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Cr Bob's Newsletter - December, 2004
------------Topics----------- #1 Don't Ignore High Blood Pressure - Do You Know Yours? #2 Anti-Oxidants, An Update #3 Baby Teeth -Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking #4 Tablet Splitting #5Grape Juice and Cholesterol High Blood Pressure...
Natural Approaches to Menopause
This past July,a report raised serious new concerns for the six million women taking combination hormone replacement therapy. In the lastest and statistically most valid study of this subject ever done,it was found that the combination of ESTROGEN...
Rubber Cancer Bracelets - The Humble Tool That Raised Millions
Cancer is the second largest cause of death in America. Thousands die every year from the disease, yet no really effective cure has been found for it. Rubber cancer bracelets have contributed heavily to the cause of cancer research; millions from...
Stem Cell Research
You have my permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Stem Cell Research How To Buy Your Way Out Of An Early Death...
Unsung Benefits of Breastfeeding
From the Stone Age until just a few generations ago, human infants’ only sustenance was mother’s milk, but modern infant formula seems to be an adequate substitute. After all, infant mortality in Western societies is at historic lows and growth...
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Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy
As women, especially American women, much of our femininity is
centered on our breasts. No matter where you look, there are
pictures, billboards, commercials, television shows, and movies
with women with these beautiful breasts and ample cleavage. The
thought of losing one or both breasts, to breast cancer, can be
devastating for many of us. Sure, there's reconstruction, but
will it ever really look the same again? Even if you have
reconstruction, you'll never have sensation there again and, for
many of us, that definitely affects our sexuality.
I went through two separate mastectomies, for my breast cancer,
despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the same time.
Two different surgeons told me that wasn't necessary. They found
out, later, that it was, as I had the same breast cancer in both
breasts. Through these surgeries, I learned a few things about
what to expect, and how to get up and running again, after a
mastectomy for breast cancer.
The first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional
aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery. The
breast is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course, milk
ducts and lobes. The removal of this breast tissue is way easier
than operating on an organ, but carries much more emotional
impact for most of us. Most surgeons will get as much of the
breast tissue out as they can to help alleviate the chance of a
recurrence of your breast cancer. You will typically wind up
with a horizontal scar about four inches long. The scar may be
red for quite a while but, ultimately, should fade to where you
can hardly see it anymore.
You want to be sure to take loose-fitting, button-down shirts
(raiding your hubby's closet is helpful) with you, to the
hospital, as you won't be able to raise your arms over your head
for a while. You will also need a sports bra and I would highly
recommend one that fastens in the front. They will put that on
you after your surgery. Typically, you should be able to stay in
the hospital for one night. If you're going to have lymph nodes
removed, a small pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make
you more comfortable. Check with your local American Cancer
Society as they may have small pillows for you. An extra pillow
to hold to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh,
can help keep your incision from hurting.
When you wake up, you will have a couple of drain tubes for each
side you have done. These tubes are important as they allow the
excess fluid, which your body will produce, to drain out. If you
didn't have them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a
needle. The drains, even though they're no fun, are better than
that. These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a
day and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so
the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to
remove
them. You may not know where to put these drains under your
clothing. I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way, they
didn't pull when I moved.
When you get home, plan on having someone there to help you for
the first few days. You won't be allowed to reach into your
cabinets and definitely won't be able to clean house or pick up
your children, if you have little ones. You'll be sent home with
pain meds and definitely take them if you need them. Studies
show that you will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain,
so don't be afraid to take them as prescribed.
If you have a recliner, you might consider moving it into the
bedroom as you won't be able to lie flat for a while. You'll
need to sleep in a partial sitting position. If you don't have
one, or don't have space for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows
will work, too. That's what I used. Just be sure you have enough
pillows to keep yourself comfortable propped up.
If you would like someone who's been there before you to visit
with, be sure to call your local American Cancer Society and ask
for a Reach 2 Recovery volunteer. This is an American Cancer
Society program where they try to match you with one of their
volunteers who have as similar experience as you're facing. This
woman will come visit you and will bring you all sorts of
brochures and information on conventional treatment. She will
also bring you a list of exercises you can start to do to regain
your mobility and range of motion.
