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February - April 2009
From diagnosis through treatment
and beyond....I hope my journaling will be
helpful, inspirational, and motivational to you.
It's not been an easy journey, but one that has
enlightened me in many ways.
February
25, 2009
Good morning!
It’s been a little over week since I began
physical therapy and wow! I’m beginning to see
and feel a difference. Thanks to the Voltaren -
XR medication and relieving my back pain, I’m
able to begin my regimen for becoming more
physically active!
For the past 5-6 years I’ve had chronic back
pain. I’ve relied on my massage therapist,
Jeannie Claycomb,
http://www.kneadedbyjeannie.com/, in
Bolingbrook along with interim physical therapy
for sciatic to relieve the pain.
After visiting with Dr. Mather of M & M Ortho in
Naperville, and having an MRI to determine just
what all was going on with my back, a
prescription for PT was given.
Justin, my husband, had some problems with his
leg last year and used Athletico here in
Bolingbrook. They are aggressive and really work
you, but it’s well worth it.
With just 4 sessions under my belt, so far, I’m
feeling more flexible and am gaining more lower
body strength, which had dissipated over the
years. We’re experimenting to see what works and
what doesn’t so that it doesn’t trigger pain in
the back. We’re focusing on lower body strength
and will also work on endurance. I have a
feeling I’ll be working out here for a couple of
months or so.
Jennifer W. is wonderful. My sessions begin with
a bike ride for 10 minutes, followed by some
floor exercises. I’m feeling muscles I haven’t
used in ages! After the floor exercises, I go to
the table for some gentle leg stretches with Jen
or Cody (an NIU student in training). The best
part is the massage where they work on my lower
back and get to those tight hidden muscles. Then
the icing for 10 minutes. My lower back and
right knee are iced with special mats...boy are
they chilling! My workout lasts for about 75
minutes and I’m doing it three times a week.
Science Daily just came out with an article
that’s supporting the need to be physically
active after menopause. I found it very
enlightening and wanted to pass it along to you.
Here’s a link to the page:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090115103812.htm
“A comparison between control subjects and
breast cancer patients showed that women in the
control group had been physically more active
than patients. The scientists calculated the
relative breast cancer risks taking account of
the effect of other risk factors. Results show
that the risk of developing breast cancer after
menopause was lower by about one third in the
physically most active MARIE participants
compared to women who had generally taken little
physical exercise.
For this reduced risk it is not necessary to
work out hard at the gym. The women in the
physically most active group, for example,
walked for two hours every day and cycled for
one hour, while the most inactive study
participants walked for only about 30 minutes
every day. The epidemiologists also discovered
that physical activity in the postmenopausal
period is particularly beneficial for reducing
breast cancer risk.”
This information causes me to be very hopeful.
With my teaching, I’m on my feet all day and
walk continually. Erik, my son, gave me a
pedometer and I tracked my daily activity. I
ranged from 13,000 - 15,000 steps per day! I
recently read that it’s recommended we walk at
least 10,000 steps per day. 10,000 steps roughly
equates to 5 miles! See:
http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html
for more information. I never realized I was
walking so much during my work day! No wonder I
was so tired at night :).
The article goes on to say, “A closer look at
the types of breast cancer revealed that
physically active women are less frequently
affected, in particular, by tumors that form
receptors for the two female sexual hormones,
estrogen and progesterone. These malignant
'hormone receptor positive tumors' accounted for
62.5 percent of breast cancers among MARIE
participants. Other tumor markers, such as HER2
receptor formation or differentiation stage of
cancer cells, were found to be unrelated to
physical activity.
The effect of physical activity was independent
of weight gain, total energy intake or body mass
index. Therefore, researchers assume that
physical exercise reduces the risk of cancer
through hormonal mechanisms instead merely by a
reduction of body fat or other changes in
physical constitution, as it has often been
assumed.
"It doesn't always have to be sports," says
Associate Professor Dr. Karen Steindorf of DKFZ,
who has headed this analysis. "In our
calculations we have also taken account of
activities such as gardening, cycling or walking
to the shops. Our advice to all women is
therefore to stay or become physically active
also in the second half of your life. You will
not only reduce your risk of breast cancer, but
it has been proven that your bones, heart and
brain also benefit from it."
I feel I’m on a clearer path now more than ever
toward better health and fitness! I’m excited
about my future and the quality of my life, even
in spite of this nasty cold that has hit me full
force. This will pass.....and life goes on in
even greater splendor.
