One year out and everything is good! I had a mammogram and MRI and both came back with no cancer.

Although you may think I would be completely relieved, I am not. I am happy with the good news, but I still have fear. I asked my breast surgeon how long we will be concerned and she said 5 years, but she also told me hormone positive breast cancer could come back anytime, even 20 years later. I guess it doesn't have a shelf life. Living with this thought certainly makes me appreciate and value each day even more. I know none of us know when our time will come, but having breast cancer is a constant reminder of just how limited the time may be.

I will have another mammogram in six months and another MRI next year.

Yesterday I had an endometrial ablation, which is a procedure that burns off the lining of the uterus. The result should be much lighter periods. Every woman who has had this told me it was the best thing they have ever done. I am hopeful!

A couple days before having the procedure I went to the hospital for pre-admission. One of the nurses had to go over the list of medications I take, which includes vitamins. As I started going down the list, the long list, she asked why I take so many and how did I know what to take. I told her about the breast cancer and about working with Dr. Kalidis.  She wanted to know more. We ended up talking for about 20 minutes about the different vitamins, my experience with breast cancer, and how I chose my treatment options. Come to find out she has some breast concerns too and is very interested in natural approaches.

Yesterday as I was being prepared for surgery a different nurse went over the list of things I take and again was very interested in talking with me about all this.  She too had had breast cancer. She had not been able to handle taking Tamoxifen and was interested in an alternative. When I mentioned Indole 3 Carbinol she said she had never heard of it,  she asked me how to spell it and wrote it down.  When my doctor came in to talk she didn't step away or leave my side, she wanted to continue hearing about what I take and why. She was still talking about it as they rolled me into surgery!

Jay said he loved to listen to me talk about my experience with breast cancer and to observe how closely the women listened.   I was surprised how interested they were. I think the medical workers are interested in alternative options and they are not getting any education in this area.

It's obvious that I like to take advantage of western options, such as the endometrial ablation, and the alternative options, such as Indole 3 Carbinol. In my mind it is the best of both worlds. Hopefully someday (soon) the medical world will integrate the two!

When people ask me how I'm doing, now it is always with that sympathetic tone, almost expectant of a terrible reply.  I know it is meant as a gesture of love or sympathy.  I always answer with an overly enthusiastic, "Wonderful, I am great."  This answer is to help comfort them and also to put the conversation on level ground.

At this time I am great.  Who knows what the future holds...for any of us.  I am a little tender still.  Wearing an under-wire bra would still be impossibly uncomfortable. But other than that all is good.  I continue to take all the vitamins and watch what I eat... and I still do not eat meat...and I don't miss it.  In December I will go back for another mammogram and MRI. Cancer will always be lurking in the shadows of my life, just as other tragedies I've experienced.  I've come to realize though, that I do not want my life to be defined by my tragedies but rather my triumphs!

So, if you see me or talk to me, please ask me, "How's everything going?" with an enthusiastic tone that implies you expect to hear me tell you a long list of wonderful things, because that is how I plan to answer you.

Almost 3 months of nothing new to report...until now.

A few weeks ago I started having some unusual vaginal bleeding.  Last week it became extremely heavy, let's just say I couldn't go an hour without changing pads.  Thursday morning I called the new Gyno with whom I had an appointment scheduled for July 7th and explained to the receptionist what was going on. She said to come in immediately.  Once there the new Gyno (who I like very much) said we had to get the bleeding stopped.  One option for most women is to take a Rx of hormones but since my breast cancer was hormone positive, this was not a good option for me.  A D&C was scheduled for first thing Friday morning.  I had no idea that a D&C requires you to be put completely under.  The procedure was brief and I was home before lunchtime.  Friday and Saturday I felt fine. Sunday I started feeling a bit run down. Today, forget it!  I am out!  I feel like I am on a boat, very dizzy. 

Even though I feel very bad today, this morning I went for a mammogram and ultrasound.  The results  seem to be OK.  Next week I will take the films and visit the Breast Surgeon. 

I will visit the Gyno on July 1st.  Prior to that I will have a vaginal ultrasound. Between the lab results of tissue from the D&C and the ultrasound she should be able to determine the cause of the bleeding.

It seems both my problems are hormone related.  I am not sure if they are connected.

Stay tuned for more adventures on the high seas of Rhonda's health--did I mention I feel like I am on a boat today?  Very rough waters!!! 

Not too much to update on breast cancer.  I have completed my treatments, am taking 400 mg of Indole 3 Carbinol daily, and am on the follow up plan with the doctors.  In June I will have a mammogram, in September I will visit the oncologist for blood work, and in October I will have a MRI.  So far, so good.

That all said I will only update this blog after each of those appointments or if I come across some really awesome information that I want to share.

For now let's go with, no news is good news!!

Love to all!!!

As you can tell from my lapses in posts, breast cancer is no longer dominating my life!  I went to the breast surgeon yesterday and told her of my decision not to take Tamoxifen and to take 400 mg of Indole 3 Carbinol instead.  She was very supportive and encouraging.  I asked if she thought the oncologist would fire me as a patient and she said she didn't think so, that they have another patient who is going natural.  I will see him on the 22nd of March, then a follow up with the radiologist on April 7th.  After that I am good till June when I will have a mammogram and October when I will have an MRI.


So, I am declaring the cancer congregation has been banished from my body. To ensure that cancer has no place to congregate in my body in the future,  I will continue eating lots of veggies, no sugar, and little caffeine, along with taking my 14 vitamins and supplements daily!

Love to all!!!

Radiation is over...but the burn remains.  The radiation treatments ended last Thursday.  I am so glad that I don't have to interrupt my day to run to Sanford!  The treatment area is still very sore, like a bad burn that is healing.  Feels like I spent too much time on the sun deck!

Now for the next adventure on this  cancer cruise...drugs!  I have decided against taking Tamoxifen.  I researched alternatives and found that one natural alternative to Tamoxifen is I3C (Indole 3 Carbinol, which is made from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.)  I found positive information about it online, at Sloan Kettering and Life Extensions .  I will take 400 mg of I3C and hope that my oncologist doesn't fire me and that my breast surgeon does faint!  Neither Tamoxifen or I3C is a guarantee against reoccurence, which is scary, but there is no guarantees in anything in life.


In other news, I have been very busy with clients, the weather is getting warmer, and I can't wait to jump in the pool!


 Love to all!!!