Think PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Join Enchanted Essence by wearing  PINK for October!

♥

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger!

This fabulous and inspirational video was shared with me on FB  by a dear friend of mine, and I just had to share it with you all!!

-What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!

For Cancer Survivors and those who are still Fighting!!

World Cancer Day - Feb/4th/2013

World Cancer Day is marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008. The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce death and illness caused by cancer by 2020

For more information on how you can help, visit http://www.worldcancerday.org/

Fight Like A Girl

Today I had my annual cancer screening and was confirmed that I am 4 years in remission for the DFSP.  And 1 year in remission for the Colon Cancer.

YAY!!!

Each year that passes, I am so thankful and feel so blessed.  I cannot tell you how scary it is before each appointment.  And what an absolute relief it is when I walk out of that office with good news. 

I just want to give thanks to God for the blessing that today has brought me, in keeping me cancer-free for another year! 

I also want to take a moment to pray for those who are still fighting cancer today.  

Never give up!! 

Never give in!!  

Fight like a Girl!! (Or Boy!!)

Love & Light,

-Laura

New Year - New Testing

December marked the 1 year anniversary of my remission from colon cancer and potentially the 4th anniversary of my soft tissue cancer.  I say potentially because I have not had my annual check-up yet.  I am actually going this Tuesday and like each year, I am very nervous!  I believe that I am okay - but you really are never at ease until you hear it from the doctor's mouth.

Making the stress that much more intense ... I have heard from Mt. Sinai hospital after the referral from Princess Margaret and will be going in February to continue the genetic testing. As the BRCA2 and P53 were negative, the genetic doctors now want to find out why I have had colon cancer so young, in addition to the DFSP.  I will be signing release forms for samples of the malignant tissues from the polyps and the tumor to be sent to Mt. Sinai for further pathology testing.

I know that I have to believe that everything will be okay.  And I do believe it.  But it is still scary.  I wish I could talk to my dad. Cancer having taken him away only 5 short months ago makes it that much harder to face everything I have had to since his passing.

I dream of a day when I no longer need to spend every day worrying about cancer in my life.

I am so sick of the doctors.  So sick of the tests.  The biopsies. The poking and prodding. The hospitals. The waiting.

But I am thankful that my two cancers are in remission and that thus far the genetic testing has been negative, and so I take a slow and deep breath inward and pray for continued blessings.

Sharon Osbourne

The incomparable Sharon Osbourne announced that this past summer she had a double mastectomy after testing positive for the Breast Cancer Gene.

Today on The Talk, Sharon spoke about an interview she did with HELLO Magazine, and explained that she had sought medical attention when one of her implants had ruptured and leaked into the stomach.

 Following genetic testing for both her and Ozzy, It was discovered that in addition to the colon caner gene (which I am being tested for), Sharon tested positive for what is most probably the BRCA1 or BRCA2 Breast Cancer gene.  The exact gene was not specified, but having just gone through this very same testing myself - for the BRCA2,  I am very familiar with the mutations.

Sharon said this is not a "Woe Is Me" story, it is in fact a conscious decision that she made after having battled Colon cancer in the past and not wanting to put herself - her body - her family through a battle with Breast Cancer.  She instead opted for a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Sending a clear message to women everywhere and displaying yet another example of the never-ending strength that is Sharon Osbourne!!

Movember

MOVEMBER is  upon us.  The month were men everywhere register their clean shaven faces for November 1st and then grow their mustaches for the entire month of November to promote Awareness for Prostate Cancer.

As most of you now know, my father passed away of Prostate Cancer  nearly three months ago.

To my male friends ... please, Please, PLEASE get yourselves checked!!!  And do so regularly - annually!!

I saw first hand what prostate cancer can do to a vibrant life.  Your loved ones need you here and TRUST me, cancer is NO WAY to go!!

So .....  Shave off the facial hair ....
then register at MOVEMBER CANADA and let the growth begin.

Be sure to check and follow the rules!!  Yes there are rules!!

And here they are!!!

I expect to see all of my male friends with furry faces this month!!!

