I'm Back!

I have been thinking a lot about blogging again.  I do miss it.  I'm going to make a better attempt at trying to at least put up something once a month if not once a week.  A lot of the blogs that I follow are no longer blogging from what I can tell.  I think fb consumed many of us.  I really don't like how fb works.  I get tired of seeing the same posts that friends in common share at the same time.  I still love seeing some corgi fb posts though.  I've also been working very hard on my family tree.  I love genealogy too much!  I've found a lot of distant cousins that are also working on their family lines.  We share information and have more complete trees that way. 

Here's a little update on a few things that have happened since I last blogged.  My young lady is now a married lady.  My young man is now a teenager.  My corgi, Jazz, is still corging along.  I'm still married to one of the best gifts that God has given me.  I recently lost my mom to copd.  I'm heartbroken over this and I might share more later.  If you followed me and know of the breast cancer I had 6 years ago then you'll be happy to know that I'm still doing great.  I did my 5 years on tamoxifen and so far every test my doctor put me through the past few months came back negative for any cancer in my body.  Praise the Lord!  My doctor put me through CT Scans, PET Scans, Bone Scans and I even had to have a MRI.  Everything came back negative.  I might share more about that at some point too.  Life has really changed a lot for me as you can tell from the updates.  It is different not having your children all living at home.  And now I have to get used to another new normal of not having my mom who was also my best friend to share my ups and downs with.  God is helping me get through it all.

I'll share more later.  I have been thinking of some posts that I want to do and I'm gathering information for that.  

I've Started a New Blog!

Recently I decided to start a new blog dedicated solely to my breast cancer.  I was going to start it back when I was going through it, but I didn't do it.  Anyway, I don't expect everyone to follow me on it.  I basically wanted it to be a help to other women who are going through the breast cancer journey that I went through. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I searched out some blogs to read of someone going through the same as I was, but I was discouraged by reading most of them because their stories were hard to read.  Unfortunately, I found blogs of women who were basically on their death bed.  I want to be an encouragement to women that not everyone dies from having breast cancer.  I know everyone's cancer is different and everyone gets diagnosed at a different stage in the game.  Early detection is the key to treating it and being cancer free.  My new blog is called Pink Ribbon Survivors.  If you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and you think they might be helped by my blog please refer them there.  I would be happy to help anyone who has had breast cancer by sharing my experiences with them.  I'll still keep everyone updated on my status here on my main blog. 

Angela

2 Year Anniversary Breast Cancer Survivor!

Friday, March 14th was my 2 Year Anniversary of being a breast cancer SURVIVOR!  Praise the Lord!  I have a wonderful team of doctors who are keeping a very close eye on me.  I had a lot of different tests over the past few months that all came back clean.  So, I can say with confidence that I am still cancer free to this day.  It's still hard to believe that I
had breast cancer even though I have the scars and things that remind me of it every day.  If you were to see me you would have no idea that I had breast cancer unless I told you about it.  People are still shocked when I tell them about it.  I'm so thankful that it was found early through my routine mammogram.  Don't put off getting your yearly mammogram once you are 40 years old ladies!  If you haven't read my story you can go HERE to read more about it or you can go HERE to read everything I've written about breast cancer.

I also want to thank each and every one of you who prayed for me, sent emails, sent cards, gifts, and even phone calls.  You know who you are and so do I!  I love each and every one of you for being there for me at one of the most difficult times in my life.  May the Lord bless each and every single one of you!   

Angela




 

Side Effects of Medicine and Big Decision to Make

My regular followers that read my blog are well aware that I had breast cancer in March of 2012.  Since then I have been taking a little pill called Tamoxifen.  It is an anti-cancer drug that is supposed to help to keep the breast cancer from coming back.  It's not a 100% guarantee that it will keep it from coming back, but it is to me like a preventative medicine so I've been taking it for the past year and a half.  Back in June when we were on vacation I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain in my heel right at the ball of my foot.  I hobbled to the bathroom and couldn't figure out for the life of me what I had done from the time I went to bed to the time I woke up in severe pain.  The thought of it being from that little pill I take never crossed my mind at that point.  The heel pain went on to where I had severe muscle pain in my legs.  I felt like I ran a marathon.  So I turned to my good friend google and read lots of other women who had the same complaints who said it was from the different manufactures.  There are several that you can purchase so I was wanting to switch manufactures.  I also had found a compounding pharmacy that would make the tamoxifen for me without the fillers.  So I called my oncologist and talked to the nurse about what I wanted to do.  She then talked to my oncologist who told her he wanted me to go to Morgantown, West Virginia to see another doctor to get a second opinion.  I had forgot to tell the nurse that I had just recently had a urinary tract infection which is a common side effect from the pill.  While I was at the OBG office they did an ultrasound which resulted in me having to have a biopsy of the uterus.  One of the things this pill I take can cause is uterine cancer so now I am at a high risk for that I suppose.  Anyway, they made me an appointment for Monday, October 7th. 

