The blog renewed: Posting #1

Like most people who start a blog it ends quite quickly...life just gets in the way.  The Canyon Ranch Life Enhancement Program continues to be a powerful force in my life. but I have found that my health changes began last summer - in July 2016.  I ditched this blog and started a private Facebook group to get the health updates out.  I think they could be an interesting read in a blog, so I'll start posting them from the beginning as if anyone reading this blog knows me as a friend.  My story as written to my friends and family in Facebook.

Posting #1

I have been diagnosed with HER2 Positive breast cancer. I had a routine mammogram in July and when the technician called to say the radiologist wanted more pictures, I said I didn't believe the scans were properly done...I stuck with this for nearly two weeks when I said they could take more but I wouldn't pay for them...then another technician finally broke the stalemate and I had more pics done...and {you guessed it} the first films were done properly and that led me to more scans, ultrasound and biopsy.

I have never been sick, not family with breast cancer and I was good at getting mammograms each year. (something I was praised for by the doctors). So... I called a friend for advice, After the testing was done on the biopsy there was good news, early detection, stage 1 and probably no lymph node involvement but the cancer grade is 3/3,  aggressive/invasive. 

She suggested I go to Dana Farber in Boston. So I called and had a surgery consult and an oncology consult. AND it looks like they were looking for ME!!!! It seems I qualify for TWO trial studies, one in surgery and one in drugs. The surgery is going to be this Thurs. Sept. 15 in the most advanced operating rooms you can imagine.the AMIGO operating suite at Brigham & Women's Hospital Well you can't imagine it..it's out of Star Wars. This is where Princess Leia would have her lumpectomy! here's the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcZBc_po9yQ

I have had local surgical/oncology/radiology appointments, MRI's and an Echocardiogram.... then in early October I will get the guidance of the course of treatment. A drug Herceptin along with another drug for a full 12 months.and maybe a third of generic chemo for around 4 months, then then somewhere along the path radiation for 6 weeks once a day. "Treat your breasts like they are your children" my friend told me. Great Advice.

The path ahead is unknown. I just recently told my children who are in very remote far-away lands each with different reactions as expected. I'm holding together ok, I haven't made a big news event because 1. my children didn't know until a couple of weeks ago and 2. It feels overwhelming to tell the same damn boring story. 

Summer is almost gone...it got side tracked for me... I hope not for any of you. I'd appreciate your kind thoughts of healing and words of encouragement when mine falters. My friend assures me a year will go faster than I think possible and I believe her.