August 31, 2014

Hello Everyone! Hope your Labor Day weekend is filled with good weather and no traffic.  Its been warm in the Bay Area, and the breeze is welcome. Let's hope the heat in the Central Valley reminds certain parents of mine to leave the yardwork for when its cooler....

I am continuing to walk as much as possible.  My muscles are going to have trouble adjusting for a few months, and I am doing the best I can to stretch and be active.  According to my friends, I am still walking on a good pace.

This week, I was lucky to spend time with many of my friends. I saw my godson, and he will be taller than me soon.  I received cards, and a surprise care package from a college friend. There were dinners, and surprise meetings on the side of the road or parking lots. I ate some good food, including homemade chicken pot pies. And, I was able to see some doggies.

On Thursday, I went to the Giants game with another breast cancer survivor.  She is my age, and we went through chemotherapy around the same time.  We are both Gamer babes, and we enjoyed great seats and sunny weather.  Turns out there were quite a few friends at the game as well.

Thank you all for continuing to check in, play games, send pictures, or send messages.  I appreciate hearing how everyone is doing, and what's new in your world.  The picture on the blog says "Live."  Do something this week that reminds you to do so: Live.

Love, Sosa

P.S.
If any of you are BRCA1 or BRCA2, or know someone who is, there is an observational study being conducted by UCSF.  You are compensated, and it requires minimal participation (twice a year). The link has the contact information to call or email.
Here is the link: http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?cdrid=754972&version=HealthProfessional

August 24, 2014

Hello Friends,

 

Did you survive the earthquake? I jumped out of bed and stood in the doorway.  It was definitely a roller.  And if you want to know what's really going on, check Facebook for the news updates.

 

I am grateful for everyone's support as my chemotherapy has ended.  It has been one month since my last infusion.  What has happened since is my body's adjustment to the medicine leaving my body.  While I have more energy, I find I do not have as much strength.  During chemotherapy, I experienced extensive bone pain during the week after infusion.  Now, my muscles are incredibly sore most of the time, even after sleeping or sitting.  Which is odd, if you aren't running the ten miles like you feel you have.  What is good is that I am walking more often, which I enjoy.  I continue to practice yoga, which is a great way to stretch out and focus energy in one's body.

 

The poison that has been in my body will take months to leave.  In fact, the best sign is when my hair grows back.  That will happen in four to six months, and that is the most obvious sign that my body has recovered from the most "ironic" way to treat cancer.  The drugs had to destroy so much of my system, thus destroying the cancer. But, I choose to do what it takes to survive.

 

In fact, another survivor pointed out to me that each day after diagnosis, is a day of survivorship.  Accepting the diagnosis and the treatment options, whatever they may be, means making choices to survive.  Every day you choose to live and fight, is a day when you choose not to let cancer win.  Some people consider landmarks, like five or ten years of being cancer free, as a survivor.  Some people say if you survived treatment, such as chemo, then, you are a survivor.

 

I think anyone who continues to move forward is a survivor. Whether its through early detection or trusting in treatment, deciding to put faith in the medicine is a choice to survive.  Regardless of the severity of the treatment or the extent of the disease, if you choose to keep living, then you are a SURVIVOR.

 

Keep your spirit positive and keep appreciating what's good in life.  

 

Love, Sosa

 



August 17, 2014.....Another Week Down

Its another week without chemotherapy and my body continues to adjust.  Another week waiting to find out whats next in my treatment and for my mind has to adjust as well. When there is no news, the waiting can sometimes be the hardest part.  I don't have answers for myself, let alone for anyone else.

But,

You get through it.  When it may seem difficult, I take one day at a time.  Sometimes, one hour at a time.  Get up, walk, shower, eat.  Look at the cards or the messages from loved ones, and refocus.  Keep moving forward.

Because,

The laundry still needs to be done.  There will always be traffic on 580 in Livermore. And I will still have cancer tomorrow. 

Do what you can until you cannot.  Continue to hope, be strong, and have faith, in the medicine and yourself.

____________________

This week, I spent time with a woman who opted for surgery, instead of treatment, based on her medical history.  I was impressed by her pride and courage.  I also met with a support group of breast cancer survivors.  They offered another perspective on living life in wellness after treatment.  Meeting with other women and listening to their stories is very helpful.  While treatment plans and medicines can be similar, every woman's diagnosis and history is unique.  These perspectives provide valuable education for the newly diagnosed about what to expect, and various ways to handle emotions, side effects, and stress.  I think its important for patients and survivors to find support in others, especially in a group or individual counseling. 

