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Notorious MBC

Putting the can in cancer

Becoming your Own Medical Advocate

March 25, 2019 by notoriousmbc Leave a Comment

When medicine is big business, we have to become the CEO of our bodies.

I’ve found that when dealing with illness or pain, we often feel like our health is one big mystery; we act as if what’s going on in our bodies is none of our business. But I say this is the only body I’ve got, and you better believe I’m going to make it my business! We should all feel empowered to learn about our illness, to ask informed questions, to work with our providers to find alternatives and to ensure that our voice is heard.

Here are a few things that I have learned from my own experience:

Scan Anxiety

Waiting on test results is always more frustrating than any pain I may need to endure while I’m having the test.  

A tip to keep in mind:  Find out how your physician handles test results beforehand. Some offices call patients with test results only if there is a problem. If in doubt, or if you are anxious about test results, call.

MRI’s: Are you tech savvy? Get access to your electronic medical records. You can check the results without picking up the phone. I may not understand everything that I am reading, but I can compare my previous scan to see if there has been any new progression. For me, this takes away more than sixty percent of the stress and anxiety. 

PET Scans: I have my PET scan done at our local hospital. I go first thing in the morning. Hey, I am fasting… and why wait all day? At the end of the workday, I  head back to the hospital, and I am able to pick up a copy of the scan results and read the radiologist’s notes. Again, for me, this keeps any excessive worry in check. Just call me a control freak. It is my body, my cancer, and my choice to know whatever is going on quickly. But if you aren’t able to get your results other than by waiting on your doctor, then do keep in mind that no news is almost always good news.

Study Up on the Facts of Your Illness

Much of my research has been done by joining private Facebook groups. The people in these groups and I all have similar diagnoses, and I learn through their experiences. Keep in mind, if you are part of one of these groups, the people in them are not medical professionals. So just beware of going down a rabbit hole!

Write down questions you want to get answered as they come up. Keeping them on my phone works well for me. It isn’t always easy to remember what you want to ask your doctor from appointment to appointment. Having the questions on my phone is helpful for me, my husband, as well as my oncologist. I have also found that when I am able to ask my questions using medical terminology I often get better results.

It is my body and my decision.

We all know our bodies better than our doctors, but did you know that we can get to know it even better? By beginning the process of tuning into your body (through meditation, journaling, food diary analysis, mindful breathing) can help you to accurately convey symptoms and feel more connected to what’s going on in your body.

Who are Your Teammates?

Assemble a care team that wants to work with you and foster your empowerment. Don’t be afraid to make changes if you don’t feel supported by your health care providers — it’s meant to be a two-way relationship.

After six months of treatment, I fired my oncologist. I felt like a number. For all the time I would spend with this specific doctor I knew if he saw me outside of his offices he would have no idea who I was. My oncologist is someone who will be treating me until the end, and I needed to feel a connection, which was lacking. So as uncomfortable as it was, I spoke up. It was the best thing for me, and I am so grateful that I did. My relationship with my current oncologist could not be better.

Do You Need an Advocate?

You may have heard of people having health advocates that accompany them to doctor visits or a family member who acts as an advocate. It’s always great to have another pair of ears during appointments to ensure that nothing is missed. I highly recommend having your own form of an advocate if you don’t yet feel comfortable on your own.

Take the time to consider how you will show up as your own medical advocate before your next scheduled doctor visit.

Categories: Cancer Tags: authentic, breastcancer, cancer, chemo, connection, gratitude, heartfelt, inspiration, inspire, liveinthemoment, motivation, oncologist, relationship, treatment

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Attitude * Acceptance * Gratitude
MBC Triple Positive 2016

Shari Sheranian
Time Flys 🪰 and it’s time for another Ec Time Flys 🪰 

and it’s 

time for another

Echocardiogram 

to be checked off the list. ✅ 

Years of Herceptin equals
Years of Echos

#heart #hearthealth  #blessed
What can I say? The majority of you were Team Ste What can I say?

The majority of you were Team Steve and picked his favorite blue subway tile

And I admit I was tempted to add the bold blue. And was swayed momentarily in a different direction.

But I remembered, I’ve always loved the herringbone pattern.

I’ve always loved a classic look.

The plan has been to add a pop of color to change things up each season.

I noticed some of your ideas were similar to mine.  And I am loving the look. 

Are you are one of the 14 who voted for herringbone tile? 

I have picked the winner 

Drum Roll

@sheranik @willeke_kremer @candacemclane_art @restore_yourhealth.hair @lorishoshana @nicholandphi @annetteaz1 @tina.jane.s @sacred_minds @chris__spellman @elisejonesyoga @meldrescig @xismyworld  @alequesne

And the winner of the

COVID Kitchen Remodel 
$100 VISA Cars

is

@lorishoshana

 Congratulations Lori!
Being completely transparent I had picked the Being  completely  transparent 

I had picked the 
tile for the backsplash a week ago.

