The picture posted below is of my mother and her dogs as they all relax on the couch, a few days after her mastectomy. A mastectomy is a surgical removal of the entire breast, and for several centuries has been used as a great way to treat breast cancer. Currently, woman or even men who are diagnosed with breast cancer (Yes, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer, yet many do not speak of this for some reason, and some do not even know.) are receiving the modified mastectomy, which involves preserving as much of the breast tissue as possible, which was not the case in the 1970′s and 1980′s; When they would remove all of the breast tissue, along with the chest muscles, lymph nodes inside of the armpit, because they believed back then that if they removed as much of the tissue as possible- the cancer would most likely not be able to form again.
My mother had her whole breast removed, and then soon after, had reconstruction surgery. When I brought her home, she was on heavy medication for the pain, so I helped walk her to the car drove her home. Make sure after any surgery that you have a friend or family that will be waiting to drive you home.The doctors said that she could not have any sugar, but my mother, being strong willed and on heavy medication and in pain, emotionally and physically, wanted some “jello”. I will never forget how much we were laughing, especially me, when she kept telling me to bring her jello. She told me that she was a nurse and that it was fine for her to have a little of it, and that it was sugar free, so it would be fine! My father did not want to give her anything she was asking for but some crackers, and I felt awful, and ended up sneaking her that jello . After she had something in her stomach to make her feel better from fasting and a long day at the hospital, she was exhausted as I made a comfy modified bed for her; with a table where she could reach easily for a drink. I checked on her throughout the night, making sure was was okay and didn’t have a fever. The next day, when her mind was a little bit clearer from the medication wearing off, I was talking to her about how she was acting and what she was saying to me, and we laughed so hard I was crying. Bad things sometimes bring out good things.
The dogs had to be put in another room while she slept, because I couldn’t have them jumping onto her and possibly hurting her after she had just had two major surgery’s. The three dogs we have always know how to make my mom and whole family feel better, and they can always somehow tell when she is in need of some love!  She keeps a pillow on her chest, to protect herself,  just in case one of the dogs accidentally jumps up on her! They continue to help her along her road to recovery, giving her the unconditional love and support she needs, as well as some kisses and laughs… She continues to be strong as she recovers, and has been more positive than ever about every new day that comes.

When anyone hears of “Chemo”, it overwhelmes not only the person diagnosed with Breast Cancer, but every loved one and person in their life. Even people around the world who have not experienced the feeling of being diagnosed, or having someone close to them going through this battle…really care and give tremendous support to those who must go through this battle. We must really believe that this is a battle we will all overcome and win in time. When you believe, nothing is impossible.

My mom is currently going through six months or longer, of Chemotherapy, and is having her reconstruction surgery done. The day before my mothers first Chemotherapy Treatment, she was very nervous, because she had been to the Cancer Center before and had said to me,” Jessica…I really don’t want you driving me to my first treatment…me and your dad went for the first time and ended up having to reschedule after speaking with the doctor there….it’s just very emotional jess”. She told me that what you see there is can be depressing. I understood after I refused to say no, and went with her to her appointment. My dad had went with her before to the cancer center, and was very emotional, and that is normal for anyone. When you see a loved one going through something serious and life threatening, you seem to feel hopeless, when you really giving them hope. Being there helps more than words can say. My mother told me she felt bad about everyone worrying so much about her as she was going to her chemotherapy appointments, and I told her that she did not plan on developing Breast Cancer, or putting anyone through an emotional and stressful situation; And that we all cared about her so much and would be by her side no matter what happened. My family is the most important thing to me, and that is one reason why I started this website. My dad and mom today are doing great, and they actually seem to go out on more dates together than before she had cancer. I believe sometimes in life it takes something terrible happening for something beautiful to occur after…

My dad was the one to take my mother to her first treatment at the Cancer Center, as she went under a six hour procedure, just after having an appointment to have her chemotherapy the day before. My dad, sister, and I waited anxiously in the waiting room as my mother was having her surgery. I couldn’t help but to pray in my mind, and to try to stop all of the thoughts from racing around in my head as I waited for the doctor to come speak with us in the waiting room. I have to say, waiting there gave me and my family alot of time to think about everything. It really awoken something inside of us all… to feel the seriousness of this disease…and it also made me realize what was really important in my life. It was no longer that brand new car, or thinking of what movie to watch… or that new outfit or purse we had to have…it was having my mother and my family. I realized how I hadn’t been there like I should have been in the past, and that it took this illness and the whole entire situation, to awaken everyone to what it was that we were really living for.  We all love, and without love, what do you have? I have much to be grateful for, and I thank the doctors for my moms successful first Chemo Treatment and the last. After having a really nice talk with my mother the first day of her chemotherapy appointment, I tried to give her as much support as I could before she and my father left; And I will never forget when she came back from her first day feeling positive and fearless…after all of the support of course .

Her first side effects were mainly being very tired, and as the next day when the medicine was kicking in more, she began to have bowl movements and discomfort of her stomache. She had to go to work the next night, ( She is still a night nurse at an assistant living facility, taking care of hundreds of patients a night until early in the morning ) and had to run to the bathroom quite a few times she had told me ( Sorry to be so blunt, but it is what happens from the medicine ), so a change of cloths is good if you are planning on working or going out after your treatment, just in case. Your Health Care Doctor will give you medicine to help with the side effects of the Chemotherapy or other treatment you are going through, so don’t worry so much. My mother was a bit nauseas for a little while from the Chemotherapy, but she was given medication that helped her through all of her side effects, or most of them at least. Talk to your doctor about the side effects and medications that will be available for you after and during treatment. Ask your doctors when you will start feeling the effects of the medication, and when you should take the medication they will give you. The more information you get, the better, and also tell your Health Care Professional about any and all symptoms you are having and keep in touch with them often, and make sure to get a phone number in case of any emergency.

Chemotherapy also changes how you taste some of the foods you were use to eating before, so don’t be too surprized if you bite into your favorite food and it seems to not be your quite favorite anymore . But don’t get worried or upset, in time you will learn about other foods that you like and can taste better.  Remember that your recovery is more important than a food you like at the time and know that after the time flys by like my mothers did, you will return to eating what foods you love! You will be able to taste normally in time. Another good thing to do is to look into certain foods that fight cancer. I recently gave my mother a book and ever since, she has been changing her diet some. There are foods out there that have natural ingredients in them, that will help your immune system and taste great…while fighting Cancer.

If you focus on the negative of this, then the likely outcome will be negative. It is like waking up late and letting something small ruin your day by thinking negatively, instread of moving on and getting past that missed alarm clock…If you let the bad thoughts consume your mind-nothing good is going to come from it…but if you can just get past that first bad experience and move forward positively, good things are in the near future. I keep my thoughts and prayers high for my mother and family, and for every single person reading this out there, that everything is going to be okay, once you take that first step.

To anyone out there who wants to leave a comment on my blogs, saying that “they are not sure this is true…but thanks for leaving a post” My mother does have Breast Cancer, and my family is going through a very hard time right now, along with millions of others. Everything I write here is from my heart, sincere, and TRUE…along with information i’ve gathered from doctors that have treated my mother and more. Thank you for your time and to those who leave supportive comments, and can understand what I and others are going through, and especially for your respect and kindness. God Bless you all. Be strong. With Hope all things are possible….we just have to wait sometimes…