We went to Morgantown Sunday after church so we wouldn't have to get up and drive there this morning to be there at 9 for my blood draw appointment. 

 

When we went back to the room to see the doctor 2 ladies came in from the American Cancer Society.  One was older and a 2 time breast cancer survivor.  I believe she had it the first time and then again 15 years later.  I didn't ask details because I just didn't think about them coming in.  All I could think about was I've already had surgery and I'm cancer free in my mind.  The other lady was around my age who was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She looked really good.  She said something about doing her treatments there at that hospital so I'm assuming she did chemo and/or radiation. 

 

Then the nurse came in and kind of ran them out and started taking some of my history down into the computer.  She wanted a list of my prescriptions and also my vitamins.  They didn't tell me that so I had to try to remember them all.  I take a lot of different vitamins which I was told in a round about way that I take too many and I need to be careful about it.

 

I was then interviewed by a 1 year oncology resident.  She asked about my family history with cancer, heart problems and the such.  She about died when I told her the family history that when she asked if I had any more and I replied do you want to know about uncles and aunts she said no!  lol  She felt on my neck and back and things and my feet.  The girl needs to push harder if she wants to find something!  She also took a look at my Kelly Rippa.  She was amazed at how beautiful my incision was!  You should have seen her face!  She couldn't believe just how good it looked.  So that tells me other women really get butchered from the surgery.  

 

We discussed why I called my oncologist about how I was trying to find out if changing the manufacture would help and all.  She said that they have a pharmacists there that can weigh in on that.  His reply was no it wouldn't help.

 

The specialist oncologist came in.  She was very nice and I liked her.  She told me that all of my problems are from the tamoxifen and I can't take that pill any longer.  She wants me to either have my ovaries removed or take some shot monthly that will put me into menopause so I can take another medicine.  I believe Arimidex is what she said but I think she mentioned another medicine too.  She told me that cancer cells can stay in your body for up to 10 to 15 years and that since mine is estrogen fed we have to get rid of the estrogen.  I figured she would tell me to do the surgery so I could take the other medicine but I didn't realize you can take shots and keep the ovaries.  I was still taken off guard and didn't ask the many questions I have now of course.  I did ask if I would only have to take it for the remaining 5 years and she said I would be starting new and take the new pill for 5 years.  She said the new guidelines for taking the tamoxifen is going up from 5 to 10 years!  She did tell me not to wait and to get it done as soon as possible which ever I decide to do.  She was really concerned with the fact that I have already have had to have a biopsy of my uterus since the tamoxifen can cause cancer there.  And the new pill can cause bone loss.  She told me I should get a bone density test to see where I am with osteoporosis which is a side effect.  I did look it up and seen that there is a 10% chance with that pill and a 7% chance with what I was taking.  I didn't know that!  To me that isn't much difference. 

 

I will have to say that this is a big set back in my mind and I really don't want to have to deal with it but I will have to.  It is almost as shocking as being told I had cancer in the first place.  There were a few other things she told me but this is already too long and overwhelming so I'll spare you the further details.  I'd appreciate your prayers in what decision I should make.  Personally, I'd rather just not do anything.  I really hate taking these medicines that cause irreversible side effects but I don't want the cancer to come back.  Thanks so much for your prayers in this matter!

 

Angela

  

Breast Cancer Awareness Barn in West Virginia

On our way home from our vacation to Canaan Valley this summer I happened to notice this beautiful pink barn on our way home. I didn't see it on the way up because of how it is located from the road.  When I seen it I squealed in delight as I had seen other pictures of this barn and knew of it's existence and had hoped to see it in person.  I asked my husband to turn around so I could take a few pictures.  This is the last picture I took with my camera as I have lost my battery charger and can't seem to find it which has left me without a camera since August!  It is killing me not having my camera as some of you may know!  lol 

The Breast Cancer Awareness Barn is located in Harmon, West Virginia not far from Canaan Valley.  I have been waiting to share this picture until October in honor of breast cancer awareness month.  Many of my followers are aware that in February of 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself.  It was through early detection that we found my breast cancer through my yearly mammogram that saved my life.  I am truly greatful of the lady who did my mammogram that day and how diligent she was in locating my .5mm little teenie tiny spot of cancer that she found with the help of a magnifying glass.  May the Lord bless her forever!  If you are interested in reading more about my breast cancer just go down to my labels and click on the breast cancer link and it will bring up every post that I made about my journey.  I am a survivor by the grace of God!  Ladies please get your mammograms if you haven't already this year!  If you find a lump please get to your doctor asap!  Early detection does save your life!  I know that firsthand!

