Pet Scan and Vaccines Today.

Yesterday, Mary Rush drove me over to see Dr. Harris for a check up after the last surgery. He suggested I contact the American Cancer Society about a Stretch Class. All incisions healing well. I took him a few buttons and the office egg salad. We collected X-Rays from Daphne. Mobile & Foley.

Off to see the PET Scan man in Pensacola this morning at 5:00 AM. That went well. I will get the results in the next 10 days. Afterwards stopped at Dr, Kurtts in Elberta for a Flu & Pneumonia vaccine. (one of each) Came home took a nap! Whiles watching the weather channel.

Plan to drink week this week end as my swan song self imposed on the wagon for treatment. AH! But there is still chocolate.
Trees are out at the Art Center, ready to be fluffed, checked lights and the big A%S Tree put lights back on. Only TWO weeks until Grand Opening. Only 10 days until CHEMO!

Halloween Uptown was kinda damp but a steady crowd at the Art centre to have their palms read by, Ann Crawford, Bonnie Blaylock, June Waloaz, Bonnie Bodine, Roman Kohani and her friend. They were great!

My "Gave BooB" Bottons are in. I have about 50 at $2.00 each. They are 1 1/2 inches in size.

Going to see Paula Deen Monday in New Orleans.
Dr. Cain about the mediport Wednesday.

Away game next Friday, I have a Custom charter Bus to the UMS/Wright Game. Contact me if you wish to make a reservation.

CORRECTION TO CHEMO DRUGS

Correction to AC CHEMO Drugs
First round of "AC" 4 cycles 8 weeks will be
(Adriamycin & Cytoxan)followed by 12 weeks of "T"

Course of Attack is Made!

Saw Dr. Tan Tuesday here in Foley at the Gulf Coast Cancer Center by the hospital. It brought back so many memories from mother’s battle four years ago. But also so many caring friendly faces. Tammy told him we had hoped we would never see him again, but we were sure glad he was there. Saw a few long time friends in the Big "C" room. I understand that like Las Vegas what goes on in The "C" room stays in the "C" room but Bobbie Quates and Myrtle Seals said I could mention I saw them and they are doing well. Their amazing attitude was a real boost to one who is just beginning the journey.
Unfortunately, I must forego all alcohol beginning Nov.7 for 26 weeks of Chemo & radiation.Comes to about 4 1/2 months of treatment.Yes, I will loose my hair (I have not been very fond of it since my 30s anyway) I like my hats and funny purple wigs. I will gain probably 15-20 LBS. from the large doses of steroids and all of the junk food I can ingest for comfort.
By choosing a regiment of Aromatase Inhibitors which will reduce estrogen levels in the tissue (Arimidex) combined with the 1st round of 4 cycles in 8 weeks of chemo with doses of "AC" (anthracycline and cyclophosaminde) followed by 12 weeks of "T" taxanedrug (paclitaxel or doxcetaxel.) Then will come the 6 weeks of Radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. YEA!

Thursday I go to Mobile to see Dr. Harris the surgeon for a follow up and to retrieve all X-Rays along the way from Daphne (Breast) Springhill Hospital (Chest) Foley, MRI & Heart as I am going Friday morning at 6:30 AM to Baptist Hospital for a PET Scan. Tammy is taking me. Next Wednesday, Nov. 1, I will meet with Dr. Cain for a consult for my mediport to be put in my chest, I am drawing off where my bra straps are and he is to stay out of that range.

"Z" SCHEDULE for the next three weeks

Wed. Oct. 25: Trees come out at the Art Center for Trim a Tree
Thurs. Oct. 26: to Mobile to see Dr. Harris - Halloween Uptown Foley
Fri. Oct. 27: Baptist Hospital at 6:30 AM for Pet Scan, Foley vs Bay Minette
Mon. Oct 30: to New Orleans to see Paula Deen
Tues. Oct 31: HALLOWEEN
Wed. Nov. 1: Consult with Dr. Cain about mediport installation
Fri. Nov. 3: Foley vs UMS Wright
Tues. Nov. 7: 11:45 meet w/ Dr. Tan NOON begin CHEMO.
Thurs. Nov. 9: Preview Party for Trim A Tree
Fri. Nov. 10: Grand Opening of Trim A Tree
Fri. Nov. 10: PLAY OFF GAME at Home Foley Vs ?
Sat. Nov. 11: Trim A Tree Continues until Dec. 23
Nov. 8-16- Shot of Leukine
Fri. Nov. 17: LAB
Mon. Nov. 27: LAB
Tues. Nov. 28: CHEMO
Nov. 29- Dec. 7- Shot of Leukine

I am gathering orders for T-shirts for the My Friend Gave Boob!
And reorder “I Gave Boob”
I have yet to mail any as I am waiting on the Buttons to arrive
Email me and remind me you want a shirt: size and if it is “I Gave” or “My Friend Gave” Thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers for me, my family and care givers.

