Breast Cancer T-Shirts
I love life
Sure - its been very difficult at times over the last couple of years but I haven't lost sight of what's really important. Family, fun, laughter and the ability to find enjoyment in even the darkest of days.
So .... to celebrate that .... and to move on beyond the ubiquitous pink ribbons which are now found virtually everywhere - I asked my son Nic to design a new T shirt logo. You can see it to the top left of this page. I love it and wear it regularly.
Anyway - I've had so many people approach me and ask where they can get one too that Nic has teamed up with Cafepress.com to offer them for sale worldwide.
Here's the deal - each T shirt is available in a range of styles and colors. We'll arrange to donate five dollars to breast cancer charity for every one sold. The quality of the garments is great and Cafepress offer a great back up service should you have any problems.
Follow
this link to see bigger pictures and to explore the range of options that Nic has created.
Move beyond pink ribbons and show the world that you love life too !
Labels: breast-cancer, breast-cancer-t-shirt, cancer-sites, cancer-support
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Breast Cancer and Hip Size
Yikes - can it really be true that hip size is a predictor for the
risk of getting breast cancer? A new study suggests that it might be.
Scientists from the UK's Southhampton University have shown that women whose mothers have wide and round hips could be seven times more likely to develop breast cancer
It seems that a women's hip size is a marker of her oestrogen production.
Wide, round hips represent markers of high sex hormone concentrations and if your mother has wide hips then you - the daughter - could be at increased risk of breast cancer.
The study looked at the health of over 6,000 Finnish women born from 1934 to 1944 and comparing it with information on their mothers' hip size. The measurement used was the intercristal diameter -- the distance from hip bone to hip bone.
According to the findings, a woman's risk of breast cancer went up by 60 per cent if her mother's hips were more than 30 cm across. The risk increased with hip size and with the length of time the baby was in the womb.
I'm not sure how this fits into the big picture of breast cancer awareness but it's certainly food for thought.
Labels: breast-cancer, breast-cancer-risk, living-with-cancer
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Weight Loss and Cancer Risk
Can Losing Weight Reduce Cancer RiskNew research hinting that losing weight cuts the risk of breast cancer is the latest development in the cancer - healthy lifestyle debate.
At a conference in Birmingham UK earlier this month the National Cancer Research Institute heard that middle-aged women who lose weight and exercise twice weekly are 40 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer.
It seems that weight loss was the key factor, followed by a low-fat diet with plenty of oily fish.
Scientists believe weight gain prompts inflammation in fat stores, in turn stimulating breast cells to become cancerous.
Evidence of another link between diet and disease is more ammunition to the growing body of opinion that says the way we conduct our lives has an overwhelming bearing on our future health.
Now all of this is good and well but of course many people who have an exemplary health diet will still develop cancer. The food issue is only a part of the jigsaw in my view - not nearly the whole story but still, I guess that it all helps.
What do you think?
Labels: breast-cancer, cancer-diet, living-with-cancer, weight-loss-cancer-link
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Too tired.....
As I said after my last Herceptin....I'M
KNACKERED! Thank you to all the other Herceptin recipients who e-mailed me to say that I'm not abnormal. I seem to spend most evenings dozing off and feel washed out during the day.
On a happier note, my eyelashes are starting to grow back in again but I am aware they may fall out again. Joy. God, I'm feeling a bit sorry for my self today. Can it be the thought of Herceptin tomorrow? Or just longing for a
European vacation? Bit of both perhaps.
Sorry to be less than cheerful. :-(
just joking :-)
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Fabulous Day
Well I've just had the most amazing day. It started with Gordon and I meeting the lovely Mr
Butterworth who is the plastic surgeon I was referred to for breast reconstruction. The surgery of choice is the Tram Flap-fantastic. As I mentioned before you achieve reconstruction from removal of fat and skin from your tummy. A tummy tuck!!
Now, like most woman my age I have a bit of a spare tyre but I was delighted to hear from the man himself that I barely have enough fat on my tummy for the planned
reconstruction ( find that SO hard to believe!) so on no account have I to lose any weight between now and the op. As I was about to embark on a diet to lose about ten pounds this was music to my ears. Imagine, no guilt at over eating, then a nice surgeon removes all the said fat and gives me two lovely breasts!!
