Hello.
I think I'll begin by introducing myself, explain why I'm blogging, and shed some light on the title "Inside the Amazon." My name is Deanna and I just turned 39. I'm happily married, we have one son who is 8, and I'm currently a student majoring in Special Education. I'm supposed to start student-teaching in the fall and then I'll graduate and be able to start teaching in January 2008. That was the plan anyway. Things went awry about two weeks ago when I found out that I have breast cancer.
Which brings me to why I'm blogging. I've had a lot of doctor's appointments - and I have (thankfully) a lot of folks who care about me and are curious about the outcomes of said appointments. I've been phoning everyone or sending mass emails and messages up to now. This blog will be a way to allow everyone to check my status at their convenience without me going over and over what's going on. Not only will my friends and family be able to see where I'm at physically and mentally, but it will also be a way for me to vent and talk a little bit about what's going on in my head. Another advantage is that maybe someone out there is going through the same types of issues and are just as weirded out as I am.
The title "Inside the Amazon" was chosen for three reasons. I got the term "Amazon" from my friend Ed. When I told him that there was a strong possibility was that I would be having a mastectomy, he compared it to being an Amazon Warrior. He told me about the greek mythological legend where Amazon Warriors cut off one breast so they could better use their bows and arrows. And believe me, if you're a C cup or better - this makes perfect sense. Those suckers can get in the way. Another reason is "The Amazon" (Jungle) which to me represents one adventure I don't really care to take. Everyone knows that there are tons of dangers luking in that joint and anyone who knows me well knows I hate spiders - let alone giant man-squeezing snakes that live there.
The third reason is simply me telling you what's going on - so that you're getting a glimpse Inside the Amazon - any way you look at it.
Feel free to leave comments. I won't be writing every day - probably one to two times per week - unless I have a doctor update or any major news regarding my condition.
Thanks for reading, and here we go...
Amazon Warrior photo by Kellie Yandle 2004
2 comments:
Hi Deanna,
This is your cousin from california. I have to tell you this is much more informative than hearing it 3rd hand through your mom to my mom to me. Anyways, as you may or may not know I got my PhD performing breast cancer research and I hear stories like this on a daily basis. Also, to put things in perspective, I went through some of these things 2 years ago. Although mine turned out to be benign I also think about these things on a daily basis because of the STRONG family history of breast cancer. I had more than 4 ultrasounds and 2 MRIs with the tumor removed by MRI.
If it had turned out that I was in your shoes and I had breast cancer I would without a doubt have the mastectomy first followed by chemo AND radiation. Especially since the tumor has already spread to your lymph nodes. Get that sucker out ASAP and not wait.
Also, let me tell you that I might consider telling the doctor about the family history of breast and OVARIAN cancer and look into having genetic testing performed to see if the family has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. If SO you might consider a double mastectomy for preventative measures. I know the thought of having a mastectomy to begin with is quite frightening but the thought of having any tumor left inside with the chance of re-occurring is even more scary to me. And the thought of having upwards of an 85% chance of getting it in the other breast or getting ovarian cancer is even more scary. I'm telling you this so you can be informed, not to scare you.
Don't worry about going bald, its only temporary and they make very good wigs and cute hats that you'll find at most of the cancer centers. I know its scary but you did catch it in an early stage (2B) so your outcome is very good. Again, please know that I am only trying to be informative and let you know my perspective of things. Feel free to email me anytime or get my number from your mom if you would like to talk about things.
Wow. Thanks for the information, Julie. I'll ask my doc about the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. And thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. Cngratulations on your wedding by the way!
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