____________________

Thank you to everyone who continues to read this blog and post comments, or send emails or messages.  I have been very lucky to continue to reach out to others, as they have reached out to me with love and support. 

I always appreciate distractions, especially those that remind me of what my life used to be. I appreciate good news, like engagements, and wedding dresses, and new kitchens. And baseball, and little league, and finally, football.  Its nice not to think about cancer all the time, no matter how bald you are.

Have a good week,
Sosa

August 10, 2014

 

Isn't that the truth?

 

The image above was sent to me from a friend who survived breast cancer, and I forwarded it to a friend with lymphoma.

 

These last few months have gone by quickly, even though some of the days are long. I was diagnosed at the end of February and its already August. I have had some very long days, and longer nights.  Its all part of the war, and like war, it is exhausting and ongoing, and there are losses to bear.

 

A year ago, I was working, and going to baseball games, and spending time with friends.  Now, I have cancer. I'm bald and on leave from work. I have tried to stay active, and my friends have helped me remember what I enjoy most, and showed how much support is around me. 

 

A friend asked me this week if I thought these months were going to be as hard as it has been.  I did not expect to get through chemo as well as I did. I say "as well," mainly because I did not get as sick as most patients do. As a nurse's daughter, I prepared and medicated as needed.  Listening to my body and consulting with my nurses and doctors helped with the side effects. I attended a support group weekly and learned perspective. As difficult as chemo can be for anyone, there will be harder battles to face.  They will be physical and emotional, and I will prepare for whatever the treatment may be.  I do not have any news now, and decisions are yet to be made.  Remember, each patient is different, and my situation is different from someone else.

 

Since I was diagnosed, I have been public about how this journey has affected me and also how many people have approached me.  It is important to acknowledge those who have never known anyone with cancer.  I commend those who have asked questions to understand what is happening to me, but also to understand what could happen to them or their loved ones.

____________________________________

 

Breast cancer does not discriminate.  It touches lives of so many.  In the past month, I learned of more friends and parents who have been recently diagnosed. Some have minor surgery and some have mastectomies and chemo in their future. In our lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with some degree of breast cancer.  The treatments and medicines are much better than twenty, ten, or even one year ago.  As long as women are reaching out to doctors for early detection then treatment, recovery, and remission are easier than it used to be.  It is still hard to learn, and even harder to accept.  But there is support and there is hope. 

____________________________________

Love, Sosa

 

 



August 3, 2014

Another Week Down

 

 

Hello Everyone and Welcome Back....

 

 

While the week had a rough start as I was recovering from my last chemotherapy, it finished up on a better note.  I continue to try to do something every day, even if it just means I take a drive to get some fresh air.

 

As you can see above, I attended another Giants game this week.  For those of you who think this is weird, please understand I attended 2-3 games a month last season.  I attend all sorts of sporting events when I can, and baseball and softball are at the top of my list.

 

This week, two friends returned from their travels with very cool gifts for me.  I always feel fortunate, and I make note of all the places I want to go when I can travel again.  Maybe a cruise, Hawaii, or Comic-Con....

 

I took part in two celebrations this week.  The DP turns 50 this week, and I spent all day Sunday with friends at an outdoor party.  The weather was easy on us and the company was lots of fun.  All we needed was a slip and slide...

 

I also met with my parents and extended family at a celebration for a family friend who lived to be 101.  I listened to the stories of people who grew up together in the 1950s and 60s. There were pictures of my grandpa as a young man, and reminders of what life used to be like, post WWII, when families and friends lived on the same block and planned vacations together.

 

My parents are still hanging in there, and they always say hello and appreciate the support of my friends in the Bay Area.

______________________________________

 

Maybe its just me, but it seems cancer is an ongoing theme in movies and TV shows lately.  "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Wish I Was Here" are recent movies with characters with cancer, and "Chasing Life" is a drama on the Family Channel, where a young woman is diagnosed with leukemia. There was even an episode of "Botched" where a breast cancer survivor needed another corrrective surgery towards reconstruction. 

 

Its kind of like, when you drive a certain kind of car, then you notice that car on the road, more than usual.  Or when the side effects of advertised medications are read aloud on TV, and there is a reference to cancer.  Or I notice other women wearing hats or scarves like me.

 

Some people may think its not the best thing for a cancer patient to pay attention to programs or commercials that involve cancer.  Any patient can tell you using search engines and reading numerous articles can cause more harm than good.  The benefit of fictional programs allows people to relate to a variety of characters, from patient to parent to friend.  Often, its educational for those who still may not understand what the cancer patient is going through, which then opens the door for questions and communication.

 

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions.  Have a good week.

 

Love, 

Sosa