Tuesday meet with Hemotalogist Dr. Tan

Here was my baby grandson 3 years ago. I can't believe he turned 4 last week end.
I go see Dr. Tan here in Foley at the Gulf Coast Cancer Center Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Denny is going for moral support and Tammy to listen to what he says about Chemo options and help me ask questions. My understanding is first I will have chemo treatments then the Radiation treatments. I will know more after Tuesday afternoon.
Hey! My boob friend Angela called to tell me about this new treatment option. Read the following facts and check out the web site concerning Mammosite radiation therapy (Brachytherapy) a possible choice of radiation http://www.mammosite.com/Treatment-Types.htm

1. The leading cancer in women is breast cancer.
2. It is estimated that one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
3. Approximately three million women in the U.S. are living with breast cancer: two million who have been diagnosed and an estimated one million who do not yet know they have the disease.
4. An estimated 211,300 cases of invasive breast cancer and 47,345 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were expected to occur among women in 2003. (An invasive breast cancer is defined as having spread beyond the layer of cells where it started to nearby tissues. DCIS is the earliest form of breast cancer, in which cancer cells are located within a duct and have not invaded the surrounding fatty breast tissue.)
5. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The majority of new breast cancer cases, nearly 80 percent, occur in women older than age 50.
5. White women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than Black women; however, Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to die of the disease.
6. When breast cancers are discovered at an early, "localized" stage and treated (the current standard of treatment for early-stage breast cancer is lumpectomy followed by radiation), there is a 97 percent rate of five-year survival.
7. Approximately 80% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are detected in the early stages of the disease.
8. The National Cancer Institute has stated that breast-conserving therapy is "preferable" to mastectomy for most early-stage cancer patients. The procedure involves a lumpectomy and examination and removal of the under-arm lymph nodes, followed by a course of radiation therapy.
8. Two groups (Fisher et al. and Veronesi et al.) reported in the October 17, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine that women with relatively small breast cancers who were treated with breast conservation surgery plus radiation therapy were as likely to be alive and disease-free 20 years later as women treated with mastectomy.
9. Up to 40 percent of patients with early-stage breast cancer still opt for a mastectomy, despite comparable long-term recurrence and survival rates.
10. Up to 25% of women who undergo breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy) do not proceed to radiation therapy, which is considered the standard of care following a lumpectomy.
*11. The American Brachytherapy Society's 2003 recommendations support the use of partial breast irradiation in women over age 45 with small tumors (3 cm or less) who meet other technical criteria.
12. When considering patients for treatment with partial breast irradiation in lieu of whole breast irradiation, the American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends that the woman be over the age of 50 with small total tumor size (2 cm or less), among other selection criteria.
13. When attention is given to patient selection and adequate brachytherapy quality assurance, the five-year local recurrence rate for brachytherapy treatments is less than 5%.
14. Logistical barriers of time and travel with standard whole-breast treatment have pushed a number of women toward the choice of mastectomy (when they would rather preserve their breast) or toward lumpectomy only (without follow-up radiation therapy where they face an increased risk of recurrence).

My Friend Gave Boob T-Shirts & Knit Tops

Thanks to Terri at the shop I now have the art work for "MY FRIEND GAVE BOOB" shirts.
I have some pre orders. If you are interested let me know so I can plan on including your order with the first screen printing.
I plan on doing some fitted black knit, cap sleeved shirts, like from the gap too.

5,000 Bras to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

5,000 BRAS To Promote "BREAST CANCER AWARENESS"
From: Sherry LeeVarsity Cheer Leader Sponsor
I just found out late yesterday afternoon that Foley was WABB’s Team of the Week. They will be broadcasting live from our game tomorrow night. The radio station is conducting a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and is collecting bras (new or used). Their goal is 5,000 but I believe at this point they have only collected around 2,000. I know this is short notice, but let’s pitch in and be a great “Team of the Week” by donating to this worthy cause. The cheerleaders and I are planning to take some bras to donate tonight when we go to the station. We will be leaving the school tonight at 6 pm. If you would like to make a donation to this wonderful cause, please let me know and I will be happy to take it with us to Mobile or bring them to me and I will be happy to deliver them to the DJ’s at tomorrow night’s game. What a great way to show our Lion Pride!

