Are You Kidding Me???

Since I have now had a hysterectomy my oncologist prescribed me a new medicine. (I was taking Tamoxifen.) Because I am now in full menopause I have to take Aromasin. (Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women.) This drug is similar to Tamoxifen. It basically does the same thing in my system, but studies indicate this new medicine is better at preventing recurrence (according to my doctor). Here's the big difference though...I can get Tamoxifen in a generic form which costs me $5 after insurance. My new medicine doesn't have a generic equivalent. I pay $40 a month after insurance. This medicine without insurance would cost me $352.88 a MONTH!!! That is CRIMINAL!! Is this stuff made out of some rare chemical compound found in the deepest jungles of the Amazon??? Probably not...it's probably basic stuff that is easy to manufacture. So basically cancer patients are being ROBBED in order to stay alive! Hell they make more money treating us for cancer so I guess if we can't afford maintenance medication then we will relapse thus causing further needed treatment which will make the medical industry MORE MONEY!! I'm not one for conspiracy theories but this has CONSPIRACY written all over it!! This is why cancer is never over for cancer patients. We deal with it daily in some form--some days it's emotional, others it's physical....today it's financial.

Relay For Life

I am participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life this year. Our church put together a team and I am excited to be a part of it. We will be walking on June 13th-14th. I am not going to aggressively seek donations like I did for the 3Day last October. There is no minimum fundraising requirement. I just ask that if you feel led please give a donation to help support this cause. Every dollar raised gets us closer to ending this horrible disease. Be a part of the cure today and make a donation.

There is a link to my personal donation page on the right under Relay For Life.

Thanks for your continued support!

One week post-op

One week ago today I had a complete hysterectomy: uterus, ovaries and cervix. Apparently I had two cysts on one of my ovaries (who knew?) which was sent to pathology just in case. The entire procedure was done laproscopically. I highly recommend it. The worst part has been my belly button. There is a one inch incision coming from the center of it vertically running downward. The incision isn't that bad it's just really sore. Apparently they really manuevered that scope around in there and now I'm paying the price for it. I also have 2 tiny incisions on either side of my abdomen where my ovaries used to be. It really was a piece of cake. I stopped taking the heavy pain meds on day 3 and stopped taking all meds by day 5. I'm still a little tender in the middle, but feeling great otherwise.

So the burning question...menopause symptoms??

Yep, I had my first official hot flash on day 4. I recognized it for what it was quickly since I had so many during chemo. Thankfully I haven't had many more yet. I have already found that I'm having a hard time regulating my body temperature at night. I had the same problem during chemo. One minute I'm hot and the very next minute I'm cold. Hopefully this will stabilize as it's quite annoying. I at least haven't had any night sweats yet--those are brutal.

So all in all, it's been a good experience if you can say that about going through "the change" at 33. I go in for my follow-up appointment on Wednesday, and then I meet with my oncologist on the 18th to start a new medication to help prevent recurrence of breast cancer.

I am hopeful that this blog will be stagnate for a while again as life returns to normal issues that don't involve cancer, genetics, recurrence and testing. Thanks for all the prayers and support. You means the world to me.

I feel a bit like this guy

I'm beginning to feel a bit like this guy. I feel like I'm full of parts that have to be removed.

I went for my pre-op appointment this morning. Yep, it's here already--complete hysterectomy next Monday. I'm only nervous from the "it's major surgery" aspect, but I'm remarkably calm considering the last remnants of my womanhood are being removed.

I'm just ready to get on with it. I want to get this behind me and hopefully forget about cancer/mutant genes/recurrence for a good while. I'm hoping the recovery goes as well as my c-section recovery did. I thought that was a piece of cake. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I should be in the hospital just one night. I'll try to post an update when I get back home on Tuesday.

Grateful

As November rolls in, the spirit of Thanksgiving comes with it. Truth be told, I'm normally itching for Christmas by now and Thanksgiving comes and goes without much fanfare. We eat a lot of turkey and think on our many blessings, but I'm really pushing for Christmas to arrive. I love Christmas. Everything about the season makes my spirit sing. This evening though I am finding myself grateful for the many blessings in my life.

My 2 year cancer anniversary was on Friday. It came and went like any other day, but today I am feeling thankful. Many women don't get to celebrate a 2 year anniversary. Many women lose their battle to soon. I don't know the plans the Lord has in store for me, but I hope that I never take for granted the time that He has graciously allowed me. One day He will call me home and cancer may be my ticket, but for now I am living without cancer and grateful for every day.