A Navigational Chart for Breast Cancer Patients

While the Ship's Blog is not a cancer blog, I do chronicle my journey with breast cancer in many posts. Because some of my visitors are specifically interested in this topic, I created this page as a resource, to give you an overview of what you'll find and to highlight some particularly useful entries.

If you'd like to read the entire journey as it unfolded, you can read it in chronological order here. Otherwise, here you can find:

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A Summary of My History with Links to Highlights

I found the lump in my breast in March of 2006 and, after undergoing a fine needle aspiration, was diagnosed with IDC (invasive ductal cancer), at age 40. Because I have a strong family history of breast cancer, I underwent genetic testing, which led to a negative result that is considered inconclusive in light of my family history. For surgery, I chose a lumpectomy.

I originally chose to forego chemotherapy, but when the Oncotype-DX test graded me at an 18% risk for metastasis within 10 years, I chose to do a Taxotere/Cytoxan chemo infusion for four cycles. I describe each chemo infusion (6/9/06, 6/30/06, 7/21/06, and 8/11/06) and the posts in between describe my experience with side effects. I wore frozen gloves and slippers during my infusions to reduce the chance of nail changes (and my nails were fine as a result). I cut off my hair just as I was starting to lose it and spent the next several months wearing an exotic array of colorful wigs. I write a lot about my hairless experiences.

All of my treatment was at UCSF (University of California at San Francisco) except for radiation, which I did at Alta Bates in Berkeley, CA. I had 6-1/2 weeks of radiation treatment and lots of burning. My body had fought chemopause (chemo-induced menopause), so when I started hormone therapy after radiation, I was put on Tamoxifen. The side effects from Tamoxifen impacted my quality of life too much, so I discontinued hormone treatment at the beginning of 2007.

My first mammogram after treatment was abnormal and I was scheduled for biopsies. I found that after maintaining a good attitude during my initial treatment, the second time around was different. Luckily, though, a surgical biopsy eventually showed me to be clear.

At this time, while I am still under an oncologist's care, I am not taking any medication. Aside from persistent fatigue, my body seems to have more-or-less returned to normal after treatment. Well, maybe.

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Articles and Essays of Specific Interest

Some of my entries are more along the lines of essays and articles, written for new cancer patients and their loved ones:

  • Why You May Need a Health Advocate. Being diagnosed with something as serious as cancer is overwhelming, and navigating the medical system can be even worse. Here are some thoughts about why you may want to choose someone to help you make this journey. Read this early on.
  • What Does it Cost to Have Cancer? This is where I share the actual charges for nine months of breast cancer treatment -- it's pretty eye-opening!
  • Tips on Choosing a Cancer Center. I went to two cancer centers for my treatment and wish I had known enough in the beginning to realize that there would be dramatic differences between them. This article shares my thoughts on why you might want to preview several centers before you make your choice.
  • Choosing Your Best Wig (for chemo patients). If you're about to go through chemo (or think you might) and want to consider a wig, this article provides some solid information about how to choose the one that's right for you.
  • What Your Cancer Center Doesn't Tell You About Chemotherapy. This could be entitled, What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Chemo. It's not about reasons to avoid chemo, it's about things you should know to make your chemo experience better or at least more understandable, if that is what is in the cards for you.
  • 5 Things to do When You Lose Your Hair. A tongue-and-cheek look at hair loss options.
  • Make Your Own Chemo Log. During chemo, it's a good idea to keep a written log of medications, side effects, and sometimes your emotional process. For crafty girls, I give ideas on how to make a distinctive journal all your own.
Especially for friends, loved ones, and the external community:

Essays I can't categorize:

  • Cancer: Best Year of Whose Life? My essay in response to Tony Snow's remarks (June 2006) about how cancer patients say it was the best year of their lives.
  • High-Risk Gestapo. My frustrations with the support environment among high-risk women online.
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Special Thank Yous

Throughout my cancer journey, a number of people have provided me with suport and care. I'm glad to have the opportunity to thank them here. My partner, Kathy, stayed by my side through everything, when I was sick as a dog from chemo, burned and in pain from radiation, and scary-cranky from hormone treatment. My sister and friends Maria and Lynne listened to my tales on an almost-daily basis, providing me with much-needed sounding boards. My friend Joni kept me delighted with lovely cards that she sent me. Christine and Amy sent me flowers that brightened my day.

I was also lucky to receive excellent medical care from my doctors. In my blog, I am candid about my frustrations with UCSF, but these do not extend to the doctors. I have no doubt that Michelle Melisko, MD, medical oncologist, and Cheryl Ewing, MD, surgeon, are in the top of their field. Dr. Lorraine Champion at Alta Bates impressed me similarly. Thank you for providing me with good care.