I'm linking to Barn Charm!  Go take a look at other beautiful barns HERE.

Angela

Where I bought my shirts

I received a request from an anonymous commenter asking where I bought my breast cancer survivor shirts at.  I ordered them from My Walk Gear.  If you request to be added to their email list they will send you a code to get 15% off your order.  I also follow them on fb for special deals too.

Angela

My Shirts!

I ordered some more breast cancer survivor shirts!  I absolutely love them!  When I seen them I just knew I had to have them.  Last year I bought a different survivor shirt that I would wear sometimes when I went shopping.  It opens up the dialogue for me to talk to other ladies about my breast cancer and how early detection saved my life.  Sadly, when I ask these ladies if they are up to date with their mammograms a lot of them say no.  Some of the ladies that say no will go on to say that they have a family history of breast cancer.  Some of the ladies will tell me that they have went through some scares and are scared to find out that they have it.  I tell them my story and try to encourage them to get their mammograms.  I sure hope that they get them. 

I wanted a pink shirt since my other shirt is black with a pink butterfly on it.  We have well water so white is out of the question for me since we have iron in our water and it just ruins everything white after time.

The one above is my favorite out of the two different designs I just purchased. 

I wore the first pink shirt today when I went to Target.  A lady behind me in the check out line asked me where I bought my shirt!  She went on to tell me that she is a 4 year breast cancer survivor!  She also said that her daughter's mother in law was a 5 year breast cancer survivor.  This lady's name was Debbie.  She found a lump 2 months after having her mammogram that came back clear.  She waited a month before going to the doctor to see about it.  She was 45 when she was diagnosed.  She had a lumpectomy and had radiation and chemo both.  Getting to talk to her today was a real blessing to me.  It really encouraged me to meet her.  

Angela 

Tamoxifen Rage!

Yep!  That's what I call it!  Tamoxifen Rage!  Tamaoxifen is the tiny little small white pill that I have to take for another 4 years due to where I had breast cancer last year.  It has many side effects to which I have a good bit of them at times.  Insomnia and night sweats are pretty bad right.  One of the side effects that I'm having at times is a little rage when someone really annoys me.  I'll have to admit that I kind of like it! 

Tuesday I went to Target with my daughter to get a few things.  I walked through the entire store and had a decent size buggy full of miscellaneous things.  When it came time to check out there was only 1 register open.  That would be fine if there weren't around 10 customers waiting to get checked out.  We were all looking around wondering if and when they would open another register.  I then noticed that a girl opened up another register and a few people stepped over there that didn't have much stuff.  I then decided that I was going to join them in that aisle as it was moving along faster than the aisle I was currently waiting in.  When I got over there the girl at the register looked at me and said that the woman in from of me is her last customer.  That's where it hit the fan people!  I looked at her and I said, "you kidding me"?  "With all these people here waiting to be checked out I'm not getting back in that other line"!  "You either check me out or I'm going to just leave this buggy full right here"!  I honestly don't know where that came from.  It just spewed out!  She then said she would check me out.  Fortunately for her another register opened up and I went to that one as the guy looked at me and said I can check you out.  He probably heard what happened!  Now, I can tell you that that is not my personality before the Tamoxifen.  I would have never said anything to the girl at the register.  I would have moved back over to the other line where another 3 or 4 people had filled in where I was at and at that point I would have been grumbling to myself about it.  That's why I kind of like it is because I speak my mind now.  Long gone are the days of people pushing me around!  You reap what you sow is what it says in the Bible.  I've often wondered why it is that I reap the bad in some people when I always sow kindness and good things and yet they don't get what they sowed to me.  Now I can say that if someone sows rudeness to me then they will reap rudeness back.  For that I make no apologies for.  I don't regret my outburst at all.  Actually, I laughed all the way home and even the next day about it. 

Angela

1 Year Anniversary Breast Cancer Survivor!

Today is my 1 Year Anniversary of being a breast cancer SURVIVOR!  It's still hard to believe that I had breast cancer even though I have the scars and things that remind me of it every day.  I'm so thankful that it was found early through my routine mammogram.  Praise the Lord!  If you haven't read my story you can go HERE to read more about it or you can go HERE to read everything I've written about breast cancer.  Since today is my anniversary I decided that I need to celebrate!  My surgeon is the best and he deserves some cake.  He raved about my pineapple pecan cake that I made him once I was feeling better after my surgery last year so that is what I made him today.  I don't have an appointment so it's going to be a surprise!  I'm going to wear my breast cancer survivor shirt along with my pink ribbon earrings.  I might even paint my fingernails pink with pink ribbons on them! 

