My Cancerversary , 33rd Birthday and Thanksgiving

November 16, 2009 I celebrated my 4 year cancerversary in style. I had acupuncture, lunch with a friend, massage, dinner with a friend and Rufus Wainwright at the Paramount (thank you, Carol for the tickets.) I'm listening to The Fray and Augustana as I blog because I bought the songs from itunes as a gift to myself.

November 22, 2009 was my 33rd birthday. It's so ironic because I really thought that 29 was going to scare me but cancer happened right before my 29th birthday. My birthdays do not scare me anymore. It's really an opportunity to live and to make a difference in this world...a celebration of life. I'm so fortunate to have friends to celebrate my birthday with. I loved my phone call from Ben and Ryan with their sweet voices. I loved the overwhelming birthday wishes on Facebook. I loved all the voicemails my out of town friends left for me. The above picture is dinner at NXNW with friends. For my birthday weekend I slept in, worked out, read at Starbucks, had dinner with listened to a cover band with friends. I also had brunch, watched a movie, went for a bike ride and dinner with a friend. Simply perfect!

The last time I was in Albuquerque for Thanksgiving was the year I was diagnosed. My sisters flew me out there to tell my parents in person that I was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I was thankful they did that. I was able to spend time with Ryan and tell both my parents and my friends face to face. Most of my Thanksgivings are spent with random friends since I am considered an "orphan" during Thanksgiving in ATX. In Austin I've spent it with RJ, Rock, Rob & Bev, Shell and Cara's family. This year I was thankful I was invited to four Thanksgivings. I spent Thanksgiving with Cara and her mom's side of the family. They had six different desserts, three turkeys (two breasts but more than enough turkey,) salad, fruit salad, rolls, potatoes, dressing, cranberries and gravy. Great food, great company! I'm thankful to have spent the day with them.

Shell surprised me by making a small Thanksgiving at her house on Friday. We were just supposed to catch up and for me to play with Nicole, her adorable almost two year old. I was able to do that, spend time with her parents and help her put up her Christmas tree. Since I've known Shell we've always decorated her house together. Well, I think I may have missed a year but it's been a nice tradition for us!

November 2009 Vitamin D3 Results

I found out my vitamin D3 went from 26.2 last year to 42 this year! More and more research is geared that 40-60 is actually ideal though 30 is the low range. I've been on 2000 iu a day and I try to get out side, even if it's for a short amount of time. Please do further research and talk to a health care provider further about this if you're interested. Knock on wood but it's been 2 years since I've had the flu and a year since I had a cold.

Notes from LBBC's Annual Fall Conference in November 2009

LBBC’s Annual Fall Conference 2009

What Today’s Research Means for Tomorrow

• Herceptin for HER2 +; Tykerb for HER1 and HER2 +
• PARP Inhibitors in clinical trial phase II with chemo or chemo w/Parp; so far those with the chemo w/Parp are living 2x as long; future use may be for BRAC/Previvors for ovarian and breast cancer
• Avastin to target VEGF which may improve the delivery of chemo; clinical trial are being used for earlier stages of cancer

Hormone Therapies

• Tamoxifen and AI is better than TAM alone for post menopausal women; can switch to AI after 1,2,3 or 5 years of TAM offers benefit beyond TAM alone though some studies show varying benefits of AI over TAM from the start
• Ovarian ablation of Lupron or Zoladex for premenopausal women
• Side effects of TAM & AI includes increase cholesterol, liver enzyme abnormalities (not liver disease,) lower white blood count
• Avoid hormone replacement therapy, topical estrogen creams okay, low fat diet, exercise, alcohol in moderation and avoid high soy content like concentrated powders

The Impact of Weight Training

• Speaking to a physical therapist before surgery can be helpful for range of motion
• 2x a week slow progression strength training safe for those with and w/o lymphedema; be sure to warm up and use resistance with core stability
• Significant risk factors for lymphoma: arm infection, injury and elevated BMI and NOT occupational and leisure-time physical activity
• Risk of lymphedema flare-ups decreased by half and strength & body image improved

Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies, Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• 1. Keep body fat in check BMI 21-23 ideal, 2. 30 minutes of physical activity a day, 3. Avoid sugar and fast food, 4. Eat at least 5 servings of nonstarchy fruits and vegetables, mainly plant based, 5. Limit red meat to 2x a week, go organic and avoid grilled and processed meats, 6. No more than 1 alcoholic drink a day, 7. Meet your nutritional needs through diet alone and is not recommended for cancer prevention 8. Avoid salty and process foods (bacon, sausage, lunch meats)
• Mediterranean Diet is ideal since it’s anti-inflammatory with 3-5 fruits and vegetables a day, 2+ protein of (legume and nuts,) whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, calcium between 1000-1500 mg between food and supplements and Vitamin D3 1000-2000IU
• Avoid antioxidants while on chemo and radiation
• Herbs and other botanicals are tricky. Concern with contamination, toxicity, drug interaction and concern that it may have hormonal impact. Great website www.mskcc.org/aboutherbs
• Acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, mind/body practices like yoga, meditation, tai chi, qi-gong and hypnosis all helpful

