I visited with my friend, Vicki Thompson, at Banner Gateway, December 16th. Vicki has stage 4 breast cancer and is not doing well. I've known for some time that her cancer had metathesized to her liver and that her time would be short. This has been a difficult time for me because the last time I saw Vicki was after her oncology visit in June, which happened to be the same time I had blood work done for my upcoming appointment. So, needless to say I haven't seen Vicki in 6 months.
We had a nice visit. Her spirits were high and she, of course, was thinking of others instead of herself. She asked me to bring her a Scentsy catalog so she could place an order. This made me feel uncomfortable because I knew that she would not be with us much longer. I knew that if I place the order, she would not be here when it arrived and this bothered me tremendously being a breast cancer patient myself.
I'm so glad I took this opportunity to see and visit with her, as this was the last time I saw Vicki before she passed away on December 26, 2010. Her funeral service was this evening at Wyman's Funeral Home in Mesa. It was a nice service with a lot of friends and family. She will truly be missed.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Cancer Check Up
Just had my 6 month check up with Dr Bachrach. I have been a little stressed due to my 5th anniversary of my diagnosis approaching and in addition, I have a friend, Vicki Thompson, that has breast cancer too. I talked to Dr Bachrach about Vicki.
I met Vicki at a boutique I did in the Spring of 2009. Her story is a different than mine in some ways. The similarities are: we both are triple negative...which means, that we are Her2 neu negative and ER/PR negative. For those of you that are not familiar with the terms, this means that the protein around the cells are negative that cause the cells to grow faster and our cancer does not need hormones to grow. In other words, our cancer is VERY AGGRESSIVE and doesn't need anything to help it to grow, it just grows on its own. It also has a higher recurrence rate! Yet, our cancer usually responds very well with chemo therapy. However, in my friend, Vicki's case, her cancer has metastasized and at this time it does not look good. I did visit with Vicki last week and I knew she was not doing well. So as you can imagine this has brought the reality of breast cancer in the forefront of my mind again!
I shared Vicki's story with Dr Bachrach so he would understand more of my concerns. He listened and did I feel better....NO! But it was good to share and get it out. Dr Bachrach proceeded to go over my labs and all my numbers look good and there are no signs of cancer! Each month that goes by is another month closer to being "Cancer Free"!
I met Vicki at a boutique I did in the Spring of 2009. Her story is a different than mine in some ways. The similarities are: we both are triple negative...which means, that we are Her2 neu negative and ER/PR negative. For those of you that are not familiar with the terms, this means that the protein around the cells are negative that cause the cells to grow faster and our cancer does not need hormones to grow. In other words, our cancer is VERY AGGRESSIVE and doesn't need anything to help it to grow, it just grows on its own. It also has a higher recurrence rate! Yet, our cancer usually responds very well with chemo therapy. However, in my friend, Vicki's case, her cancer has metastasized and at this time it does not look good. I did visit with Vicki last week and I knew she was not doing well. So as you can imagine this has brought the reality of breast cancer in the forefront of my mind again!
I shared Vicki's story with Dr Bachrach so he would understand more of my concerns. He listened and did I feel better....NO! But it was good to share and get it out. Dr Bachrach proceeded to go over my labs and all my numbers look good and there are no signs of cancer! Each month that goes by is another month closer to being "Cancer Free"!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Scentsy Convention "Intensity"
Convention in Denver, Colorado. With over 6,000 consultants and guests...it was a little crazy. However, I was quite impressed with Scentsy. Everything was well organized. Not a glitch to speak of...except for one! A member of my team had a heart attack and spent her convention experience in the hospital.
The classes were informative and fun. I learned so much and had an amazing time with those that I reunited with and met for the first time. It was overwhelming at times too. I wish I had more of an opportunity to spend time with my team, but with so many people there it was nearly impossible to sit together during the general sessions. That shows how much Scentsy has grown. When I first attended in Boise, Idaho...our team could sit together with out any problems (only 1500 attended that year!) With 6,000 it's understandable it was INTENSE!. I know next year will be even crazier since it's in Fort Worth, Texas. Scentsy is expecting 12,000 consultants and guests, it will be a STAMPEDE!
SCENTSY SPIRIT!!!
The classes were informative and fun. I learned so much and had an amazing time with those that I reunited with and met for the first time. It was overwhelming at times too. I wish I had more of an opportunity to spend time with my team, but with so many people there it was nearly impossible to sit together during the general sessions. That shows how much Scentsy has grown. When I first attended in Boise, Idaho...our team could sit together with out any problems (only 1500 attended that year!) With 6,000 it's understandable it was INTENSE!. I know next year will be even crazier since it's in Fort Worth, Texas. Scentsy is expecting 12,000 consultants and guests, it will be a STAMPEDE!
SCENTSY SPIRIT!!!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Four Year Mark
This is an EXCITING time for me. Today I visited with Dr. Bachrach, my oncologist. I just past my 4th year mark yesterday and today I AM CANCER FREE!!! Well, I am so confident that next year at this time I'll be sharing that with you too. I'm so blessed! I have a life filled with the love of family and friends.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Breast Cancer Vaccine...
On May 31, 2010, it was announced that a breast cancer vaccine has been developed that looks very promising...however at the end of the statement we find the word BUT...