UPDATE:  I might not get to go and surprise my favorite surgeon because my Little Man threw up at church.  It all depends on how he feels in the morning.  I baked two cakes today.  One for my favorite surgeon and one for me of course!  I've been planning this for a good month.

Angela

Breast Cancer Don't Care How Old You Are

Ladies we need to start educating our young ladies about breast cancer!  I just seen on fb where a 10 year old girl had a lump on her chest and it turned out to be breast cancer!  I just can't imagine what this little girl's family is going through right now even though I went through the same thing last year.  You can see her story HERE: 

Let me tell you that just breaks my heart!  A 10 year old should not have to be going through a grown woman's type of cancer at such a young age.  In the news report they said that until now the youngest person to have breast cancer was 16.  That to is just too young!  The American Cancer Society recommends having a mammogram when you are 40.  The new Obamacare guidelines is to wait until you are 50!  If I had waited until I was 50 to get my first mammogram I'd be dead by then!   

Breast cancer doesn't discriminate!  It don't care how old you are!  The biggest risk factor is having breast!  Breast cancer isn't just for women!  Men can and do have/get breast cancer!  The only way we are going to beat this horrible cancer is to find it early.  We've got to continue checking to see if we can see any lumps and we've got to do the self beast exam to see if we can feel any lumps.  Additionally, we need to have our yearly mammograms starting at the age of 40.  It is also recommended that if you have a sister or a mother that had breast cancer then you should start getting a yearly mammogram starting 10 years before the age that they were diagnosed with breast cancer.  We have got to educate ourselves ladies!  This is serious business!

Angela 

Saturday I went to a "Tree of Hope" ceremony at the imaging center that found my breast cancer.  I took my Young Lady with me.  When I first got the invitation I thought to myself I don't want to go.  Then I remembered that it was this time last year when I was having to have lots of test to see if I had breast cancer.  The waiting room had a little white tree that was decorated with pink ornaments with ladies who were survivors.  The tree was kind of sparce to me with not many ornaments on it.  It wasn't very encouraging to me at all since each ornament represents a lady who is a survivor of breast cancer.  With that thought I realized that I had to go.  I also had to go because I'm due my yearly mammogram this week and I would feel funny seeing that tree without an ornament with my name on it as a Survivor!

The party was wonderful!  They had a lot more ladies who showed up for the event then they have had in the past 3 years when they started the event.  I will have to say that I was the youngest survivor there.  Most of the ladies were in their 70's and completely gray.  Most were around 10 year survivors.  One lady was a 20 year survivor!  I may have been the youngest one there but I wasn't the newest in terms of surgery dates.  One dear lady had her surgery in July.  She was the only lady there that was still undergoing chemo.

The staff was just wonderful!  In the invitation it said there would be light refreshments.  I figured cookies and drinks.  They went all out.  They had ham salad sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, veggie trays, dips and crackers, cheese tray, chips and dip, cookies, cupcakes and even a pumpkin roll along with punch, Pepsi, Coke, and coffee. 

After everyone finished their food they had a drawing for the grand door prize.  One little old lady won the pink breast cancer robe.  She was thrilled.  The look on her face was priceless.  They then brought out a big box full of other prizes.  They just kept drawing names until every single breast cancer survivor had a prize.  I got a reusable shopping bag with Hope on it.  Perfect for me because I love using those types of bags when I go shopping.  Just when we thought the party was over they came out with more prizes for us!  I felt like I was on the Oprah show!   They had made us manicure sets in mason jars.  They were so cute.

I had my yearly mammogram today.  That is when I took the pictures of the tree.  There were just way too many people there Saturday.  Plus I left my camera in the truck.  I was hoping to see the lady who did my mammogram last year that found my little teeny tiny spot with the magnifying glass.  She still works there but wasn't there today.  I told the girl who did my mammogram today all about it.  She was thrilled that they had found my cancer so early.  She gave me a hug before I left.  

Angela  

Breast Cancer Awareness!

I am so excited!  I have been tracking the shirt that I ordered.  It should be here tomorrow!  Or at least that is what I'm hoping.  I wanted to get a shirt for breast cancer awareness.  Most people don't realize that I even had breast cancer if I don't tell them that I did.  They are always shocked when I say I had surgery in March.  One of the first things they usually do is either look at my hair and see that it is still there or they look at my boobs!  That don't bother me none though.  I'm just happy to be able to share with them that I am the poster child of early detection.  I may have had to have a mastectomy but I didn't have to do chemo or radiation.  Most people aren't aware that if you catch it that early you don't have to do the other things.  Most people when they think of breast cancer they think of the pink ribbons, mastectomy or lumpectomy, chemo, wigs, radiation and all the bad things associated with breast cancer.  I'm hoping to be able to share my story with other women while I'm out shopping and to stress just how important it is to have a yearly mammogram.  Mammograms do save lives.  That is how they found my breast cancer.  So make sure you have a yearly mammogram girls!  Finding it early makes a big difference!

