Thank you to all of you reading my blog and wanting to keep up with my appts, my feelings, and my everyday life. Recently I entered into another realm of my cancer treatment. This is an extremely emotional and private time for me and my family. I would like to update my blog to keep you informed on what's going on - my phone has been crazy and I aplogize for the non returned phone calls. I have received them and appreciate it.
Beginning this week, my blog will be changed to "PRIVATE". If you would like to continue reading my blog, please send an email to mbyron@rmx360.com and include your email address. I'll add you to my list. Again, its a privacy thing. Believe me, as much as I want to be of "Hollywood Status" I do want keep this part of my treatment on the low :)
Thanks for understanding...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
New Information ...
So much has gone on and set in the last few days... I'm going to try to be as organized with this blog as possible. Afterall, the blog is for me and my closests and if you know ME it'll be understood.
The surgery recovery has taken longer than I anticipated. I'm healthy and energetic and outgoing. I thought for sure I would "pop"right back into place. I also thought a week of Lifetime Movies, 90210 reruns, and DrByron pampering me would be exciting. However, it's been miserable. I don't ask for help ... much. I'm originally a FARBER and now a BYRON and both of those mean INDEPENDENT! Two independents mean that you will do everything in your power to not ask for help. Not being able to drive to grocery shop, drop kids off at school, and run errands is difficult. So I am doing the best I can while continuing to feel helpless.
Last Wednesday I had an appt with my Oncologist. More bad news - My breast tissue and tumor have been tested and run through pathology. Test results have arrived. It turns out that my type of tumor had very aggressive genes and puts me at a high risk for recurrence. I thought for sure I was out of the woods and was cancer free. Unfortunately my oncologist has suggested a more severe treatment. Its hard for me to say the type of treatment although you all probably know exactly what I am expecting. My treatment will begin in the next 2 weeks. It's too hard for me to say or put out there right now. It's still new to me and very difficult to accept so I hope that if you are reading this you are a dear friend of mine and will respect my wishes on the privacy front.
Also on Wednesday, I had a phone call from a close friend of mine. Her dr found a lump in her breast. She'll be 35 this month. Her drs are very optimistic that it's a cystic thing rather than a "mass". She'll find out more next week. Please keep her in your thoughts. I'm thinking about her daily and hoping and praying that she will not have to endure the pain of a biopsy or anything more severe.
My sister in law Alison from Boston arrived on Wednesday to help out. She's been a tremendous help with house work, organization with all paperwork we have collected, and laundry. She leaves to go home today but hopefully we will see her again very soon.
This past Friday I was relieved of my surgical drains. YAYY!! Those were a complete nuisance. I finally feel somewhat human again. Tina is picking me up - since I can't drive a car yet because of sore muscles and pain meds. We are going to the mall - shopping withdrawals and buying something for myself seems very therapeutic right now.
Also on Friday I had a Echocardiogram. That's a sonogram of the heart. My heart's chambers and size was looked at to make sure I am up for the new treatment. My heart is healthy although it hurts. I was stuck with more needles and more IVs and had to have a CT Scan to check my liver, lungs, kidneys, and other important organs. They want to double check to make sure that everything is very healthy.
I have been scheduled for another small surgery this Monday. The surgery will last an hour at the most and I'll be home by Monday afternoon. This surgery is in preparation for my upcoming treatment. It'll make my treatment more manageable.
I appreciate all of the dinners arriving daily! Everything has been so delicious and very appreciated. I'm pretty sure we are going to add more to the calendar for just 2 days a week for the next 6 months as that is how long my additional treatments will last.
Off to do a little shopping and take Addison to Katelyn's b-day party. Nothing can warm your heart like watching a bunch of crazy toddlers run wild.
The surgery recovery has taken longer than I anticipated. I'm healthy and energetic and outgoing. I thought for sure I would "pop"right back into place. I also thought a week of Lifetime Movies, 90210 reruns, and DrByron pampering me would be exciting. However, it's been miserable. I don't ask for help ... much. I'm originally a FARBER and now a BYRON and both of those mean INDEPENDENT! Two independents mean that you will do everything in your power to not ask for help. Not being able to drive to grocery shop, drop kids off at school, and run errands is difficult. So I am doing the best I can while continuing to feel helpless.