It has only been tested on mice and they say, "If it works in humans the same way it works in mice, this will be monumental. We could eliminate breast cancer." Sounds good, however, this vaccine would be for women over 40 because it would be typically after child bearing years. If given to a woman at a younger age she probably would not want to nurse due to the side effect of painful breast.
It mentions, "For younger women with a heightened risk of breast cancer, the vaccine may be an option to consider over propholatic radical mastectomy."
It has only been tested on mice and they say, "If it works in humans the same way it works in mice, this will be monumental. We could eliminate breast cancer." Sounds good, however, this vaccine would be for women over 40 because it would be typically after child bearing years. If given to a woman at a younger age she probably would not want to nurse due to the side effect of painful breast.
It mentions, "For younger women with a heightened risk of breast cancer, the vaccine may be an option to consider over propholatic radical mastectomy."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
My Family Cancer History
When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer...I truly was not totally surprised! I had this "gut" feeling, yet it did hit me like a ton of bricks. Some breast cancer patients have no family history and others are like me with an undeniably obvious family history.
Here is my families story.
My grandfather, Wade Henry Blevins discovered a lump in his breast. It was diagnosed as cancerous and was removed. No treatment followed because in the 1960's the rule was this: if the lump was removed and no outlying tissue had cancer cells then they "got it all". My grandfather lived to the age of 69 and passed away from emphysema in March 1979.
My Aunt Dorthy, my grandfather's daughter and my mother's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977 at the age of 35. Her story is all to common. She had a lump and was sent to have a mammogram. The tests were negative and no other tests were prescribed. Three months later her breast was red, inflamed and her nipple inverted. At this time she had a biopsy and was positive for breast cancer. She had a radical mastectomy, underwent chemo therapy and radiation. She was stage 4 at the time of her surgery, September 1977. Thirteen months later, October 1978, Dorothy Lucille Blevins died at the age of 36.
My mother, Ramona Marie Blevins, was diagnosed with breast cancer May 1985 at the age of 46. She had a lumpectomy and had no chemotherapy or radiation. In the 1980's they still had the opinion that when the lump was removed and no tissue around the margins had any signs of cancer...you were considered "cancer free". Almost 5 years to the day, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The cancer metastasized. She had to have brain surgery and the cancerous tissue removed. My mother's cancer then further spread to her other vital organs and she passed away June 19, 1996 at the age of 57.
My Aunt, Marthetta, my grandfather's youngest daughter and my mother's sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52. She had a mastectomy, chemo therapy and radiation. She was later diagnosed with lung cancer (my cousin Wendy, Marthetta's daughter, says it was not related to the breast cancer). My Aunt Marthetta Ruth Razza passed away January 29, 2005.
I am the third generation member of our family that has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 48 years old. Ironically I had my biopsy 10 years to the day of my mothers death, June 19, 2006!
Here is my families story.
My grandfather, Wade Henry Blevins discovered a lump in his breast. It was diagnosed as cancerous and was removed. No treatment followed because in the 1960's the rule was this: if the lump was removed and no outlying tissue had cancer cells then they "got it all". My grandfather lived to the age of 69 and passed away from emphysema in March 1979.
My Aunt Dorthy, my grandfather's daughter and my mother's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977 at the age of 35. Her story is all to common. She had a lump and was sent to have a mammogram. The tests were negative and no other tests were prescribed. Three months later her breast was red, inflamed and her nipple inverted. At this time she had a biopsy and was positive for breast cancer. She had a radical mastectomy, underwent chemo therapy and radiation. She was stage 4 at the time of her surgery, September 1977. Thirteen months later, October 1978, Dorothy Lucille Blevins died at the age of 36.
My mother, Ramona Marie Blevins, was diagnosed with breast cancer May 1985 at the age of 46. She had a lumpectomy and had no chemotherapy or radiation. In the 1980's they still had the opinion that when the lump was removed and no tissue around the margins had any signs of cancer...you were considered "cancer free". Almost 5 years to the day, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The cancer metastasized. She had to have brain surgery and the cancerous tissue removed. My mother's cancer then further spread to her other vital organs and she passed away June 19, 1996 at the age of 57.
My Aunt, Marthetta, my grandfather's youngest daughter and my mother's sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52. She had a mastectomy, chemo therapy and radiation. She was later diagnosed with lung cancer (my cousin Wendy, Marthetta's daughter, says it was not related to the breast cancer). My Aunt Marthetta Ruth Razza passed away January 29, 2005.
I am the third generation member of our family that has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 48 years old. Ironically I had my biopsy 10 years to the day of my mothers death, June 19, 2006!
My Grandfather: Wade Henry Blevins
My Mother: Ramona Marie Blevins
My Aunt: Marthetta Ruth Blevins Razza
My Aunt: Marthetta Ruth Blevins Razza
Myself: Karen Marie Larid Pelley
Friday, January 1, 2010
January 2010 Goals
I don't make New Year's resolutions. I've found that making goals has worked better for me. So here are the goals that I've set for myself this year.
- Stay Cancer Free
- Grow My Scentsy Business
- Grow My Team
- Spend Time with My Dad
- Give More Than I Receive
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