October is almost here

October is almost here and everyone thinks of Breast Cancer.  One needs to remember that cancer is affecting someone everyday of every month.  Don't wait for a certian month if you think something is wrong.  It is better to make sure than to wait until it is too late.  I heard of a case this week where the person didn't go to the doctor because they didn't want to hear what they might be told.  It is better to know and try to do something, than not doing anything at all.
Going through cancer can give you strenth that you did not know existed.  It also brings out friends to embrace.  If you are one of those friends, let the cancer patient know you are there.  Prayer is a great comfort too!  Others can pray for you and you can pray for others.  I found it was great comfort to me to pray for others while I was going through various tests.  I am clausophobic and praying for others helped me through those test and gave great peace.
My advice to day is for cancer patients.....think of others and try to help them.  Someone else is going through something similar or worse.     Friends and family..... think of the cancer patient and show them that you are a true friend.  It might just be sitting and listening...but remember to pray.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

I'm Back

I know you might have thought I forgot about my blog, but that is not true.  This summer I have been travelling.  As a teacher who loves technology, I have been to over 14 days of workshops in 3 states.  While I was at ISTE  (International Society of Technology Educators) I saw someone with a scarf on their head.  I went back and forth in my mind as to whether I should go up and introduce myself.  I am glad I did.  It is good talk to a fellow educator about the struggles of chemo and cancer.  It was good for her as well as for me.  In Nashville I was able to encourage another teacher who was a cancer survivor.   The purpose of this is not to boast, but to encourage you to talk to others.  You will feel much better too.  We all need to encourage each other.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

3 Years and Counting!

It has been 3 years of survival!!!!!   I am so excited that a new year is beginning. Earlier this week I wasn't feeling good,(not related to cancer) and I remembered that 3 years ago I was in the hospital.  It made me thankful and help me not feel so bad.  It is the uncertianity when you find out it is cancer that really makes you worry.  I hope to be wrtiting this blog many years from now.  Cancer is not the end of all things, it just opened other doors in my life and led me down a different path.  The Lord knew what he had planned and I just needed to follow.  I am thankful for all those people that have entered my life the past three years.  Here is a current photo.  I am finally getting more hair!

Thanks  and keep fighting,

Cathy

Tired?

I have struggled with being tired for almost 3 years now.  The doctors can't seem to figure out what is the problem until now.  A doctor concluded that some of my daily meds are causing the problems.  He changed my allergy med and took me off another pill.  The pill wasn't making a difference.  After a few weeks, I have so much more energy.  It really worked!   I had asked several doctors about the problem, but they seemed to brush it aside. It was serious to me, but not to them.   I am so glad that I am getting some relief.  Don't give up asking questions of the doctors.  Make them take you seriously.  It will pay off.

Think Spring,

Keep Fighting

Cathy

I know I haven't been here in awhile.  My fault.  I have found an interesting site you might want to check out  http://www.breastcanceranswers.com/    As we start a new year, we need to be thankful for that and encourage one another.  It seems like once a week I hear of someone getting a cancer diagnosis.  Being postitive is one of the best medicines you can take.  It is hard to be postive in the midst of adveristy, prayer and the Lord can help you in that area.  Lean on the Lord, friends and family.  On another note, I am still battling fatique.  It gets frustrating when the doctors can't find a reason or just brush it off.  This is a time where I need to be postive.  I have been trying to figure out when and why I am tired.  The doctors only know what I tell them. So, I began a "diary" to show the doctor when the symptoms are better or worse.  Try it, it might help!

Keep fighting

Cathy

Pain longer than one year

Here is an interesting article about breast pain longer than one year after treatment. http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/46211.htm
I found this very interesting since I still have pain 2 1/2 years after surgery.
Articles like this help me realize that I am not the only one.  It also makes me thankful.  Thankful that I am cancer free and able to live a "normal" life.  It made sense to me since I know nerves etc. must have been cut in the procedure. I also know that I have "cording"  in place.  Who knows, studies like this will help researches learn more.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

It's the holidays

Holidays are especially hard on families who have fought cancer.  Remember those special friends or families this Christmastime.  I am excited that I will be celebrating another Christmas, but some families will be missing that special loved one.  Send a card or make a phone call. These are both inexpensive ways to make a difference. Just let them know you care.  It will make a difference.  Have a great Christmas season and remember the reason for the season.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

Get some fresh air

My son and I continued a tradtion (started last year) to go hiking on Thanksgiving day.,  So, we went to a local state park and walked through the woods and snow.  I really would have been content to stay home, but he convinced me to go.  It was really rewarding.  The fresh air and exercise are always good. This reminds me of what the Dr. told me during chemo.  If I was feeling tired, try to go for a walk even if it is a short one.  I remember walking about three houses down the block and back.  That was a long walk for me during my treatment. The walk would make me feel better everytime. Maybe I felt exhausted, but glad I went out.  I am not a big exercise person.  I do try to get 10,000 steps in a day.  This is a challenge at times.  If you are feeling down or tired. Try to go for a short walk.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