And the backsplash was
finished today.

Will your choice match up to mine?
I will announce who wins the 
VISA card at 5 o’clock
Think about it... The color blue can be calming T Think about it...
The color blue can be calming

The tile that was picked

Drum 🥁 roll

In First place and with 20 votes

Happens to also be the

Pantone Color of the Year 2020 is Classic Blue—a familiar, calming shade of azure. The Pantone color of the year 2020, 19-4052 Classic Blue/Indigo

Here are some winners for you

@trailworks @ckenwyn @marymac1225 @kzukis @jcfrias @walplus @the.musing.mustard @mlekristen @merrirosie @lavernevasaallo @lianellemiller @ff_hughes @sacred_minds @sandramaslen @wrothpauline
Joining this contest and making it to Second plac Joining this contest
and making it to 
Second place 
getting 15 votes
is

E

Precious Poinsettias 
A pattern that fits well in all types 
of design and style.

 #COVIDkitchentilePicks are here

was this your tile pick?

@the.musing.mustard @paige_garrity  @mraheffern @patriciajacksonsa @allaboutbreastcancer @gingermovesmountains @nickis1033 @knowlaura @chalzafra @mskarenrae @mbkendall @dustyroads07 @lyndaarnell1 
@mraheffern
The Results are in Thank you for joining me and The Results are in

Thank you for joining me and 
making your choice be known

Here Are The Final Results 
for the
COVID Kitchen Tile Picks

I’m starting with

The tried and true -Traditional Herringbone 

Was this your choice?

This tile received 14 points

And came in being the Third  choice 

Pay attention and you will most likely notice the 
herringbone design during your day.

I will announce the second & first place winners later today!

Shari

See who made this choice
@lorishoshana @sheranik @willeke_kremer @candacemclane_art @restore_yourhealth.hair @nicholandphi @annetteaz1 @bettina.j.s @sacred_minds @chris__spellman @elisejonesyoga @meldrescig @xismyworld @rmsgreeneyedlady @@rmsgreeneyedlady @violets_and_lavendar
Happy Weekend Vibes to You This is your chance to Happy Weekend Vibes to You

This is your chance to enter the
drawing for the $100 VISA card 

 
Did you match my pick?

Good Luck
Here I am And... I am on day five of NOT taking Here I am

And...
I am on day five of 
NOT taking Dexamethasone. 

My beautiful moon face has improved but overall I’ve got many weeks before
“Dex” will be out of my system.

Guess what...

Yesterday was Scan Day

I had my follow-up MRI. We came away with great results.  The Mets were smaller. 
And the edema was less. 

I also had a PET scan and it showed 
NEAD.  Once again thank you Herceptin.

This is excellent news and I will continue with active treatment that I’ve been on since May 2016.  Party 🎉 🎈 🎊 on with me all you Herceptin friends.

Such great news and another few months of breathing a little easier.

But with MBC you always have on your mind what will be next?

How will the side effects of the treatment affect my body?

Where will the cancer decide to grow next,

And this is why we say, “MBC is the gift that will keep on giving”.

Meanwhile
I’ll be staying home and dancing to celebrate this news.
Will you join me in a dance party?
What‘a your tune?
What are you celebrating or excited about today?
Shari
What is this?⠀
⠀
The top three tile picks⠀
⠀
Drum Roll Please⠀
⠀
Fifty-Six⠀
⠀
Fifty-Six is the number of votes in the comments.⠀
⠀
The three tiles that are in the final running are⠀
G - that is the herringbone⠀
B - I'm calling it the indigo subway⠀
E-  the light grey poinsettias⠀
⠀
When you swipe left, you will see the three that received the most votes.⠀
⠀
Its time to vote one more time⠀
I will keep track of the numbers.⠀
If your choice matches mine, then you will be entered into a drawing.⠀
⠀
There will be one final winner. ⠀
I'll share who won the drawing.⠀
The winner will receive a $100 Visa Card.⠀
⠀
Leave your pick to be entered " G, B, or E" in your comment.⠀
⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
⠀
⁠⠀
#cancerawareness⁠⠀
#kitchen remodel⠀
#mindfulness ⁠⠀
#motivation⁠⠀
#barndoor⁠⠀
#homedecor⠀
#cottage⠀
#strongmind⁠⠀
#selfgrowth ⁠⠀
#rustica⠀
#rusticahardware⁠⠀
#modernfarmhouse⠀
#cottage ⁠⠀
#january⁠⠀
#winter⠀
#womenempowerment⁠⠀
#Wednesday⠀
#basketweave⠀
#herringbone⠀
#inspiration⁠⠀
#memories⁠⠀
#quartz⠀
#quartzite⠀
#subway⠀
#affirmations⁠⠀
#dreambig⠀
#travel⁠⠀
#countertops⁠⠀
#inspire⁠⠀
#backsplash⠀
Counters - Sinks - Faucets - are complete! Upda Counters - 
Sinks -
Faucets -

are complete!

