My oncologist has been named on 5280's Top Doc List. The annual list is compiled by Denver's 5280 Magazine (http://www.5280.com/issues/2007/0710/index.php ). Eight RMCC (Rocky Mouintain Cancer Center) physicians were recognized by their peers as among the Denver metro area’s best including my doctor, Dev Paul, DO, PhD.
Here he is: http://www.coloradocancercenters.com/doctors_detail_tmpl.cfm?categoryid=1&pagename=4&doctorid=63
How cool is that?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
K-9's for the Cure on Oct. 6
Taurus is walking for the Cure! Go to http://www.komendenver.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1420005&pg=personal&fr_id=1050&et=s87MAgMra0YacEGj5u7L4g..&s_tafId=10992 to see my page and to make a donation. Please go back and see it again. I guess I forgot to save my changes the first time around and only had the standard stuff on it. If you saw the orchid type color, that's the one I made. I sent it to some of you but not to all. I've already met my fund raising goal of $100 and actually have already received a total of $200! Thanks!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
About Sunday
We went to a Rockies baseball game. They played the Marlins. And won 13 to 0! We saw four home runs, 6 strike outs, and Todd Helton's 300th home run. It was a great game. We had a 30 minute delay because of lightning and rain. It was an exciting day. We sat in the upper deck behind home plate. It sounds high but it wasn't. Not really nose bleed territory. Nate and Aaron got to sit in the purple seats that are at a mile high.
While I'm not a Broncos fan, they won too. The Patriots won and then the Red Sox lost. It was almost a perfect day in sports--as far as my limited opinion goes.
This week I'm feeling pretty good. It's nice to do normal things and not be wiped out the next day. I'm still looking for e-mails or posts about 9/11. Or call me. There's a book there...
While I'm not a Broncos fan, they won too. The Patriots won and then the Red Sox lost. It was almost a perfect day in sports--as far as my limited opinion goes.
This week I'm feeling pretty good. It's nice to do normal things and not be wiped out the next day. I'm still looking for e-mails or posts about 9/11. Or call me. There's a book there...
Monday, September 17, 2007
Monday; Sept. 17
The house is quiet and I can't think of a thing to do. That doesn't mean that there's nothing to do. But a few things come to mind to talk about.
You are your own health advocate.
Even if you love your doctor, they don't always make the best choice for you. Only you can. If a procedure hurts, tell them. Don't sit back and take it. Ask them to stop or to slow down. Somehow, we believe that "the doctor knows best" and that the medical professionals are always right. In procedures, in advice and in other areas. I've asked quite a few women to go get mammograms. I know what I'm asking. But you don't have to take it if the person doing the mammogram is pinching you or hurting you or bruising you. You need to go back and show them the bruise. You need to say stop. A mammogram should be no different than getting your blood pressure taken. I've had mammograms taken at three different facilities. The routine one, after the three biopsies, and before the surgery. None of them bruised me. None of them hurt. Of course they knew I had cancer so I'd hate to think that's why they were gentle. Back to the current issue--find a digital mammography clinic. Drive to a good one even if it's far. Ask other women where they go. I'm pushing you to go because I couldn't feel anything. The surgeon, my primary care physician's assistant and the other surgeon didn't feel anything. If you feel something, GO! Every lump, every time. If (when) you're doing MONTHLY self exams, you'll know when something different shows up. If you're not satisfied, go somewhere else. Get a second opinion. I don't know what's coming in the future, but I saved my boob by getting a second opinion. Take the time to do it.
Some self exam pointers: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp, http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/EarlyDetectionScreening/BreastSelf-Exam/index.htm?ssSourceNodeId=313&ssSourceSiteId=Komen/,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_How_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
Know that if you feel something, it may not show up on a mammogram but it could show up on an ultrasound. This happened to Robin Roberts on GMA.
Warning signs:
*Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away
Lastly, I want to save your ta-tas (thanks, Maggie!). If you have them, you're at risk. Only 10% is genetic. That leaves another 90%. Has your doctor talked to you about this 90%? Mine never did. She stopped at family history. Early detection is key. Because even if your mammographer has bruised you and hurt you, cancer hurts alot more. This isn't the thought that I want to leave you with. It is a fact. This hasn't been easy. Not that I thought you thought this. We all have families. They need us to take care of ourselves.
