles, and searing, stabbing pain in my legs, arms, hands, neck, back, and it seems like every part of my body. It interfered with my sleep, I gained weight. I work at a sports complex, and have been trying to swim laps for 30 min, 2-3x a week. I need to do more, but I have to battle so much fatigue. I am also battling depression, and have had to do much “inventory” to forgive myself and others. Right now, I’m trying to get back into glass carving(with Fordham drill); I started a Christian Artist support group which I just love, and generally just try to love life again. I found out that I’m going to be a grandmother of twin boys recently and that has been a needed bright spot! I have a daughter, 24 yrs, Shoshana who is pregnant, and works in communications, and a son Jordan, who will be 22yr. and will graduate this year from Univ. of Delaware in finance! My daughter is due in March-April depending on the babies, and Jordan’s graduating in June! So 2007 will hopefully be alot happier year than what I’ve been used to! I will be going to a rhematoidologist soon, to determine if the pain I have is chemo related, and will post the results. I’d be interested in hearing from others if they had similar side effects. Cancer SymptomsI found lump in shower; had acute pain there; mammo didn’t show; ultrasound did. Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effectssee bio Radiation Description, Dates & Side EffectsMay of 2004; six weeks; breast raw for 1 week; I have alot of stiffness under my arm; I exercise it by swimming Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side EffectsDec 10- Feb ? 4 sessions 3 wks apart; lost hair after 1st treatment; threw up once, nauseous but controlled by anti nausea meds. Weak, tired, got horrible staff infection. I now have alot of bone and muscle pain Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side EffectsI took Arimidex am now on Femera, both I’m told can cause the pain side effects I have now. Fundraising DescriptionRace for the Cure |
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