Positive Feedback

Yesterday I paid a visit to my new oncologist – what an angel…..and certainly someone of a complete

Different nature to the original donkey who gave my diagnosis.

Dr. Rika Pienaar is a extremely well known Oncologist and she specialises in the areas of my cancer. Why

I didn’t find out about her before – I don’t know but I wish I had gone for a second opinion by her.

On close examination she seems to think my main tumor has shrunk quite a bit but it has gone hard however.

This means either A) certain sections of the tumour are not responding to my type of chemo but the rest is responding well or B) When my 2 biopsi’s were done the needle has caused the tissue to go hard. If the answer is A it means I’ll need another kind of chemo to break the bastard down.

The other cards that have been laid on the table (that she would like to do) is remove the problem sources of cancer, Whack me with a short stint of radiation as well as a possible maesectomy (eventually). She seems very certain on the Process plan but I think It will take a while.

On chatting to my cousin shortly after my appointment (her mother sadly struggled a long battle of breast, ovarian and skin cancer) she asked how I felt about having a masectomy because I said it so ‘without worry’. I told her I would Have it done in a heartbeat without even thinking. I’ll do anything to better my chances – absoloutely anything. If my family had gone through genetic testing before all this I would have opted to lob the suckers off if I’d known I was so proane. One can always get new ta tas ;)

I know I have been very positive but the doctor has given me that little extra bit of hope ;)

A New Year - New Goals

Happy 2011 Everyone!!

May this be an amazing year making all your wishes come true!

"My Happy New Year wish for you 

 Is for your best year yet, 

A year where life is peaceful,

And what you want, you get.

...A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.

I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more!!!"

So it's 2011 - 2010 came and went by so fast! so here I am hoping and praying that this is a year filled with better health for me - maybe even a year to hear that the crappy c is gone...one can certainly dream.

I have my first appointment with my new oncologist tomorrow. She's supposed to be the best ever and she specialises in the breast and liver.My original oncologist (not from the trials department) was a male who was cold as cold can be. I made the change because I feel I need somebody who is positive and warm. Somebody who I feel I'm not just another patient 2. You could say someone to believe in me and the progress I can make.

I went to a rock/ camping concert over new years with my boyfriend. We left late enough after having me rest and the agreement was as soon as I felt the least bit ill I could go home. I made it to new years and then we got stuck in a rain/ thunder and lightning storm....crap :( It gave me plenty of time to think what I want to achieve and gain this year.

On christmas eve I went and visited a new friend who I know through Nigel. She has just been diagnosed with bc and she was recomended some routine chemo. It was her first chemo that was being administered thought Ghroote Schuur and she was scared as ever. With all of this being a really familiar feeling I paid her a surprise visit with flowers, lollipops (for the yucky metal taste she would experience) and a survivor buff in case her hair fell out as well as some reading material. It meant so much to her that I came and visited her considering I had chemo the day before. It got me all thinking...I want to be part of something that empowers young women who are going through this. I want to let them know that it's ok and everything is going to be alright. Many people take one look at me and would never have thought I had cancer with my positive attitude. I want to be a positive example for others going through this....afterall...positivity is key. I Am going to have a meeting with a fellow Breast Buddy (support group) and see what we can do. Thats the number 1 thing | want to achieve together with getting better this year.

It seems as if chemo is taking a toll on my immune system becase I am picking up every bladey thing possible. Doctors think it's just because I have been on it for such a long time period. 

If you read my blog - please become a follower. I always get taken by surprise when someone says I read your blog all the time. Would be nice to know who all my stalkers are :p just kidding! 