As he shook our hands and said he would be in touch nearer the time, I said I couldn't wait and was looking forward to it. I think he must think I'm a bit odd.
Then I set off to
Maggies centre at the Western General in Edinburgh. The young
woman's group I go to had been invited to take part in a 'Look Good....Feel Better' class. This is a company that work with woman who have had cancer and what they do is give you a make up lesson and a
goodie bag which contains AMAZING products.....
dior,
chanel,
estee lauder.....the list is endless. What a treat!
Needless to say I came home feeling amazing. What a day.
Labels: about-marjory, cancer-support, living-with-cancer
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Work, children and puppies
The summer holidays always bring a mix of emotions. A strange mixture of time away on
vacation and sitting around keeping the house ticking over while the older kids worry about impending exam results.
This summer Ally (20) and Amy (18) are
both working hard to save some cash for University next year. Peter (14) has found a new lease of independence and spends most of his time in Edinburgh with his friends ( constant cash handouts!) Poor little Anna is only child left and shes wondering why the house is so quiet-so am I to be honest. I look forward to dinner time when the house reverts back to a shambolic mess.
However, the house may be reasonably quiet but a my
Labrador puppy called Poppy - I know - Poppy the puppy , ridiculous - is doing what
puppies are supposed to do, chewing, chewing and more chewing.
Who wants a quiet life? Not me.......
Labels: about-marjory
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Herceptin side effects
The last time I spoke about
Herceptin and it's side effects I proudly said I didn't seem to be experiencing anything other than a running nose. Spoke too soon!!
I had my tenth
Herceptin last week and just after the nurse left I wondered why I felt so tired? That
fatigued feeling got a whole lot worse and by evening it felt like chemo all over again. Thankfully it had mostly worn off the next day but it did give me a bit of a surprise. I had been told this could happen but was pretty sure I'd managed to avoid it after ten treatments. I have seven more treatments to go so it will be little me off to bed after the nurse leaves 'til well into the next day. Actually when put like that it sounds quite nice!
The other alarming thing that has happened is that my eyelashes have started to fall out again. The air was blue when i noticed. Now, what I want to know and nobody seems to have the answer, is this a side effect of
herceptin or a side effect of chemo? My eyelashes did grow back in much longer and thicker than before and I thought
aaah a nice reward for months of feeling crap. Again, spoke too soon!! Joking aside I am more than a little concerned that I'll wake up to find them all gone. I found it distressing the first time ( shallow I know when you're
receiving life saving treatment) and if it happens again I don't suppose I'll be over the moon. I just love putting on mascara and seeing LASHES. If anyone out there has experienced this let me know. I also want exact timescale of regrowth. Only joking....
As a note at the bottom( Ha Ha) I also seem to have
diarrhoea rather a lot and I know this can be a side effect with
Herceptin. God, serves me right for being so confident!! Ah well it could be worse, I might have the aching joints or a
frozen shoulder as well. Now that I think of it......
Marjory
Labels: herceptin, living-with-cancer
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And now for the science bit.....
Thought I would write a bit about my ongoing treatments now that the chemo is over. People keep saying to me ' so glad you're treatments over' and mostly I just smile and agree but it's far from over.
For the next five years, or more, I will take Arimidex daily. Arimidex belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors which interfere with the action of aromatase which is an enzyme that affects the level of the hormone oestrogen. As my cancer was oestrogen sensitive the plan is now to have as little, or no oestrogen in my system.
I don't seem to get any side effects from Arimidex but I believe it can cause aching joints and muscles.
The chemo seemed to bring on the menopause with my oestrogen levels at rock bottom, which was a good thing. Didn't last though! My last blood test showed a sharp rise in oestrogen levels which basically means my ovaries have recovered from chemo. So what do we do now?!
I have two choices. First is a monthly injection of Zoladex which would keep oestrogen levels down. Second is an oophorectomy. This is surgical removal of the ovaries, which I think is the option I will choose. If you're going to do something do it properly!!
I also have Herceptin at three weekly intervals.
This is given the same way chemo is given through an intravenous infusion that lasts approx two hours. Healthcare at home are a group of nurses who do this for patients at home. Again not much in the way of side effects. I tend to feel exremely cold for the rest of that day then have diffuse joint pain for a couple of days following treatment. I thought I had hayfever with a constantly dripping nose but the nurse has told me this a very common side effect of Herceptin-how odd!
