A Tribute To My Furry Face Best Friend. July 27, 2010 – November 18, 2021

Miss Z at 6 weeks old.

On July 27, 2010, a new life came into the world.  It was small, warm, furry, helpless.  Seven weeks later, it was at an adoption shelter.  All that the staff knew was that the furry little girl’s mom was a Siberian Huskie.  (We would later discover that her dad was a Boxer.)  She had a brother and sister and her sister was also up for adoption, but when I played with her, she wasn’t interested.   When I played with the puppy the shelter had named “Kim”,  I asked her to give me a sign if she wanted to come home with me.  She jumped on me and kissed me one time on the face.  That was my sign.   I took her home.  On November 18, 2021, as she heard comforting and apologetic words, she again gave a kiss and went to her home on the Rainbow Bridge. 

 

Miss Z at 7 weeks old. Her first bath. I could hold her in one hand.

Zenamarie (also known as “Miss Z), was a playful, joyful dog.   Her mix combo, called Boxsky was more than a handful.  She was inquisitive, and as you can see in the above photo, she looked as if she had all wisdom. 

Miss Z learned very quickly.  She was totally housebroken in 3 weeks.  Most times, she was very obedient – always obedient when it came to sit, lay, high-five, shake paw.  She wasn’t so obedient when it came to not barking.  

 

 

Some mornings, I opened my eyes to see this stare-down.

As the years went by, her black and brown muzzle turned white.  It’s strange seeing your furry face age.  She hadn’t slowed down her playfulness until she was 5-years old, only reducing it to about 10 minute increments.  The life span for her breed mix is 10 years.  I was blessed with having her in my life for an additional year.

Miss Z loved her backyard.  She played ball in her yard.  She chased squirrels in her yard.  She chased rabbits in her yard.  She pounced on a ground hog in her yard — and she was skunked in her yard. Once, she stopped a burglar of my neighbor’s house who, hearing her bark in his direction, left the television he was stealing on the ground and hauled ass.

Last year she developed fatty masses.  They seem to all appear overnight.  A trip to the Vet, and they were tested, coming back fatty masses — nothing to worry about.  I did begin giving her a teaspoon of olive oil daily and they began to shrink.

Culver’s Staff Not Properly Wearing Masks. Rockford, IL

On August 30, 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order that states in pertinent part;

THEREFORE, by the powers vested in me as the Governor of the State of Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305, Sections 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 7(8), 7(12), and Section 19 thereof, and consistent with the powers in public health laws, I hereby order the following effective immediately:

Section 1: Face covering requirements for individuals.  Beginning on Monday, August 30, 2021, all individuals in Illinois who are age two or over and able to medically tolerate a face covering (a mask or cloth face covering) shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when in an indoor public place.  Illinoisans should also consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities that involve close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

Face coverings may be removed temporarily while actively eating or drinking (including in bars or restaurants), and may be removed by workers at workplaces when they can consistently maintain six feet of distance (such as when workers are in their office or cubicle space).  

You can read the full Executive Order at this link.  

On Monday, November, 1, 2021, my son took me on errands.  It was around 5:10 p.m. when we finished up.  I told him that I was hungry but too tired to cook and wanted something other than a burger and fries.  We decided to go to Culver’s and the closest one is at 1224 Benington Road.   I like their cod dinners and they have broccoli as a side.  Because I’m allergic to soy bean oil, (in addition to other things), I’m very limited to what I can eat when ordering out.

The drive-thru was very long and it didn’t look as if the cars were moving, so we parked in the lot and went in.  The man greeting us from behind the counter had on a mask that was below his mouth.  (Let’s call him Head Person In Charge (HPIC)) If not but for the fact that it was rush-hour (so other places would also be crowded), and the allergies, and I was hungry and tired, I would have turned around and walked out.   I stood back from the counter as far as I could.

