Author: Tammey

Tammeyhttps://killerleftboob.wordpress.comI was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of 2015, this blog is me sharing my journey. So yeah... we are going to be talking about booby cancer and such. Shhh….. in fact we will probably cover other shhhsh worthy topics like nipple reconstruction too. You’ve been warned. In fact, those boobies gracing the top of this page are the topic of discussion… well… really the cancer is more correctly the topic. This started out as me just sharing with friends on Facebook, and one of them said, “Hey… why aren’t you blogging this?” So here it is. I spend my days as the COO/Executive Director for a nonprofit and volunteering to better my community… Well… when I am not busy fighting cancer.
Tammey's avatar

Day 67-68: Dark clouds roll in…

Day 67-68: Dark clouds roll in…

It’s been a particularly rough weekend, as I think about it, weekends in general do seem the hardest.  I don’t think it is necessarily any one thing, in fact, I would say that during the week I can easily find a singular thing to focus on and tackle.  However, during the weekend, it all comes together and I just bet you that we could name those dark clouds Continue reading →

Day 66: Awareness and awkwardness…

Day 66: Awareness and awkwardness…

Last week, I received a call from a local reporter asking if I would be open to an interview about #killerleftboob.  The blog had been forwarded to her and she wanted to see about a write-up.

Strangely I did need to pause and think about it.  Seems odd right?  Since I post everything publicly. But then, although public there are only a few ways you find yourself here… you either find your way here because you know me, are friends of a friend on Facebook, were sent a link or have the unfortunate need to research breast cancer and your search engine of choice sent you my way.

The hesitation was momentary, mainly because I keep getting private messages with questions, with thank you notes because I’m sharing my path and that brings some a sense of community and with wisdom from warriors who have walked the path before.

Natalie asked great questions.  Although nervous about the write up and truly public outing, I’m hopeful that it is helpful to some.  Either way talking about it has been helpful for me.

Day 65: Did you have a vitamin injection?

Day 65: Did you have a vitamin injection?

So I met with the naturopathic oncologist for a little over two hours.  Met… Maybe interrogated is a better way to put it… As you all know I have been doing my research.

I was excited to talk with him about approaching treatment from this perspective, not just alternative but more preventative.  Since I am swimming in “ifs.”  He says, “You mean treat it as if surgery were a success and not as if surgery was a failure.”  

Why yes… That is what I mean!

Now this naturopathic oncologist works with my first medical oncologist.  I say first because I do have the SCCA consult coming up…

We talked about a number of things, such as breast cancer being attributed to two primary things, inflammation and high blood viscosity.  (Guess who has high blood viscosity?). 

We talked sleep and melatonin (I wrote a previous blogpost on the research of melatonin and Cancer.). 

We also talked about removing all EMF producing devices from the bedroom.  Now before you chuckle about that one, it’s worth a little research.

We talked about vitamin D.

We talked about baby aspirin, which is now next to the daily vitamins and I am taking it daily.  Not just for my high blood viscosity but because it’s been clinically proven to reduce recurrence by up to 60% and metastasis by up to 70% by causing apoptosis, acting as a systemic anti-inflammatory agent, inhibiting the growth of tumor blood vessels, and recent studies show that aspirin may slow down normal cells mutations.

We also talked about a number of other treatments and possibilities, including:

Iodoral, which is an iodine/potassium iodide supplement.  Interesting to note where we store iodine and how shortages affect the body.  

Iscador injections, which has been used in Germany since the 1920’s and has good clinical trial data to support the claim of doubling life expectancy for those who use it ongoing.

Laetrile (amygdalin) which is made from apricot seeds and clinically proven to reduce growth and spread of cancer cells and encourage apoptosis.

We also talked about green tea.

I had the question about estrogens.  Since my cancer is estrogen positive, conventional treatment recommends 5-7 years on an aromatase inhibitor, which has such terrible side effects the medical oncologist admitted very few people finish the recommended 5-7 years.  My question is – why not just remove my ovaries and supplement with a photo estrogen?  If I follow conventional treatment recommendations, my body will be kicked into a chemically induced and chemically sustained early menopause.  If the drugs are that terrible on the body and estrogen producing organs are to rendered useless anyway, why not remove them?  This isn’t conversation I will have with my surgeon and medical oncologist as well.  But back to the “other estrogens” – estrogen receptor positive cancers have a hunger for estrogen and a special estrogen receptor.  Apparently, the phytoestrogens can fill that receptor and block it from receiving estrogen created by the body.  I need to more research here, but already it has my mind spinning.  I had asked the naturopathic oncologist about red clover as I have read positive studies on red clover and cancer, interestingly it is also one of the best phytoestrogens for pre menopausal women – soy being a better option for post menopausal women.

Finally, we talked about exercise.  Which I am excited to get back into a routine with.

So, as I went to schedule my follow up with both the medical oncologist and the naturopathic oncologist that team at the front desk says to me. “WOW! Did you just have a vitamin injection? You are just GLOWING!”