You can read more about
herceptin treatment by following the links on the right column of this site.
Labels: arimidex, chemotherapy, herceptin, zoladex
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Life gets back to normal....or does it?!
Well, after a long absence from blogging I'm back. Where have I been? Just getting life back on track and having much needed down time. Not sure life will ever be back to 'normal'. My idea of normal has changed over the past year, but I think for the better. There's nothing like a cancer scare to make you appreciate life and all it has to offer. The phrase 'don't sweat the small stuff' is my new mantra.
It's now a few months since I finished chemo and I feel great. My hair is growing back, my energy is returning and all things considered life is pretty good. On the subject of hair....I said way back that my biggest dread was my hair growing back grey and curly....well it has and guess what? I don't care, its hair and I love it. Another added bonus is that my eyelashes have grown back thicker and much longer-not suggesting chemo as an alternative to mascara but it did it for me. I've even tried taking a spoonful of
manuka honey every day but I'm not sure it's doing me any good.
I'm now on
Herceptin and more than half way
thro' my years course. Doesn't seem to have much in the way of side effects for me so can't complain and have even relaxed a bit about
cannulation! I get my
Herceptin at home and its all very relaxing compared to hospital.
I had my first annual review with my surgeon this week and was quite uptight about it although I didn't really understand why. Then it hit me....the dreaded waiting room and just being in the same clinic where I heard the worst news of my life was enough to turn me into a
jibbering idiot.
Anyway, after a chat with my surgeon I have decided on a left mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction where fat and muscle is taken from my abdomen ( yes, a tummy tuck, how cool!) and shaped into breasts ( even more cool!) Can't wait.
Oh, nearly forgot. Treated myself to a black lab pup. She is ten weeks old and is causing chaos. Shes eating her way around the garden, chewing the carpets, terrorising my older dog but guess what-we're all crazy about her.
Marjory
Labels: about-marjory, herceptin, living-with-cancer, mastectomy, reconstruction
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I'm Back
Hey - back in action - after a long lay off.
Sorry for causing mass panic in all my regular readers.
A combination of normal life resuming and software problems means that I haven't been able to post for several months. (Bloody computers !!)
Anyway - all sorted now so expect lots of updated news in the next day or two.
Also - unashamed plug: (groan ... I know)
Long suffering Gordon has been working on his "day-job" and attending to his other websites as well as struggling to resurrect this one.
Take a look at them if you're interested in
Frozen Shoulder or
High Blood PressureFeedback welcome .
More soon.
Marjory xLabels: about-marjory
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It's Over - Well, Almost !!
It's over! Had my last dose of poison on Wednesday and I simply can't believe the horrors of chemo are over. Only 15 more herceptin to go, but who can complain, they're given at home and so far so good - no side effects.
Have spent the day doing normal 'Mum' stuff and just enjoyed lovely meal with Gordon (which I thought he deserved) - a few glasses of wine and I have to say feel pretty good. Am struggling against steriod come down but am aware it's last time so much easier to deal with. I'm afraid blogging over Christmas was always going to be a struggle.
Organising Christmas for eight children was fun but tiring and I did dinner for the family. I can honestly say it was the best Christmas ever, fun and laughter ( with me snoozing in corner) is what we will all remember-fantastic. Hogmany is a big thing in Scotland and I can honestly say I have never had a quiet one.......until this new year.
Somehow the opportunity arose about 8pm that we could be on our own and we took it! It was fantastic.....until of course when the bells sounded and I missed the whole thing, kids, neighbours, mess, etc, etc. Would I do it again....god, yes! Well .... maybe not. I can honestly say to anyone out there reading this and about to start their journey, for some of us it's really not too bad. I've managed to keep on with my normal life without too much disruption and I think what I want to say is that life goes on.
I'm aware that may sound very smug since I'm through the worst but it's not meant to. It's not been nearly as bad as I first imagined and I'm no super woman, just a normal woman and mother. I think the best advice, and I hate giving it, is be yourself and ask for help when it's needed. But you know something? I can't wait to get back to being ME again. I've been on hold for eight monthes now.......take cover!!
