<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Blogger Tia Walker's Journal RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/rss</link><description>Blogger Tia Walker's Journal RSS Feed</description><item><title><![CDATA[Last Visit before the summer]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8076</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8076</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi!

Wow! I am so SORRY about not blogging in so very long, but there has been a LOT going on it seems. A few interesting and fun things to share-- the first is, I met with my breast surgeon, we will call him Dr. "T" (actual name witheld), last Wednesday.  This was my FINAL visit with him before the summer.  Although I have never mentioned him before, Dr. "T "is wonderful surgeon who is taking good care of me. He is really top notch and I am pretty lucky to have him. He put a clip in my lump a month ago, just before the chemo was started. The idea of the clip is that the chemo may shrink the lump so much it may be difficult to determine where it is at all, so the clip will serve as a guide.

In effect, as I explained to Dr. "T", that after only (2) treatments my lump has actually shrank TREMENDOUSLY. He said this was "good" and that "it is doing what it is supposed to do". He then set my next visit for July 23rd  shortly before my surgery.

So looks like I am doing OK!  If anyone cares to know EXACTLY what I have been up to, and why I have been away soooooo long you will have to check out my next post--I have been doing some fundraising on behalf of Breast Cancer! YAYYYYY!!!!!!

Give me few and I 'll tell you ALL about it.....]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep The Faith:  A Set Back]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8062</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8062</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi!

Apologies that it has been so long since I have updated. When last I wrote I was going for my second chemo which went GREAT. I had my blood tested and was fine. M doctor and the nurses were concerned as I lost 6 lbs. I love losing weight, I am not worried myself (smile). I had a bit of a set back though, I forgot to get my shot of neuprin the next day. This is a big no-no. Please, please everyone in treatment, write your appointments down. They are soooo very numerous and the information all comes at you at once that it sometimes is hard. Luckily, my doctor did not YELL at me. However, I now have to wait for my red blood cells to build back up which pushes my next treatment back from May 8th to May 15th--meaning I am doing treatment 2 all over again.

Moral of the story--PAY ATTENTION  when you are ill and get ALL the info written down..and then of course READ IT OVER!

:(]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep The Faith: 2nd Chemo Treatment Today!]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8051</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8051</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi!

Another SLEEPLESS night before my treatment.  This time I was up working on my upcoming Breast Cancer Fundraiser (more on that later) from midnight to about 2:30 am.  Why am I not able to sleep the night before treatment? Who knows...I am not really nervous but then again, perhaps I am!

Leaving right now at 8:02 am  for my 8:30 am appointment.

Will post again later today.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep The Faith: Bloggers Support]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8035</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8035</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi!

It's been a few weeks now since I sent out my "official" announcement to THE WORLD that I had Breast Cancer.  I am happy to report that while not everyone was dying to support me via spreading the word, my greatest form of  media support has came from fellow bloggers.

On, April 3rd in Breast Cancer Touches the Fashion Blogosphere, Lesley Scott Founder of Fashion Tribes and former tres chic Fashion Stylist alerted her readers of my condition.  Lesley's own mother lost her life to Breast Cancer several years ago, so this announcement and support was even more valuable to me than you might imagine.  I recalled my first official meeting with Lesley where she proudly mentioned how her now booming Fashion Blog, a true cornucopia of Fashion info began.  It was a vision that was realized with her mother in mind and from the funds she had left over after he passing, very inspiring. Please visit Lesley Scott's Fashion Tribes by logging onto www.fashiontribes.com


On, April 8th Washington DC based Autumn Colbert, the creative voice behind BMore Baplife, also lent her support, by mentioning a bit about my illness in her post Fellow BAP*** Raising Awareness: Tia Walker.  Autumn acknowledged me for my strength and commitment to the cause of Breast Cancer. This is a very big deal. Upon perusing Ms. Colbert's blog roll, one can determine she doesn't just include ANYBODY in on her reporting etc... this was a very encouraging effort. Please visit Autumn Colbert's BMore Baplife at www.bmorebaplife.blogspot.com

There were others who wrote to me and told me things would be OK and that I would get through this, and I heart those efforts as well. There's still a long way to go but at least I know I have the strength and love from a few of the best.

Ciao!