Oh, and I order these cute little earrings too!  Sweet! 

To read more about my breast cancer story just scroll down to the labels and click on breast cancer. 

Angela

Please watch this video

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6e3udzHIiVs?feature=player_detailpage

One year ago today....

I just realized that today is the one year anniversary of the earthquake that literally saved my life! The chain of events that lead to the discovery of my breast cancer all derived from the earthquake. I jokingly say that God caused the earthquake to save my life, but I do believe that that statement is true. Between listening to the new guidelines for getting a mammogram through Obamacare at the age of 50 and listening to the doctors on tv saying you don't need a regular exam every year, I wasn't planning on going to the doctor any time soon. I wasn't having any problems and I did not have a history of breast cancer in my family. This is how God used the earthquake to save my life. The earthquake actually caused our plumbing under the house to move in which the pipe under the half bathroom came off. Let's just say around a month's worth of potty time was under our house and the sewer gas almost literally killed me. Since I'm the one who stays home I was the one most affected by it. I was having a hard time waking up in the mornings. That lead me to go to the doctor who gave me my slip to get my mammogram and some blood work. The blood work came back fine. The mammogram didn't. It had only been 18 months since my last mammogram. After an ultrasound and a spot compression mammogram it was determined that I needed to have a biopsy. The mammogram technician was using a magnifying glass to even try to see the spots she found. I actually had two different suspicious spots to biopsy. Both came back positive for cancer. A few more test to confirm what had to be done. Surgery was scheduled for March 14th of a complete mastectomy of my right breast. Since we caught my breast cancer very early I did not need to do chemo or radiation. Early detection saved my life. If it weren't for the earthquake I would still be walking around with cancer. The Lord used the earthquake to get me to go to the doctor. Praise the Lord! Glory to God!

Psalm 118:17
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

Angela

UPDATE on CT Scans

I seen my oncologist today. My CT Scans and Bone Scan were all fine. No cancer showed up anywhere. Praise God! I knew there wouldn't be any though. I asked if my heart was fine and he said it was. He wants me to start back on the Tamoxifen. I felt like it was making it hard for me to breath so I quit taking it after taking it for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, it's the only pill I can take until I go through menopause. He said I could have shots that would shut down my ovaries that would put me into menopause so I could take another pill, but that is too extreme. I'd rather a hysterectomy than that! lol I will have to suck it up and take the Tamoxifen for 5 years. My next appointment will be in August unless I have any further problems.

Angela

Praise the Lord!

I had to have a few tests yesterday because of a blood test I had that the oncologist did came back saying my tumor markers were elevated. I read that there are a lot of false positives with that test and also caffeine can mess with it also. I also feel like the Devil was trying to steal some of God's thunder.... Because of that I had to have a CT Scan of my chest and abdomen along with a bone scan yesterday. Sunday night at 9 I had to drink a bottle of berry flavored contrast. Not the tastiest of drinks but it was tolerable. If it weren't for the fact that I don't like milk and I don't like yogurt it probably would have been better to me than it was. Monday morning I had to drink another bottle of that contrast an hour before my appointment. The CT Scan was also to be done with yet another contrast in my veins. I had read that but wasn't told that that would be done. I went ahead and did everything I needed to do because I didn't want to have to do it again if it didn't turn out right. The CT Scan itself really didn't talk long and it was a painless procedure. I did feel and taste the contrast that was put in through my veins and I also had the burning sensation they said I would have but it didn't last long. The machine was extremely quit compared to the MRI that I had before my surgery. After they were finished I asked when my doctor would have the results. The lady told me he would have them that day. So I called this morning to find out the results. I was told that both CT Scans were Negative! Praise the Lord! I knew they would be but I had to do the test to confirm what I already knew.

After the CT Scans I had to go to another part of the hospital to get yet another injection into my veins. This time it was radioactive materials to help them to see my bones in the bone scan. I did that also so I wouldn't have to do this again. After my injection through my veins I was told to leave and come back in 2 hours. We left and at that time I was allowed to eat something. We went to Five Guys. Then we went to pick the kids up from school because it was unlikely we would be home to get them from the bus. When we got there they took me back right away. The bone scan wasn't bad at all. At first the scanner is right there at your face probably 4 inches away. I was told to just shut my eyes so that is what I did. I could see to my side but you have to lay completely still. The scan works its way down your body starting at your head and down to your feet. The process took around 20 minutes and then I was done. The lady in that department said my doctor won't have the results of that until tomorrow.