Here's a funny--Jenny sent me a cartoon of a nurse getting ready to take blood. The patient is lying on a bed. She says, "You're going to feel a little pinch, then a horrific burning pain, your eyes will roll back into your head, you will drool uncontrollably..."
I hope you're laughing. More later-love, nancy
You are your own health advocate.
Even if you love your doctor, they don't always make the best choice for you. Only you can. If a procedure hurts, tell them. Don't sit back and take it. Ask them to stop or to slow down. Somehow, we believe that "the doctor knows best" and that the medical professionals are always right. In procedures, in advice and in other areas. I've asked quite a few women to go get mammograms. I know what I'm asking. But you don't have to take it if the person doing the mammogram is pinching you or hurting you or bruising you. You need to go back and show them the bruise. You need to say stop. A mammogram should be no different than getting your blood pressure taken. I've had mammograms taken at three different facilities. The routine one, after the three biopsies, and before the surgery. None of them bruised me. None of them hurt. Of course they knew I had cancer so I'd hate to think that's why they were gentle. Back to the current issue--find a digital mammography clinic. Drive to a good one even if it's far. Ask other women where they go. I'm pushing you to go because I couldn't feel anything. The surgeon, my primary care physician's assistant and the other surgeon didn't feel anything. If you feel something, GO! Every lump, every time. If (when) you're doing MONTHLY self exams, you'll know when something different shows up. If you're not satisfied, go somewhere else. Get a second opinion. I don't know what's coming in the future, but I saved my boob by getting a second opinion. Take the time to do it.
Some self exam pointers: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp, http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/EarlyDetectionScreening/BreastSelf-Exam/index.htm?ssSourceNodeId=313&ssSourceSiteId=Komen/,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_How_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
Know that if you feel something, it may not show up on a mammogram but it could show up on an ultrasound. This happened to Robin Roberts on GMA.
Warning signs:
*Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away
Lastly, I want to save your ta-tas (thanks, Maggie!). If you have them, you're at risk. Only 10% is genetic. That leaves another 90%. Has your doctor talked to you about this 90%? Mine never did. She stopped at family history. Early detection is key. Because even if your mammographer has bruised you and hurt you, cancer hurts alot more. This isn't the thought that I want to leave you with. It is a fact. This hasn't been easy. Not that I thought you thought this. We all have families. They need us to take care of ourselves.
Here's a funny--Jenny sent me a cartoon of a nurse getting ready to take blood. The patient is lying on a bed. She says, "You're going to feel a little pinch, then a horrific burning pain, your eyes will roll back into your head, you will drool uncontrollably..."
I hope you're laughing. More later-love, nancy
Monday, September 10, 2007
The day before, the day of and the day after
Six years ago today, Nathan started his second year of pre-school. All of us moms were so happy to be dropping our kids off. Even if we only had a few hours to ourselves with our younger children. I went home and cleaned a bit. Thought about some dinner. Hoped Aaron would sleep longer. Sent a few e-mails, went to pick Nathan up. The rest of the day played out as usual: lunch, nap, movie for Nathan, read some books, make dinner as I tried to keep Aaron quiet, bathtime, bedtime.
The next morning was about the same. I left Aaron in the van sleeping in our garage with the monitor on. I went to the computer and sent a few e-mails, looked up some information. My Dad called and told me to put the TV on. I didn't believe what I was seeing nor what he was telling me. I remember the disbelief, the "no, this isn't happening," the feeling that my Dad got it wrong. And then I saw the second tower fall. And the news of the Pentagon. And more news of the plane down near Pittsburgh. I couldn't watch enough. I'd mute the TV and watch the words and not know what to think. I sat in front of the TV most of the rest of that week with Aaron on my lap, barely able to do what needed to be done. I also needed to listen to the news radio stations. All the time. I did get to a point where the info wasn't helping. Enough. So I turned it all off. I recall that Jay's first trip on a plane after that was to go to Cleveland. Somehow that made that business trip OK. Although two weeks after the towers fell, Jay was in NYC. I'll let him tell that.
The day after that day was so sad. Not understanding why. Seeing the episode of The West Wing where they tried to make some sense out of the hatred felt for America. Watching the music tribute held at an undisclosed location for protection. Listening to raw, emotional and real music and actors in between. Wanting it not to be real. Wishing for the day before that day again. Knowing it would never be the same. Realizing how insidious their hatred is. Wondering when next they will hit.
