Tag: cancer support
Boobs, Bumps, and Being Your Own Super Hero: The Importance of Self-Checks

Boobs, Bumps, and Being Your Own Super Hero: The Importance of Self-Checks

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As the month of LOVE is coming to an end, I always wonder if all the ladies have given some love to themselves before anyone else?  I know you are wondering where I am going with this…

Let’s talk about your breasts of course!

Whether you call them boobs, tatas, the twins, or whatever creative name you have for them (please send me what you call them!) these body parts deserve some attention beyond bra shopping and awkward mammogram conversations. And no, I’m not saying you need to obsess over them in the mirror every day (unless that’s your thing, seriously, no judgment).

But a monthly breast self-check? That’s a game-changer that wasn’t on my radar or even knew how to do until it was essentially too late!  My self-check that saved my life was towelling off in the shower.  How crazy is that?!

As a breast cancer survivor, I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to know your body. Self-checks are a powerful, proactive way to detect any unusual changes early. Early detection saves lives, and trust me, you want to catch anything suspicious before it throws an unwelcome party in your body.  Like when my boob presented a lump that felt like broken glass!

Why Bother with Self-Checks? Can’t my Doctor do it?

Because you know your body better than anyone. That’s right! Even better than your doctor, your partner, and definitely better than Google (which, let’s be honest, will try to convince you that a mosquito bite is a rare disease). Self-checks help you get familiar with how your breasts normal look and feel, so if something changes, you’ll be the first to know.

How to Perform a Breast Self-Check Like a Pro

Here is what I learned:

Step 1: Set a Reminder
Pick a date each month (around the same time in your menstrual cycle if you still got it). No period? No problem, just choose a day that’s easy to remember. Maybe sync it with when you pay bills or, the day before a date night, or better yet, when you schedule a self-care night.  Which is the BEST night, and we should all be having them! (More about that later!)

Step 2: Check Yourself Out in the Mirror
Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and look for any visible changes in shape, size, or symmetry. Raise your arms and see if anything looks off. Dimpling, puckering, or any unexpected redness? Take note. Snap a pic if you like to put in your “Boob” album on your phone.  If someone steals your phone, they will be in for a big surprise…not quite what they thought they would find!

Step 3: Get Handsy in the Shower
With your fingers flat and together, move in small circles from the outside of your breast to the center. Cover the entire breast and don’t forget the armpit area (yep, breast tissue extends there too). Check for any lumps, thickening, or tenderness.

Step 4: Lie Down and Repeat
Gravity helps spread the breast tissue evenly, making it easier to feel any changes. Use the same circular motions with light, medium, and firm pressure. Don’t rush, this is your health, not a speed round. Take time to connect and listen to your body!

Step 5: Keep a Record
If you notice anything unusual like a lump, discharge, or persistent pain, don’t panic. I know that is easier said than done and you may be tempted to put your findings into Google, but I assure you, Google will inform you that you are immediately dying, and it becomes very stressful very quickly! The truth is, most lumps are benign, and it’s always best to check with your doctor. Keeping notes and pictures can help you track any changes over time.

When to Call the Doctor

If something feels different and doesn’t go away after a few weeks, make an appointment. Trust your instincts. Your doctor won’t think you’re overreacting, and if they do, find a new one. You do not need to have anyone, including your doctor, belittling you for being concerned and proactive. Advocating for yourself is just as important as the self-check itself.  There are great doctors out there.  If you do not have one, keep looking. YOU are worth it!

Love Yourself Enough to Check

Self-checks aren’t meant to replace mammograms or professional exams, but they’re a fantastic way to stay in tune with your body. Make it a routine, pair it with something fun afterwards. Maybe a celebratory glass of wine or a popcorn and a movie night or a soak in the tub with extra bubbles. And do not forget to remind your friends to do it too. Because when it comes to health, knowledge and action is power.  We ladies need to be supporting and raising each other up!  Also, get the men in your life to check theirs too! This isn’t just a woman’s issue; men get breast cancer too!

So go on, be your own hero. Give those boobs a check!

You might just save your own life, like I did.

 
Life Post Treatment

Life Post Treatment

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I have never really been one to want to take a bunch of drugs.  If I have a choice, I will always choose a holistic approach. A vitamin or supplement approach first before turning to the world of prescription medication.

