Back to Blogging...

It seems I took a break from my blog - much longer than I expected. I was tired of talking about myself. I think I was stuck both physically (my shoulder) and mentally. After many comments from friends, family and followers I decided that today was the perfect day to start anew.

MAY 11, 2010

Today is my anniversary... one year cancer free! The date is based on my last chemo treatment, May 11, 2009. It was a long process but hopefully all behind me now. I have had physical checkups and blood work every 4 months and will continue, eventually stretching the timeframe to once a year. I will also continue taking tamoxifen (anti-estrogen therapy) or a similar drug for at least 5 years. I feel so much better and am thinking that some sort of celebration is in order!

A brief update on the past six months...

I had outpatient surgery in October to swap one tissue expander for the silicone implant (right, non-cancer side). Not bad but found that the implant continued (continues) to bother me although not as much as the expander.

I started physical therapy at the beginning of September for frozen shoulder(s) - my right was really stuck. After three months of physical therapy twice a week and home exercises, my orthopedic surgeon said he would "manipulate" my shoulders while I was under anesthesia. I had that done on December 1st. Woke up after 8 minutes with both shoulders on ice. This was a non-invasive procedure. He basically yanked my arms/shoulders around. The anesthesiologist reported a very loud - Snap, Crackle, Pop! And it was over. For the first time since June I could put both arms over my head. Went to physical therapy that same afternoon. If you don't start moving it you will loose all that you gained. The doctor told my physical therapist I never could have gotten there on my own as my shoulder was REALLY stuck! Of course I am so glad that I did it. However I still had lots of work ahead of me. Continued with physical therapy until the end of February. Now I am working on my own stretching, strengthening and trying to get back into shape.

Had final surgery on March 8th to swap out the expander on the radiated side. DONE and hopefully never going back!

My hair is longer than both Mark's and Calvin's... probably longer than some of my women friends, Mary O and Kathy SB? Although once dark and gray it is now blond and naturally curly. I still don't quite recognize myself when I look in the mirror.

Other updates

Mark visited Calvin in Barcelona in November. They went to dives (Mark's favorite), bars and nice restaurants. A dinner with Calvin's friends was enlightening. The boys call themselves "The Wolf Pack". Humm, there is no explanation for that... yet. One of the highlights was a three hour dinner with Calvin's host family. Mark spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English. With Calvin's translation it all worked beautifully. They seem to really enjoy having Calvin around, especially "little brother" 9 year old Roce. Calvin took him to his first soccer match at the Stad in Barcelonan for his birthday. Calvin said his brother loved it and screamed for his team the entire time!

On another note...We are all still wearing our yellow LIVE STRONG bracelets for our friends (Bob, Sevim and Uncle Mike) also battling cancer. They are in our thoughts daily.