Marjory xx
Labels: about-marjory, chemotherapy, herceptin
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Strange Brain
Not really sure what to blame but something has scrambled my brain. Now, I hear you all .... middle aged woman going thro enforced menopause ..... of course you have a scrambled brain.
Now while that may be the answer, I personally am blaming the steroids.
God, they're horrible!
On the day of the poisoning by taxotere I feel ok. Next day my body feels strange and tired. The answer should be wee nap in the afternoon, but NO. My mind is so wired and agitated I found myself planning next years Christmas dinner - not this years. This goes on for two or three days then WHAM, I'm the most depressing person to be around.
I read an article about adrenal fatigue and "brain fog" and I'm pretty sure I know what they mean!
Must be very confusing for my poor family. It really takes a whole week of strange behaviour to be anything approaching normal.
Think of it a strange cross between being senile, a drug addict and premenstrual all at once.
Some may say " and the difference from before is ..... ?"
Fair point ( minus the drugs of course) !
Labels: chemotherapy
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Pink is the New Black
If you don't already know about it then please take a look at
Annette's Angels - it's a great site set up by a family in memory of their mom, Annette Roberta.
They wanted to reflect their mother's strength in their website and - as they say - " while we love and applaud the effectiveness of the cute pink teddy bears and the flood of pink ribbon pins in raising awareness, we wanted items that reflect our ANGER at this disease and our POWER to fight it"
They commision designers and craft workers to create unusual items - each giving a very individual slant on the wear pink theme.
It's a great site - go give them some support
Labels: cancer-sites
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mojo
A while ago, a lovely lady from New York ( also with breast cancer ) blogged about losing her mojo. Mojo? Whats that I thought?
Well now I know and I don't like it. I too have lost mine. I wish I knew where it had gone and I would send out a search party. I want it back, intact, exactly how it used to be. Tell me Abigail, has yours come back?
Marjory :-(
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folks are strange
Well I'm well on the way to the finishing line now. First dose of taxotere was last week and, touch wood, all seems to be well. It does give you strange aching muscles and joints, not the usual 'i've overdone the exercise kind' but bizarre pains in joints and muscles that don't actually exist. Three or four days of tiredness and now I'm back to fighting fit......Well, you know what I mean.
The fab news is I have a head of hair to rival Kylie! All be it mine is a revolting mousy brown with rather a lot of grey in it, but who cares, it's hair.I refuse to acknowledge it may fall out again but if it does it will be the bald look for me. No more wigs or scarves, ever. I try to convince myself I look elfin but I must be the only 40 something grey haired elf ever to have lived. It is lovely to have eyelashes and eyebrows again, it's amazing how excited I get about these things!
I was just thinking the other day how peoples reaction to the dreaded C diagnosis is far from predictable. People I thought would run a mile, only to say 'see you when you're better' have been absolutely amazing-helping with kids and work and generally being amazing human beings and friends. On the other hand there are the people who I would have bet money on about being supportive who have disappeared from the horizon only to phone once in a while and say their terribly sorry but they have a lot on their plates! I'm guessing it's fear of something so horrible touching their lives but if this has taught me anything it's to never to ignore someone who is going through something difficult or awkward . This may all sound very dramatic but a few kind words always make a difference.
A friend of mine lost a child some time ago and yes you,ve guessed it, she has been one of my main sources of support and above all laughter. She has a way of cutting through all the crap and just asking the right questions at the right time. It's so refreshing to be asked all the questions nobody else dares! She really is a star and she cheers my days with her straight forward approach to the dreaded cancer.
Now on the subject of the Christmas party dress. My idea this year was something that would cover me from neck to toe-not very sexy but there is nothing more off putting than a slipped or indeed missing prosthesis. And lets face it after a few festive tipples tht could the scenario! Help is at hand. On a shopping trip to Edinburgh I found myself in a shop called Hobbs where a very charming shop assistant persuaded me to try on a rather daring wrap dress. Now bear in mind I am the wrong side of forty, vertically challenged and have had too many children ever to call myself svelte but WOW! AMAZING! This dress (with cami underneath obviously!) made me feel something approaching sexy. So of course being a woman I bought two! Roll on Christmas- one problem solved! Marjory
Labels: cancer-support, chemotherapy, hair-loss
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