Updated video coming soon

and in the meantime

Swipe left and vote on these

choices by commenting

A B C D E F or G

Or maybe 🤔 a combination?

I just left HomeDepot 

with a few samples.

Don’t forget to make your choice be known.
⁠ The excitement is brewing...⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Today ⁠
The excitement is brewing...⁠
⁠
⁠
Today the new countertops will arrive.⁠
⁠
⁠
I’ve included a video without the countertops⁠
⁠
And tomorrow I’ll upload an update.⁠
⁠
⁠
I need to make a couple of decisions.⁠
⁠
⁠
First would be the backsplash -⁠
⁠
Seeing this video do you have a favorite tile that would look fabulous?⁠
⁠
Please share it with me.  I need all the ideas I can get.⁠
⁠
⁠
Second the barn door for the open pantry.⁠
⁠
⁠
Do you have a barn door 🚪 in your home?⁠
Do you have a favorite that you will share with me?⁠
⁠
⁠
I’m excited to see your ideas.⁠
⁠
Oh,  and the blank wall where the barn door will be...⁠
⁠
I need to choose some type of ⁠
⁠
wall treatment there!⁠
⁠
I’ve been considering wallpaper. ⁠
⁠
Share all your ideas, please.⁠
⁠
I’m excited to hear/see your ideas.⁠
⁠
Chat soon!⁠
⁠
Shari
FINALLY⠀
⠀
Our countertops are scheduled⠀
⠀
It will be⠀
⠀
54 days without a kitchen sink⠀
⠀
Or countertops ⠀
⠀
We have been ⠀
”Glamping”⠀
 through three holidays.⠀
⠀
Thanksgiving⠀
Christmas⠀
New Years⠀
⠀
No this was not a part of the remodel plan⠀
⠀
We’ve been put on hold because ⠀
fabrication has been behind. ⠀
⠀
We are a true COVID project.⠀
⠀
Washing dishes in a ⠀
bathtub has been our norm ⠀
for more than six weeks.⠀
⠀
This seemed like the appropriate way to complete 2020.⠀
⠀
Remodel updates will continue after this issue has been resolved ⠀
Now scheduled for January 12.⠀
⠀
Crossing my fingers & hoping to move forward⠀
⠀
Yes,  my middle name is “spoiled” I admit.⠀
⠀
I realize I am blessed to have running water and so much more.⠀
⠀
I am sending love & joy to each of you ⠀
Shari⠀
⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
#cancerawareness⁠⠀
#kitchenremodel⠀
#mindfulness ⁠⠀
#motivation⁠⠀
#barndoor⁠⠀
#femaleentreprenaur⁠⠀
#womeninbusiness⁠⠀
#strongmind⁠⠀
#selfgrowth ⁠⠀
#rustica⠀
#journal⁠⠀
#love ⁠⠀
#changeyourlife ⁠⠀
#january⁠⠀
#winter⠀
#womenempowerment⁠⠀
#thursday⠀
#soul⁠⠀
#mylife⁠⠀
#inspiration⁠⠀
#memories⁠⠀
#quartz⁠⠀
#success⁠⠀
#affirmations⁠⠀
#dreambig⠀
#travel⁠⠀
#countertops⁠⠀
#inspire⁠⠀
#purpose⁠⠀
What did you do today? What did you do today?
Enjoying the weather Enjoying the weather
⁠⠀
I refuse⁠⠀
⁠⠀
to experience ⁠the⁠⠀
⁠⠀
"overwhelm"⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I'm feeling a bit of⁠⠀
⁠⠀
"Burnout" today.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Who me?⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Let's Talk Remodel for a Moment.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
On November 23rd, the demo crew showed up, ⁠⠀
and the kitchen was gone.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
The new cabinets went into the kitchen next.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
I was a happy wife, woman, momma⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Everything was on time and moving along on point.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
And then a MAJOR hiccup ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
in my well-orchestrated plan.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
The counter company came to measure one last time. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
And the plan: ten days to two weeks later, I would have my countertops and sinks looking gorgeous.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
But in making sure this fits well with ⁠⠀
the entire 2020 experience.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Instead of the typical turnaround, I learned it would be no less than four weeks when the countertops are ready to be placed.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Seriously, I thought the guy was pulling my leg.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
But they are four weeks behind, and COVID is the culprit.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Did I tell you that my four boys will be in town soon?⁠⠀
⁠⠀
LOL⁠⠀
⁠⠀
We've rented a place with a full kitchen.⁠⠀