Misinformation, Unemployment, Vaccinations

Like many things, most people do not educate themselves on things until they have a need to know.  In September 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  After biopsy, I was told that the cancer cells were Her 2 positive, which qualified me to receive immunology drugs Herceptin and Perjecta. I was given a book to read about breast cancer.  It contains a section on the treatment of Her 2 positive with mRNA drugs, also called immunology drugs.  There was no desire within me to know anything about how the drugs were developed or how long they had been used.  All I knew is that treatment was not optional for me.  I wanted and still want to live. 

That was my first knowledge of mRNA science.  mRNA is not an invention.  It’s a discovery.  Messenger RNA (mRNA) was discovered centuries ago.  The motivation to use it to treat or cure disease began in the 1990’s.  The link here is an extensive story of how mRNA was studied to treat disease. 

This year I began speaking with friends about Covid-19 vaccinations and why I did not have to be convinced to get vaccinated – because I already experienced receiving drugs developed using mRNA science.  My only concern was the coverage length for the vaccination. 

 One friend later shared with me how she was talking to others about our conversation.  One person responded that she thought the science was new.  Now that she understood that mRNA science was used to develop cancer treating drugs since the 90’s, she was encouraged to get vaccinated.

Cancer Treatment Update

It’s been months since I posted what is happening with me health wise.   With the recent stay-at-home orders because of Covid-19, I am constantly reminded of chemo class. It was an informative and instructional class for patients before starting chemo treatment.  Among the instructions were:

1. For at least 5 days after treatment, do not be around anyone who recently received a flu vaccination.
2. Do not be around recently inoculated children for at least 7 days.
3. Avoid crowds and anyone who is sneezing and/or coughing.
4. Use hand sanitizer after touching anything in public, and before eating when away from home.
5. Spray your house with disinfectant after you’ve had company, and use disinfectant wipes on door knobs.

There were also suggestions such as getting enough groceries before treatment to last at least 2 weeks.  Another suggestion was that if we had to go out for anything and felt weak, to wear a mask.

Recurrence of Breast Cancer. Cancer Stem Cells.

Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with recurrence of breast cancer after 20 years. Actress and singer Dianne Carroll recently died after battling breast cancer.  She was first diagnosed in 1998.

In my latest visit with my oncologist I brought this up asking how breast cancer returned after so many years.  He explained to me the difference between estrogen receptor and Her2 positive breast cancer.  Although I had an aggressive type of cancer cells (Her2 positive), the prognosis is better at having no recurrence after 5 years.  Something he said also made me very sad.  He said that estrogen receptor breast cancer never goes away.   What causes breast cancer to return?

In July 2018, the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, published a study titled “Breast Cancer Stem Cells”.   The study was funded by a National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute grant.

Researchers, as well as many cancer patients, have wondered why there is recurrence of cancer.   As long as there is possibility of the cancer returning, patients live on egg shells.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Awareness For Men

One in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  According to Breast Cancer.org, in 2019, about 2,670 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

This post is to encourage men to not neglect lumps or nipple changes of their breasts.

Men carry a higher mortality rate than women because they are generally unaware that they can have breast cancer and are more likely to delay diagnosis and thus, treatment.

Risk factors for men include exposure to radiation, high levels of estrogen, and a family history of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

The Illinois Community Care Program In Rockford Is A Joke

In Illinois, there are two programs for disabled persons to provide them with help at home.  One is DORS, and it’s for those under age 60.  DORS is administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services and provides services to individuals with disabilities so they can remain in their own homes and live as independently as possible.    DORS, personal assistants are selected, employed, and supervised by individual customers.  That means the personal assistant (PA) gets to meet the client and see the premises before they agree to take the job and/or before the client agrees to hire them.

For those age 60 and over, there is the Community Care Program which is administered through the Illinois Department on Aging.   Under the Community Care Program, home healthcare agencies (HHA) apply with the state government for approval.  The agencies then hire “home makers” which for all intents and purposes perform the same work as personal assistants under the DORS program.