We lived in the Boston area then. It was heartbreaking to see armed military men walking around the Boston Aquarium. Protection around the bay. That image stays with me. An armed state. Necessary but scary. Even these six years later, I feel sad at where we've come. The lives lost in war. I really thought by now this war would be over. Peace would have been established. A package with a ribbon on it. It would have been nice.
The other thing about living near Boston was that we were only two hours from NYC. It's a neighbor city. I thought that if they'd hit NYC, surely they'd hit Boston, too. What did come to Boston was that Richard guy who put a bomb in his shoe. We can thank him that when we travel, we all have to remove our shoes. And only bring 4-ozs. of liquids. Never take a bottle of sealed water through security. And usually deal with someone crabby in the security line.
Now my blog is probably on some "list" because I'm talking about this stuff. Oh well. I'm just a woman who lived through a lousy time and is remembering.
Tell about your day before, day of and day after. What did you take away from that experience?
The next morning was about the same. I left Aaron in the van sleeping in our garage with the monitor on. I went to the computer and sent a few e-mails, looked up some information. My Dad called and told me to put the TV on. I didn't believe what I was seeing nor what he was telling me. I remember the disbelief, the "no, this isn't happening," the feeling that my Dad got it wrong. And then I saw the second tower fall. And the news of the Pentagon. And more news of the plane down near Pittsburgh. I couldn't watch enough. I'd mute the TV and watch the words and not know what to think. I sat in front of the TV most of the rest of that week with Aaron on my lap, barely able to do what needed to be done. I also needed to listen to the news radio stations. All the time. I did get to a point where the info wasn't helping. Enough. So I turned it all off. I recall that Jay's first trip on a plane after that was to go to Cleveland. Somehow that made that business trip OK. Although two weeks after the towers fell, Jay was in NYC. I'll let him tell that.
The day after that day was so sad. Not understanding why. Seeing the episode of The West Wing where they tried to make some sense out of the hatred felt for America. Watching the music tribute held at an undisclosed location for protection. Listening to raw, emotional and real music and actors in between. Wanting it not to be real. Wishing for the day before that day again. Knowing it would never be the same. Realizing how insidious their hatred is. Wondering when next they will hit.
We lived in the Boston area then. It was heartbreaking to see armed military men walking around the Boston Aquarium. Protection around the bay. That image stays with me. An armed state. Necessary but scary. Even these six years later, I feel sad at where we've come. The lives lost in war. I really thought by now this war would be over. Peace would have been established. A package with a ribbon on it. It would have been nice.
The other thing about living near Boston was that we were only two hours from NYC. It's a neighbor city. I thought that if they'd hit NYC, surely they'd hit Boston, too. What did come to Boston was that Richard guy who put a bomb in his shoe. We can thank him that when we travel, we all have to remove our shoes. And only bring 4-ozs. of liquids. Never take a bottle of sealed water through security. And usually deal with someone crabby in the security line.
Now my blog is probably on some "list" because I'm talking about this stuff. Oh well. I'm just a woman who lived through a lousy time and is remembering.
Tell about your day before, day of and day after. What did you take away from that experience?
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A cup of tea with a friend...
If I was able to have a cup of tea with a friend, this is what I'd say:
I think it's a two pot kind of day! I'd ask about them and then I'd plow on...
This week has been ever so odd. Tuesday morning I took Aaron to school but there wasn't school that day for him. Yesterday he stayed home for some dental work and I forgot to call the attendance line before school started at 8am. I remembered at 9:20am and when I called to tell them I forgot, I remembered that the school is supposed to notify you if your child doesn't make it to school so I asked the person who answered. She says, "We haven't gotten to that yet this morning because there's a meeting." Hmm. The teachers had an adminstrative day on Tuesday. So the calls home didn't happen because they were in a meeting. The implications of this are big.
Radiation is almost over. I notice over the weekend (I guess) that the areas that have been radiated are not exactly the same as when I started. I'm wondering,"Have they made some sort of mistake? I have no way to know if it's right or wrong." It's not like the radiation sunburn shows up immediately. Yes, the techs line me up everyday with those tattoos and make sure I'm in the proper position. Yes, they take their time. Yes, it's all calibrated on a computer. When I asked the doctor on Tuesday, he said of course it's the right areas. I did go see him a second time Wednesday morning so that he could explain it to me. I'm not sure if I am satisfied with what he said. We did look at some x-rays and I am in the proper position. But me being in the proper position doesn't matter if they've put the wrong numbers in the machine. Or set up the template wrong in the machine. It's not like they can take it back. What am I going to do? I don't know right now.
