Genetic Testing

Since my mother had breast cancer, I wanted to know if I had the breast cancer/ovarian gene & possibly passed it on to the kids. Good news I do not have BrCA1 or BrCA2 genes. Seems our breast cancers are familial but not genetic.

Last Radiation Treatment!

This is my last week of radiation. While it wasn't horrible, traveling to the hospital daily got old...fast! It's true that if you make friends with your techs, it's actually nice to see them daily.

I didn't have many side effects through my 5 weeks of treatment. Until I had the bright idea to run 2 miles at the end of week 4. Bad idea! My bra cut into my very sensitive skin & now I have an open wound & cannot wear a bra. So a few tips:

• ask for the cleanser. They don't give it to you unless you visit the radiation nurses.
• same goes for the cooling, hydrating gel pads & super moisturizing gel.
• make your appts for 1st thing in the morning. Afternoons & evenings always have a wait.
• and, finally, stop wearing a bra by week 3 to avoid skin irritation.

On to the next step, Tamoxifen.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is breast cancer awareness month. To help the cause & find a cure, here are a few things you can do:

• Buy Yoplait yogurt with the pink lids. (yes it can be a pain to collect the lids but then you just have to mail them in).
• Click breastcancersite daily to help someone receive a free mammogram & save their life.
• In need of a mani/pedi, purchase Essie's "Yes we can pink!"
• Need a drink? Order Belle Glos Oeil de Perdrix Pinot Noir Blanc 2007 & % of proceeds go to bc research. ps - this is one of the best wines I've had.
• Estee Lauder pink ribbon collection lipsticks.
• Order flowers from the ProFlowers pink collection.
• Send pink ribbon chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries.

Happy Shopping!

1 down, 4 to go

I finished my first week of radiation & I have to say it wasn't bad. The first few days made me very angry b/c they couldn't get the films to line up right so I had to lay there for 1.5 hrs each day. However, now they fixed it & it literally takes 20 minutes. Since my appt is at 7am, I'm able to have a normal day!