Last Wednesday I had an appt with my Oncologist. More bad news - My breast tissue and tumor have been tested and run through pathology. Test results have arrived. It turns out that my type of tumor had very aggressive genes and puts me at a high risk for recurrence. I thought for sure I was out of the woods and was cancer free. Unfortunately my oncologist has suggested a more severe treatment. Its hard for me to say the type of treatment although you all probably know exactly what I am expecting. My treatment will begin in the next 2 weeks. It's too hard for me to say or put out there right now. It's still new to me and very difficult to accept so I hope that if you are reading this you are a dear friend of mine and will respect my wishes on the privacy front.
Also on Wednesday, I had a phone call from a close friend of mine. Her dr found a lump in her breast. She'll be 35 this month. Her drs are very optimistic that it's a cystic thing rather than a "mass". She'll find out more next week. Please keep her in your thoughts. I'm thinking about her daily and hoping and praying that she will not have to endure the pain of a biopsy or anything more severe.
My sister in law Alison from Boston arrived on Wednesday to help out. She's been a tremendous help with house work, organization with all paperwork we have collected, and laundry. She leaves to go home today but hopefully we will see her again very soon.
This past Friday I was relieved of my surgical drains. YAYY!! Those were a complete nuisance. I finally feel somewhat human again. Tina is picking me up - since I can't drive a car yet because of sore muscles and pain meds. We are going to the mall - shopping withdrawals and buying something for myself seems very therapeutic right now.
Also on Friday I had a Echocardiogram. That's a sonogram of the heart. My heart's chambers and size was looked at to make sure I am up for the new treatment. My heart is healthy although it hurts. I was stuck with more needles and more IVs and had to have a CT Scan to check my liver, lungs, kidneys, and other important organs. They want to double check to make sure that everything is very healthy.
I have been scheduled for another small surgery this Monday. The surgery will last an hour at the most and I'll be home by Monday afternoon. This surgery is in preparation for my upcoming treatment. It'll make my treatment more manageable.
I appreciate all of the dinners arriving daily! Everything has been so delicious and very appreciated. I'm pretty sure we are going to add more to the calendar for just 2 days a week for the next 6 months as that is how long my additional treatments will last.
Off to do a little shopping and take Addison to Katelyn's b-day party. Nothing can warm your heart like watching a bunch of crazy toddlers run wild.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Post Surgery - February 28
Post Surgery - It's been almost 2 weeks since my surgery. It's been a painful recovery - physically and emotionally. Doug (who we will call Dr Byron) has taken such good care of me and even sets his alarm to give me my pain meds so that we stay on top of them. He created this handy spreadsheet that lists all of my meds along with doses and times. It's even on a clip board! Dr Byron has been awesome even while he is behind on SO much sleep!!
Seton Hospital was wonderful! The delivery people said I had the most flowers of anyone there. My room was FILLED with beautiful flowers, balloons, and magazines - Thank you to all of you! My nurses were very friendly - even the guy I chewed out after I arrived to my room post surgery. Poor guy - he was there to make sure I got in o.k and all I could do was bitch about how my room wasn't big enough :) David ended up pulling some strings and got me into a suite but I was already too comfortable in my room and the thought of how painful moving would be kept me there. I aplogized to my nurse when we left - luckily, he understood.
Recovery is going well and I am moving right on track. Lots have asked about chemo, radiation and further treatment. These are all things I am continuing to educate myself about. My appt with my Oncologist is on Wednesday so I'll know more then. I am hoping and praying that minimal treatment is needed - afterall, the malignant tumor was taken with "wide clear margins and there was no lymphnode involvement". Those are great words!!
I have so many people in my life to be thankful for. Thank you Mom and David for taking such good care of the kiddos. Thank you Tina for being such a fantastic organizer and sending updates during my surgery and letting me borrow your IPAD. And thanks to the IPAD - I am now addicted to Scrabble. Thank you to ALL of our wonderful friends and family members that have sent flowers and gifts, brought lunches and dinners and cookies, and have called and emailed to check up on me!
I've already gained 4 lbs since this thing started. I cant WAIT to get back to the courts with my tennis coaches and tennis friends. Unfortunately, I still have a while before that can happen. My muscles have been tampered with and its possible that I will need some help with getting my strength back. Tennis has always been a great stress reliever for me and I am used to playing 4 times a week! Soon enough, soon enough!!