HHA’s train by having applicants watch 16 hours of videos.  The agency I am assigned to includes in their recruitment material, “No previous experience required”.  That speaks volumes, clearly indicating that clients, many of whom are in pain or feel lousy and need assistance, are expected to provide on-the-job training.

Before age 60, they seem to think that disabled persons are capable of interviewing and orientating persons who are going to be in their homes.  The attitude I have experienced from HHA agencies and various personnel with the Illinois Department on Aging, is that once people live to see their 60th birthday, they are stereotyped as elderly patients whose minds have stopped functioning and who can be disregarded as long as they are patronized.

From March 19^th through May 30^th,  I’ve had 3 or more hours each day, Monday through Friday, consumed by homemakers and/or the agency that assigned them.  It turned out to be the most stressful and inconvenient thing I’ve ever experienced.   Geez!  Homemakers were expected to make my life easier.  I should be enjoying evenings and weekends instead of being exhausted and at times, traumatized.

My experience with the Community Care Program lasted less than 3 months but seemed like a year and thus, the reason this post is longer than most posts that I write.

Catching Up But Still Behind

Friends, followers, and visitors!

It’s been a week since I published a post.  My, time does fly.  It’s not that I can’t think of anything to write.  In fact, there are about 10 different posts I want to write.  Several are results of trials.  There is an award I need to accept, (thanks, Ilene), and I can’t leave politics out of what is on my mind.

Yesterday, I managed to catch-up on 5 days of blogs that I follow, but there are over 400 Word Press notifications of blog posts in my in-box.  I might not be able to catch-up on those, but try to start fresh this week.  Please forgive me if you’ve not seen me on your blog recently.

Cancer Free – My Testimony

This is bittersweet.  It’s bittersweet because I know others who are at stages or points in the journey and I want so badly for them to be healed.  By sharing this, I hope cancer patients reading it are filled with hope.

There are no words to express the appreciation for the support I receive.  This has been some journey, and along the way have been friends who are consistent in contacting me.   Some have busy lives, but they always find time to check-in with me.  They have helped to keep me positive.

In addition to the above, much appreciation goes out to friends and relatives who took time to understand the type of cancer and treatment.  Not all breast cancer is the same; it depends on the receptors on the cells.  Everything we read about cancer on the internet and in advertisements does not apply to all types of cancers.

Cancer treatment is not a one size fits all.

On March 1, 2019, I had surgery due to breast cancer.  Within weeks, I received the news of the pathology reports, but didn’t want to post about it until I got a printed copy.  On April 29, 2019, I saw my oncologist and received a copy.  I am now cancer free but not really because there is no cure for cancer known to man.  My former oncologist repeatedly told me that there is no cure.   Why then, should patients put themselves through treatments that at times makes them think they are better off dead?

The more my former oncologist told me there is no cure, the more I researched in effort to learn what I can do for self-help.  I asked God to rebuke that oncologist’s pessimism.   It’s not that what he said isn’t true, but he added no hope in the equation.

In December after spending 4 days in the hospital because of the negligence of my oncologist to treat me for a urinary tract infection, I changed oncologist.  My new oncologist discovered that the former one staged me incorrectly.   My former oncologist should have ordered a cancer marker test before assuming the cancer in my right breast traveled to my left side through my lymph system.  I learned in December that he made that conclusion without ordering a cancer marker test.  (The cancer marker test in January 2019 returned a low score, indicating no cancer cells in my blood stream.) The new oncologist took time to go over the first PET Scan taken in September 2018, and the second PET Scan taken in November 2018.  He sent me through a battery of tests, all with very encouraging results.

Surveys Limit Proper Questions To Get The Answers They Want

From time to time, I receive surveys after making a customer service call.  The journey into kicking breast cancer opened up another area where I receive numerous surveys from hospitals and other service providers.

I’ve now decided to toss all surveys when I receive them.  The following is why.