Now .... Go and REGISTER!!!

http://ca.movember.com/

Hope, Love, Faith

In keeping with October being Breast Cancer Month ... I wanted to post this lovely ribbon.

Remember to keep Hope, Love and Faith with you Always...

God Bless!

And the Results Are...

My phone FINALLY rang at 12:34pm.   It was Susan - my Genetic Counselor from Princess Margaret Hospital, with my P53 results.

They are negative!!!

Thank God!!!

I finally exhaled.

Susan than began speaking about my colon cancer from last December, she said that they needed a sample of the tumor from Sunnybrook Hospital - and that I was going to now be referred to Mt. Sinai Hospital for MORE genetic testing because I got colon cancer so young.

Dear Lord will this EVER end?!?!?!?

Stay tuned ....

Cancer Ribbons

With the results of my genetic screening due this week, I have been doing a lot of thinking about Cancer. How it affects our lives and truly how many types of Cancers there are.  Hundreds.  Those who have followed this blog know I have had Colon Cancer - Stage 1 ... Pre Colon Cancer and Soft Tissue Cancer.  Dad had Prostate Cancer.... which metastasized to His bones .... organs ... lymph nodes.   My genetic testing for the BRCA2 mutation that runs in my family is responsible for Breast and Ovarian Cancers.  The P53 mutation is responsible for Soft Tissue, Skin, Colon, Lung and Breast Cancers.

Certainly a lot to take on.  A lot more than anyone should ever have to take on.

Over the past four years I feel as though I have been through a crash course on some of the more commonly known cancers .... but what I never realized is that each cancer has its own ribbon!

I'm sure you are all familiar with the pink ribbon for Breast Cancer and I think many of us associate the Pink Ribbon with all Women's Cancers - and in many cases All Cancers.  I was doing some reading today and stumbled across the different colors of the ribbons.

There are many charts and many colors.

Who knew??!!

I certainly didn't!  ... So I though I would share this with all of you.

And as Friday quickly approaches .... would you please keep me in your prayers for a negative test result?

Thanking you in advance.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

God Bless!

The Results Are In

I received a call from Princess Margaret Hospital a short while ago.  The remainder of my genetic testing is in.   In July I was tested for the BRCA2 gene, which runs rampant through Dad's side of the family.  My dad was a carrier .... some of the women in the family have had their breasts removed as a result of this horrible disease!  Thankfully I tested negative for the BRCA2 gene!!  Praise God!!!

While I was at the hospital, with my own personal cancer history with DFSP and Colon Cancer, they decided to do a second genetic test for the P53 Mutation.  This test takes three months to come back.

Today is the day!!

My heart stopped as I received the call.  The woman on the phone began to sound like a peanuts cartoon ... her voice became completely garbled to me.    All I heard was "It's Princess Margaret - Familial Oncology..."  and my heart just stopped!!

This is going to be a very, VERY difficult week as I do not get the results until 12:30pm next Friday!!

O-M-G !!!  SERIOUSLY???????????????

I hate waiting for results!  In 2009, the year of biopsies, I did the calculations and with 2 weeks per biopsy waiting for pathology - I spent a total 5 1/2 months JUST WAITING for results!!!

So ...... please PRAY!!

I will post the results once I receive them.

Did I mention; PLEASE PRAY!!??!!


[.....Inhale, Exhale, Inhale, Exhale.....]


I remember when I got the BRCA2 results, I was on the phone with dad giving him the good news.  He was so happy!  I told him that the other ones would not be in until mid October ... I told him that I would let him know as soon as they were in.   I guess the irony is that he knows these results before I will.

How I wish I could call him now....

Think PINK

October 1st Landmarks around the World went PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I just find this concept to be fabulous and decided to post some pictures here.  I love when the world moves as one.  The energy is fantastic!!

Rio Di-Genaro

The Parliament House - Perth

Bloomingdales - NY

Buckingham Palace - London

CN Tower - Toronto, Canada

Eiffel Tower - Paris

Inter Continental Plaza - Dubai

Peninsula - Tokyo

Sydney Opera House - Australia

The White House - U.S.A.