That being said, I do believe there is a time, place, and benefit to prescription drugs and using it them as a last resort has always been my preference.

Until breast cancer.

It is incredible how two words…one that used to remind me of something sexy (breast) and the other a horoscope (cancer). But when combined become deadly and lethal in an instant and have me reevaluating my whole take on life and prescription medications.

I still use supplements first, however I am now in a position where if I want to live, prescription medications will need to be taken for the next ten years…and to be fair, it is still all a gamble as to whether it will work for me or not…but I am not willing to take the chance to go the road without it.

So, you are probably wondering what am I rambling on about here?

Tamoxifen.  This old drug is very effective in treating hormone receptive breast cancers.  This drug works by blocking estrogen in your body.  Basically, I was told that the estrogen in my body is what keeps producing cancer cells, so we need to block them.  Like a bodyguard or the bouncer at a bar so to speak.

Being that my cancer really loves estrogen, the answer is Tamoxifen to help me.  Here is the kicker…you know what else loves estrogen besides some cancers?

OUR BRAIN! Oh yes, the brain loves estrogen and without it, I have begun to feel like I am walking around in one big brain fart.  I go to sleep at night and honestly wake up unclear what I did the night before or when I went to bed.  Kind of like Groundhog Day! This used to be fun when I was in my twenties and had gone out the night before partying.  This is not fun in my late forties after having gone to bed at 9pm after a cup of tea and have no reason not to remember what I did the night or day before!

Even some days trying to remember what I wrote about last and then blogging what I think is an awesome topic, only to discover I wrote nearly the same blog a week before. Frustrating and time consuming to say the least!  The lack of estrogen to the brain can feel very debilitating at times.

So, how does one live with this?

Well…there are A LOT of checklists and calendar entries.  I do my best to write most things down and calendar them.  I take all my vitamins and supplements to help with the rest of my body feeling great and I do my best to not make myself wrong when I do honestly forget things and people must remind me or correct me.

My husband is a saint to put up with my brain in the shape that it is.  He asks me to do something a certain way and I say “sure!” and then, almost immediately do it the opposite way to what he said.  It has taken him some time too to realize that I am not doing this to upset him.  I just honestly don’t remember him saying something or I know he said something, I just cannot remember what it was.

This all can be very frustrating to say the least.  That being said, the silver lining is I don’t always remember all the bad stuff in life and if my socks go missing long enough, I just buy new ones!  Oh and this whole memory loss thing did get me to write a book too so I would remember…You are welcome! See! Silver linings everywhere!

Win Win!

 
Living the Sleeve Life: Let’s talk about Lymphedema and Compression Devices

Living the Sleeve Life: Let’s talk about Lymphedema and Compression Devices

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The not-so-glamorous sidekick that can occur as a part of a cancer diagnosis that nobody asked for, and to be honest, I didn’t even understand until I was told my breast cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. What I have learned is that up to 30% of all breast cancer patients will develop lymphedema.

Whether it’s an arm that feels you feel you’re Popeye and your muscles or trying to push through your arm or a leg with dreams of becoming a tree trunk, lymphedema can certainly keep life interesting. But before you get too bummed about it, let’s talk about the true hero of the lymphedema world: the compression sleeve.

Yep, I’m talking about those snug, stretchy sleeves that hold it all together. They’re not just accessories—they’re lifesavers.

What Even Is Lymphedema, Anyway?

Let’s back up for a moment and learn about lymphedema first.  Lymphedema is a condition where lymph fluid no longer circulates properly and throws a house party in your limbs. This happened to me in my right arm because of the cancer spreading to my nodes and having those nodes removed during surgery.

The result? Swelling, discomfort, and a crash course in patience quite frankly! It often shows up after surgery, radiation, or injury. That being said, it’s one you can learn to live with.

To live with lymphedema in my arm, I had to learn about compression sleeves: a tight, form-fitting garment designed to help move that fluid along. Think of it as a traffic cop for your lymphatic system, keeping things flowing in the right direction.  “Move along, nothing to see here!”

The Truth About Compression Sleeves

Let’s me explain—putting on a compression sleeve can feel like wrestling to put on a sports bra…. only on one arm. Some days, it’s a breeze. Other days, it’s a full-body workout. And once it’s on, there’s no mistaking the sensation: it’s like your arm is getting the world’s most awkward hug.

