For the past few days, I’ve felt a little under the weather. It’s funny (not in a “Ha Ha” kind of way) how sensitive I still am…how just feeling puny can take me back to my FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers) days. When I was first diagnosed with FBC, my first thought wasn’t… Continue reading When a Parent Has Cancer
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Treatment
Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Chemotherapy
Well, it’s happened yet again. Another good friend of mine has been diagnosed with FC (f-bomb cancer for new readers). I’ve been spending a fair amount of time wondering WTF is going on. This f-bomb disease sure seems to be everywhere. This week is my friend’s “chemo” talk with the doctor. Ugh. I remember that… Continue reading Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Chemotherapy
Begin at Once
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Top Movies to Watch During Chemo
The two to three hours spent in a chemo are absolutely no fun. There may be a smile or two, but in general, when I sat in the chair watching TAC drip into my body, I pretty much counted down the minutes until I could leave. There was a Silver Lining though when I reminded myself… Continue reading Top Movies to Watch During Chemo
Delayed Side Effects
As I have talked about (a LOT) during my treatment for FBC (f-bomb breast cancer), cancer therapy (especially chemo) can have side effects and that surface long after treatment for the original disease is gone. Some such side effects include liver damage, heart disease and even cancer itself. Yes, chemo can in fact cause other… Continue reading Delayed Side Effects
Chemo Brain Antidote: Mental Aerobics
Now that I’m feeling stronger physically (Silver Lining: I ran 8 miles the other day and then played tennis!), it’s time to up the ante on my persistently pervasive chemo brain. Argh.
Fighting is Not How The Silver Pen Rolls
Now that I’m a week out from my last radiation treatment and my brain has adjusted to the altitude of Aspen (sort of), it’s time to go out on a limb and broach the topic that has been on my mind since the time of diagnosis, but that I haven’t brought up because it’s…well, it’s anti-establishment – in a BIG way.
A Big Day
Before any big event, my dear, beloved mother-in-law used to say to her boys (& then to her grandchildren): “You have a Big Day.”
Today was a big, BIG day! A Silver-Lined day.
40,000 Foot Perspective
As it turns out, despite my jitters of yesterday, traveling after being on the breast cancer Isolation Island is (fortunately!) just like riding a bicycle. I hopped right back on and rolled easily, which was a real Silver Lining. Additionally, a five-plus hour flight enabled me to reflect on life lessons, lymphedema and cancer lingo.
Chemo Clutter
Chemo clutter (a/k/a mind fog or chemo brain) has truly been the most frightening part of my breast cancer experience because it inhibits my ability to think, problem solve, follow directions, and make decisions. When you think about it, cognitive ability (or lackthereof) is a huge factor in defining who we are as individuals. Having my cognition altered to radically has made me feel incredibly vulnerable. (F-Bomb!) Don’t worry, I do find some Silver Linings!