Look to the Future

Sorry about the long time inbetween post here.  I have been busy with some other things.  It is good that I feel up to doing more.  A new blog that I write is an educational post.  www.cathyhouchin.com
Another great thing I was able to do was go to Nova Scotia to present professional development.!  I have always wanted to go there.  The scenery was beautiful.  As I went through customs and they looked at my passport picture, I had to tell them it was before cancer.  As you look back...time goes by fast.  It seemed very long when going through chemo, but after that very long year.....things get better.  Look to the future.  I think of the chemo pill I need to take for 5 years.  My son and I were talking about how it makes my joints ache  etc.   The Dr. is switching the pill to see if another will have different side effects.  So, I have been off of the orginal pill for ten days to get it out of my system  I am amazed at how the aches have dissappeared.  Today I started the new pill.  We were talking and I reminded him of how fast time goes by.  All the things that have happened in 5 years.  I told him I could endure aches for a few more years in order to rid cancer.  Time passes quickly unless you are looking at the clock.  So remember,  you can endure.   Look to the future.

Ok....I know it has been one month since I last posted.  You hear a lot about Breast
Cancer during October.  It can be too much for someone who is battling this disease.  It is important to raise awareness of this cancer, just be conscious of feeling of those going through breast cancer.
Pink items can get overwhelming.  Many times I will avoid pink items just because it brings back memories.  It is helpful to say "I am thinking of you,"  "I am praying for you", "how are you doing" or "is this anything I can do for you."A friend is the most important thing.   Cancer patients often feel alone.  I know many times they aren't, but they feel that way.  Reach out this month.  Let them know you care.   I took the photo below at the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. in Burlington Vermont.  This is their teddy bear hospital.

Keep Fighting

Cathy



                                                                       

I went to the cardiologist today and had a great check-up.  I don't need to see him for a year!  Before cancer  I would not have known what a good report that is.  We get lulled into a everything being routine.  Before cancer, I would go to the doctor and thought it was a waste of my money.  Now I know the importance of hearing those words that all is fine.  Many of my doctors have become more than a person, they are my friends.  These friends are not the same people that I would hangout with, but the kind of friend that cares how I am feeling.  I do not want to go to a doctor that thinks I am a number. My belief is that mine are more than that.  Make sure that you have confidence in your doctor and that they are true professionals.  

Keep Fighting


Cathy

Exercise

The doctors all say exercise more.  Sometimes I wonder with what time am I suppose to exercise.  I know it is important, but hard to do.  I bought a fitbit.  www.fitbit.com    It has changed the way I look at exercise.  It is similar to a pedometer, but it will send me a report.  My goal is 10,000 steps a day and 10 flights a day.  It has been quit easy to accomplish.  At the end of the week it sends me a report for the week.  I was excited last week when I reached 250 miles of walking.  It was reached by in about 8 weeks. I know the more I exercise the less aches and pains. You might want to check it out.

Relay for Life

I participated in my first Relay for Life this August.  I took part in the survivor's lap.  In the past. I was afraid to participate.  This year I decided that I was ready.  It was a good experience.  It was fantastic to hear how many years the survivors have fought the fight and won! It was very up  lifting.  If you have never been to one of these events, try it.  You will find out you are not alone and you can encourage others who might be new to cancer.

Keep Fighting,


Cathy

flexi-touch

My recent post talked about my week in Vermont.  Because I flew to Vermont, I was unable to take my flexi-touch  with me.  It is very bulky and would have needed its' own suitcase.  I wondered what would happen when I stopped using the lymphodemia device for a length of time.  I found out.  I use the device 1 hour every day for my lymphodedmia.  The device gentle massages and moves the fluid so I don't swell.  I definitely had a flare-up as a result of that week.  Yes I did manual massage, but it was not enough.  This helped me know that it does work and is worth the hour a night.  I usually watch old tv shows on netflix.  It does help me relax and no one can call for "mom" to help them.  I am the one who needs help at that time.