We also got an insurance statement from the new insurance. It's not what we expected nor is it what we were led to believe the charges would be. Unfortunately, there's always some insurance problem when you have medical needs.
Aaron's teeth. 5 cavities, remember? I never got to talk with the dentist when we were there in July. I never got to see the x-rays. In fact, the temporary hygenist came into the waiting room, in front of other people and explained it to me. Not good, but I knew I'd talk to the dentist and see x-rays before anything was done. The hygenist reviews the x-rays. I wanted to see the January ones and the July ones to compare. The areas they labelled as cavities, didn't look like anything. One area did, but the second looked the same as other teeth that were not labelled as cavities. We didn't even get to #3 & #4. And the fifth I can see in his mouth. Before I even got to talk to the dentist, she's telling me she'll print the films and let me go get a second opinion. (She also said less than 15 minutes into our appointment-by this time it's 10:34am- that she didn't even know if we'd have time to do anyting. Yet they put us in the room at 10:22am for a 10:00am appointment.) I didn't want to get a second opinion. I hadn't even talked to the dentist for the first opinion. If the work needs to be done, it needs to be done. I wanted the dentist to explain it to me and to talk to me. The procedure wasn't even fully explained because she talked about putting Aaron to sleep.. That was never mentioned. Only a relaxant was mentioned. What we ended up doing was to take a second set of x-rays. The dentist gave Aaron a calcium paste to use at night that may help strengthen his teeth and reverse the beginning cavities. I wish they'd have given us the paste in July...
And today I realized we missed Aaron's back to school open house last night. I get an "F" for calendar reading this week. Of course, you need to actually read the calendar for it to be of any use.
Hopefully, I didn't ramble too much. Odd, odd stuff. Eventually it all works itself out. Before I would leave the tea house, I'd give my friend a big hug and say, "I love you, Meredith!"
I think it's a two pot kind of day! I'd ask about them and then I'd plow on...
This week has been ever so odd. Tuesday morning I took Aaron to school but there wasn't school that day for him. Yesterday he stayed home for some dental work and I forgot to call the attendance line before school started at 8am. I remembered at 9:20am and when I called to tell them I forgot, I remembered that the school is supposed to notify you if your child doesn't make it to school so I asked the person who answered. She says, "We haven't gotten to that yet this morning because there's a meeting." Hmm. The teachers had an adminstrative day on Tuesday. So the calls home didn't happen because they were in a meeting. The implications of this are big.
Radiation is almost over. I notice over the weekend (I guess) that the areas that have been radiated are not exactly the same as when I started. I'm wondering,"Have they made some sort of mistake? I have no way to know if it's right or wrong." It's not like the radiation sunburn shows up immediately. Yes, the techs line me up everyday with those tattoos and make sure I'm in the proper position. Yes, they take their time. Yes, it's all calibrated on a computer. When I asked the doctor on Tuesday, he said of course it's the right areas. I did go see him a second time Wednesday morning so that he could explain it to me. I'm not sure if I am satisfied with what he said. We did look at some x-rays and I am in the proper position. But me being in the proper position doesn't matter if they've put the wrong numbers in the machine. Or set up the template wrong in the machine. It's not like they can take it back. What am I going to do? I don't know right now.
We also got an insurance statement from the new insurance. It's not what we expected nor is it what we were led to believe the charges would be. Unfortunately, there's always some insurance problem when you have medical needs.
Aaron's teeth. 5 cavities, remember? I never got to talk with the dentist when we were there in July. I never got to see the x-rays. In fact, the temporary hygenist came into the waiting room, in front of other people and explained it to me. Not good, but I knew I'd talk to the dentist and see x-rays before anything was done. The hygenist reviews the x-rays. I wanted to see the January ones and the July ones to compare. The areas they labelled as cavities, didn't look like anything. One area did, but the second looked the same as other teeth that were not labelled as cavities. We didn't even get to #3 & #4. And the fifth I can see in his mouth. Before I even got to talk to the dentist, she's telling me she'll print the films and let me go get a second opinion. (She also said less than 15 minutes into our appointment-by this time it's 10:34am- that she didn't even know if we'd have time to do anyting. Yet they put us in the room at 10:22am for a 10:00am appointment.) I didn't want to get a second opinion. I hadn't even talked to the dentist for the first opinion. If the work needs to be done, it needs to be done. I wanted the dentist to explain it to me and to talk to me. The procedure wasn't even fully explained because she talked about putting Aaron to sleep.. That was never mentioned. Only a relaxant was mentioned. What we ended up doing was to take a second set of x-rays. The dentist gave Aaron a calcium paste to use at night that may help strengthen his teeth and reverse the beginning cavities. I wish they'd have given us the paste in July...