Go PINK for Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Landmarks around the world are going PINK for October.  Including the White House, The CN Tower, The Sydney Opera House, Buckingham Palace .... and now Enchanted Essence has gone PINK with Our Heading and this banner for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And we will remain PINK for the entire month of October!!

You may notice that my profile picture has also changed.  I am wearing a Cancer Awareness PINK track jacket.

Enchanted Essence has gone PINK - will YOU??

By The Grace Of GOD Go I

My alarm went off at 10:30 this morning.  The phone rang at 10:31.  It was an Unknown Name Private Number.  I did not answer.   I proceeded to get up and do the morning thing in the washroom.  By the time I had come out I could see the right light on the phone flashing.  There was a message.  I listened.  It was Princess Margaret Hospital.  My test results are in!!!

WHATTTTTTTTTTT????????????????????

My breath was instantly cut and my heart instantly stopped beating.

With trembling hands, I called the woman back and she again repeated that my results are in.  She offered to set up an appointment to come in or I could have the genetic counselor call me back.  I opted to be called back.  "11AM??"  I looked at the clock - It read 10:37.  I said yes. I hung up the phone and feeling faint, I stood up and got dressed to take Bentley outside.

It felt like we were gone for six hours.  In reality it was 15 minutes.  The clock now read 10:57.  I hurried to fill the water and food bowls.  Poured myself a drink.  Sat and waited.  And waited.  And waited.

Is the clock moving backwards?  Has time stood still?  Why isn't my heart beating??

The clock stuck 11:00.  The phone rang.

It was the same woman I had seen when I had the testing done.  I think her name was Susan.  I wasn't listening.  Blah, blah, blah ... your results are in.....

BOOM .......... BOOM .......... BOOM

My heart was now beating in my ears.  Nearly drowning out her words.

"The results for your BRCA2 testing have come back negative."

What???????????????  I think I fainted.   She repeated.  "The results for your BRCA2 testing have come back negative."

.............................. SILENCE ............................

"Do you understand." ...... "Yes"  I reply.  My mind racing. ......... "This means you don't have it." she continues.....

"Yes"  I respond.

She then continues to say that the results for my P-53 test (LFS) are still not in and will not be in for a few months.

My heart starts beating again.   I ask,,, why are the results in so quickly?  I explain that my sister Cyndy was tested in Vancouver, but everyone else was done in Kingston .... and Kingston made everyone wait about three months.  Why are mine back in ONLY 13 days???

She explains ... "With all respect to Kingston General Hospital .... We are Princess Margaret Hospital and we are a Cancer Hospital.  Our labs are in house and cancer specific.  Our turn around rates are extremely quick due to the nature of the testing done."  

She then confirms that the P-53 test will not be in anytime soon and in addition, the hospital has been in touch with Sunnybrook where I had my colon cancer diagnosed last year.  And that PMH will be needing a sample of the tumor that was extracted during my colonoscopy.  She then said they would wait for the tests to come back before they moved forward with the tumor samples.

As I write this, an hour after our conversation,  my heart is now beating again.  I know how blessed I am.  This does not guarantee I won't get breast or ovarian cancer.  It means that my chances are that with the rest of the population - not 85% higher.  It also means that my daughter will not need to be tested - as I am not a carrier.  It means - at 22 years of age, she can keep her breasts, her ovaries, she can move forward with her life and have babies.

Thank GOD!!

I realize how blessed and fortunate I am.  With my dad being so sick and his body riddled with multiple cancers.  With him being a carrier of the BRCA2 .. His sister, His niece, and possibly his mother - my Grandmother ... who also suffered and ultimately passed away after losing her battle with multiple cancers.

By the Grace Of GOD Go I.....

Genetic Testing

On Wednesday, July 11th, with breath held, I made my way to Princess Margaret Hospital.  A leading hospital in the treatment of cancers.   As I sat in the waiting room.  My heart beating in my throat.  Awaiting the genetic counselor to come out, so that we could begin what I had been dreading for months now.  My eyes scanned the room.  The bright floral over-sized painting against the beige wall, presumably giving life to the bland room and contrasting against the ugly beige couch and ugly beige club chairs.  I swear, if I listened closely, I am certain that I could hear my heart beating.

