Dating Mr. Squishy

(Mr. Squishy)

"The only person who can save you, is you.

 That was going to be the the thing that

 informed the rest of my life."

~Sheryl Crow

On being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Well, it's that time again. How did 2 years go by so quickly? I know I need to go, but it's not something I am looking forward to very much. You see, I have a lump. Now, before you panic, I am prone to these things. I have lumpy breasts, especially around certain times of the month, which even at my advanced age I am still enjoying! LOL. I will feel a lump from time to time, and then it will disappear. From what the doctor tells me it's not unheard of, and no one makes a panic because my mammograms always come out just fine. It's been like a toothache. You notice a pain, you make an appointment, and by the time you reach the chair, the pain is gone, and the cavity is gone with it! Let the patient heal thyself! But this time, while doing my usual monthly self exam, which I do bi-monthly now because, hello, not getting any younger, I noticed that one of those little lumpy bumps hadn't left! So, okay, maybe it has a will of it's own, or maybe it's lazy... who knows? But the bottom line is, I have an amazing healthcare plan, so why not go get my annual check and get the good news! Right? I don't take my healthcare for granted, there are a lot of ladies who wish they had a way to get a mammogram, but can't.

I could go on quite the political rant here, but I won't for now. Now isn't the time, but stay tuned, I will be revisiting the subject! Now, if you are reading this post, and haven't had your routine mammogram, will you consider joining me? You don't have to come to my appointment, of course, but will you please schedule yourself an appointment, sometime in the next 6 weeks or so, and then come back here and tell me how it went in the comment thread? Or you can send me an email if you like. And DM on Twitter is good also! The main thing is to take care of ourselves, and each other. We have to, too many folks love us and need us! I don't know if this silly lump is cancer or just a silly little lump, but it's important to find out! Either way, it's all just another part of the adventure!

Pink Promise Rose

(My Garden 2012)

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience

 in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Mood: Curious

~Me :)

Curious Carly Goes To The Doctor, And The Doctor Says...

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."

-Buddha

On Thursday of last week, I went to see my medical doctor, for my 6 month Fibromyalgia once over. Everything is the same, meaning I still have Fibromyalgia, but with the warm weather of summer, I am doing a little better as far as the pain associated with it goes. There is only so much that can realistically be done with it, and I am learning to accept those bad days. I am not sure I will ever fully understand why I "airhead" so badly sometimes, but if nothing else, it can certainly be colorful. :) The blood pressure has been brought under control. I finally found the right medication for that. It is a little peach colored pill called Lisinopril. My doctor was thrilled with my latest B/P reading of 129/82. :) Success!

Now for the unpleasant part. I have to have surgery. FRET! I think I have mentioned her before that I have an allergy to aluminum chlorhydrate, an ingredient found in most antiperspirants. It was first diagnosed back in the early 1990's, when I felt a lump under my arm, and felt some pain. I had the pain for about 3 months or so, before I finally called the doctor. By the time I got an appointment, I had developed a hole under each arm. Bother! There wasn't much that could be done by then, so the doctor advised me to stop using antiperspirants/deodorants immediately, and use only a mild soap and water instead. I did, but the damage was done. I have been living with these sores since then. It's not always bad, it can be controlled with antibiotics pretty well, but sometimes it can be so uncomfortable.



My doctor examined my arms again Thursday, and we had a long talk about what would probably be best for my over all health. Because of the infections that tend to come up, my white blood count is almost always elevated. That's not too healthy, as it only exacerbates those times when my Fibromyalgia zaps my energy. There were some days this last winter, when I literally slept 17 hours a day, and woke up with very little energy. We think the one is playing off the other. So, surgery to remove my sweat glands, and a couple lymph nodes, is what the doctor is ordering. Sigh.

YIKES! JUST YIKES! It will mean a 5-7 day stay in the hospital, and a 6-8 week recovery time. Because they will be removing the glands from under both arms, my picture taking time will be cut dramatically. Again YIKES! I think I have mentioned once or twice, that I would rather take pictures then breathe. LOL. Sigh. I don't know, there are so many pros and cons to having the surgery. Frankly, some of the information I have been reading about aluminum chlorhydrate, is down right frightening. I have no idea how it can even be allowed in products considered safe. I have read numerous articles linking it to Alzheimer's Disease and breast cancer. The beauty/health market is getting better about providing alternatives to products containing it, but not enough awareness about it's dangers is made available. Sigh. Although, when you think about it, how good could a product be, that blocks the release of toxins from the body?