Today is already the last day of the month! Where did February go? I have so much work to do and unfortunately time doesn't stop or slow down because you are down. Everything moves right along and it seems to move even faster when you aren't prepared. All I can do is what I can do... everything else will have to wait its turn. You've heard "don't sweat the small stuff" and I've never really been able to relate ... till now.
Seton Hospital was wonderful! The delivery people said I had the most flowers of anyone there. My room was FILLED with beautiful flowers, balloons, and magazines - Thank you to all of you! My nurses were very friendly - even the guy I chewed out after I arrived to my room post surgery. Poor guy - he was there to make sure I got in o.k and all I could do was bitch about how my room wasn't big enough :) David ended up pulling some strings and got me into a suite but I was already too comfortable in my room and the thought of how painful moving would be kept me there. I aplogized to my nurse when we left - luckily, he understood.
Recovery is going well and I am moving right on track. Lots have asked about chemo, radiation and further treatment. These are all things I am continuing to educate myself about. My appt with my Oncologist is on Wednesday so I'll know more then. I am hoping and praying that minimal treatment is needed - afterall, the malignant tumor was taken with "wide clear margins and there was no lymphnode involvement". Those are great words!!
I have so many people in my life to be thankful for. Thank you Mom and David for taking such good care of the kiddos. Thank you Tina for being such a fantastic organizer and sending updates during my surgery and letting me borrow your IPAD. And thanks to the IPAD - I am now addicted to Scrabble. Thank you to ALL of our wonderful friends and family members that have sent flowers and gifts, brought lunches and dinners and cookies, and have called and emailed to check up on me!
I've already gained 4 lbs since this thing started. I cant WAIT to get back to the courts with my tennis coaches and tennis friends. Unfortunately, I still have a while before that can happen. My muscles have been tampered with and its possible that I will need some help with getting my strength back. Tennis has always been a great stress reliever for me and I am used to playing 4 times a week! Soon enough, soon enough!!
Today is already the last day of the month! Where did February go? I have so much work to do and unfortunately time doesn't stop or slow down because you are down. Everything moves right along and it seems to move even faster when you aren't prepared. All I can do is what I can do... everything else will have to wait its turn. You've heard "don't sweat the small stuff" and I've never really been able to relate ... till now.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, Feb 11
I had a great time with my friend last night. It was wonderful sharing a margarita and a plate of Quesadillas while talking breast cancer and recovery! She's definitely a positive woman that was able put some scary things in perspective for me. I respect her bravery and courage more than I can put into words.
I came home feeling SO much better and for the first time I felt at peace with my diagnosis and upcoming surgery. I'm good - sucks to deal with it, but I am good.
This weekend we are headed to the lake for some fun times with the kids. Next week I'll be organizing, cleaning, and doing some laundry to get prepared. Turning the computer and phone off. YES!!
I came home feeling SO much better and for the first time I felt at peace with my diagnosis and upcoming surgery. I'm good - sucks to deal with it, but I am good.
This weekend we are headed to the lake for some fun times with the kids. Next week I'll be organizing, cleaning, and doing some laundry to get prepared. Turning the computer and phone off. YES!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, Feb 9
So ... my last blog may have terrified some and scared away others. Believe me when I say my anger and emotions have gotten the best of me. Thank you for understanding while I rant away through my writing as I jot down everything to not forget it. At some point, I'll print all of these entries out and look back when I think things are tough and hopefully be able to laugh about my emotional roller coaster and diagnosis. When I am cancer free this will all be just one battle I overcame with the help of my family, my doctors, and my faithful friends.
My bone scan and chest xray results came back - the results were NORMAL! I think that was better news to my mom than anyone. I was honestly tired of waiting around for test results so I kind of put that one out of my mind. I didn't even know what results I was hoping for - a negative something ... My mom insisted that I bug the shit out of the Oncologists office till I heard some results. I figured she was right since the first time she told me to call the dr, so I figured I had better listen to her this time too.
Had another couple of appts today at the hospital - everything is moving right along, although I wish it were going faster.
I also learned recently that there is a whole world of HELPFUL young (in 20s and 30s) breast cancer survivors here in Austin. The women I have spoken with have all been extremely positive and uplifting. It's a different type of comforting family that helps you cope, deal, and accept. In a strange way, I'm glad to know these fantastic women were strong enough to battle through it and even stronger enough to talk with me about my fears and their progress.
Tomorrow, I am having dinner with a woman my age that went through the exact thing. I am very excited to speak with a woman that knows this inside and out who isn't wearing a lab coat!