Two women come out.   "Laura??"  one of them asks.  I rise and she introduces herself to me.  I follow as she gestures down the short hallway to the back rooms.  As we walk, she explains that she is the senior genetic counselor and the other girl was a student from some University.

We enter a boardroom.  I am invited to sit wherever I am comfortable.  Comfortable?  Is she serious?  I feel like I am going to faint right there on the ugly beige carpeting.

I pull out a chair and sit, setting my purse on the table.  The furniture is cold.  The room is cold.  My eyes scan the surroundings as the two women take their seats opposite me at the other side of the long boardroom table.

I believe my heart actually skipped a beat as she plunked a file folder down on the table.  I swear the 'thud' actually echoed in the sterile room.  She flipped open the folder and unfolded a chart.  Three folds revealed my family tree.  My paternal grandmother, father, aunts, cousins, sisters, and so on.  Our eyes met as she lays down a leaf of paper and begins drawing circles and ovals.  Explaining that we have 46 Chromosomes and these determine what our sex, eye colour, hair colour, height, etc will be as human beings.

She continues on to explain Genetics for Dummies.  Getting into DNA -  (Does she think I am listening?)

Finally we begin the reason for my appointment.  She refers back to the family tree and one by one, she highlights and confirms the cancers that run rampant through my father's side of the family.  My grandmother, who passed away with 11 different cancers.  My Aunt who was diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene in 2003.  Her daughter who was also diagnosed ..... My father who is also a carrier.

She explains that the BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes we all have as humans, the problem begins when there is a specific mutation of these genes.  She suggested I think of it as a spelling mistake.  This error has been shown to be a marker or pre-cursor for cancers.  In women it elevates your chances of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic cancers.  In men it elevates the chances of developing prostate and male breast cancer.

Our eyes meet as she talks.  My mind on my dad, dying from prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones and skull and all internal organs.  The pain and suffering he is in.  That his time here on earth is growing shorter and shorter with each passing day.  That my grandmother suffered the same fate.  Was this to be my fate?  Was I essentially given life - and death by my father?

I continue to listen as she rambles on about the BRCA genes.  She explains that since my father is a carrier, I qualify for the testing.  Which can cost thousands of dollars.  But because I am considered a risk - it is covered.  (How lucky am I?)

I let her know that my half-sisters tested negative for the Gene.  And confirm that if I am positive that my daughter will be tested.  And that if I am negative - she will not need testing.  We discuss that this is not something that develops over life - it is passed on at birth.

Dear God!  Please let me be negative.  Not only for myself, but for my daughter!!

I learn that if I am a carrier, because I am done having children, she suggests that I move to immediate ovarian and fallopian tube removal.  And that we seriously consider a mastectomy.  To head off the growth of breast and ovarian cancers.  Because the chances of development with a positive test for BRCA2 elevates the odds upwards of 85% over "normal" people.

It is then explained to me that because my daughter is only 22 years old, and she has not yet had children of her own.  She would be heavily tested.  Mammograms and Trans-Vaginal ultrasounds.   At regular intervals in attempts of 'catching' any growths before they turn cancerous.  However, they do not begin testing until the age of 25.

???????????????????????  WTH ??????????????????????

I will not allow myself to worry about that right now.  This becomes the mantra repeated in my mind.

She asks if I have any questions.  I have many.  I shake my head..  "Let's get started" I answer softly.

She nods and glances down at the file... flipping through the pages .... then looks up at me.

"You have had two cancers?"  -  "Yes." I reply.

I tell her that in November 2008 I was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer - Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP).  Which, was operated on in December 2008.  That I am now in my 3rd year of remission.   I further confirm that in December 2011 after having 5 polyps removed during a colonoscopy, 1 was found to be pre-cancerous and 1 was found to be stage 1 colon cancer.

The two women look at one another - and say "I will be right back" as they rise and leave the room.

I am dizzy.  My heart is thundering in my ears.

After what seemed to be an eternity, the women return and begin explaining to me that because I have had a sarcoma cancer, the hospital wants to test me for the p53 gene in addition to the BRCA2.

