Category Archives: health

health, making a difference

IBC

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Steal This Post: Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Please read the following and pass it on. EVERYONE is at risk for this type of cancer. Please help us pass on awareness.

From Toddler Planet.

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

health
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The good, the bad, and the snurfly…

The good: We got the house. We are moving into a gorgeous 3600 square foot house with spanish tile, marble kitchen, hardwood floors, and it’s own Koi pond, in the family room. It is the lap of luxury, of the kind one can only afford when rich, or when renting with a friend, like Devon. Devon has a 800 square foot master bedroom suite, and Lee and I have a two room suite with it’s own laundry room/kitchenette and marble bathroom. Marlena has a room with it’s own bathroom, with tub and shower, it’s own walk in closet, and many windows. She loves it! It pleases her to no end that she gets her own bathroom.
There are 4.5 bathrooms and two kitchens. The main kitchen is huge and amazing, with ample storage, a giant marble island, and marble countertops. There is another small kitchen with small island in the Koi room, which will be perfect for entertaining. There are three seperate AC systems in the house. It is amazing and comes with a three car garage, that I would enjoy living in if I had to, as it is finished with electricity, high ceilings, lots of windows, and paint. We move in July 1, and then the enjoying begins.

The bad: I have mastitis again. It came on last night with a high fever and left me miserable in bed all day. I had little warning this time too, so I am going to have to see what I am doing wrong. Sigh. Breast infections are simply no fun.

The snurfly: Oliver has been an awake baby today and tonight, snurfling and blinking owlishly at me from the center of our bed. Go to sleep baby!! Blink blink Sleep is good baby! snurfle Mommy needs sleep! Blink blink

family, health, Otter

Agoo or poo…

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(Apple hat courtesy of Ariel Benjamin, Thanks Ariel!! It’s so cute on him!)

Agoo or Poo?

Yes, the language and facial displays of babies can be decieving. Otter has been working very hard to express himself lately, both verbally, and physically. When he tried to talk, he will often scrunch up his face, turn red, and say “agoo”. When he poops he will often scrunch up his face and turn red as well, leaving the family to guess at his intentions… Agoo or Poo?

Mom goes home tomorrow, and we will miss her dearly. Oh how I want to move back home, into my parents house too. I keep asking Lee how he would feel about rooming with the ‘rents for a while, but he is less than enthusiastic about the idea. “We need more space” he says. Space shmace, I want my mom and dad!

It has been wonderful having her here, she has helped me organize the house, catch up on laundry, and shower on a regular basis. It is truly a gift to have had her with me. I can’t be too sad about her going though, her dogs need her, my dad needs her, and I get to have my dad out here in another week. I am spoiled!!

As for other news, I developed a breast infection day before yesterday. I have never had a higher fever in my life, I was up in the 105 range, with chills that would not die and delirium to match. Luckily I got to the doctor right away and the antibiotics are helping the fever go away. I still have a teeny one, but I am no longer freezing and shaking. Ugh. Oddly I learned that cabbage leaves tucked between your breast and bra will help draw out the milk from the plugged duct. Who knew? Cabbage, it’s not just for salad anymore.