Well I did it, I jogged/walked my first race since going through treatment and reconstruction. It was a 5K, which I never would have even considered pre-cancer and it was about 10 minutes slower than what I use to do for that distance, but I did it. It even feels good in a painful way to have my quads sore from jogging on pavement after a three year layoff.
I jogged almost 1 1/2 miles before I took a walk break. So, it was a humbling and happy experience. I thought for sure I was pretty much not going to be able to run anymore. My energy level was still in the toilet a few months ago and what energy I did have I was saving for riding my horses.
But things have improved since I changed some of the medications I still have to take for the next five years.
I feel hopeful that I will again run 10K's and half marathons. I have decided that whatever I can do I will do. I won't worry about my times. The fact that at 53 I am still able to get out there and do my best is a gift.
So keep on doing your best no matter what. Moving a little is better than not moving at all. Be thankful for the days you get to enjoy the good tired you get from exercise. Not only the physical benefit but the mental ones too.
Trot on!!!
Kath
Monday, July 13, 2009
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
My friend started her breast cancer treatment this past Friday. It is always, at least to me, easier on my brain for me to be the one affected by something instead of my family or friends. It makes me feel very helpless to not be able to 'fix it' for everybody.
I only learned about Triple Negative Breast Cancer about six months ago. What that means in a nutshell is that the cancer is not hormone receptive. So the normal drugs used to surpress estrogen, progestrone or HER2 won't work.
My friend is taking part in a clinical trial at Stanford. She is doing the chemo treatments first and then they will determine if she will still need surgery. I hope she doesn't, but I think, I myself, would always be afraid in the future that the cancer had a better chance of coming back if they didn't just get it out of there.
On the other hand I know my friend has done her research and is taking the treatment course that has the best possibility of success.
Maybe one day there will be no more lumpectomies or mastectomies and we can keep the boobs we were born with. Some women may not be happy with their real boobs but I for one would have liked to have a better option than mastectomy or die.
I hope for my friend and all the women to come that the medical community will continue to make strides so that more women in the future don't have to consider these choices.
I only learned about Triple Negative Breast Cancer about six months ago. What that means in a nutshell is that the cancer is not hormone receptive. So the normal drugs used to surpress estrogen, progestrone or HER2 won't work.
My friend is taking part in a clinical trial at Stanford. She is doing the chemo treatments first and then they will determine if she will still need surgery. I hope she doesn't, but I think, I myself, would always be afraid in the future that the cancer had a better chance of coming back if they didn't just get it out of there.
On the other hand I know my friend has done her research and is taking the treatment course that has the best possibility of success.
Maybe one day there will be no more lumpectomies or mastectomies and we can keep the boobs we were born with. Some women may not be happy with their real boobs but I for one would have liked to have a better option than mastectomy or die.
I hope for my friend and all the women to come that the medical community will continue to make strides so that more women in the future don't have to consider these choices.
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