And today I realized we missed Aaron's back to school open house last night. I get an "F" for calendar reading this week. Of course, you need to actually read the calendar for it to be of any use.
Hopefully, I didn't ramble too much. Odd, odd stuff. Eventually it all works itself out. Before I would leave the tea house, I'd give my friend a big hug and say, "I love you, Meredith!"
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tuesday, Sept. 4
Today I drove Aaron to school but there wasn't school for him today. Who has a day off from school when they just started two weeks ago? Aaron, I guess. We came home and printed up a "No School Calendar." For the major breaks, the boys have the same days off. But for "non-contact conferences," they have different days off. That'll be interesting. Hopefully we'll remember to check the calendar often.
At church on Sunday I had an obstructed view. Obstructed view? I never thought I'd go to church and not be able to see the pastor. In a church that could hold 1,000 easy, I suppose there's bound to be obstructed views. I'll pay more attention to where I sit the next time. Pastor John is speaking from the book of Colossians. He took a little detour in Jeremiah and Joshua. But if you'd like to hear some good messages go to: http://www.gracechapel.org/resources/resourcessermons.htm If you aren't able to play them, let me know, I'll get you a CD or tape of it.
Let's talk about hair. It's growing back. I only had a completely bald head around July 22 when I shaved the rest of it off. Then I had stubble again pretty quickly. About two weeks ago, my eye brows and eye lashes started falling out. I thought all that hair loss was over. Ahh-not so. So now my brows and lashes are tiny 3 mm things. They are actually growing quicker than I thought they would. I don't need an eye brow pencil anymore. I'll be glad when I don't need so much make-up.
Have a blessed week. nancy
At church on Sunday I had an obstructed view. Obstructed view? I never thought I'd go to church and not be able to see the pastor. In a church that could hold 1,000 easy, I suppose there's bound to be obstructed views. I'll pay more attention to where I sit the next time. Pastor John is speaking from the book of Colossians. He took a little detour in Jeremiah and Joshua. But if you'd like to hear some good messages go to: http://www.gracechapel.org/resources/resourcessermons.htm If you aren't able to play them, let me know, I'll get you a CD or tape of it.
Let's talk about hair. It's growing back. I only had a completely bald head around July 22 when I shaved the rest of it off. Then I had stubble again pretty quickly. About two weeks ago, my eye brows and eye lashes started falling out. I thought all that hair loss was over. Ahh-not so. So now my brows and lashes are tiny 3 mm things. They are actually growing quicker than I thought they would. I don't need an eye brow pencil anymore. I'll be glad when I don't need so much make-up.
Have a blessed week. nancy
Monday, September 3, 2007
Birthday Pictures
Cake is the best! River and Hailey had a great time at their party. What a joy they are!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
6 left!
I am so glad school has started. Although I love summer, I am tired of being a referee. We didn't have a nice, active summer that kept the boys so busy they never had a moment to fuss at each other. Sounds idyllic. In fact, we've never had just such a summer. Maybe some day...
The recliner for radiation would be a huge improvement. I'll recommend it! But it has to be able to raise up, move left to right, etc. That huge radiation machine (I'm sure it has a very complicated name but I don't know it) sounds like it needs some WD-40. It's a bit unnerving as I lie under it and it's squeaking. Good news is that I have 6 more to go!
We are off to go ride a trolly and see a reptile petting zoo. I know-reptile petting zoo? I won't be petting anything today. Nate on the other hand--he'll touch them all!
The recliner for radiation would be a huge improvement. I'll recommend it! But it has to be able to raise up, move left to right, etc. That huge radiation machine (I'm sure it has a very complicated name but I don't know it) sounds like it needs some WD-40. It's a bit unnerving as I lie under it and it's squeaking. Good news is that I have 6 more to go!
We are off to go ride a trolly and see a reptile petting zoo. I know-reptile petting zoo? I won't be petting anything today. Nate on the other hand--he'll touch them all!
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