It has been many months since I’ve written and so many life changing issues have transpired. As you know, we sold our home in Michigan. In March, we purchased and moved into a new one in Florida, said good-bye to our many, many friends and said hello to a few new ones here in Florida.
We feel very blessed to be here and to be a part of Florida Hospital. David heads the cancer program and is initiating new programs and creating the vision to enhance their state-of-the-art cancer program. I’m working at Florida Hospital in a department that looks at quality and safety. Much of this I have learned through my previous work in oversight of a hospital research program. Developing new programs is something I learned through my work in administrating a cancer program.
Once again I’m getting up early in the morning with enthusiasm and a passion for what I do. I wake at 5:25am, exercise using the Wii for 30 minutes (no basements in Florida to hold the treadmill), eat, dress and I’m off to begin work on such things as decreasing hospital infections, efficiencies in transporting a patient from one part of the campus to another and seeking new ways to provide a safe environment for both our patients and our employees. It probably isn’t a surprise to many of you that quality and safety in the hospital setting is becoming a national imperative.
Cancer Time: It’s time again to think about my cancer. I am the type of person that can easily put it out of my mind. I don’t worry about it because I truly don’t think about it. I was diagnosed over a year ago, completed surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In August and September of 2009, I started my bi-annual infusion of Zometa, a drug that keeps my bones strong. In addition to Zometa, I take an aromatase inhibitor (AI) daily to eliminate any remaining estrogen in my body. I have no trouble taking my AI because I religiously take the pill with breakfast – a meal I haven’t missed in years.
Here is how AI works:
When no estrogen is present, estrogen receptors remain inactive. However, when estrogen receptors are exposed to estrogen they trigger a chain of events that can cause tumor cell growth and multiplication. Zometa is a form of hormone therapy known as an aromatase inhibitor. It works by reducing the amount of estrogen produced in the bodies of postmenopausal women. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are used to remove hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer cells from the body. Even if a woman has undergone one or all three forms of treatment (which I did), a small number of breast cancer cells may remain which is why the AI is necessary.
Since I completed my radiation a year ago June, I’ve had one mammogram. You may recall I wrote about this and how a false positive mammogram led to another biopsy – which was not cancer. That was January 2010. Now, here I am again, prepared for the next follow-up scan. This time I’m to have another magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of my breast. I need that because my original breast cancer was not seen on a mammogram (even after the radiologist knew it was there). Not everyone needs an MRI for follow-up of their breast cancer. Last time I had an MRI it was to help determine that there were no other signs of cancer in my breast besides the one lump.
I won’t go into the details again but please recall I mentioned how the staff appeared to leave the room for an eternity and I actually thought they left to go have lunch! I’m sure they didn’t but this time I hope they talk to me during the scan. It worries me to be alone in a machine such as a MRI.
What the images will reveal (taken from internet source):
I met with a cancer specialist here at Florida Hospital to provide my bi-annual breast exam, order the follow-up scans and the Zometa infusion. Zometa is very easy to get and takes about 20 minutes via an infusion. I need to go to an infusion center at Florida Hospital. I’m hoping to get into one that specializes in cancer patients, routinely administers chemotherapy and hopefully staffs with nurses certified in oncology. Am I asking for much? I’ll keep you posted.
Emotionally – As I mentioned previously, I don’t think about it my cancer. I’m a woman of purpose (meaning I feel necessary and have something to offer) with my family and my new job. The children frequently visit and I stop everything I’m doing to be with them. Perhaps I wouldn’t have done that had I not gone through a life-threatening experience like cancer. I’m not sure. I definitely don’t race through life any longer. I allow myself to be in the moment.
That doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated at times and wish to get ‘on with it’ – so to speak. It took me a long time after the cancer treatment to feel energetic again. That was extremely frustrating. I’m still not at my former weight or stamina however having a routine of early morning exercise, eating well and being of purpose guides me through the day so I’m not so quick to look to tomorrow as I once was.
I know, because I’ve counseled many, some people respond to their cancer diagnosis and treatment by becoming more spiritual. I think I have always been spiritual so I don’t believe it pushed me further along that trajectory however I talk about it more now. I’m so thankful to be at a hospital where I can openly talk about my spirituality and that of others. Can you imagine an environment where you are not shunned for saying to a patient – would you like for me to pray with you? I would have so appreciated that when I was going in for my breast biopsy or having that last MRI.
Finally, I can practice nursing like I was taught at the College of St. Teresa. Man (people) is bio (biological), psycho (psychological or emotions), social (family and community) and spiritual. You know that is how I’ve always practiced nursing and being here is full circle for me. I can now practice nursing in the manner in which I was originally educated and trained.
I’ll write again after my MRI. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Veronica