Thanks and Go Foley—Beat those Bears!!!
Sherry Lee

The one dose of Ativan Thursday was better than a double shot of tequila.
It seems to be the only thing to yank me out of the dark hole I had fallen in.
Dr. Harris sweet nurse called me Friday to say Dr. Tan was not taking new patients!
I said "Oh wait a minute! "They did not understand who you were referring!"
So, I called Carol Phelps and said "Hey! What’s the deal?"
She said he wasn't taking new patients but I was like family and she would ask Dr. Tan. I told her it was only “One” node and it would be several weeks and surely one or two patients would die by then. She told me to be quiet!!!
Do you think they will put me in the closet to have my Chemo?
I can't wait to get this all behind me.

I got a call from Dr. Tan’s office and my appointment is set for Tuesday, October 24 with the Hematologist. I am to see Dr. Harris the oncology surgeon on Thursday October 26 for follow up on the surgeries. If needed I want to have a port put in for the Chemo.

Halloween Uptown Foley is October 26; I guess Madame Zana won't be holding nasty children's palms telling past lives. I must enlist some assistant sooth Sayers. In the past I have had Ann Crawford, Bonnie Bodine, June Walosz and my sister Tammy to help me. Hopefully I can get two more and it would just be an hour per person.

Trim A Tree Grand Opening November 10 & 11, two more home regular season games and probably a Home playoff game the opening night of Trim A Tree.

Trey’s 4th Birthday party last Saturday was a Hugh success!
Power Ranger “Mystic Force”
These things I CAN Control.

no longer the wizardess of ooze

Yea! the nasty drain is OUT!
Good grief did it hurt when he yanked it out.

Well it seems I must have both Chemo & radiation. ( but only one lymph node out of 18 ain't too shabby)
Tumor removed 1.1 centimeter.
I will have my consult with Dr. Tan soon. He took care of my mother.
I plan on getting a port for the chemo.

I hit the wall Thursday, cried my eyes out 1/2 the day, finally called Dr. Harris office & they called me in some ativan.
I took one and it got me through the rest of the day being able to breath and swallow.
I felt like I had been watching Ol' Yeller, Beaches & Terms of Endearment.
I wanted to call the Trading Post and tell everyone how sad I was.

I also told Dr. Harris it was difficult going out in public these days, with the itching old stitches, the painful new ones and sometimes I scratch my nipple just because it feels good.
He told me I didn't need to tell him my personal stuff.
I told him "yes! I did."
I will go back to Dr. Harris in two weeks for follow up on the surgeries.

Go Lions we beat # 4 in the state of Florida Niceville tonight, 32-18.

"Madame Zana the Wizard-ess of Ooze"

Still have the Drain! I am pretty tried of this ...I know you are too. Visited my nurses at Dr. Harris on Tuesday morning, the consensus was if we remove it it I should still continue to drain out about 25-30 milileters for 24 hours then close up and possible develop a bubble of ooze that will need to be removed by a needle. No thank you.... I know TMI
Just be warned that if this thing does not soon be gone all of you TNPers must go to work stitching small pouch pockets decorated in seasonal/holiday designs. I prefer, natural fibers, raw silk, cotton velvet, etc, with sequins, boa feathers, and animal prints.

Dotty Johnson is taking me back over to Dr. Harris office at 11:00 am Friday for the "Big Snatch" I hope. In time to be back to get ready for the big game Friday night at home against the #4 ranked in Florida, Niceville Eagles. Time for all "Old, not so Old, New, concession stand Volunteers to come forth over the next 3 home game weeks."

My "I GAVE BOOB SHIRTS" have all sold out from the first order . I will be reordering soon. Also have orders placed in advance for "MY FRIEND GAVE BOAOB"shirts. Buttons should be in soon.

Tuesday my twisted sister friend Martha gave me a wonderful new book
CANCER VIXEN www.cancervixen.com/
Editorial Reviews Amazon.com
Cartoonist Marisa Acocella Marchetto's graphic memoir about her battle with breast cancer is as bold, vibrant, and brave as she is--pumped full of color, the story leaps off the page and into your heart. Poignant and funny, this inspiring story is made all the more powerful by Marchetto's cartoons. I may require all of the ECGS to read. It is very humorous, entertaining and extremely informative.

*Note to future Breast Cancer Surgery patients who will have drains. I only discovered Tuesday at the gift shop in the doctors building at Springhill, (where they sell Breast Prosthesis and other helpful items) there is a lovely step into cotton camisole made for post operative patients who go home with drains with small pockets made inside to hold the drains) Blue Cross Blue Shield pays for it. I only have two more days so U did not get one.

"Putting Out, too much!"