Vitamin D3

Get outside and play! The newest studies show that vitamin D3 is the new wonder vitamin. The best way to get it by getting natural sunlight without sunscreen. As little as 15 minutes a day will do the trick. In 2009 we tend to live in a cave. We leave our house to go to work. Most of us drive to work rather than walk or bike. We leave work and it is typically already dark. The cycle continues.

We can get vitamin D3 from the sun and from supplemens but make sure it's D3 and not D2. They found that those lived closer to the equator had less cancers and other illnesses. Those at the equator are exposed to more sunlight. Those that lived in the very northern or southern hemisphere experienced higher rates of cancer and other illnesses. People with darker skin, mainly African Americans, have skin that block some of the vitamin D3 so they have a harder time getting it naturally.

I had mine tested last year. I was at 24 if I remember correctly and the safe low range is 30. They are now suggesting 40 to 50 is ideal. I've been on 2000 IU since then and will hopefully get it retested on Wednesday. I've been making it a point to get more sunshine. It is harder to get it during the week days but I try to walk Sammy in the mornings and during lunch.

I suggest asking your doc for a simple blood work and run 25(OH)D. Most insurance companies will cover it but your medical establishment can run the code for you to double check.

I've watched as Sammy sun bathes. It's almost innate for him to do that. We've all heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder.) We lather up on sunscreen and spend too much time working indoors. I personally still use sunscreen when I know I'll be out there during peak times or for a long time. Do some extra research and see what you find. I'm a believer. Knock on wood but I haven't been sick since this time last year. I think this and my green drink in the mornings are key.

Four Year Cancerversary

My four year cancerversary is November 16, Monday. It's hard to believe that it's been four years. My life four years ago is so different from what it is currently. I'm very excited that I'm heading towards my five year mark since my diagnosis but I know recurrences can always happen. I've unfortunately seen it recently to someone that is young and had a bilateral mastectomy.

I've been on Tamoxifen for over three years now. I can handle the hot flashes now that it's finally cooled down in Austin. I'm still having a hard time with sleep. I have my four month check up coming up and I'll have to chat with my doctor about that.

Here's to four years and counting! Happy Halloween and Happy almost November!

Pictures of my hair about 3 years post chemo & my up coming cancerversary

Pink weekend at The Smile Never Fades Gala September 25, 2009 Blog and extra picture taken by Michael Barnes.



14th Annual Champagne Brunch September 27, 2009
So it's getting pretty long. My goal is to grow it long and then donate my hair again. There's still a little chemo curl/wave left but nothing that is overly bothersome. I love being able to put it in a ponytail or clipping it up. Talk about learning to appreciate what you have/had!

November 16th will be my 4 year Cancerversary. Someone coined this word apparently and it marks the day you were diagnosed with cancer. It falls on Monday this year but I plan on celebrating the weekend prior. Heck, celebrate all month since my 33rd birthday is coming up too!

Love for My Doctors

I love my doctors. I trust them. Everyone needs a doctor to fill certain needs. Some people need to be motherly and nurturing. Others need them to be God. I want someone that is good.

After my late diagnosis back in 2005 and my issues with my first plastic surgeon, I've been very fortunate to love all my doctors. My first impression of my oncologist was dedication. It was my doctor's day off and she came into speak to me because I was just diagnosed.

Once again I love her. I've been seeing a neurologist to figure out my neuropathy. MRI of the brachial plexus and it came back with questionable findings in my left lymph node. My cancer was in the right breast and I had a sentile node biopsy done on the right side and it was clear. She called to let me know what they found in the MRI but for not for me to be alarmed and she would schedule a CT scan first thing tomorrow morning. 48 hours later and she called letting me know that it was clear. She said she was going to have a drink that night to celebrate. Of course that 48 hours was nightmarish and we know that too many scans to show false negatives. However, I love how she was on top of things. It was my neurologist that ordered the brachial plexus MRI and not her. I rather be safe than sorry since we know what happened to me back in 2005.

I feel good about my other docs too. I think that is the most important thing when you choose a doctor. You need to figure out what YOU need from a doctor. Do your research. Ask around. Get a second or third opinion if you feel iffy. I hear all the time how one person adored one doctor and one person could not stand that doctor. I want someone that will listen to me, or humor me, and someone that is skilled/qualified. It's only a bonus when they are compassionate or funny.