***-in this case BAP refers to Black American Princess...tee hee!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep the Faith: The Results of My First Chemo Treatment]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8027</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8027</guid><description><![CDATA[Hey!

Well I am back! I was very lucky to not have any side effects from the chemo yet. I just saw that I had 3 comments urging me to get my prescriptions filled and ,well OK I had them filled, so not to worry.

In case you are wondering how it all went it was not bad at all. My mother and I went to the St. Luke's Roosevelt on Thursday, April 9th and upon our 8:30 am arrival checked in and went straight to the Infusion Suite.  Surprisingly, there was already one women in there she was a bit older maybe 50-55 and she was already receiving ..SOMETHING intravenously and enjoying a cup of yogurt. The suite was bare and we chose a reclining chair in a quiet corner. It wasn't long before Kaitoirina (sp?) my nurse came over to explain the process of my chemo and the fact that it would take 1 1/2- 2 hours or so.

Initially, I had an IV drip of water (saline sol to flush out my system and make my body ready for the 2 drugs I was to receive. Based on the fact that I had been pricked with needles (3) this week from the PET CT, MRI( which I forgot to write about) and my MUGA tests the veins in my left arm were no good. After the first drug of Doxorubicin was administered it started to feel warmer than it should going up my veins and I got a pink itchy feel on my forearm, so the nurse had to stop. She had only gotten through the first injection. They called my doctor and found that they could administer it through my right arm which is the side where the breast cancer is. However, since I have not had any lymph nodes surgically removed it was OK.

Soon after my second drug of Cyclophosphamide was given through an IV and before I knew it , it was all over. I took a few pics in the beginning that I will post in a photo album elsewhere on the site. My mother waited with me for most of it, and the times she was away I read Vogue Magazine.  I nt the itnerim a hand massage was offered to me by a therapist which was great! She rubbed my hands with soy cream nd left me with a calender of support groups and Wellness Programs.  Free aerobics classes, Reiki etc. are offered throughout the month every month, this is all very, very encouraging.

My session ended with a shot of Lupron which will stop my eggs from being released every month! No more period..YAYYY. No not really, I do not want this to be permanent, so lets pray that when the time to come off Lupron comes my eggs will flow again nice & healthy like.

So, in a nutshell that is it! The whole experience was pleasant..NEW  but pleasant.
I 'll be ready to go back in 2 weeks! FYI the Lupron shot into my butt! Um..this really "IS" NEW  to me!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep The Faith: Chemo Begins Today!]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8024</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8024</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi!

Well and so it goes, this morning at 8:30 am begins my first chemo treatment. It is now 1:30 am in the morning and like many nights when I have not gone out I am have just awaken from an evening nap & blogging away.  I have to admit I am a little NERVOUS.  Yesterday, Wednesday April 9th was my final test  called a MUGA, which is performed to determine how my heart will respond to the very strong chemicals I will receive in chemo ( Doxorubicin and Cyclophoshamide). Blood was drawn and then mixed with various chemicals and then re-injected into my body.  I was then hooked up to an EKG machine while a Nuclear Medical Technician monitored my heart, afterwards he took photos of my heart with a Gama machine.

As far as what to expect from my chemo treatment...not sure. My mother will be with me in the infusion suite and I believe I will be there with an IV drip for approximately 2-3 hours.  I have been speaking by phone to a colleague who has recently just finished up 3 years of treatment and who now has a clean bill of health. She is a fierce downtown fashion PR chick who is younger than I am by about 4 years. She was diagnosed at 30! She has given LOTS of support and info on the treatment process as a whole. She explained, NO vitamins during treatment and the importnace of why I should not get pregnant during my recovery- more on her another time she is FABULOUS.

In any event, I have yet to fill my 2 prescriptions for my nausea medication, yes I am expected to be ill after a few sessions. I am hoping I will be OK and will not have to fill them. Oh well, back to my handy booklet Chemotherapy  & You, I will be reading that and taking in much more upon my first visit to the suite.

Wish me luck & will let you know how it all goes.....]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep The Faith: The PET CT Scans]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8015</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8015</guid><description><![CDATA[Hey There!

A little delayed in posting, as this test was administered Friday April 4th at 9:30 am, so forgive me for being slow in my report.  Normally, a patient with breast cancer will have already had their Pet CT scans, which are actually (2) tests that to a layperson seem similar to an MRI or Catscan, but in my case I have had a bit of red tape,*** so I  had my Pet CT just this morning.