First, I have to thank someone who once called me almost daily with questions.  Her questions never ended without first giving me numerous, multiple choice answers.   At times, I lost count of the number of choices and by the time she placed a period or question mark, I no longer remembered her question.  Her questions were not based on my reality, experience, nor knowledge.

That experience woke me up to the surveys I receive from businesses and organizations.  Most will include a three line block at the end to write comments, but they do not provide where the comment(s) apply to one or more of their questions.  That gives me the impression that whatever is chosen as an answer to the questions is what goes on record, without comment.

It surprised me when I received a survey from the hospital several days after my discharge.  I had been admitted for four days.  I was admitted after taken to the ER by ambulance. For 2 days I called the Cancer Center twice to report having a urinary tract infection.  My then oncologist did not prescribe an anti-biotic and going into the fourth day of having declining white blood cells and excruciating pain, I ended up having a seizure.   Add dehydration, (because he told me to take Benadryl) low blood pressure and allergic reaction to a chemo drug that I practically begged him not to give me, and you can understand how my attitude turned to being distrustful.

Did the survey include a question as to whether I believe my hospitalization was avoidable due to the decisions of my physician?  Nope.

Black, Hispanic Chicago Women Less Likely To Be Referred To Top-Tier Centers For Mammograms

Where women get their mammograms matter.

An article published in the Chicago Tribune says;

“In Chicago, black women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer when the disease is at a late stage, making it more difficult to treat. Black and Hispanic Chicago women are less likely than white women to get diagnosed with breast cancer early, when the illness is more treatable, in part because racial minorities are less likely to be diagnosed at high-performing centers of excellence in breast cancer care, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

This is not an old article.  It was published on January 3, 2019.   I do not live in Chicago but experienced how difficult it is to get a mammogram and even more difficult to get aspirations and biopsy.

Until last year whenever I called for an appointment, I was given an appointment with no questions asked.  My primary physician’s office is located in a medical center.  In the same center is a Prompt Care facility, a Women’s Center, labs, and diagnostic equipment.   However, when I phoned last year to schedule a mammogram I was asked if I had previous issues.  When I answered “yes”, I was told that I needed a diagnostic mammogram that was only given with a doctor’s order, and only at the Women’s Center located in the hospital.  No problem.

I called my primary physician’s office.  There, I was helped by someone other than my physician or his nurse and was instructed that if I was having issues to go to Prompt Care because my physician did not have an available opening until three days later.

I went to Prompt Care and the physician examined me and wrote up the order for a diagnostic mammogram.  Then I waited to be contacted by the Women’s Center for an appointment.  That didn’t happen.

Home From The Hospital – Going Flat After Surgery

Hello wonderful friends, followers and visitors.  First, I want to say thank you to all followers.  I’ve not been blogging much lately so having new followers is truly appreciated.  Because of my health issue, I’ve not been able to keep up with all the blogs that follow me, nor able to follow new followers.  Currently, there are more than 900 Word Press notifications in my in-box.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to catch-up, but after recuperation, I’ll do my best to stay current.

Today I was discharged from the hospital after having a double mastectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed.  I figured I would get this post done while the pain killers are doing their job. Sleeping is a problem because I’ve never been one to sleep on my back so whatever online time I’ll have is subject to how good I sleep.

Thanks to all of those who stayed in touch with me, gave me well wishes, prayers, and positive thoughts.  They worked and are working. 

Olivia Newton-John’s Journey With Breast Cancer After More Than 20 Years

Olivia Newton John

When I read that Olivia-Newton-John once again continues her journey with breast cancer, my heart sank.  Olivia, now 70 years old, first entered the journey in 1992.    She underwent a mastectomy and 9 months of chemotherapy.  She was declared cancer free.  Twenty-one years later, there was a recurrence.  Olivia was in a traffic accident and a lump on her right shoulder turned out to be metastasized breast cancer cells.  She underwent conventional and natural medicine, which she says helped to boost her immune system. It’s now been over 25 years since her first diagnosis and in September 2017, a tumor was found on her spine.

