2005, probably about January 12th, as I did “TRY” and do my breast exam each month…hum, what’s this….right otherside of the right breast, different, no it’s not a lump, must have a mole or something I’ve just not noticed before; look in the mirror, no mole….feel again, well it does feel like a lump, but not to worry, it is nothing…..(I am the QUEEN of da Nile, more over I’m an Ostrich)…Oh, well let’s get on with my day….now FEBRUARY exam, probably did it on the 15th, because I remembered January and well let’s say I didn’t want to feel the same thing, so postpone the exam…Now to my surprise, the peanut size “thing” feels harder, is that bigger????? Oh, well, I’m a Christian, know PRAYER works, plus I’m holistic, let’s use some of my great essential oils, what vitamin have I not been taking….so on and so on…oh and let’s add a trip to California coast, that can cure anything, play with the gals, rest, no work stress, or family concerns…ya, this is all just in my head, I’m fine, always have been and always will be…..
So March I probably didn’t even do my exam…
End of April, it’s vacation time, I always go to one of my favorite sites, BEACH COTTAGE on the sand in Pacific Beach, eat at my friend’s fabo Chinese restaurant…WOW….you know I’m been really tired lately, hum….I’m here, WOW, but I just don’t feel much time doing anything, I think I’ll skip the walk today…more time in bed, and I can just look out the window at the surf…ya, that’s it…why am I crying…Decided to do monthly breast exam…OH NO, THAT THING IS THE SIZE OF AN EGG…..My dear friend comes to take me to lunch, and I’m in bed…until now I’ve not said a word to anyone, except Jehovah in my PRAYERS…but it finally comes out, 'I “think” I found a lump in my breast'… It’s Thursday…my friend forced to call my doctor to get an appointment. Doctor says be back tomorrow afternoon and in his office, so I fly back to Phx a day early, right from the airport to the doctor, he just hands me a prescription wants me in to get a mammogram Monday…….Long weekend, but hey, this is all for nothing, right….Monday, go to the hospital for the mammogram, I was asked the strangest question by the tech, “how long has my right nipple been inverted?” crazy but I think always……After the mammogram, it is suggested that maybe I should have another test, believe it was a sonogram…by now I know that my worst fear could be true, I’m crying, have half the staff by my side and then I kinda block the rest of that afternoon out….Wednesday, late afternoon, busy day and very important day at the office, phone call…It’s my doctor….”THE TESTS came back and YOU have BREAST CANCER, I suggest that you schedule an appointment with a surgeon…” I FAINT, down I go, just about then a friend walks by who knows I’ve had the tests and takes me into the boss’ office….how I drove home, don’t know…another friend calls and HE asks if he can have me talk to his surgeon friend, and the next thing I know the surgeon is on the call, and he suggest that I come in tomorrow to his office and we go forward….Well, the rest is history…GREATEST Surgeon in the world, PRAYER and support of dear sweet Friends. I have the surgery, I was so afraid, the week between finding out my worst fear had come true and the actual surgery, I worked hard, did lots of calls, paperwork, got everything ready, but just wouldn’t say the words, “IF I DON’T MAKE IT”, but that was always in my head, along with lots of WHY, WHAT IF, WHY NOT, HOW DID I CAUSE THIS, IF ONLY……..
There is a HAPPY ENDING, when I awoke from the surgery, my sweet wonderful surgeon said, he got it all and I was going to be OK!
Now, five years later, I have developed Lymphedema in my right arm, and most of the upper right side....This just came on the past few months, and at first again, I denied it was happening but last month when I saw my wonderful surgeon we discussed and he sent me to St. Joe's for PT...with certified lympedema specialist...and next week I get fitted with sleeve and glove which they say I will have to wear the rest of my days...You ask what Lympedema feels like: lyphedema is swelling, feels like being sunburned, then having the nurse put the bloodpresure cuff on pumped to the highest level, and with a softball emplanted in your armpit! Yep, it is a hot burning ache! But I am determined that this too shall pass!
I could write a book, but for now, again let me say that I SURVIVED, and TODAY and EVERYDAY is the best day of my life!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for letting me share!!!!
I had my first asthma attack at age 48 and had no idea that it could lead to pneumonia; I had gone all of 2009 with out an asthma attack, but 2010 I had to go back on my normal maintenance asthma ...
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I have asthma first attack was at 48 and I'm 71 now; went 14 mo without an attack and then Feb. 2011 had an attack went to my doctor and he put me back on my meds plus short dose of steroids, but ...
March 2, 2012 - 7:50am
I have had asthma since 1988; had it under control for couple years. Last Feb. (2010) I had an attach, and I have been coughing since, gone to my doctor, been to emergency room, had PMT to the ...