So after the initial paperwork at the radiology center, I began the process leading to the PET CT scans.  I was initially injected intravenously with a radio isotope called an FDG, once that was done I was then given a glucose drink (similar to a smoothie) called a Readi-Cat Sulfate Suspension Drink.  By drinking the Readi-Cat, the PET CT scan will pick up what parts of my insides that have been infected by the cancer, or show where the cancer has spread to.  This was explained to me by a radiographer (not radiologist) named Jim, who was very kind in  prepping me, before sticking a needle into my arm.

After taking  me to a relaxation room where I waited for 1 hour, for the glucose to properly travel through my body, I was ready for my test!  After being hoisted up on the scan table, I was told by a second radiogapher (forgot his name) that once a second IV solution was injected I would feel warm all over, even in the groin, and that I may feel like I had to urinate. Well, long story short, I did feel warm but I did not have  the urination feeling, thank God! Surprisingly the 20 minute scan was not too bad. I was able to stay fully dressed minus a bra as the scan table moved me back and forth slowly through the machine taking pics of my insides.

The results are not viewed by radiographers as they are tech guys not radiologists-- who are the actual doctors. So in a few days I will know the results which will assist my doctor in modifying or increasing my current treatments.

Will keep everyone posted on this front.

***red tape in, at the beginning of this process I was un-insured (I'm a blogger/freelance writer). Therefore, scheduling tests were not possible as payment has to be made upfront. My original mammogram, sonogram and core biopsy were paid out of pocket. Not being a wealthy woman I had to go apply for insurance...more on that one ANOTHER TIME.

]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep the Faith: Chemo Therapy is Quite an Undertaking....]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8004</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8004</guid><description><![CDATA[Hello,

I am not quite sure what I was expecting to hear when I finally met with my oncologist to get the specifics on my course of treatment, which drugs I will be given, and when etc. BUT I was not expecting this.

Basically, beginning Thursday April 10th, 2008.*** I am going to go through 8 sessions of chemo, that is every two weeks, for 4 months. After the chemo I should be ready for surgery which will hopefully be a successful removal of my cyst. Following the surgery I will go back into 4 more months of chemo and radiation to make sure all of the cancer cells are gone.

There is a LOT more but those are the basics.  I will be receiving my chemo via an IV which means a needle will be inserted into my arm upon each visit to the Infusion Suite (that is the name of the chemo area at St. Luke's Roosevelt) and it will go on for 2- 3 hours....YIPES! The book I was given called Chemotherapy & You by The National Breast Cancer Institute, gives all sorts of "what to expect info" as well as how to deal with side effects--nausea, diarrhea etc... DOUBLE YIPES!

The worst part is my cancer is 'fairly advanced' and I am lucky, that at this point, my breast can be saved.  I was told there is a 50% chance of re-occurrence in my case. I was given several prescriptions including one for a wig! Yes, I will lose my hair.  Additionally, I received my written referrals for final tests before my therapy.  I was also informed that I will be on a very strong medication (have to look up the exact name) that will prevent me from getting pregnant for 5 years.

This not only concerns me but makes me SAD, even if my eggs were to survive chemo a pregnancy would increase my estrogen levels and hurt the cancer recovery process.

I want 3 little ones very badly, so pray for me.

***That gives me 1 last week of PURE freedom to be a regular "on the go" chick!]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep the Faith: Hello World!]]></title><link>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8001</link><guid>http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mynbcf/members/blogger-tia-walker/journals/8001</guid><description><![CDATA[Hi,

This is my first "official post" to my journal here at the National Breast Cancer Foundation site.  I am very EXCITED.  I was first diagnosed on February 27th of this year with breast cancer.  So much has happened to me since. I should have blogged about it all earlier but  I have had reservations as to if I wanted to share my story or not.  Recently I have decided to share, because I feel that what I have been through could help others understand not only Breast Cancer but the health care system in our country in general.

Today is my very first oncology appointment, after a bit of red tape, I am finally going to be able to know my exact course of treatment.  Like I mentioned earlier I was diagnosed on February 27th, so there is LOTS more to tell, but I need to break now to get ready for my oncology appointment.

Will return again shortly!
]]></description></item></channel></rss>