This is VERY important. It hurts to stretch your arm up, after
surgery, but if you haven't had reconstruction, and you don't
start soon, you will lose that range of motion. I would
recommend starting to gently, slowly reach your arm up ... let
your body be your guide ... the day after your surgery. This is
ONLY if you have not had reconstruction. If you have, let your
plastic surgeon tell you when to start stretching. Push to where
it hurts just a little, but do not push too far past that.
Little by little, you'll find yourself able to stretch a little
farther every couple of days.
Most of all, allow yourself to heal emotionally, as well as
physically. Some of us just can't look at that incision right
away. That's OK. Take as much time as you need. I know I felt
like some kind of freak with no breasts and, even six years
later, I still do sometimes. But remind yourself that these
scars are your battle scars. They do not make you less of a
woman. They make you a warrior.
About the author:
Melissa Buhmeyer is a breast cancer survivor and has been so for
seven years. She is also the founder of http://www.breastcanc
er-treatment.us , a site focusing on breast cancer
treatment options, news, articles, and survivor experiences.
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| BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures |
| Breast Cancer Information from a Nonprofit Organization. |
| www.breastcancer.org |
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| The Breast Cancer Site |
| Founded to help offer free mammograms to underprivileged women nationwide. With a simple, daily "click" visitors help provide mammograms to those in need. |
| www.thebreastcancersite.com |
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| Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
| The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to education and research on breast cancer causes, treatment and the search for a cure. |
| www.komen.org |
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| Breast Cancer Information from National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc |
| Breast cancer information including early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, myths, early detection, breast cancer research and more from National Breast ... |
| www.nationalbreastcancer.org |
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| BreastCancer.Net: http://www.breastcancer.net |
| A clearinghouse for the latest news and information on the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. |
| www.breastcancer.net |
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| Breast Cancer Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Educational resources on using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat and prevent breast cancer. |
| www.breastcancer.com |
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| Breast Cancer Care - Homepage |
| Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer or breast ... |
| www.breastcancercare.org.uk |
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| Breakthrough Breast Cancer |
| Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UKs leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education. |
| www.breakthrough.org.uk |
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| MedlinePlus: Breast Cancer |
| Search MEDLINE/PubMed for recent research articles on Breast Cancer: • Breast Cancer ... Select services and providers for Breast Cancer in your area. ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
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| Breast Cancer Research | |
| Online and print journal covering topics of basic and clinical research relevant to breast cancer. Research articles are free to all users. |
| breast-cancer-research.com |
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| National Breast Cancer Centre - Evidence based information for ... |
| The National Breast Cancer Centre of Australia providing information about breast cancer for consumers and health professionals. |
| www.nbcc.org.au |
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| Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation: Run for the Cure: Select Language |
| Charitable organization which raises money to advance research, education, diagnosis and treatment. |
| www.cbcf.org |
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| Breast cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| That is why you will see breast cancer patients wearing braces, ... [5] Men can also develop breast cancer, but their risk is less than one in 1000 (see sex ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| End Breast Cancer from Care2.com and TBCF! |
| Help stop Breast Cancer by clicking daily - free! Supports efforts by The Breast Cancer Fund. |
| breastcancer.care2.com |
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| National Breast Cancer Foundation |
| The ultimate goal of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is to raise enough money to fund a cure for breast cancer. As Australia’s leading national ... |
| www.nbcf.org.au |
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| Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization |
| Support and information about the condition from this non-profit entity. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. |
| www.y-me.org |
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| Breast Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute |
| Information about breast cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, clinical trials, research and statistics from the National Cancer ... |
| www.cancer.gov |
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| What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute |
| Information about detection, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. NIH Publication No. 05-1556. |
| www.cancer.gov |
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| Breast Cancer Campaign - Researching the cure |
| Breast Cancer Campaign is the only charity that specialises in funding independent breast cancer research throughout the UK. |
| www.breastcancercampaign.org |
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| NBCC - NBCC - National Breast Cancer Coalition |
| The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy. |
| www.natlbcc.org |
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