My bone scan and chest xray results came back - the results were NORMAL! I think that was better news to my mom than anyone. I was honestly tired of waiting around for test results so I kind of put that one out of my mind. I didn't even know what results I was hoping for - a negative something ... My mom insisted that I bug the shit out of the Oncologists office till I heard some results. I figured she was right since the first time she told me to call the dr, so I figured I had better listen to her this time too.
Had another couple of appts today at the hospital - everything is moving right along, although I wish it were going faster.
I also learned recently that there is a whole world of HELPFUL young (in 20s and 30s) breast cancer survivors here in Austin. The women I have spoken with have all been extremely positive and uplifting. It's a different type of comforting family that helps you cope, deal, and accept. In a strange way, I'm glad to know these fantastic women were strong enough to battle through it and even stronger enough to talk with me about my fears and their progress.
Tomorrow, I am having dinner with a woman my age that went through the exact thing. I am very excited to speak with a woman that knows this inside and out who isn't wearing a lab coat!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, Feb 7
Some more good news! My full genetics test came back negative and the other tumor that was biopsied last week is BENIGN (non cancerous).
More waiting. My surgery is scheduled for Feb 16 and from what I know I will be pretty out of it for at least a week. My blog will slow down this week as I prepare to be down. House needs cleaning and organization and the laundry is piled high. My work has suffered and my email inbox and voice mail is completely full. I can relate this feeling to "nesting" - everything needs to be perfect, clean, and caught up so that I can relax next week.
My friend Tina came over on Friday. She insited on putting together a care calendar for dinner drop offs so that Doug and I are not worried about dinners and the kids continue to eat :). I know that people want to help us during this time so I agreed to this. It's hard accepting help from people especially when your an Independent Stubborn and Hard Headed woman like me. We are actually looking forward to it though.
Over the last week I have also felt a little uneasy using this blog. People come out of the woodwork when crisis arrives. I know that most of you care very deeply about my battle and recuperation. However, I also feel that some are reading this just to be able to have something to talk about later. I never want to be the topic of someone's dinne conversation. Please know that this is a private issue for me, my friends, and my family. Having to repeat my daily steps several times is exhausing for me, Doug, and my parents. If you can't tell, cancer plays mind tricks on you too...
Just another reminder and put anohter thought out there - PLEASE do your self exams. Quit smoking if you haven't and start taking cancer seriously! Cancer is not supposed to happen at 31, but unfortunately it did.
Thanks again for all of your prayers during this time. My Aunt Mari who has also battled breast cancer said it beautifully, "My prayer for you is to have peace, calm, and discornement as you make decisions about your treatment. Also for your sweet family, Doug, Addie, Austin, Margie and all who love you that they will be comforted as they support you".
Thank you Mari.
More waiting. My surgery is scheduled for Feb 16 and from what I know I will be pretty out of it for at least a week. My blog will slow down this week as I prepare to be down. House needs cleaning and organization and the laundry is piled high. My work has suffered and my email inbox and voice mail is completely full. I can relate this feeling to "nesting" - everything needs to be perfect, clean, and caught up so that I can relax next week.
My friend Tina came over on Friday. She insited on putting together a care calendar for dinner drop offs so that Doug and I are not worried about dinners and the kids continue to eat :). I know that people want to help us during this time so I agreed to this. It's hard accepting help from people especially when your an Independent Stubborn and Hard Headed woman like me. We are actually looking forward to it though.
Over the last week I have also felt a little uneasy using this blog. People come out of the woodwork when crisis arrives. I know that most of you care very deeply about my battle and recuperation. However, I also feel that some are reading this just to be able to have something to talk about later. I never want to be the topic of someone's dinne conversation. Please know that this is a private issue for me, my friends, and my family. Having to repeat my daily steps several times is exhausing for me, Doug, and my parents. If you can't tell, cancer plays mind tricks on you too...
Just another reminder and put anohter thought out there - PLEASE do your self exams. Quit smoking if you haven't and start taking cancer seriously! Cancer is not supposed to happen at 31, but unfortunately it did.
Thanks again for all of your prayers during this time. My Aunt Mari who has also battled breast cancer said it beautifully, "My prayer for you is to have peace, calm, and discornement as you make decisions about your treatment. Also for your sweet family, Doug, Addie, Austin, Margie and all who love you that they will be comforted as they support you".
Thank you Mari.
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