The changing face of Cancer...

The changing face of cancer has a new spokeswoman. Well here's my exciting news! In between my phone calls to and from Kaiser, I received a call from two ladies. One, represents Susan G. Komen of Sacramento and the second runs the Sacramento Breast Cancer Resource Center. After hearing about my story from a friend in the area, they want me to participate in the 2010 Breast Cancer Survivor's calendar!!! (Click the link to see the 2009 Calendar.)

They are always looking for younger survivors to reach out to young women who think that they are "too young" to have Cancer. They will have us wear donated custom designed corsets. We're asked to give our measurements and tell the designer what color we would prefer to wear. I will keep everyone posted on how the shoot goes, but it's an all day shoot with hair and make-up stylists and the same photographer from last year. They also asked if I would be willing to do print, radio and other outreach mediums, especially amongst the African-American community.

I am honored, shocked, elated and pumped!!! I never thought that I would be the face of cancer in this way. I already felt like my voice can represent the voiceless. Those women who are either under insured, unaware or overwhelmed when it comes to being an advocate of their health need someone to relate to and speak for them. I will keep everyone posted once it gets closer, but the shoot will be in Sacramento on the Saturday June 13th! I never would have thought I'd be a calendar girl!!!

Crisis Averted- It's All Good!

I began up my appointment with a tad of unsettling news. When I told the on care- surgical Nurse Practioner about my numbness in my arm pit she said that unfortunately that may ALWAYS be the case. My appointment didn't last long and all is well in terms of my recovery. It didn't reopen because of my recent activity. She indicated that it is actually pretty common. Because my site was slightly superficial, my body didn't absorb it like the deeper stitches. She removed about a 2 inch stitch that was wrapped into the tissue but not healing. Therefore, my skin was irritated and with the constant water, shaving and deodorant it got gradually worse and the top layer didn't heal properly. She applied silver nitrate and "cauterized" the wound. I can return to work tomorrow and even exercise again. I'm sore but good! I'm at my survivors meeting and will post my exciting news later tonight!!
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Appointment Scheduled

So with my persistence, I was "squeezed in" at 4:00. I'll keep you abreast of things, but I'm sure it will go well! I'm going to throw on my shoes and head over there now and then my breast cancer support group meets this evening. I'll be sure to fill you in on the updates and some very EXCITING news that I found out today while waiting to hear back from Kaiser! Until later this evening, sorry for alllll of the updates and emails today!

Direct Contact...well sorta!

Let me say that it helps to have your doctor's direct phone number! I called and left her a message regarding my lymph node incision site reopening. She called me back and called surgery to find out what the status is, with the surgery after-care nurse practitioner that my request from this morning was referred to. I'm so glad that she is so consistent in following up with me. The receptionist from the department offered me a 11:00 am appointment tomorrow and I told her no since I was told to take off TODAY.

I'll keep you guys posted on how this all goes!

First Week Back at Work...In Review

So my first work week officially came to a close last Friday. And as my mom said "That week is gonna kick your @$$" She was right- to a certain extent. I probably should have worked my way into work gradually but in true Charm form I am either all in or all out! I worked my regular schedule of 7:30-4:00 and managed to make it to the gym on three of those work days, Monday after work and Wednesday and Friday before work. I admittedly have been feeling a bit tired but I have been infused with so much positive energy that it's carrying me through! My coworkers keep telling me that I look fabulous!! I think it's the lack of worry and stress that I was carrying on the inside for such a long time. Although I was mentally ok, I was visibly drained from carrying such a weight on my shoulders.

Now, it feels good to walk through life with seemingly a "clean slate" and by exercising and trying to be more "me". I've never had a problem speaking my mind, but for the first time in a long time, I feel freer. As standard, I ended my work week with a massage and Pasta Pomodoro! It was a great week and although I am actually working, I'm glad to be back on the grind. The first day back, someone couldn't find one of my files, but honestly, I didn't freak out... I didn't care. That one file isn't going to make or break me or my job so in the bigger scheme of life, I said "It will turn up." By the afternoon it had and I had lost no sweat of my back and there wasn't an elevated heart rate or panic attack that I endured from my constant high levels of stress and anxiety that I felt over the last year.

Now, I just breathe, stretch, laugh and let it go. Stress isn't worth your life! I'm still waiting for a call back from Kaiser, they have 15 minutes before I call them again. I'm not stressed, just being persistent! Until next time!

Just a Minor Setback...

Ok, sorry it has been a while since an update! I have been feeling good- more like great!! I started attending the gym last Saturday and only missed two days Tuesday and Thursday of last week! I've walked a total of about 19 miles since then!!! I am totally embracing a healthier more active lifestyle and paying attention to doctors orders. That's with one minor exception...



While I really was taking it easy, last night when I returned from the gym, I noticed that under my arm along the incision sight that there is about a half inch gash where it has reopened. Unfortunately, I'm still a bit numb and I didn't feel it although it is quite sore. As I type, I'm waiting for Kaiser to call me back and see what time they want me to come in. I will keep you posted! My surgeon isn't on duty today and I'm sure its fine!!! I'm down 2lbs and truly excited about that!



Thanks to all of you continuing to support me! My breast cancer survivors ball is this Saturday and I will definitely share my thoughts on it! My support group meets again tonight.



Keep you posted!

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The Most Wonderful News...EVER!

I won't lie that maybe I should have taken the advice of many and slowed down!  I was quite sore after typing my last blog and actually had my laptop shut for the last 4-6 days.  I just wanted to share with those that haven't heard the news since my follow-up appointment.  

I AM CANCER FREE!

Cancer has officially been evicted.  My margins are clear and no follow-up surgery is needed.  Not to mention that my surgeon has reviewed my tumor samples with three different pathologists and feels that they will monitor me closely for every three months and then annually but that radiation treatments and chemo are not necessary at this time =) My doctor is calling me a "medical miracle" in the fact that they aren't showing any cancer in my body and surrounding the removed tumor.  I have been ordered to take 50,000 units of Vitamin D and Calcium units weekly and of course to focus on my eating and exercise.

With so many people in my corner I am just humbled by this turn of events.  I feel remarkably fortunate and all I can say is that I know this wouldn't have been the news I had received if I didn't have countless of people praying for me not only from East Coast to West but in Hawaii, Amsterdam and Germany too!!! All I can say is THANK YOU!!

I'm still physically sore from where they removed my four lymph nodes but am just elated to hear my results.  I will keep all of you posted as I continue on my journey to help ALL women evict breast cancer that aren't as fortunate and blessed as me.

Just wanted to share the wonderful news!

Loving you!

~Charm~