I deserve a treat

About every 16-18 months I get a Breast MRI.  This was my 3rd.  My last one resulting in a biopsy, that was negative.  I don't know the results of this one yet.  

Breast MRI

Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A breast MRI captures multiple images of your breast. Breast MRI images are combined, using a computer, to generate detailed pictures.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast — or breast MRI — is a test used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities in the breast.

Breast MRI usually is performed after you have a biopsy that's positive for cancer, and your doctor needs more information about the extent of the disease. In certain situations, such as for women with high risk of breast cancer, breast MRI may be used with mammograms as a screening tool for detecting breast cancer.

So why?  I have a strong family history.  My sister died of breast cancer in 2003 at the age of 44.  I have already lived 6 years longer then she did.  It's very humbling.  My mom has had it also and is doing great.  My theory is not if but when I get it.  I don't live in fear but I am proactive to detect early.  I'm always checking myself.  If you don't, then learn.  It's easy.  Before you jump in the shower or in the shower and before you know it it becomes a no brainer.  

The only picture I have of her right now.  I am in the process of switching laptops.

Here is the contraption you lay on with your boobies hanging down through the holes.

Kind of like this.

It takes 30 minutes.   I ran that morning and premedicated with some anti anxiety medicine.  I still feel like I was hyperventilating.  And you can't move at all. You can't even take deep breaths.   That's why I deserved a treat!

And they were delicious!

Yes, I was driving the Shaggin Wagon.  My car went in on Wednesday and it wasn't done going to be done until Monday.

I can't remember how long the results take to come back.  You know what they say, no news is good news.  I can't have any positive results during this training anyway.  

What is your favorite treat?

Cancer - do you get or plan to get mammograms?

Blog on...........

Zoe update

The vet called and left a 30 minute message on my cell phone. OK, it was probably about 2 minutes, it just felt like 30. He is an awesome vet and very thorough.

Looks like the Mast cell tumor on her butt was a stage 2 and he was able to get it out with clear margins.

"we done cured her of that"

That is a direct quote from the vet. As far as the tumor in her jaw, he has only seen two of those types of tumors (I can't remember the name exactly) in the mouth. Apparently in the mouth they become dangerous and quick growing. When she was X-Ray'd before surgery it looked like the tumor had invaded the bone. He took out some of the bone, hoping to help get rid of it. I will meet with him in a week to get her stitches out and get more details. He did recommend a Veterinary Oncologist that is just down the street from where we live.

Most of the time my head is just saying, "Serious???"

I mean, what is cancer's deal? Can't it just leave my pet alone?? I know of families that have lost pets to cancer and it is devastating. Cancer seriously sucks ass.

I will probably meet with the oncologist to get an idea of what she thinks and what kind of treatment she needs. I don't want to do any radical surgery or anything to make her suffer too much but I also don't want her to have a huge tumor that impedes her ability to eat and she just suffocates to death. That is super no bueno!

Speaking of cancer sucking ass:

The other day at work I had two cancer patients. These aren't my first patients with cancer and will not be my last. Both of these patients were awake and talking and getting ready to get out of the ICU. My interaction with them was great and their stories were heartbreaking. Before I transferred them out I read their histories so I could give report and guess what? Their stories were even worse then I thought. That day was spent thinking of my mantra for avoiding self pity.

If you think you are having a bad day, I can promise you that someone is having a worse day.

It's usually worse then you can imagine.

We are sad that Zoe has cancer and I am sure that as she gets worse and dies we will be even more sad. Really sad.

Even then, someone else will be having a bad day that is so much worse then mine. I find a sense of peacefulness and overwhelming gratitude every day as I interact and care for the people who are experiencing the unimaginable.

Blog on.............

Zoe has the big C

Earlier this week I took my little furry kids to the Vet. It was time for shots and a once over. Ted is doing fabulous without a worry. Unfortunately, although Zoe is acting totally normal, the Vet found 2 different kinds of cancer on her. They found a lump on her back end that is a Mast cell tumor and she had a tumor in her mouth that was growing over her front side teeth. I had noticed the swelling in her mouth the day before, but for the most part we never saw anything. Thursday she went into surgery and they were able to get all of the Mast cell tumor and most of the tumor in her mouth. I don't remember what it was called, but I will find out more in a week. While they had her under, they cleaned her teeth and removed all her skin tags and growths that she had acquired in her old age. She had to stay over night and when Sami and I went to get her in the morning, we were expecting a sick and sad dog. What we got was, well, Zoe. She came leaping out all excited and jumping all over us. That was great to see.

Next Thursday we go back to get the stitches out and find out the staging of the cancer. I think we've done all we are going to do and hope that it grows slow, if at all. I have started some homeopathic diet on her and we are just hoping we can keep her for another year or so. I had no idea I even had to worry about this with her breed. Apparently it is common for Bostons, Pugs and especially Boxers. This is a good reason to get a mix breed from the animal shelter. They are actually less susceptible to the disease and problems of pure breeds. I don't regret one moment having Zoe and we have loved her and had her in our family for close to 10 years.

Zoe gets a smooch from Sami.

Then she bites her. Rude!

On the left side of her chin, from this angle, is a little short and swollen. They had to remove a portion of her jaw. Needless to say, she gets soft food, warmed to the perfect temperature and she still gets it all over.

The bottom lip is sort of sewn into her mouth - or it's just swollen. It's hard to get a good look. It hurts her and she just doesn't like it.

This is wear a large "7th nipple" was removed. It wasn't a nipple at all, but that is what we had named it. Just a skin growth - no cancer.

Picture of her hiney. Cute pink stitches keeping it all together. This is where the mast cell tumor was.

Posing.

She has no idea what is going on and I can see it in her face, she thinks it's all a little creepy. Gotta lot her though!!

Blog on..............