I didn't want to take these tests but I did so because I wanted to confirm that I have been healed by Jesus! These tests confirmed that and also as a bonus if there was something wrong my doctors would have been able to know what to do to fix it. With the bone scan I've read that they will be able to tell if I have arthritis or if I've ever broken a bone in my body. That in itself will be interesting to know. Back when I was 5 or so I had a terrible bicycle accident that left me unconscious and I don't remember a thing. All I know is what I've been told and that isn't much. Apparently a neighbor found me on the road and knew where I lived. He carried me home. I woke up later on the couch with mom and dad looking at me. I have no idea how long I was unconscious. I had a thought the other night that I may have been hit by a car! Or it was my cousin who was running along side me who caused me to wreck? I don't even remember seeing her at my house after that accident! At the time of my accident my dad didn't have a job and we didn't have insurance so I didn't go to the hospital. I did go to see the family doctor the next day. Basically because when I landed on the cement road I landed on the side of my face. I had a huge scab on the entire right side of my face. We have often speculated that that is the reason why I have freckles on that side of my face!

Back to the main news. I am thrilled to find out that I am still cancer free! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Glory to God!

Angela

I've Got to Rant!

Lately I've been MIA from reading and comment on most of my favorite blogs. Why? Well, I'm spending most of my time on the phone with mastectomy bra fitters, my insurance company and even going to these stores trying to get fitted for a bra since my mastectomy.

Let's go back to last week. I called to make an appointment with a mastectomy bra fitter that has commercials on our local television. Her store boasts of having the mastectomy bras there in the store like a little boutique. I thought this would be the best place to start even though everyone and my doctor's office had referred me to another place. I called and talked to the owner of the store who is the certified fitter. We talked a little and then she asked me who my insurance carrier is. Being that since I had a mastectomy this is considered a medically covered expense. I told her who my carrier was and she had a little rant of her own. She said that my insurance will only pay her $21 for a bra and her cheapest bra is $33 and they go up in price from there. She then informed me that I would have to make up the difference in the price of the bra because she has a mortgage on her store and she can't pay her mortgage getting those little prices for her merchandise. She also informed me that I need to call my insurance company and see how many mastectomy bras and prosthesis I am allowed a year. She also told me that the prescription that my doctor wrote me was wrong and I needed to call them and get another prescription that said the exact number of bras and prosthesis along with my diagnosis code. After I got off the phone with her I felt violated. First, I do believe that it is insurance fraud or some fraud to be charging me for more than what my insurance carrier says that I'm supposed to pay. After all they do have some kind of a contractual agreement with her business and therefore she is supposed to accept that amount and be happy with it but she's not. After talking to the nurse at my surgeon's office and my husband I called back and cancelled my appointment to be fitted at her establishment. My husband said she has too much baggage and to stay away from there and I agreed!

Next call was to my insurance company to find out how many mastectomy bras they will provide coverage for and how many prosthesis a year. I had already heard from a lady at church who is on Medicare that she gets 6 mastectomy bras a year and 2 prosthesis a year. I thought that was fair enough and that I would get the same deal. NOT! My insurance only covers 2 mastectomy bras a year and 1 prosthesis for a LIFETIME! I went round and round with the lady at my insurance company over that! She seriously thought that 1 prosthesis in my lifetime was fair.

I then called and made an appointment with the medical supply place that my surgeon's office had recommended. I went to my appointment 2 days later all excited that I was finally going to get a mastectomy bra and prosthesis. You see, I've been walking around lopsided and trying to camouflage it by wearing jackets. I can't do that much longer because it is getting hot outside and I can't wear the jackets anymore. I arrived early and waited on the fitter to call my insurance company to find out how many mastectomy bras she could order for me along with the prosthesis. She took me in a little office style fitting room where she broke the news to me that my insurance would only cover 2 mastectomy bras a year. I told her I already knew that because I had called them already to find that information out. She said Medicare pays for 6. I told her I knew that and I was shocked at that also. I asked her if they told her I could only have 1 prosthesis in my lifetime. She didn't ask that. She was shocked at that. She then showed me what a prosthesis looks like and said it isn't made to last a lifetime. They are replaced every 2 years for most insurance carriers and every year for Medicare. She didn't want to sell me one because she knew they don't last much more than 2 years. She told me to see if I could find another prosthesis that would last longer. I also signed up to go to a expo they are having later this month. She didn't let me leave empty handed though. She went and got me 2 different foam/stuffed forms that were displays that she no longer needed. Let's just say they weren't the right size! lol The one is just way too perky! The other I've tried to make do with just because I'm tired of walking around lopsided.

