Sunday, July 29, 2001
Hey, I finally got around to getting my final hair pictures posted. Click the Hairy Karen button and check them out. My mother has been bugging me about this for ages, so I can finally get her off my case!
posted by Karen Weber Sunday, July 29, 2001
Monday, July 30, 2001
Adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer significantly improves overall survival: the missing linkBreast conservation in the 21st century
The impact of loco-regional radiotherapy on the survival of breast cancer patients: Pro
The impact of loco-regional radiotherapy on the survival of breast cancer patients: Contra
The impact of loco-regional radiotherapy on the survival of breast cancer patients: Arbiter
posted by Karen Weber Monday, July 30, 2001
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Survivor Emphasizes Human Side of Clinical TrialsMontana Breast Cancer Resource Guide
Lab Tests Online - this is a great site that explains what all that stuff on your blood work reports means. And more. If you are living with cancer, you must check this out!
Is MUGA Scan Necessary in Patients With Low-Risk Breast Cancer Before Doxorubicin-Based Adjuvant Therapy? - needless to say, I disagree with the conclusion this study comes to.
posted by Karen Weber Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Wednesday, August 01, 2001
Menopause Humor: A Lighter Look at Menopause with Minnie Pauz Creator Dee AdamsInsomnia a Common but Neglected Problem in Cancer Patients
Pathologic Status of Axillary Lymph Nodes after Preoperative Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer is Major Predictor of Survival.
posted by Karen Weber Wednesday, August 01, 2001
Saturday, August 04, 2001
We are in San Diego. We came over to see my orthopedic surgeon at UCSD as a follow-up to the osteochondral allograft I had done in 1995. It was experimental then, and it got me up and walking independently after a couple years of constant pain and using crutches. They were very pleased with how I am doing. In fact, on the x-rays, the joint space is so good, that a person who didn't know I'd had my meniscus out at age 15 or the allograft at age 39 would think they were looking at a normal knee. Well, there are a couple of bone spurs, but those are completely unrelated and currently not causing any problems. The surgery is no longer experimental, but apparently they would no longer consider me a good candidate for the surgery. My x-rays convinced them that they may have to reconsider that stance. So that's all good.On our first trip over here to see the surgeon to determine if I was a candidate for their procedure, we found a cajun restaurant that had bread pudding to die for. Every time we've come back, we stop in at the restaurant. Sadly, when we went there yesterday, it was closed down. We ate at the restaurant that is in that location now and came away unimpressed. Things change, not always for the better.
The hotel where we are staying is very nice, except that there are no fans in the rooms. With me, lack of air movement is almost sure to spark a hot flash. In Arizona, every place has ceiling fans. I sweated through the first night in the room, then went down to the desk in the morning to ask if they had a fan they could provide. I now know why there is an energy crisis in California. I got a blank look and the advice to turn the thermostat down. I explained it was already 72 in the room, which is way cooler than I actually like, but that there was no air movement. Still the blank look. We went to Wal-Mart and bought a fan.
This hotel does have a great pool set up. There is an adult pool and spa and a kids/family pool and spa. They are in completely separate areas of the grounds. The adult pool is set up for lane swimming. It was quite chilly, but I've swum both mornings we've been here. I was able to brag to Rick last night that I can tell my heart is getting stronger. Back in January, when I was swimming in our pool at about the same temp, just climbing in the water was enough to get my heart rate up past the safe zone my cardiologist had assigned to me. Now, getting in the cold water just barely nudged the heart rate up. Back in January, swimming freestyle always drove my heart rate up into a high zone. When I looked at the length of this pool (25m) compared to our 40 ft swim lane, I thought I probably wasn't going to be able to do much freestyle. But I didn't have any problem with it, and my heart recovered faster from the flip turns with the longer length as well. So that is really cool, and it tells me that I can expect good news on the MUGA scan, whenever that finally happens.
We change hotels today, then come home tomorrow. We've enjoyed the down time, but miss the cats. Everyone is apologizing to us about the weather. It's cool and damp. We are loving it! It's been over 110 back in Phoenix this week.
posted by Karen Weber Saturday, August 04, 2001
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