THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Breast Cancer Sisterhood...

Sorry this post is so late today. I recently found something interesting that I wanted to share with you in the Costco magazine, and then I accidently threw it away! Just found it, so here goes...

In the Member Connection area of the magazine, Coscto introduces Brenda Coffee - a breast cancer survivor. In November 2009, she launched the Breast Cancer Sisterhood - which is a resource all about breast cancer. The article goes on to say that it was originally set up as a non-profit, but she decided to make it something more. She started the Survivorship Media Network, LLC, for families of patients. She has also co-authored two guide books, one that provides patient advice, and the other for husbands who are caregivers. The website is http://breastcancersisterhood.com - they get 15,000 visitors a month! Included on the website are around 100 videos, FAXs, experts, an award-winning blog, Retail Therapy, and links to other cancer-related sites. Take a minute and go to the website - I hope you'll find something useful there. Have a great day!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Beautiful Art...

TUESDAY TIDINGS - DCIS Treatments...

I was recently reading some articles on the website, MedicineNet.com, and thought I'd share one of them with you. It's about DCIS - one of the forms of breast cancer that I had - it starts with a question...

"I have a Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), a type of localized cancer. Why have I been advised to have a mastectomy when other women with invasive cancer have lumpectomies?"

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) sometimes presents a difficult dilemma. Most patients with DCIS can undergo successful breast-conservation therapy but not all. The diagnosis implies that this is an "early" form of cancer in the sense that the cells have not acquired the ability to penetrate normal tissue barriers or spread through the vascular or lymphatic channels to other sites of the body. It is important to realize that breast cancer is a wide spectrum of diseases and no comparisons should be made just on the basis that someone you know has "breast cancer" and shares a different treatment approach with you.

However, the millions of cells forming the DCIS have accumulated a series of errors in their DNA programs which allow them to grow out of control. There are varying degrees of disturbance, called "grades," of the normal cellular patterns. Low grades are more favorable, and high grades are less favorable.

The DCIS cells originate from the inside of the breast gland ducts (microscopic tubes). As they multiply, the cells fill and spread through the normal ducts of the breast glandular tissue. With many DNA errors already in place and millions of these cells exposed to the usual risks of additional DNA damage, a few cells will ultimately become invasive. This invasive change is the real risk of DCIS.

Treatment which does not physically remove all of the DCIS seems to leave a substantial risk of recurrence and, therefore, invasive disease. This risk of recurrence is particularly increased in the high-grade form of DCIS. In cases where the DCIS has spread extensively through the breast ducts, even though the disease is in a sense "early" because it is not yet invasive, it may still require a large surgical resection, at times even a mastectomy (removal of all or part of the breast).

This article helped me to better understand the treatment of my cancer, but I think the most important part of the article was the advice that was given... "It is important to realize that breast cancer is a wide spectrum of diseases and no comparisons should be made just on the basis that someone you know has "breast cancer" and shares a different treatment approach with you."

As it says here, I think it's important to make your decisions about your breast cancer, and not compare it to the breast cancer others have. I've often wondered why my chemo treatment was so different than others with the same cancer. But, every cancer is unique - just as every person is unique. Do your homework, and research, and then make your decisions about treatment based on your research, the opinions of your doctors and other caregivers, and what you feel best about doing.

MONDAY MEMOIRS - It's Time To Feel Better...

I was reading through some old posts on my breast cancer blog, and something I read reminded me of what I wanted to post today....

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I never thought that 10 months later I would feel this awful. I thought that when I finished with chemo, things would get better - that chemo was the worst of it. It's hard to get going again with my life when I'm still not feeling well. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however. Several people I talked to, who have had cancer and chemo, have told me that this will last for about a year and then things will get better. A year is a long time. It's difficult to get back to taking care of my family and back to work when things hurt. But at least it will get better at some point."

So, the questions for this week in your cancer journal - When you were first diagnosed, how long did you think your cancer journey would be? Did you expect to feel all better as soon as your treatments were done, or were you a bit more realistic than I was?

By-the-way, the paragraph above was written in June of 2009. So, it's been about 15 months since then. I'm still not at 100%, but I'm feeling much better than I was at that time. Since then, I've heard different things from other cancer survivors - some say 1 year, some say 3 years. But, they all assure me that I WILL eventually feel so much better. I look forward to that day!

-KARA

FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Recipe - Tortellini Dish...

Guest blogger - Shanna Stahura - sent this recipe in to share with you...

This recipe has it all...its healthy, has amazing flavor and its fast... you can make it in under 15 minutes. This recipe is a hit! Every time I make it everyone wants the recipe.

Ingredients

1 bunch or bag of fresh spinach
1 package of cheesy tortellini (from refrigerator section)
1 large can whole tomatoes
1 large carton of chicken broth
fresh basil (can substitute dried)
salt
pepper
fresh shredded Parmesan

Directions

1. Cook tortellini according to packages directions.
2. Place tomatoes in a large pot and blend with hand blender ( you can also cut or mash tomatoes)
3. Add chicken broth and bring to boil then simmer.
4. Add cooked tortellini to broth mixture.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, turn off heat and then stir in spinach and sprinkle with basil.
6. Sprinkle each serving with fresh Parmesan

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Mourn with those who mourn...

I wanted to share something from my other blog, 'Incredible Women'. I'm interviewing a woman this week - Kathi Thompson - who has gone through some very difficult trials in her life, including losing her son right before his High School graduation. When I asked her what lessons she's learned from her trials, her answer included the follow...

"I have become passionate about using the things I have learned through these experiences to help others. I realize that it is important for us to become like the Savior in this life and to mourn with those who mourn and to help others carry their heavy burdens."

What wise words. I hope I can learn to be more Christlike, as I strive to help others with their own burdens.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Pink Bling...

You can find this beautiful necklace, along with other pretty pink jewelry at Emitations Blog. They donate a portion of each sale to Susan G. Komen.