????????????????? WHAT ?????????????????????

This is apparently something else I could have called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.  (LFS)  Which can cause cancers of the muscle, fat, and other tissues.  Bone cancer.  Cancer of the Adrenal Gland.  Leukemia. Brain Cancer.  Breast and Colon Cancer.

???????????????????? SERIOUSLY ???????????????????????

Has time stood still?  Suddenly everything is moving in slow motion.  The counselor begins fanning out paperwork in front of me.  My eyes meet those of the student.  Who has been silent for the entire consultation - the look of concern is evident on her face.  'She needs to work on that.' I think to myself.

I am handed release of information forms.  Pathology request forms.  Permission to do genetic testing forms. Sign, Sign, Sign, Signing my life away?  God let me be okay!!

From then I am handed a bag marked 'bio-hazard' containing a blue tube.  I am told to bring this to the lab and directed where to go.

When I arrive I am given a number - #63.  I look at the counter and it reads #59.  I take a seat and hold onto this bag.  I ponder how odd it is that my testing is so rare that I must bring a special test tube to the lab.

My number is called.  Let's hope my number isn't up!!  I rise and follow the man into the room and take a seat.  8 vials later.  I am asked how I feel.  "OK" I reply.  I am asked to sit for 15 minutes, offered some juice and a cookie before leaving.

I know that I am walking, I can feel my feet on the ground - one in front of the other as I move through the corridors leading to the main doors of the hospital.  I feel as though I am walking through some sort of vortex.  My mind trying to absorb all of the information I had been given.  Hearing the counselor saying that the BRCA2 test could take 3 months to come back.  The LFS will take "longer".  Longer?  What does that mean??

So basically I will not be breathing for the next few months.

But I will be doing a LOT of praying!!

Happy Anniversary To Me!!

Just back from having my stitches removed and received my biopsy results. BENIGN!!!

HAPPY (I'm THREE YEARS in REMISSION) DAY!!!!

My Dr. is not happy about the biopsy site regrowing (2nd biopsy on my knee) and so I will be referred to a plastic surgeon to have the growth permanently and surgically removed.

I look forward to December, where my DFSP will be 4 years in remission and the Colon Cancer will be 1 year in remission!!

NO MORE CANCER IN 2012!!!

YAY!!!!!!

Thank You to my Heavenly Father for continued blessings!!! <3

C-Squared

December 5th I had my first colonoscopy. I had been having some bleeding and my Dr. felt it would be good to have the testing. Especially as I am currently going into my 3rd year of remission from soft tissue cancer.

All in all I really can't say the actual procedure was bad. Humiliating? Absolutely! Painful? No!

The prep that is done the night before is what I have affectionately dubbed as Liquid Evil! It is process of drinking 2L of the saltiest liquid you will ever have in your life. At the same time drinking Ginger Ale - 2L worth. So every 30 minutes I guzzled a glass of prep with a glass of ginger ale - followed by a candy cane to get the horrid taste out of my mouth!

This night was utter hell! The first glass came back up about as quickly as it went down. *shudder* as I remember.

December 19th I received the results. I admit I was floored to find out that 4 of the polyps removed were benign .... but the 5th polyp was in part pre-cancerous ... and in part stage 1 colon cancer!

At no time did I ever think that I had colon cancer. I found out the bleeding was superficial and had nothing to do with the stage 1 cells. BUT. The bleeding is what led me to the procedure, which led me to the removal of the cancerous cells, which were growing with zero signs of their presence.

Typically with this diagnosis you would repeat the test every three years. But given my history, I am now going to have one done every two years.

The funny thing is that as floored as I was by the news. I must say that I have an overwhelming feeling of blessing and gratitude that it was caught - removed - and now known of.

If you are reading this, I hope you take away two things.

1) Even though medical recommendations are that colonoscopy testing should begin at the age of 50, you should speak with your Dr. about having a baseline test done in your 40's. I learned that polyps take years to grow - and they then take years to turn cancerous. All of this is happening without your knowledge. Please Get Tested!

2) When God whispers to you ... LISTEN!

~~~