January 5, 2012 - 1:24pm
I was chosen to be a participant in the very first Stanford Healthy Lifestyle Program (SHLP) to be held at the Virginia Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale, AZ.. First, class was Monday and will ...
April 21, 2011 - 9:58am
I was chosen to be a participant in the very first Stanford Healthy Lifestyle Program (SHLP) to be held at the Virginia Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale, AZ.. First, class was Monday and will ...
April 20, 2011 - 9:45am
I have been asked to share the comments below by my dear friend/mentor and teacher, Barry Kapp. This piece is informative and gives us info regarding how we can help ourselves to health in this ...
March 15, 2011 - 8:21pm
I am 70 and my husband, Hartmann, is 93 my parents introduced me to him when I was 18.5 and we were married when I was 23.5, so a 47 yr marriage. I worked and he has been retired since early 1990 ...
January 23, 2011 - 11:21am
I am 70 and my husband, Hartmann, is 93 my parents introduced me to him when I was 18.5 and we were married when I was 23.5, so a 47 yr marriage. I worked and he has been retired since early 1990 ...
January 23, 2011 - 11:20am
I am a breast cancer survivor of over 5 years! My husband who is many years older than I have been married 47 yrs and he has had dementia for about 15 years. Sept. 5 he fell and broke his wrist ...
January 22, 2011 - 12:10pm
I saw the doctor last week and will have ultrasound this week. My question is to my sisters, how many of you have deal with this? I have pain in the ovary areas, which started about week or so ...
January 2, 2011 - 10:09am
Yesterday I posted: Dementia/Alzheimer's and Being the caregiver
I'd like very much to be part of this group and learn how I can be a better caregiving spouse, however, now he is in a home, so ...
December 25, 2010 - 5:11pm
The Beginning of A 56 day journey with no end!
I am a breast cancer survivor; five years this past May, in my mind the magic number!
Let’s do some personal history to set the stage:
I am 70, ...
December 24, 2010 - 5:17am
After 5 years with NO problems from my masectomy I have developed lymphedema....now getting PT, and have the sleeve, glove, doing water exercises, using essential oils with self massage but still ...
June 21, 2010 - 11:07am
Five years clean – Anniversary DAY of my Mastectomy is May 9!
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING, OH What a Beautiful DAY……maybe to some these is just words to a song, but to a Survivor it is a ...
June 2, 2010 - 6:34am
I just read this and wanted to share:
Almonds
Almonds have many healing properties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, almonds are considered anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. They help with ...
June 1, 2010 - 4:17pm
May 5 will be five years since my mastectomy, so I am a SURVIVOR! Having said that there is now a problem that up until say a month ago I had not experienced....lymphedema....it is a constant ...
April 23, 2010 - 7:52pm
I am a CRONE, in fact I held my CRONING Ceremony, May 5, 1995 in Sedona. My life has been a path filled with many rocks and turns. I want to share with others and help them on their path.... I ...
April 8, 2010 - 12:13pm
Princeline describes how she copes with her husband who was diagnosed with dementia after a stroke.
January 21, 2010 - 10:07am
Princeline explains how she avoids upsetting situations when she is caring for her husband who was diagnosed with dementia.
January 21, 2010 - 9:57am
Princeline recalls her asthma attack triggers and explains what it feels like when she is having an attack.
January 21, 2010 - 9:50am
Princeline offers advice for women who will have a mastectomy.
December 14, 2009 - 2:41pm
Princeline explains how EmpowHER helped her cope with a uterine cancer scare.
December 14, 2009 - 2:26pm
Princeline offers advice for dementia caregivers.
December 10, 2009 - 1:01pm
Princeline recalls what happened when she was first diagnosed with asthma.
December 10, 2009 - 12:50pm
Princeline explains how anxiety from other health issues added to her depression.
December 10, 2009 - 12:03pm
Princeline recalls the depression symptoms she dealt with.
December 10, 2009 - 11:53am
Princeline offers advice to women suffering silently with depression.
December 10, 2009 - 11:47am
Princeline discusses why she wants to share her health experiences with other women.
December 10, 2009 - 11:37am
Princeline explains if she takes medication to treat her depression.
December 10, 2009 - 11:21am
Princeline discusses the alternative methods she sought to help treat her depression.
December 10, 2009 - 11:13am
Princeline recalls when she decided to seek help for depression.
December 10, 2009 - 11:01am
This is my month to tell the world, HOW WONDERFUL IT IS to be SURVIVOR....and to encourage each person male and female to gain education about the DISEASE and the symptoms....Ladies talk to the ...
October 3, 2009 - 8:39am
Asthma has unfortunately become all too common, caused by a variety of factors. Here's what you can do to manage this chronic and very serious illness, from leading ear, nose and throat specialist ...
Princeline commented on Howdini's post How To Manage Asthma