We will have a fun visit and will have ⁠⠀
both houses to spend time together.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
This project would have and should have been over 90 percent done before Christmas.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Have you remodeled with the intention of having the job complete before a holiday or event?⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
#cancerawareness⁠⠀
#cancersurvivor⁠⠀
#mindfulness ⁠⠀
#motivation⁠⠀
#Utah⁠⠀
#femaleentreprenaur⁠⠀
#womeninbusiness⁠⠀
#strongmind⁠⠀
#selfgrowth ⁠⠀
#writersofinstagram ⁠⠀
#journal⁠⠀
#love ⁠⠀
#changeyourlife ⁠⠀
#snowplow ⁠⠀
#wintersnow⁠⠀
#womenempowerment⁠⠀
#christmasmiracle⁠⠀
#soul⁠⠀
#mylife⁠⠀
#inspiration⁠⠀
#memories⁠⠀
#kitchenremodel⁠⠀
#success⁠⠀
#affirmations⁠⠀
#dreambig⁠⠀
#travel⁠⠀
#inspire⁠⠀
#purpose⁠⠀
It is 2020 Aliens? Why not? a boy and his boy It is 2020

Aliens?

Why not?

a boy and his boy

#monolith
#familyadventure
#saturdayvibes
⠀ “Don’t you just love those 12 seconds when ⠀
“Don’t you just love those 12 seconds when the laundry is done”?
#laundry #neverendingstory #remodelnightmarewillbeworthit #subcontractorappreciation #plumberscrack #queenforaday
⁠ What is something ⁠ ⁠ that you are known f ⁠
What is something ⁠
⁠
that you are known for?⁠
⁠
⁠
When someone introduces you.⁠
⁠
What does that sound like?⁠
⁠
⁠
How do they describe you? ⁠
⁠
⁠
Think about it.⁠
⁠
Can you name a few?⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠There is a time and a season for everyone.⁠
⁠
We all have different parts of our personalities.⁠
⁠
I think about it like this:⁠
⁠
Depending on what I am dealing with ⁠
I am often wearing and ⁠
even changing my hat.⁠
⁠
When going to work there was a hat⁠
When my mom gene kicks in "a specific hat"⁠
Housewife that is its own hat⁠
Friendships hat⁠
Design. hat⁠
Musical hat⁠
⁠
and many more.⁠
⁠
⁠
Are you known for a specific hat?⁠
⁠
I worked full time for years and enjoyed my position and the people I worked with. For years this was the perfect job for me.  I learned, I grew, and enjoyed it.  I realized how blessed and amazing this situation was.⁠
⁠
Then one day, it abruptly ended.⁠
⁠
I found myself with the hat in my hand. ⁠
Clinging tightly to it. ⁠
It was hard to let go.m⁠
⁠
Who am I if I no longer wear this hat?⁠
Who am I if I don’t need this hat any longer?⁠
⁠
I realize now how much of my own identity was tied to that specific hat. ⁠
It took me some time to be emotionally comfortable no longer wearing my work hat. I remember struggling with this abrupt 2020 change.⁠
⁠
I am no longer "this". then who am I?⁠
⁠
2020 has been a year that we have all experienced change whether. it was intended or not.⁠
⁠
Choices - moving on in appreciation or holding tight, not understanding that change.⁠
⁠
⁠
Change⁠
It can be a perfect thing.⁠
And it is.⁠
⁠
This is how I think about the pandemic.⁠
We each try to make sense of it all.⁠
⁠
In my mind, ⁠
This is how I think about it.⁠
⁠
God and the universe created a situation to kick our butts in a direction that maybe we needed to go? ⁠
Leaving some things behind and ⁠
picking up or choosing our next hat.⁠
⁠
What do you think?
#watch the short story linked
⁠
The Weekend Vibes are here ⁠
Enjoy and don’t forget your mask⁠
Love to you all, ⁠
Shari⁠
⁠
Hump Day 🐫 Check out my stories It’s been a Hump Day 🐫  Check out my stories It’s been a busy couple of weeks.  Dexamethasone and THE CoVID 2020 Remodel.  I’ll also make sure it is all in my Highlights as well.
Staying Thankful each every moment.
Good Morning Sunday. Let’s try this again. Thi Good Morning Sunday.  Let’s try this again.  This is the current state of my fireplace.  And  I’m interested in (pic 2) something similar to this.
I just realized a few photos didn’t upload on my post yesterday.
Any ideas or experience in fireplace transformation?
What are your plans today?
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