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006
Both of my teams lost this week end :(

Too sore to go to the Think Pink in Loxley Saturday morning. Still have the blasted drain in, it seems old habits die hard. I am still putting out, too much! to have it removed. ( currently 45 cc in 24 hours) it must be 25-30 in 24 hours. Resembles strawberry tea.
The plan is to go on Tuesday morning to Dr. Harris to have the drain removed, go by Martha's to have my hair done YEA! & pick up peanuts at A&M Peanut for Niceville vs Foley, Friday night. Mary Page is taking me over with Tammy meeting us at the Doctors office. This second surgery is sooo much worse . The old incisions are itching and the new one is really painful in the arm pit and on my left shoulder blade.

The first order of "I Gave T-Shirts" are in. I just ordered a small number of sizes. They are good quality heavy 100 % Cotton short sleeve T-Shirts $12.00
2 Small
4 Large (3 left)
6 X-Large (3 left)
2 XX-Large (sold out)
I 'll be receiving the 1 ¾ inch button pins this week. I ordered 100 pins price $2.00 each.
And I am in the process of making "My Friend Gave BOOB" design.

I have pre sold the following Shirts. Price for T-Shirts $12.00 each
QTY-SIZE--NAME
1-Lg-Mary Rushniecer neice)
2-XLg-Carolyn Dunnam ( for mom)
1-XLg- Zana Price
1-2X-Shannon Lushington ( for friend)
1-2X-Angela HOLT

? Nelda Schultz
? Pat Andersen (aunt)
? Ann Crawford (mom)

If you or someone you know has given BOOB w/ attitude and will wear a shirt with pride let me know.

Let me know if you can work at the Ball Game any of the next upcoming 3 weeks.
Thank you for your support, prayers and casseroles.
(.) (.)

TOP TITTIE NEWS 10-04-06

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Teresarae at Dr. Harris office called this afternoon & told me the pathology of the lymph nodes removed were ALL negative!!! ( I was half asleep, so I can't recall if it was 10, 12 or 15)

I am now to the pink lemon aide shade in the drain. Still pulling about 50 cc in 24 hours.

When I get down to 25-30 cc in 24 hours I can go and have the drain removed. I look forward to the next consult to determine my options as to radiation/chemo/chickens, goats, mustard plasters and magic wands.

I know that your prayers and those of so many are to thank for the great news today.

Thank you so very much.

Tonight, Linda Sue came over and brought a fab Mac/cheese casserole and cooked the turnip greens, peeled roots to add, yellow squash, baked yams and Tammy cooked the giant ham I had bought last week. Mary Page brought by some yummy boiled vanilla custard.

Foley vs Daphne on Channel 44 Riviera Cable channel 9 Friday night at 7:00

On the radio on WHEP 1310 AM %Radio Baldwin and or stream it on the computer.

I shall be watching it on the TV w/ the mute button on & my radio tuned to the WHEP broadcast Team.

More Demerol Please....ASAP 10-03-06

Surgery went well on Monday. I feel like I have been an unwitting participant in a Cirque Du Soleil act. ( stove-up, from my shoulder blade to my ribs ) I am so glad I opted to spend the night. "Every two hours hospital drugs."
My friend "Gin" from 5th grade stayed over night with me and managed to anticipate my every need. All of the staff was exceptionally professional and helpful except this morning's tech Linda who Gin & I both managed to piss off in the first 2 minutes of her coming in my room. ( We just thought we could tell her how to do her job)
I got home about 1:30 this afternoon.
Trust me I am not flitting about. The drain from where the Wad of fat was removed with lymph nodes is steadily sucking out Hawaiian punch like stuff. Actually, it resembles a watered-down Cap Cod presently. Based on the amount of output in 24 hours I might be able to have it removed on Thursday. By then I should have the other pathology report hopefully.
I will not be going to the Daphne vs Foley game this week. Hopefully it will be on TV to view and I can listen to the WHEP commentary.
To add insult to injury, I think I am getting a fever blister. Combine that with everything else plus bad hair...... All I need now is Athlete's Foot.
Linda Sue is coming over Wednesday to cook my groceries, ham, yellow squash, baked sweet potatoes & turnip greens with roots. She is bringing a Mac & Cheese casserole.
Tina Orvitz from Chick-fil-a, brought us dinner tonight (nuggets, carrot salad, cole slaw, & tea.)
I still have Paula Deen casseroles from Linda & Mary Page in the freezer.

One Black ...the Rest Pink

October 1, 2006
From: Bouquet sent by my soul sister Martha
with the following message

Black is still one of our favorite colors, but we are going for symbolism here, OK?

Now take a long sharp pointed object and stab the black balloon repeatedly- for you. me and all women.....

All that is left is wonderful pink to enjoy.

I love you!

your twisted sister

M