Keep Fighting,

Cathy

Time to Reflect

It's been a few weeks since I wrote and many things have happened.  Summer is always a time filled with new and old events.  The things you do every summer as a tradition and a time of new exploration.
I am excited that this summer I am not having chemo treatments.  I do not have to plan my weeks around when I need to be at chemo.  If you haven't reached this point you will.  People who know me realize that I am one who can't stay still.   I am always on the go.  This summer I am enjoying time at home.  Time when I can catch up on all the things I let go last summer when I was too tired to do them.  This is not to say I haven't been on the go.  I just returned from a full week of technology training in Vermont.  It was a wonderful, exhausting and uplifting trip.  The week was with Discovery Education.  I have been a member of this wonderful group since 2006. This week in the summer always motivates me.  It gets me ready for school in the fall. This summer it inspired me to make a website.  It is currently under construction and hopefully I can show it soon.  The week also shows me the power of friendship.  There were 125 educators from North America at the conference.  Many I have known from past years, but 60 were brand new to the summer institute. It is great to make new friends.  Don't let cancer keep you from that.  As you go to chemo or drs. appts.  make friends.  Many of the nurses etc. that I have met through this journey are considered friends to me.  Friends can be on many different levels.

Hope to write more soon

Keep fighting,


Cathy

My Port is Gone!!!!

Yesterday, I had my port removed.  It is a day to celebrate!  I was very nervous about the procedure.  The Drs. wanted me to do it without sedation.  I am not sure I would do that again, although it was not painful after the lidocaine worked.   I am sore today, but am port free!  This is one more step I have taken.

Keep Fighting

Cathy

Big Week

This week will be another milestone.  I am scheduled to get my port out on Thursday.  This is exciting and scary at the same time.  When I was told I would need a port for chemo, I didn't think I wanted one.  I learned that it would be a good friend.  All the blood test and chemo went through the port and it was mostly painless.  I learned early on to use lidocaine to numb the site a half hour before.  It was funny because I would put the lidocaine on and then cover it with plastic wrap.  This meant I literally walked into the clinic with plastic on my port.  It was the best.  I barely would feel the needle.  I waited to get the port out until school was out and I wanted a year free from treatments.  It has worked good for blood draws.  It has flipped or something and now does not work.
It is exciting to think that I am cancer free and don't need the port.  It was a security blanket for me, but now I will have a scar of honor.  That scar will remind me of the miracles that have happend and the journey of my cancer recovery.
I am awake when they take this out on Thursday which scares me some.   They tell me it is not a big deal, but it is not their juggler vein that is being stitched.  I know that all will go well and it will just be another jog on this road.
Have a great week



Keep Fighting

Cathy

Graduation

Two years and one week after my cancer surgery, I was able to watch my son graduate from high school!   After finding out that I had cancer, that was one thing that bothered me. Will I be here for the important moments in my families life? I was there and it was exciting.  I plan on being around for more  family events.  Of course, one never knows when life will end.  There could be a car accident etc.  that takes our life.  I do know that I want to live my life to the fullest while I can.  The Lord has promised that he will not ask us to do more than we are able.   We often wonder, why me?  It is because we can handle the situation and will better for going through it.  Don't dispare over things, conquer them!  We need to count ourselves privileged and special.  Everyday is special too!

Keep Fighting,

Cathy

Survivors

June 2 is National Cancer Survivor Day!  Congratulations to all you out there!  Last week I passed my 2 year milestone.  Am I a different person from 2 years ago?  You bet!  I am better.  They say that there is a BC an a AC (Before Cancer and After Cancer).  This is so true.  We are all better for what we have accomplished by beating this disease.  Everyday is a milestone.  This morning in church a song was sung talking about how trials are God's blessing in disguise.  He uses them to mold and make us better. I cried through the whole song.  I could relate to the entire song.  God has molded me all along the way these past two years.  It has help mold my family too!  I am excited to see my youngest son graduate from high school Saturday.  Two years ago I wondered if I would be here to see this day.  In 1993 my father was diagnosed with cancer and 30% chance of living.  He took experimental chemo and he will also be here to see his grandchild graduate.  We are survivors and also fighters.  Don't give up the fight.  Remember there is a purpose for everything, we just don't always know what it is.  When you can't see the forest from the trees....keep going.

Keep fighting,

Cathy

Ups and Downs

It was a beautiful day today here in Wisconsin. After weeks of rain, we finally had a few dry days.  I began planting my porch box flowers until storm warnings came in again.  A bird flew over and left his droppings on my pants!!!!  I didn't even see any birds in the sky and all of the sudden my pants had a white dropping.   This is how life after cancer can be.  You have good days and bad.  Just like planting flowers on a beautiful sunny day, you can be feeling great.  Then, a bird flies over and some droppings of bad days appear.   We all can try to rise over the bad.  I laughed off the bird .  I know it is harder to laugh off the days of feeling tired or the aches and pains.  A positive attitude goes a long way.  I am still battling fatigue.   The CPAP machine is helping me sleep better, but I am still tired.  I am dreaming, which is something that I was not doing.   I still am very tired and yawning during the day.  The cause will be found, but patience needs to be learned.  The Lord never promised a life without ups and downs.  I believe it is how we react to those "downs" is important.  The Lord reminds us that we need his help and can't do this on our own.   Have a great week!


Keep Fighting!


Cathy