I've been looking online for other providers for well over a week. I called the breast health nurse at the hospital where I had my mammogram to see if she knew of a different place. She only knew of one other place in Charleston. I called them. Low and behold their fitter had just quit working there and they were no longer accepting new patients!

So now everyone is thinking it's just a bra. You can get one anywhere. They have bras at all department stores and even WalMart so why are you whining? I wouldn't be whining if those stores actually sold mastectomy bras because they don't! I can't walk into my favorite store where I used to buy my bras and buy one on sale using my 30% off coupon and get cash to use at a later date. Those days are over! Over! Now I have to rely on a medical supply store to order a mastectomy bra for me. Sigh......

I can't remember if it was Monday or Tuesday. I decided that I would take one of my old bras and remove the under wire that is on the right side where I had my mastectomy. I didn't feel safe wearing the wire because I still don't have all of the feeling back under my arm yet. I took the hard stuffed prosthesis the girl gave me and took that stuffing out and restuffed it with some softer stuffing that I had upstairs in my sewing room. Bonus for me is that I am a crafty person so I can make anything I put my mind to making! I will have to say it doesn't look to bad but the prosthesis isn't as big as my breast. I'm hoping the men who read my blog have left by now because I will go into a little more detail further down in my rant! lol Really at this point I don't care. This rant is all about how hard it is for a larger breasted woman to find a mastectomy bra and prosthesis.

Yesterday, Thursday, I decided I'd give that other store another chance. You know, the first store I mentioned above? I went there with the misconception that that store actually has bras out for you to try on and buy right then and there on the spot. Right now I just want a bra. I'm not so much worried about the prosthesis. I can make do with what I have until the expo. I went into the store and was shocked yet again. There was a small rack with a few smaller sized bras but nothing my size. The owner of the store wasn't there. You'd think she would be there since she wants to make some money but she wasn't there! The lady who does hair was there. They also have wigs for women going through Chemo. She wasn't able to help me. Can't you believe that?

I did more internet searching yesterday evening and night. I finally found 2 mastectomy bras that will fit me by one manufacturer. The smaller breasted ladies have well over 50 bras to pick from but I only have 2 that I can find. 2 bras! Really! Just 2 bras! Take a deep breath.....

This morning I decided to call my insurance company to see who my providers are. I was on the phone forever. Someone needs to update their computers Warren! lol He told me a few places and I wrote them down. I then asked him again about the 1 prosthesis a lifetime. He read it to me and said it's a 1 prosthesis for the useful lifetime of the prosthesis! So, I can get a new one once the old one wears out. The rude lady I talked to last week told me one and that was it period!

I then called the lady that gave me the foam prosthesis and was afraid to sell me one and told her the good news. We played phone tag until I finally got ahold of her. I then told her I had found 2 bras that will fit me and asked if they sell that manufacturer. She said they are discontinuing that brand at that store and just selling the one brand. I then told her that the one brand they have doesn't have not one single bra that fits me. She repeated the discontinuing the other brand and that I would be happy with the other brand. I then asked if the mastectomy bras run the same size as a regular bra to which she replied yes. I told her I'm a DDD and all those bras go up to is a DD. She told me that she thinks I can fit a DD! Really? So I am now a DD when I've been a DDD every since I breast fed 2 babies? Before that I was a C cup. I should have asked if she thinks I might can fit a C cup now that I've had a mastectomy of my DDD right breast! Now that would be a miracle wouldn't it! Wow! Really? Then I ask her if the expo will have my size and she said they would. I said I'll be there and we got off the phone.

I then called to see if the one place whose fitter had quit had found a new fitter. They had not. I then called another medical place that the man at my insurance company had told me about. The first thing I asked was if they sell the certain brand that I knew would fit me. I got a yes to that question! I was so excited! Finally, I'm getting somewhere! Then the girl asked me when my surgery was. I told her March 14th. She then told me I wasn't healed enough! She told me that my incision could bust open! WHAT! Really? I told her oh no my incision is all healed up and I'm fine. She then said they won't fit a new patient until 6 months after their surgery! WHAT! 6 months! Really? Come on! Give me a break! This is ridiculous! I'm outraged more over this than I was the breast cancer! Seriously! This is not right at all! Take a deep breath.......

After I got off the phone with her I did some more looking around on the web. There are a few places that actually sell mastectomy bras online. One of which is Amazon. I am going to have my husband order me one of those rare undergarments for me tomorrow. I honestly hope that other large breasted women aren't having the same trouble with getting their mastectomy bras as I am.

Angela

It's Official!

