How to Recognize Breast Cancer Symptoms

I came across this video and thought it was a good one to share. It's straight forward and easy to understand.

                                          

Year end review

(1). Discovery

How : During a routine examination her doctor noticed it had been 10 years since her last mammogram. When he discovered this she insisted that my wife make arrangments for the procedure immediately.

When : Two days after the initial exam, they had her mammagram set up to do, it was during this procedure that they encountered the mass. The Doctor from the Breast Center suggested a biopsy of the mass A.S.A.P.

What : Upon doing the biopsy of the tissue from the mss she was informed that she did indeed have cancerous cells and they were in a very aggressive state.

(2). Treatment
Once the initial discovery had been made, the process of deciding how best to treat was the next step. Further tests were made and measurements taken to best guide the surgeon's decision between a full mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure. it was decided that the best alternative was a lumpectomy followed by a chemotherapy regimen and finally 33 radiation treatments.

Choices : During this time the consideration of the full mastectomy with less chemotherapy and radiation, versus the lumpectomy and a more intense regimen of chemo/radiation.

Decisions : The biggest decision she faced at this point was to decide between mastectomy or lumpectomy. The mastectomy has a higher rate of success and less recurrence, but is also a much larger removal of tissue. Due to the small percentage increase my wife chose the lumpectomy. her thought being if she should have a recurrence that she would then have the mastectomy.

Outcome : The surgery went well and had no complications. She was able to come home just a few hours after the surgery. Roughly 72 hours after her surgery her surgeon called and informed her that he needed to go back into the original site and remove another 1.4 centimeters of tissue. There had evidently been some mistake in calculating how far to go with the actual removal of tissue. I did question this occurrence but it seems that it is common for this to happen since there is no real way of knowing how far the cancer cells have spread without actually going into the area and taking samples of cell growth.
Now with the scheduled surgery behind her, her only real complaint was that the area was a lot more sensitive and painful the second time through
(3). Now & Then

Changes : There have been several changes that had to be made during and after this whole process. In fact almost everything that my wife did had to have new ways of doing them. some of these changes have proved to be major permanent improvements, while some other have only been temporary fixes for temporary discomforts.
Permanent
Temporary

(4). Family +/-
Family members had some very wide ranging emotions and actions once they had been informed, some that were less knowledgeable about the events, even seemed totally oblivious to the fact.

Reactions : Reactions from family members ranged from indifference to caring to fear. One particular family member that was also one of my wifes part time employers Laid her off the day after she was diagnosed because she says” I can’t have you dying in my shop”. In the same week another family member, not only had shown her great support and caring but also, offered the two of us various alternative sources of income performing services that she required help with anyway.

(5). Strangers +/-
Many total strangers would react to my wife with a great caring and compassion , while others would totally avoid her to the point of not even looking her way. Once her hair was gone we had two very odd and yet sad encounters, with drug seekers asking her in the street to sell them pain medications. The first of these occurrences came while we were outside doing some yard work and cleaning up when a old red chevy chevette approached and stopped beside the two of us and proceeded to explain that they knew her doctors had given her some “GOOD” pain drugs and was actually begging and pleading with her to sell her meds. At this point I just told the man to leave while he still could leave, he yelled a few obscenities and left, needless to say I still watch for this vehicle and the bunch of junkies that was in it.

                  

Extraordinary Machine (the full version) - YouTube

Extraordinary Machine (the full version) - YouTube:

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How to Deal With Controlling People from Joan Haines,

How to Deal With Controlling People:
BY: Joan Haines, M.Ed.,currently teaches fifth grade. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of one. She loves learning and gaining insight about life. She's passionate about helping others develop their gifts and talents.


I found this article full of useful information during our recent experiences. During this time there have been a few although not many people we have encountered during her treatment that have tried to guide her in less than productive directions. Most were in fact trying to force her to do what they thought to be in her best interest.

Read more here and be sure to check out some of Joans other offerings.

How to Deal With Controlling People: 

     

Joan Haines 

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Squalid Factories and Foodborne Diseases Are Rising Again .

After yesterdays post about good food I thought it might be a good time to mention ome BAD food. When I read this I was very shocked to find out some of the practices in our American Food industry. I have already begun to take steps to insure mine and my families safety. I ever really realized how much of our foodstuff comes form forign sources. You would think it costs more to ship food around the world than to produce it at home, but I guess if you ship it in nasty conditions after making it in nasty conditions it makes it pretty inexpensive I would imagine.
106 Years After ‘The Jungle’, Squalid Factories and Foodborne Diseases Are Rising Again | Daily Ticker - Yahoo! Finance

Eating Healthy and Saving Some Dollars.

Apple margaritas and summer salads and peanut butter cookie dough balls, oh my! The Greatist Team is proud to present a collection of 73 recipes (and some quick and easy bonuses, shh) for every occasion. The kicker? All require eight or fewer ingredients and takes less than 20 minutes to prep. Breakfast, dinner, salads, and healthy desserts, they’re all here — so read on, dig in, and get cooking!
Ready,Set.......GO!!
246 Healthy Recipes (That Won't Break the Bank) | Greatist

Photo's of Awareness, thanks everyone.

Since beginning this journey with my wife I have seen some of the most unique ways to show support.  

I wanted to share some of these as I think they are a wonderfully whimsical way to share awareness for a very serious problem. I intend to update this each time I find something that really stands out to me as a unique form of support.