Health Expert Laurie Kingston shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. 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/profiles/c/92880/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/92880/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/92880/index http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/42961/metastasis Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:54:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston This year, I made it one of my personal missions to reach more women through my writing. I wanted to get the message out that more of us are living longer and living well with metastatic breast cancer.   Before 2006, I didn’t even know what the word “metastatic” meant. By the end of that year, it was a word that terrified me.  My own journey through metastasis has been real roller coaster ride and I have written... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/42961/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/41947/metastasis Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:01:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, in January 2006, I was given an envelope full of information, pamphlets about available resources, a calendar (to track all the appointments) and a journal for chronicling, “my breast cancer journey.”   While I had kept a journal for brief periods of my life in the past (and most actively while travelling), I set this one aside. I was far too overwhelmed with absorbing... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/41947/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/41536/metastatic Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:43:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston 1-Arrive at hospital. Settle in to waiting room with two 500ml cups (1000ml equals a little more than two pints)  filled with  liquid that looks like water but has an odd metallic taste.   2-Drink the liquid over the next 90 minutes, while ignoring scary poster outlining risks of contrast dye with which you are about to be injected.   3-Finish drink. Wait additional 15 minutes.   4-Follow tech to CT room, be told... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/41536/metastatic http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/40974/metastasis Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:21:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston I regularly answer questions about breast cancer symptoms and treatment here at MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. Very often, the questions are from women who have a lump in their breast or some other symptom and they are very understandably worried. I always try to be as understanding as possible. After all, I have been exactly where they are and know how scary it is. I usually note that the vast majority of breast lumps are non-cancerous, advise the... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/40974/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/40390/metastasis Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:44:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston If I Were Queen of the World:   No cancer patient would go through treatment alone. Everyone would have an advocate assigned to them who would help with coordination of care, give advice as to resources and even hold a hand through treatment. Every social worker would be trained to meet the needs of a range of patients. They would understand that a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work and that there are some... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/40390/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/39645/pregnancy Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:54:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston This past weekend, the New York Times published an article by Pamela Paul called “With Child, With Cancer.”  I had to set it aside for several days before I could bring myself to read it. When I finally did, I was very moved, equally surprised and left with many unanswered questions.   I did not enjoy being pregnant.  I was plagued with constant, low level nausea, heartburn and crushing fatigue for the duration... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/39645/pregnancy http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/39332/metastasis Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston The thing about being in ongoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer is that one gains a fair amount of experience in navigating the system and acquires some pretty strong opinions as to how things should be done. At least that’s true for me. For example, whenever I go for chemotherapy treatments (I have lost count of how many I have had but it is probably closing in on fifty), I know that I need to pay attention to a few... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/39332/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/38409/metastasis Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:31:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston This past week end, I went to a beautiful wedding with my family. In attendance were relatives I hadn’t seen in many years, lots of people I had never met and one of my favourite teachers from grade school.   I always feel a bit of awkwardness at these kinds of events, as I brace myself for the inevitable questions, “What are you up to these days?” or “What do you do?”   No one wants to drop the c-word... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/38409/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/37788/metastasis Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:19:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston The thing about writing regularly about living with breast cancer metastasis, is that when the illness is well managed and one responds well to chemotherapy, the well of interesting stories can dry up pretty quickly.   My first few months post diagnosis of liver metastasis (in late 2006 and early 2007) were a real roller coaster, as my body adjusted to new medications, and as my symptoms were brought under control.   Gradually,... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/37788/metastasis http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/37038/metastasis Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:40:00 -0400 Laurie Kingston A few days ago, my spouse and I met with our financial advisor. At one point, as we discussed an update to our long-term plan, she said to my spouse, "I hope you like your job," meaning that he shouldn't plan on retiring for a very, very long time.   You see, while we live more comfortably than many people, we are feeling a squeeze caused by my unplanned drop in income. I have disability insurance but it is a fraction of the wage I was... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/92880/37038/metastasis