Got ghastly sick last week. Went to my doctor and once again I got the viral flu going
around as well as a nasty bug in my bladder (charming). 
Quite bad this time around so I was given 2 different rounds of antibiotics and I
seem to ben slowly feeling human again.
Seems as if my immune system has just about had enough.
I'm having chemo done on the 23rd of December - sincerely hoping I won't be 2 much out of it.
I hope everybody is enjoying the Christmas holidays - to those of you who are off - lucky you!!
I wish you all a blessed christmas with many special moments filled with love and happiness :)

Not too much 2 say today -

Just watched a movie called "Living Proof" which is based on a true story about a man named Dr. Dennis Slamon who invented the miracle drug I am on "Herceptin". It's about the amazing way in which this doctor takes 12 years to have his drug approved and about the various women who are chosen for this special trial. Pretty amazing stuff but it also hits home a bit on how serious my whole matter is. It just seems so surreal...yes. still....believe it or not.

More Great News

For those of you who are unaware - I had my 2nd CT scan done last Tuesday. Results are positive - another reduction of 30%  :)  with my first CT scan I lost 42%...unfortunately these 2 percentages cannot be added together for a magnificent result that one can only dream of. In true fact I am about 52% in the clear instead. I wish I had a magic wand (or at least knew of somebody who owned one) to just make it all go away. How amazing would it be to hear the words 'You are in the clear!"

To sum up my overall measurement of my cancerous leisions it originally measured 165.4mm. It now measures 81.8mm :)

My doctors feel that I am doing really well on the treatment. They think I am coping amazingly well and might just put me on an extra 2 months of treatment just so I can get better results seen that I am responding so well. I hope and pray with all my heart that it works!! It really has become a weekly routine and it is extremely tedious but I am up for anything to make me feel better :) I seem to be part of the furniture now in the oncology department.

I am feeling an unusual symptom of tight chest/ weazing. Hoping it all goes away because it's making me suffer in the sleep department! 

I feel like I'm kind of getting away alot easier than what other patients are going through. About a month ago 2 new people started. The one girl I barely recognised because she dosn't have a hair on her head and the other lady is now in a wheel chair because her strength is so bad. I know my chemo is a bit milder than what the others have but wow - it's quite a reality check. I almost feel as if the severity of my cancer isn't real. Is it really that advanced?

I can't believe we are nearing the end of year already - where on earth has the year gone? could it be that 4 months of treatment have gone by so dam fast already?

It's been a while since I have updated my blog - I keep getting reminded by certain 'followers' :p 

I had a bad reaction last week during my chemo session. Sincerely hope that doesn't happen again! Not quite sure why It happend but I was fine on my rechallenge again. Thank goodness...

I am having my next scan done on the 23rd of this month - I am soooooo nervous. Can only hope that the  progression continues as good as the results were the last time. Cross your fingers and toes everybody - I will do nothing but POSITIVE thinking over the next week! If I am on nerve it's really because I'm as nervous as hell for the next set of results...

For all the men supporting 'Movember' - Good on you all :) I think next year we should have a competition going on to support men with prostate cancer.

onward we go

Ok - so the hair is still there. It seems that every week my one specific trial doctor will walk up to me in utter amazement and gasp that my hair  is still there. Yay me!

So lately I  have been thinking about everything I have gone through since being diagnosed. I try to stay on the positive side of things but my mind seems to waft back to the idiot in the white coat who misdiagnosed me. Everyone says that it's extremely hard to sue doctors about misdiagnosis but then I think about it-  my mom who is a medical technologist at a blood bank for Western Provice - everyday she has the stresses of losing her job if she makes a mistake of giving out the wrong blood or not double checking up after herself on the records etc How is this different!? I trusted this doctor would put my mind at ease to something that was 

clearly a worry for me. If the cancer had been discovered I could easily be over it all right now and it wouldn't have spread to my liver. I think I have decided that towards the end of my treatment I am going to investigate such cases like mine. If anybody has had a personal experience in this (or you have heard of such stories) the advice would be much appreciated :)

My better half asked me the other day if I think I have changed since going through the whole ordeal. In many ways yes but I think I still have quite a journey to go. I find I am even more calm than what I was and I don't let the silly things bug me like they usesd to. I walk away before an argument event starts and another huge aspect is an urge to help people in a similar situation to me. I just want to help and go the extra mile for the people who deserve it. Especially the people in my life who love and support me so much.

Love you guys!