I laughed and said, “Nope, this is what hope looks like.”

Day 64: What is this… Shipping tape?

Day 64: What is this… Shipping tape?

Ok, so when I saw the surgeon at my last post-op appointment he said I could start taking the tape off the surgical sites.  But SERIOUSLY, this stuff is like the packing tape that has the extra strong cord running through it.  You know the type I’m talking about? The heavy duty stuff you would use on a heavy box full of books or something.

So I have 8 pieces of this stuff on each mastectomy site.  These sites are Continue reading →

Day 63: Look good feel better, SCCA, fellow warriors and Danger Girl……

Danger GirlDay 63: Look good feel better, SCCA, fellow warriors and Danger Girl……

Attended a “Look Good Feel Better” session with my new friend and fellow warrior Danna.  The session was good, though odd in some ways.  It is interesting the focus on how important for women it is to not look sick or tired when I imagine you are feeling sick or tired.  I couldn’t help but wonder if men are given the same pep talk… but I digress.  Warning this post is feeling like it is going to do that a lot.  🙂

In addition to make-up tips, we talked wigs and the chill you get when you no longer have hair covering your head.  So there are night caps – you know like the illustrations in the old Charles Dickens books.  Who knew?   The modern versions are little less pointy.  We also talked about how to draw your eyebrows back on in a way that does not look drawn on and then my big BIG BIG concern… Continue reading →

Day 62: Fighting for your joy…

Day 62: Fighting for your joy…

I have mentioned that cancer feels like a second job, all the research, appointments, decisions… I suppose you could say that fighting for your joy is a third job.  Cancer will do what it can to try and steal it away with the chaos and fear it causes.  It could just be adjusting to the new normal as this new theme dominates parts of your day, many of your thoughts and inserts itself into almost every conversation.  Of course that is the part that goes mostly unseen and unnoticed by the outside world.  Daily you Continue reading →

Day 61: Data…

Day 61: Data…

So in addition to researching alternative treatments I am also looking at success rates of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Gotta admit, I am a wee bit less than enamored with what I am finding.

According to the table below and the report from the Royal College of Radiologists which this table comes from, we are talking about a Continue reading →

Day 60: 18 hours of sleep and a deadline…

Day 60: 18 hours of sleep and a deadline…

So… true story, I slept about 18 hours…  Woke up for breakfast and then slept until about dinner.  I never do that.  Talk about decadent.

I have definitely had pain since the aspiration of my surgical sites yesterday.  The good news is that I can tell that the tissue is adhering to the muscle wall better, however I am guessing that in a week or so I will have to have the right side aspirated one last time.

Gave myself a deadline of May 1 for a final decision on my treatment plan.  Gives me time to get second opinions and talk with the folks at the Hoxsey Clinic.  I like deadlines.

#‎strongerthancancer‬ ‪#‎embracingtheadventure‬ ‪#‎killerleftboob‬ ‪#‎hawtrightboob‬ ‪#‎breastcancer‬

Day 59: “If you were my wife or daughter…”

Day 59: “If you were my wife or daughter…”

So in general, my surgeon has been the most stoic of all my doctors.  He very much seems to be a type A kind of guy, meticulous from his attire to his incision lines – no joke.

So today he mentioned that he had not received the notes from the last visit I had with Potions the Oncologist so I gave him the update from my go everywhere take constant notes Cancer notebook that now goes everywhere with me.  He asked if the oncologist had talked with me about radiation, I confirmed that he had not and also told him I’m still researching natural and alternative options.

His eyes grew a bit bigger and his eyebrows raised toward the ceiling before he gathered himself and hit me with, “If you were my wife or daughter, we would be talking about a solid plan that includes both radiation and chemotherapy…”  And he went into great detail as to why.  You all know I’ve no interest in either, however, my surgeon got to me today.  I think I have mostly accepted that he is correct, however it leaves me feeling cornered… caged… stuck.  I don’t like it.

We did have to aspirate, which really is no surprise.  50cc’s fluids from the right and 30cc’s from the left.  It has been a bit painful and sensitive from that.  Strange sensation really, as he pressed the skin down and it created a bit of a suction sensation, which we do want as we want the tissue to attach.

Walked out with an Rx for physical therapy, Rx for massage for lymphatic system, a referral to Seattle Cancer  Care Alliance for a second opinion and more to think about!  Oy!

#‎strongerthancancer‬ ‪#‎embracingtheadventure‬ ‪#‎killerleftboob‬ ‪#‎hawtrightboob‬ ‪#‎breastcancer‬

Day 58: Another post-op appointment and the lympha-whatsy…

Day 58: Another post-op appointment and the lympha-whatsy…

Tomorrow morning is my next, maybe last, post-op appointment for this surgery anyway. I am guessing that they will be aspirating a little fluid – yuck.  But being that I have no feeling in this area anymore, I suspect it won’t be painful.  I hope??

I am looking forward to closing out this phase of the multiphase project called cancer.  There will be at least Continue reading →