Oh well. It's always something. And as scared as I am of having surgery, I guess it makes sense to do so. I go in on Monday for a blood test, where everything possible will be checked. I should be little more then dust when they are done with me. Fun. And I have an appointment with a surgeon scheduled in a couple weeks. I am hoping that I can maybe have it done after the first of the year. I have the garden in full swing, and autumn is the one time of the year I live for. I don't want to have to miss it. Besides, I am usually hibernating in the winter anyway, so it seems like it would be the perfect time for recovering from surgery, but I don't know if the doctor will go for that or not.

Alan has been wonderful about it. He just wants me healthy and to feel better. He even promised to send me flowers in the hospital, and we are negotiating a new teddy bear to keep me company. Yes, I am a grown woman who still depends on the kindness of teddy bears. After all, I won't have Elvis there to hold my hand. LOL. I don't care how much pain I am in, I am planning to take my camera with me! They will have to pry it out of my hand as I go into surgery. LOL. My camera goes everywhere I go, because you just never know when art might just turn up. :) Life is an adventure to be sure, but surgery is such a scary word, I wonder, can I do this?. :(

Antiperspirant: Link To Breast Cancer?

Deodorants May Pose A Major Health Risk

-OndineMonet
"Weird Hospital Tools"
July 19, 2007
Afternoon

My Upcoming Date With Mr. Squishy

"The patient should be made to understand that he or she must take charge of his or her own life. Don't take your body to the doctor as if he were a repair shop."

-Quentin Regestein

I can't believe it has almost been a year! But it has. Time for me to go back for my annual Mammogram. Do you remember how spooked I was last year? I had just found an unusual lump in my breast, that hadn't been there a month before when I did my breast exam. It scared me. And Good that! I was over 40, and had never had a Mammogram before. I had never put much thought into it. Sometimes in life, things creep up on you. Time goes by really quick, whether you are having fun or not! I had been asked by my regular physician to schedule an appointment for myself, and somehow I had managed to avoid doing so. Sigh. Not too wise. You can bet, when I discovered that lump, I found the time! I went in, whining a good bit all the way, and lucky for me, it was a lump that could be dealt with. It wasn't cancer, but over 200,000 women every year aren't as lucky as I was, including one of my favorite singers, Sheryl Crow.

"I encourage all women everywhere to advocate for themselves and for their future. See your doctor and be proactive about your health."

-Sheryl Crow

I read earlier this week, that there has been a decline of the number of American women who are getting this important annual test. What's up with that girls? I no longer believe that anything is more important then getting myself checked. Nothing. So what might be holding you back? If you are one of my regular female readers, or if you have a lady in your life that you love dearly who hasn't gotten her exam for the year, I want to encourage you to make that appointment! The test doesn't hurt, and it is vital to early detection. I found out a lot of useful information about Breast Cancer, and I learned why I am at a slightly higher risk then most to get it. I learn factors for keeping myself well, and what to watch for as far as symptoms of the disease are. I am being proactive with my own health...I hope you are as well.

According to the CDC, one reason many women skip getting this exam is complacency. After taking the test, year after year, and being given a clean bill of health, many believe that their chances of contracting the disease are so low, that the yearly exam is no longer needed. Wrong! Ladies we must care enough about ourselves, to continue getting this test. So what do you say? Anyone care to take my challenge, by getting your yearly mammogram in the month of February along with me? Don't make me go to the appointment alone. Come on, schedule the appointment on Monday, and come back here and let me know when it will be, by leaving me a message in the comment thread for this entry. Better yet, share your experiences at the doctor in your blog. I will link on my sidebar, to anyone who helps spread awareness about breast cancer, by getting a mammogram and sharing their story.

There are everyday things we can do to take care of ourselves. I was reading my latest issue of the MayoClinic Newsletter this past week, and they always have wonderful easy to do tips for living better, more healthy lives. Also, each issue has some yummy recipes. In the last issue, there were recipes for, Balsamic Roast Chicken, and Melon Fool. Too tasty for words. If you haven't visited their website, do so, and sign up for their weekly newsletter, you will be glad you did! Come on ladies, make me proud! Go be proactive for your health! I like my friends, and I want to know you a long time! :) Make those appointments!

For More Information on Breast Cancer...

Susan G. Komen - For The Cure

Toll-Free Breast Cancer Care Helpline
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST

1-800 I'm- Aware (1-800-462-9273)

My Appointment Date
Thursday, February 8th.

-OndineMonet
"My Date With Mr. Squishy"
February, 2006
Late Afternoon
Hayward, California