As a metastatic breast cancer patient, I have had questions about other patients with a similar diagnosis. If you are reading my blog you may also have this terminal disease. Because of that, I am including a timeline of my own treatment. I will update my timeline as needed. December 26, 2015 – First Symptom I found a lump in my right breast while taking a shower. I was not overly ... Read the Post
My MBC Timeline
Tips for dealing with Scan Anxiety
Scans can often bring feelings of uneasiness and nervousness, as patients cope with physical constraints during the scan and emotional uncertainty for their results. Tips for coping with scan anxiety: Distract yourself and stay busy. Staying busy leading up to your scan will keep your mind occupied and keep you from focusing on the upcoming scan or scan results. ... Share your story. ... Read the Post
Side Effects? — There’s an App for that
You go through months of chemo, and you have a follow-up scan which show's improvement. Hooray! So now what? What's next? An oncologist's primary purpose is to slow the progression of cancer and improve your outlook. There are a few different treatments that you may continue with. Yes, these treatments can help prolong your life. The bad news is that these treatments also cause ... Read the Post
Tips for Discussing Diagnosis & Treatment Options with Your Loved Ones.
I was asked the following question."If you're significant other is diagnosed with cancer, what is the best way to breakdown the options the doctor gave you? Without it being overwhelming and adding stress to an already stressful situation?" There obviously is not a perfect answer to this question so here is my response. Talking about cancer is challenging ... Read the Post
Learn the Nine Myths of MBC
So here it is, are you ready? The Nine Myths of MBC Let's get started. Myth #1: Metastatic breast cancer is curable. The comment I get over and over again, "I didn't know you are still having chemo." Let me say this loud and clear MBC is not curable. However, treatments can keep it from growing and spreading for months and sometimes years at a time. When a treatment ... Read the Post
The Pros and Cons of having a Port
In an outpatient procedure a few days before my first chemo appointment, I had a power port implanted on the left side of my upper chest. This quarter-sized port helps chemo drip smoothly because it connects a catheter to one of the central veins leading through my body. Why is this a big deal? It means chemo drugs can be quickly and safely delivered into my bloodstream—and I didn’t ... Read the Post