Information and opinions on Breast Cancer from Melanie at MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/86247/genetic-test Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:36:14 -0400 Melanie My youngest daughter turned 30 this year.  She's been through some rough times.  Her 4 year marriage turned into a nightmare.  It was really hard to get out, but she finally did it.  The divorce was final at the end of July.  There are no children involved to keep her tied to her ex and his family.  Stress and overwork have taken their toll, but things are starting to look up.  She has a wonderful,... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/86247/genetic-test http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/83239/difference Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:32:08 -0400 Melanie On July 31, 2008 I was walking through a lovely garden with the ladies in my garden club.  My cell phone has one of those chiming rings that sounds like angels are summoning me to answer the darn phone.  My oldest daughter was calling... there was no heartbeat found by the ultrasound technician.  She had lost her second child and was crying... I cried too.   Later that afternoon I came home to a beeping, flashing phone... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/83239/difference http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/63870/tomorrow-ptl Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:42:36 -0400 Melanie Circled in hot pink on the calendar... Friday, March 20, 2009.  It's the day I have been looking forward to for 6 loooong months... the last of 24 chemo treatments.  WooHoo!  It really hasn't been as bad as I had anticipated.  Not that I ever want to do it again!  In fact, most of the time I felt just fine.  Occasionally my stomach did flip flops so I popped a Pepcid.  It did not stop me from wanting to eat...... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/63870/tomorrow-ptl http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/50474/thanksgiving Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:18:08 -0500 Melanie 2008 has not been the kindest of years... understatement!  It's because of the ordeals of life that I've come to appreciate the positives so much more.  I am thankful and blessed.    I am thankful for mammograms and the watchful eyes that scan those blurry blobs and know what to look for.  Blessed are the technicians for they are on the frontline of defense.   I am thankful my surgeon paid attention in med... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/50474/thanksgiving http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/47478/verdict Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:01:01 -0500 Melanie The envelope plopped on the table... and I knew before it was open.  The nurse who summoned me to the tiny exam room to talk to the oncologist before chemo wasn't her bubbly self.  Body language gives it away when news isn't good.  The ARNP smiled at me but it wasn't the smile that says you're going to love this report.  It was that flat smile without teeth and the brow of consternation... "You have BRCA 1 gene... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/47478/verdict http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/45131/23 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:28:00 -0400 Melanie One down... only 23 to go!   Last week was "ICK" week...   Monday.  Accomplish in one day what normally takes two in order to take the rest of the week off for Ick.  Medical bills wait for no man so keep on plugging along.   Tuesday.  After filling out five pages of medical forms, I had my suspiciously sensitive tooth checked out to see if a toothache was lying in wait to attack as soon as my immune system was... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/45131/23 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/43355/groupies Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:25:40 -0400 Melanie Bless her heart... my best friend, Joy, mothers me.  I've been overwhelmed with appointments, tests and medical decisions in addition to dealing with the pincushion after-effects of surgery.  I have reams of information sitting on my desk that were thrown at me while in the dazed state of shock and denial.  Joy called the hospital's cancer care department to ask about where to buy wigs, just in case CMF isn't as gentle as I hope... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/43355/groupies http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/41728/surgery-high Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:31:46 -0400 Melanie Friday, September 19, 2008   Today I've had enough.  Roll the calendar to B.C. (Before the BIG C!) or better yet, A.D. (After Deliverance from  the BIG C!).  The post surgery numb is long gone and my chest feels like it's been attacked by an orbital sander.  Happy drugs... not happy enough.  I had hoped that after the tape and tubes came off yesterday that this torture would all magically... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/41728/surgery-high http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/40321/detection Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:43:49 -0400 Melanie WOOHOO!  Great news!  My surgeon called with pathology results... WHEW!  I can breath again!  There was no cancer in the lymph nodes - huge sigh!  I'd do cartwheels, but then I'd need back surgery!  Though it was infiltrating surrounding tissue (IDC), the largest tumor was just 1 cm.  The smaller tumor was still fully contained within a duct (DCIS).  The left breast had papilloma cells, some... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/40321/detection http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/39691/mastectomy Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:29:55 -0400 Melanie Life is different today... I'm boobless in Seattle!  I can't believe I'm already home.  Itchy, attractive drains hanging off each side, percocet in hand... but not feeling all that bad.  I'm surprised I feel this good and I'm very relieved it's over.  I was just sorry I was asleep and missed the party my husband and good friends, Joy and Stephanie, were having in the waiting room!  It was nice to know they were... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/71126/39691/mastectomy