Olivia and Suzanne Somers (diagnosed in 2001) both used a combination of traditional and non-traditional treatment on their journey kicking breast cancer’s butt.

Since Olivia has used non-traditional, natural methods on her journey, I thought I would share a segment of my own journey thus far.

One of the things that is not widely known is that when some women are declared “cancer free” medical professionals do not advise them how to stay cancer free through diet, herbs, and vitamins.  The thing with cancer is that even if the doctors believe that the cancer cells have not metastasized, there’s no guarantee that they haven’t.  All it takes is one of those mutated cells to get into the blood stream, end up in an organ or a bone, and when the environment is right, start dividing and creating a tumor.  I read a story by a woman on her journey who was told she was Stage 1 and with the tumor removed, she was cancer free.  About 5 years later, her hip started hurting and there was a tumor consisting of the same breast cancer cells.

Olivia Newton-John is proof that even with metastatic breast cancer, patients can use natural methods to keep it in remission for 20 years or longer.   However, it takes lots of research to find out just what works for each individual because not every breast cancer patient has the same cancer cells. 

Getting Through Another Chemo Treatment

Yesterday, my new oncologist prescribed dexamethosone.  It’s a long, nightmarish story for why that is necessary.  In summary, it is due to another oncologist administering a chemo drug to me that was unnecessary just because he had the authority to do so.  It started in October with this being a reaction to the same drug;

That’s necrosis, folks.  After it healed in late November, the oncologist appeared to not like that another oncologist jumped in leading to that healing, so on December 6, 2018, he had to try to undo it.  This time around, things did not end up with outright necrosis, but some of the skin texture did change, with purple swelling and burning pain.  The administration of that same drug did result in me being admitted to the hospital for 4 days because of life-threatening issues it caused.  That oncologist resigned his practice on January 17^th.

One Of The Stupidest Cancer Drug Commercials Ever

There appears to be lots of commercials for medications to treat cancer and currently, there is one for a drug called Verzenio.   The commercial says that Verzenio is for POST MENOPAUSAL women with metastatic breast cancer with certain receptors.  At about 40 seconds into the commercial, it begins with warnings about what the drug might cause.

Then it enters into stupidity.  The commercial actually says to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or plan to become pregnant.  WHAT?!?  Does whomever wrote the commercial know what post menopausal means?  I actually did a rewind 5 times to make sure I heard the commercial first say that the drug is for post menopausal women.

 

How My Insurance Company Is Deciding My Breast Cancer Treatment

Last week I had my first cycle of chemo for Stage IV breast cancer.  The results of the PET Scan were not as bad as expected.  I do have Stage IV breast cancer, but that’s because it has moved to the lymph nodes underneath both arms.  No cancer cells were found in my organs nor bones.

That doesn’t mean it won’t spread because my insurance company is denying my oncologist the drug that stops division of the cancer cells.

Also this week, as friends and families educate themselves to help me get through this, I’ve found that I have to keep reminding them that there are different types of breast cancer cells. As my friends and family talk to cancer survivors and read things online about breast cancer, survival rates, etc. it’s important for them to remember that breast cancer has different cells.  The type of cells are important for diagnosis and treatment.

The parasites that are trying to give life to themselves by eating my body from the inside out are HER2-positive cancer cells.  They are aggressive.  Four days after the biopsy, the tumor had grown 2 inches.   By the time the PET Scan was taken and the results in, the MUGA Scan was taken, and the first chemo scheduled, that parasitical, invasive tumor was even larger.

If you’ve been reading this blog for years, then you probably know that I’m one who trusts in vitamins, herbs and other supplements.  I do not reject traditional medicine.  I also follow Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo’s Blood Type Diet as close as possible.    It all seemed to pay off for me because in order to start chemo, I needed a MUGA Scan score of at least 50.  My MUGA Scan score was 72.  My blood pressure and blood work were all fine.