Love to all,
Cindy
February
16, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
What a wonderful and bright
day we’re having here in the Chicago area! My
spirits are high and I can honestly say my body
is feeling fine!
Last week I visited my oncologist and got the
A-OK once again! I also was validated in my
belief that the Arimidex was influencing some
not so good side effects.
Hot flashes have been quite profound, attacking
me at least 5-6 times per day. Fortunately, when
I’m at school, I can open my classroom windows
to let the brisk air in and that has helped to
relieve them more quickly. My kids love when the
windows are open, too. The fresh air is so good
for us all.
Another not so cool side effect has been the
arthritis in my hands and feet. Hantel, my
oncologist, affirmed that these are all side
effects and that once I’m off Arimidex, the side
effects will abate. YEA! Can’t wait! Let’s
see....how much longer? Oh yes! Three and half
more years!
But....the good news comes! Hantel prescribed a
sweet little pill called Neurontin! I take it
twice a day and voila!!! The hot flashes are
GONE! I nary have a flutter now :). That is the
best news ever!
As for the arthritis attacks on my hand, back,
and feet....I saw a new back specialist, Dr.
Mather of M & M Orthopedics. X-rays were taken
and my lower L3, L4, and L5 are disintegrating,
which I knew. Normal wear and tear he said. But
he was a little concerned I might have a pinched
nerve due to my side effects. So, he ordered an
MRI without contrast, thankfully. I’m not one
for needles.
The results of the MRI were good. Nothing severe
going on except for the degeneration and
arthritis going on in the L3, 4, & 5 areas. He’s
given me a prescription for physical therapy and
I’m heading there on Monday for an evaluation.
My goal is to determine what exercises will work
for me so that my back doesn’t get aggravated. I
want to be more active, but due to the pain over
the last 5-6 years, I’ve avoided anything
strenuous other than walking.
I have to lose weight. That’s a given and
recommended by Mather. Being on the Arimidex
will make it difficult because that’s another
gem of a side effect. Fortunately, I’ve remained
static in my weight.
Mather also prescribed a sweet pill that now
controls the pain! It’s called Voltaren-XR which
I take once per day. It’s like a super strength
Ibuprophen. It’s in the N-Said family so I don’t
take anymore IBU while on this. I couldn’t
believe the change in my back the day after I
took my first pill! The pain had evaporated!!
I can’t tell you how excited and happy I am to
be pain and symptom free! All is going well. In
a couple of weeks I’ve have my annual blood
tests through our Wellness program at school.
They’ll check all the usuals which I’ll relay to
my physicians. I’m hoping for a continued
reduction in cholesterol and I know my blood
pressure is well under control now.
Life is good and I want it to stay that way. I’m
also preparing for my “Walk to Empower” on May
10th in downtown Chicago at Grant Park. I’ve met
10% of my $3,000 goal and hope to garner a few
to join my team to help me meet my goal. Last
year it seemed to go more quickly, but I guess
with the economy the way it is, money is much
tighter.
On a sad note, I lost my first student last
week. Eunice died of brain cancer. She was such
a strong young lady who fought to the very end.
She came to school and worked as hard as she
possibly could until her medical interventions
failed to heal her. It’s hard seeing a 13 year
old girl die at such a young age. Our team
worked long and hard to help raise funds for her
during her battle. Our Granger Community raised
over $17,000 to help her with her medical bills
which were tremendous as you can imagine. It was
a moving experience to see how our school
rallied behind her.
I’m also saddened because a current student’s
mother has been stricken with breast cancer for
the second time. Her struggle is severe and I
feel so helpless. I’m there for her daughter and
hope she’ll lean on me more if and when the time
is needed.
That’s why Breast Cancer Network of Strength is
so very important. I know my student’s mom is
using their network for emotional and
informational support. It’s so drastically
needed to help patients and their families get
through the uncertainty. Having a person to talk
to who has been in her shoes is a valuable
connection.
I hope you’ll consider supporting BCNS and help
me reach my goal. There’s no greater good than
this. To find out more about our “Walk to
Empower” and the BCNS, please visit my web site
at
http://walk.networkofstrength.org/cindysangels
Well, that’s it for today! Time to grade some
more school papers and look forward to another
day off! President’s Day tomorrow!
Take care all and blessings of health and
happiness,
Cindy
July/August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February/April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
December 2008/January
2009
February 2009/April 2009
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