If you don't already subscribe to Wildfire Magazine, go sign up now!! It's amazing and you will get content from a wide variety of talented men and women. A version of this post was originally published in 2018 in the Genetics edition of Wildfire. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my breast surgeon … Continue reading ATM Mutation (Originally published in Wildfire Magazine)
Category: Medical Updates
Feeling Fragile
Most days, I have sufficient energy to keep up with the boys, to attend my doctor's appointments and to do the things that need to get done, to do the laundry and organize homework. Most days. I'm not at my former level of energy, but with judicious rest and a LOT of help, including the … Continue reading Feeling Fragile
Surgical Menopause
While I have no regrets that I gave the green light for my hysterectomy back on September 18, 2017, the ongoing effects of the removal of my ovaries have caused a great deal of consternation. I had some frame of reference for what menopause would look like, but no good resources on how surgical menopause … Continue reading Surgical Menopause
Dealing with Pain, Part II
As you probably guessed from my previous post, I have resisted including narcotics and other interventions that would be considered "Western" medicine in favor of including alternative/complimentary remedies. I don't do this lightly and, while I am not a doctor, I have become an expert on my own body and being in tune with what/how … Continue reading Dealing with Pain, Part II
Dealing with Pain, Part I
Dealing with pain is constant trial and error. Different pain, different body parts, and different biological mechanisms means that I am always experimenting with various remedies. These are my favorite, in no particular order ... Medical Marijuana. Before I was in pain, I didn't understand the big deal about medical marijuana. I'd never tried anything … Continue reading Dealing with Pain, Part I
Pain
This picture is theoretically what my bones look like now--the tumors have been killed off or are dying, but what is left are literally holes in what should be solid. I'm hopeful that the medication I take daily has helped, but breast cancer eats bone. It eats it. Before I found out that I have … Continue reading Pain
Treating Cognitive Issues
Once my neuro-psychological testing revealed a 20 point IQ drop, the next step was to discuss treatment. The areas identified as deficient have to do with recall, processing speed and executive functioning; exactly the areas I'd reported issues with. I was referred to a speech therapist. A speech therapist? I was surprised since my perception … Continue reading Treating Cognitive Issues
Neuro-Psychological Testing
2017 is a bit of a blur for me. There are some moments that stick out; however, not many. It was the most eventful year, medically, for me and the addition of chemo to all the surgeries and hospital stays and procedures, its no wonder that it feels hazy and not quite real. Since there … Continue reading Neuro-Psychological Testing
Chemo Brain
This is a real thing. I've read several times that doctors are not convinced that it exists and that it is hard to test. Nearly everyone I've talked to who has undergone chemo experiences various cognitive affects. It is hard to quantify at times, but it is a real thing. A rather humorous example that … Continue reading Chemo Brain
Compromised Immunity
I have understood for some time that I have a compromised immune system. It's hard to ignore when I go to the doctor's office at least monthly to have bloodwork done and the lab always calls my doctor's office right away to report the feeble amounts of white blood cells detected. Learning the medical terms … Continue reading Compromised Immunity
No Half Measures 