I had been taking supplements all along, but after my diagnosis, I looked for specific supplements.  I want my body to heal in between treatment cycles.  But first, I needed to know more about my enemy.  I tried reading reputable websites, and found Healthline.com.

“When you have a breast biopsy, the tissue is tested for hormone receptors (HR). It’s also tested for something called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Each can be involved in the development of breast cancer.”

“HER2 is a gene that creates HER2 proteins, or receptors. These receptors help control growth and repair of breast cells. An overexpression of HER2 protein causes out-of-control reproduction of breast cells.

HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than HER2-negative breast cancers. Along with tumor grade and cancer stage, HR and HER2 status helps determine your treatment options.”

My insurance company tossed a wrench into the battlefield.

Without naming my medical providers, staff, or other identifying features, I will name my insurance company.  It is Humana.  This week, my first chemo cycle was delayed for about an hour as my oncologist informed me that he had been on the phone with a doctor with Humana who first denied one of the drugs to be used in my chemo.

The drug, Taxotere and cyclophosphamide (TC) destroys quickly dividing cells. It can be given either to shrink the size of the tumor before surgery to remove it, or after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may be still present in the body.  The goal of TC is to cure.   But there are only two sites where I was able to find that it’s the drug’s goal.  One site is guess what?  That of trial attorneys.  More on that later.

Is Soy In Our Food Making Us Sick?

Earlier this year, an itchy rash appeared on my left arm, then my right arm.  The appearance of the skin indicated to me that it was an allergy.  I had not eaten anything unusual, so was very puzzled what could be causing the reaction.

Then, my doctor placed me on an anti-biotic.  The rash went away.  Also this year, I’ve had recurring sinus infections more than usual.  The rash on my arms reappeared about two weeks ago.  It was worse than the first time.

Last week Friday while getting ready to take my second dose of Vitamin D3, I happened to read the ingredients.  Mostly, I order vitamins and supplements from a company that advertises no preservatives, artificial coloring, etc.  In fact, I’ve ordered from that same company for years and trusted their products.  Such it was with Vitamin D3 which I began taking this year.

For those unfamiliar, Vitamin D3 contains vitamin D, calcium which is necessary for the body to process vitamin D, and magnesium.

On the label of the Vitamin D3 was “calcium source; oyster shells”.  I am allergic to shellfish!  So all year, I’ve been consuming something in the Vitamin D3 that I am allergic to and didn’t know it.  It’s been 6 days since I took that brand of Vitamin D3.  The rash is clearing.  My breathing is no longer shallow.  Then I noticed another ingredient in my vitamins.  Soy.

That caused me to start researching soy, and I was shocked by what I found.  I stopped taking those vitamins that contain soy and since doing so, my sinuses have immensely improved.  I began to check the ingredients on other things in my cabinets and refrigerator.  A short list of what I discovered contains soy, or soybeans, or soybean oil includes:

Canned tuna in water; Green Giant brand frozen broccoli, including with cheese, and with carrots; Three different brands of salad dressing; Miracle Whip; Worchester Sauce; bread, including hamburger and hot dog buns.

It’s all in the garbage now.

Since part of my reason to learn about soy is to decide on what is best for me as a cancer patient, I began by researching soy and breast cancer.  Is soy safe or not?  That depends on what you read.   The Mayo Clinic says:

“Studies show that eating a moderate amount of soy foods does not increase risk of breast cancer — or other types of cancer. A moderate amount is considered one to two servings a day of whole-soy foods, such as tofu, soy milk and edamame. Soy contains protein, isoflavones and fiber, all thought to provide health benefits.”

“So where did the idea come from that soy increases breast cancer risk? Isoflavones, which are found in soy, are plant estrogens. High levels of estrogen have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, food sources of soy don’t contain high enough levels of isoflavones to increase the risk of breast cancer.”