But that hug is your secret weapon. It reduces swelling, prevents pain, and keeps lymphedema from getting worse. Plus, I found a few companies that makes these sleeves with fun tattoo-like patterns, so I started coordinating my sleeve with my outfits. This is also a fun way to mess with family and friends who think I got a new tattoo but then the next time they see me it is different.  It sometimes takes them a long time to realize it is a sleeve.  And that is when I know I have won the ”Cool sleeve” Award.  That should really be a thing…just saying…

Tips for Rocking the Sleeve Life

  1. Get the Right Fit
    Compression sleeves are like jeans—if they don’t fit right, you’ll hate them. A trained fitter or therapist can measure your limb to make sure you get the right size for you.
  2. Ease Into It
    If you’re new to wearing a sleeve, start slow. Wear it for a few hours and work your way up. Your arm (or leg) needs time to adjust.
  3. Keep It Clean
    Hand-wash it regularly and let it air dry. They can start to smell if you don’t take care of them!
  4. Make It Fun
    Compression sleeves have come a long way from boring beige. At Juzo.com or Lymphedivas you can choose a floral print, or rock some stripes, or go full superhero with bright colors. If you have to wear one, you might as well have some fun with it!
  5. Remember It’s a Team Effort
    Compression sleeves work best when paired with other treatments like manual lymphatic drainage brushes or massage, exercise, lymphatic creams, and good skin care. Think of it as a holistic approach to keeping your lymph system happy and healthy (as it can be).

The truth is, the care for lymphedema doesn’t stop at compression sleeves but it is a good start! It also is not about just managing swelling—it’s about taking control of your health and finding ways to live fully, despite the challenges.

So, slip on that sleeve, own your unique style, and remember: you’re stronger than lymphedema ever bargained for! Ooh! and sometimes you may need a compression glove to move it out of your fingers like me!  They can compress EVERYTHING nowadays!

We got this!

 

Dancing Through Diagnosis Tammy Gunn Breast Cancer Survivor Memoir
Truth Bomb for Family & Friends

Truth Bomb for Family & Friends

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People reach out to me often about either themselves with cancer or family members or friends. I appreciate your trust in me to speak from the heart on this subject.

I am reminded often that when one person is affected by this disease, a whole community is hit. Cancer is like a tornado that whips its way through a community causing destruction everywhere.
When it comes to an end of treatment either by the individual surviving and thriving or passing, there is a lot of debris and emotions that have happened and now the community is out there looking together to see what damage has been done and will either rise above it all or may feel deep pain. Either way are very normal reactions to this disease and its impact.

Why I wrote my book was in part because of this. The impact that I saw for myself and my family was huge. I know I have a great support system around me but I am sure there were times, not said directly to me, but I knew people were thinking it… Will she live?
Some families I have spoken to have started creating memory boxes of their loved one. I get it. You want to ensure that their memory lives on.

Please be mindful though that this can occur to the patient like you have given up. It is not supportive to have someone treating you like you are dying or nearly dead when you are still alive and fighting!  It shouldn’t even have to be said but many don’t understand that unless they go through it themselves. Having cancer is not easy to go through and mindset and who you surround yourself with can be everything.

Think about it from the patient’s point of view

How would you like it if people started treating you like you will be dead tomorrow?

As the patient, you are already dealing with your mortality. You do not need others fears to fuel what you are going through and causing you to become more afraid. What you need is strength. Making what seems impossible now possible.

If you cannot be that for your family or friend who is going through it, you need to get your own support. Please do not put your fears and emotions on the patient. They need to stay positive and believe they can overcome.  There is lots of support out there for everyone and talking it through with someone other than the patient can be very helpful. It is always a scary and an emotional time for everyone. What is needed is love, belief to overcome and compassion.
Please know that your reactions and actions can get on the patient. Be kind, loving & supportive.

Seek out the support you need as well.  It is okay to not be okay and there are incredible resources out there to help you too!

If you are unsure where to look for these resources, please send me a message and I will be happy to support you to find them.

We are all in this together!

(Below photo taken during my chemotherapy treatment)

 

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Dancing Through Diagnosis Tammy Gunn Breast Cancer Survivor Memoir