Praise the Lord with me everybody! It's official! I will NOT need to do chemo! I am on cloud nine! This morning my husband and I met with my oncologist for the first time. Before I seen him they had to take some blood for some tests. Unfortunately my good vein is in my right arm and I can no longer use that arm for blood work since my surgery. The nurse tried my left arm. The vein is very small and goes at an angle she said. It also rolled on her. So we then had to try to find a vein on the top of my hand. She flicked and patted my hand for a long time. Then she tried it. No luck there either. That vein was rolling on her also. She then asked another nurse to try to find a good vein. The other nurse looked and decided to use a vein in my wrist. Score, but it does hurt from doing that.

Before they started the blood work I looked across the room and seen men and women having chemo done. They were sitting in lounge chairs in a circle. It was heartbreaking to see and it really hit home with me that that could be me if the doctor said I needed to do it. Tears came to my eyes. My husband seen me trying to hold it back and wanted to know what was wrong. I have been so strong until then but I didn't break out. I then directed him to look across the room. He too was taken by surprise by seeing that also.

Then it was time to talk to the oncologist. He asked me a few questions like if I smoked or if I ever smoked which is no. If I drink which is no. If I had heart problems, diabetes and things like that which is no. He wanted to know how many children I had and if they were boys or girls. I have one of each. He talked to me about the fact that my daughter is going to have to start getting a mammogram when she is 34 which thinking about it now she will need to do it when she is 33 because I was 43 and turned 44 during this crisis. He asked if I had a sister and how old she is. He said she needs to start getting mammograms now too because she is 37. I told him she already got one when I found out about my breast cancer. He looked over all of the different reports from the different tests that I've had. He listened to my lungs, heart and took my blood pressure. He gave me a real good look over.

He then went over all the different markers for what they look for and explained it in all in detail. He then said that my cancer was very small and I can take the pill for 5 years. He then went over all the different risk factors for taking the pill Tamoxifen. After that he asked if I had any questions. I then asked if I could take it for a year or two and then quit if I was having problems with it. He then said that they have never done any studies with taking it for that short period of time and that taking it for 5 years is the biggest benefit to me. He also said that taking it for 10 years is of no benefit at all. I then asked if I should have a hysterectomy to try to keep from getting uterine cancer that is one of the risks with taking the pill. He said no. He told me he has treated over 1,000 women with that pill and only 2 have had problems with it but they were fine.

The doctor wrote me a prescription for Tamoxifen and wants to see me in 4 months.

I can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers, love and support that have been said for me. I am truly humbled by all the get well cards I've received over the past few weeks. You guys rock! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Thank you Jesus! Amen!

Angela

2 Week Check-up - Praise the Lord!

Today was my 2 week check-up with the surgeon who did my mastectomy. They took out the last drain and the staples. I can finally shower! lol 2 weeks without a shower! Whew! I hope we have enough hot water! Dr. Ranson gave me the all clear! Praise the Lord! He's making me an appointment with an oncologist, but he thinks I'll just need to take a pill called Tamoxifen for 5 years. The way I look at it I'm cancer free baby! Thank you Jesus! Dr. Ranson told me I don't have to worry about it the surgery is over. I asked if there were any restrictions for me and he said no. He told me I can do what I want to do. I am still a little sore and all from the surgery so it is going to take a little longer for me to get back to my old self but it won't be much longer. I go back to see Dr. Ranson in 3 weeks. They will call tomorrow with an appointment with an oncologist.

Angela

I Got my Hair Washed!

It had been 10 days since I have been allowed to take a shower so I've not been able to wash my hair for 10 days! Let me tell you my hair was so greasy it felt like it was wet! it was itcy and I'm sure even smelly! I couldn't take it any longer so I had to get my hair washed some way some how! Since I felt pretty good Friday I decided that Saturday morning I would try to go and get my hair washed. I told my husband I wanted to try to ride in our new truck which isn't bumpy but it's higher up to get into to go get my hair washed and cut. I called and got an appointment at 2. The place we go to is an hour away from our house! lol I put on a tank top with another big shirt I bought for after surgery to wear when I go out. I used a pillow to hold my arm up on the side because the new truck is a F150 and is wider and your arm is far away from the door too. The new truck has heated seats and that felt so good on my back! lol We took the other way to town because that road isn't as bumpy but takes a little longer. I did fine.

I was scared that laying back to get my hair washed would hurt but it didn't! Yeah! It felt so good to get my hair washed! Then I let her cut 3 inches off. It feels so much better now.

We went to the pet store to get the girls their food. My husband went inside and got it while I stayed in the truck.

I even went to Kohl's because I had some Kohl's cash to spend that I got before my surgery and it expired today. I bought some more socks and new shorts for my 7 year old boy. He's good to go for the Summer!

After that we even ate out! I didn't want to over do it so we went home after that but that was a very long outing for me. All in all it was a great day today! We are watching dvd's this evening.

Angela