Blog about making lemonade & memories

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Triple-positive breast cancer

A number of people privately asked me about the kind of cancer I have and my treatments, so I figured I would post it here since I’ve had the question a number of times.

I have what is called ‘triple-positive’ stage 3 breast cancer. The triple-positive refers to the fact that my cancer is stimulated by estrogen, progesterone and HER2 (short form for “human epidermal growth factor receptor 2” protein). About 20 years ago, being diagnosed with HER2-positive cancer was a death sentence. But, things have changed drastically since then due to the discovery of targeted therapies.

I found the following 2 articles helpful in explaining “triple-positive” and HER2-positive breast cancer in laymen’s terms:

* https://www.verywellhealth.com/triple-positive-breast-cance… 
* https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316789.php

Because I am triple-positive, I also have to be cognizant of what I eat since there are a number of foods that stimulate estrogen, progesterone and HER2 production. So, I need to limit my intake of many foods. The list is incredibly long and scary. It seems like everything I eat stimulates one of the hormones or protein. At the end of the day, the oncological dietician told me to eat a varied diet and focus on simply cutting out processed foods, otherwise I will starve and go nuts trying to figure out what I can / can’t eat. But who knew that too many berries, too many mushrooms or too much broccoli could make matters worse?!?

I also had a couple of questions re: my treatment and side effects but will write about those another time.

Was this useful? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Participating in cancer research

I’m excited to have been called by the AMBER Study. It’s a study that is looking at the impact of lifestyle and physical activity has on breast cancer (stages 1-3C) have on survivorship. The study started in 2012 and the final survivorship results should be available in early 2030. I’m one of the last 50 recruits being accepted into this study.

If I am going to get cancer, I might as well contribute what I can to research in the hopes of increasing survivorship for other cancer patients down the road. At least I am doing something positive for society with my shitty situation.

Today, I had anthropometric measures taken, as well as a PAR Q+ pre-screening and have a DXA Scan completed. Then, I had some fitness measures done, including the Bruce Treadmill Test. Lastly, paperwork! There are 4 questionnaires that will take approximately 3 hours complete. I have been sent home with 2 activity monitors that will be on me at all times (with the exception of bathing) for one week.

In doing my part for cancer research. I had to wear the big mask instead of the smaller mouthpiece because of my mouth sores. I dislike cardio on a good day. I dislike cardio more with a mask on even though it doesn’t change my breathing. It’s psychologically restrictive!

Are my posts motivating, uplifting or give you hope in the future of cancer research? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Alberta is paving the Canadian path by incorporating a province-wide exercise program into cancer patients’​ treatment

I’m very excited to be participating in the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) prgoram, which is study with ~1,000 cancer patients across Alberta to evaluate the impact of incorporating exercise as part of their treatment plan. I’m lucky that I was able to squeeze in at the tail end of those being accepted, since there were already over 700 patients already involved as of November 2018.

ACE was developed to provide this service, and to help individuals with cancer to better withstand and recover from cancer treatment. It is a 5-year study, which required me to have screening and fitness testing on Thursday. I officially start the program on Monday, which entails completing physical exercises tailored to your fitness level and adapted as I go through my treatments.

ACE will take my measurements again at 12-weeks, 24 weeks and at one year to see the effect of exercise on my physical activity levels, fatigue, pain and quality of life. I will also complete a questionnaire at the end of years 1 through 5. PS… That means I plan to be around in 5 years, I am not a quitter and I signed up for this study! 😉

This is just one more way that the University of Alberta, University of Calgary’s Health & Wellness Lab and Alberta Health Services are working together with many other partners to make our province a top notch cancer-treatment hub.

By next year, I plan to be back hiking, skiing / snowboarding and fully enjoying the great outdoors again with my family. ACE will make sure that I keep my strength up for that! In the meantime, I will keep moving by playing with my kids!

Prescribing Exercise For Cancer Treatment

I’m motivated to stay alive. If you feel so inclined, please buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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How to behave with someone who has cancer – Stealing a page from HGG’s blog

April Fools this year has been unlike any other. And, in case you are wondering, this isn’t a story that has a funny ending.

I’ve been sick since October. It started with a cold, then I severed my extensor tendon on a finger and needed two surgeries, which I thought was the reason I couldn’t get rid of the cold. It moved to my chest and finally, on December 30, I went to ER thinking I had pneumonia, only to be sent home with “likely H1N1”. Strong steroids cleared my lungs, so then I got sinusitis and the bronchitis. I finally started feeling human towards the end of February. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago; the doctor could finally explain why I couldn’t fight my cold. I have advanced invasive breast cancer, which has spread to the lymph nodes.

More testing is needed to confirm the stage, but I have symptoms of stage 4 cancer. Who knew unexplained shoulder pain was a symptom of breast cancer?

In about 3 weeks, I will be starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the hopes of shrinking my large masses in my breast and lymph nodes. This will hopefully give my doctor more surgical options, which will come after surgery. Lastly, I will get to enjoy radiation and/or a second round of chemotherapy to close off my treatment. Overall, this is expected to take approximately 9 months.

But, after meeting with my surgeon and nurse navigator, who will be two of my medical team members, I felt more reassured than I have since I found a lump in my breast.

I plan on working throughout the treatment so long as it doesn’t interfere with my health and my medical team continues to give me the green light to do so. Luckily, I have a fantastic employer Yardstick Training, part of the Yardstick group, who has been supportive ever since I have been diagnosed.

As a result, I’m letting you know as it will be hard not to notice when I start losing my hair later this month. I am accepting all positive thoughts, vibes, energies, prayers or even cute scarves that I can wear to keep my head warm throughout the spring and keep the sun off it this summer! 🙂

With that said, I am going to share a blog post from a very, very wise woman who is a dear friend and my mentor. Please take a read:

With that said, I am going to share a blog post from a very, very wise woman who is a dear friend and my mentor. Please take a read:

How to behave with someone who has cancer

#nkwadcancerkick

Was this an insightful post? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.