Irene ‘Not So Bad’? Then Let’s Be Grateful

The next person who remarks that Hurricane-cum-Tropical-Storm Irene was over-hyped or who complains that those in authority went overboard with emergency preparations, you are hereby warned. Stay the heck away from me or I might have to smack you upside the head. Some people just don’t know when to shut up and bless their good […]

Posted in: Health & Healthcare, Life & Mortality, My Work Life by Kathi 14 Comments hurricane, natural disasters

Arm and Shoulder Pain After Breast Cancer

Shoulder Pain, Among Other Things I wasn’t going to write a post this week. I’ve just finished up the latest round of doctor visits, tests and diagnostic images that are required now to make sure that breast cancer has not returned. According to all this recent rigamarole, so far, it hasn’t. So, I get to […]

Posted in: Chemotherapy-IV & Oral, Fatigue, Health & Healthcare, Lymphedema & Cording, Pain & Neuropathy, Radiation, Surgery & Reconstruction by Kathi 57 Comments breast cancer, breast surgery, chemotherapy, lymphedema, pain, physical therapy, radiation, side effects

The Big Squish

Before and after. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, I have my requisite diagnostic mammogram in exactly 1 hour, 18 minutes and 43 seconds. Not that I’m anxious or anything. Oh, no. Just trying to waste some time before I have to run out to the car and go. There’s a certain exit off […]

Posted in: Diagnosis, Recurrence, Screening, Nitty Gritty, Survivorship by Kathi 11 Comments mammograms

Housekeeping

Last night, I got a welcome phone call from a friend, with whom I haven’t talked in months. She comes from around here, but met her German husband while they were both in grad school in the U.S., and now lives with him in Germany. She can speak Indonesian and Malaysian, and gets by in […]

Posted in: Fatigue, Life & Mortality, Survivorship by Kathi 10 Comments fatigue, survivorship