I checked my site stats for this blog today and saw that the top searches were for the following:
1) are nights sweats a symptom of breast cancer and/or symptom of estrogen responsive breast cancer, and
2) I have cancer leave me alone, and
3) 6th chemo could be not so bad
AWE . . . and an extra awe for the last one. Do I ever feel for that person. My sixth chemo was nearly five years ago now. And, it wasn’t so bad, not really. Chemo number 2 and 5 were by far the worst . . . in case you are reading this, whom ever searched that last search, number 6 does not have to be so bad. Mine wasn’t. Although it was a bit anti-climatic because it was still early on in my treatment (had a year of Herceptin to complete and still had many surgeries ahead of me including the one that really changed my life, a bilateral mastectomy as well as radiation. It was quite a year. Been a long haul, still not completely “over it” really. But, it is what it is.
Today was a pretty great day. Went to Venice Beach and walked from Venice Beach all the way to Santa Monica and then to the Third Street Promenade and then all the way back. Something I definitely could not have done a few years ago. And, I walked at a pretty good pace, wasn’t tired a bit. I remember three years ago a friend of mine took me to Santa Monica and I could barely walk up the hill from the Pier to Ocean Blvd. I had to stop a couple of times to rest. It was a very discouraging time.
So for whom ever you are, searching for “6th chemo could be not so bad” . . . I hope your 6th chemo is not so bad and I hope your recovery from all of this is quick. Know that it does get better. I know there are no guarantees but, it is the only way one can think when in the midst of chemo.
I have to say it has taken much, much longer than I expected to get better. But, I am rather impatient. Always have been. Cancer has made me learn a knew level of patience. And it has also lowered my tolerance in some other areas. My doctors all tell me I need to be more patient. But, quite honestly I think it has been my impatience that has helped to get me through.
And, for the person who was searching “are night sweats a sign of estrogen responsive breast cancer” – I so vividly remember those days of worrying about whether I might have cancer and being turned away by my doctor who rather than simply send me for a mammogram, told me I was just experiencing some hormonal changes and blamed it on the fact that I had not yet had children (unfuckingbelievable now that I think about it).
So, in my case, the answer was yes, night sweats were a sign of estrogen responsive breast cancer. It doesn’t mean that yours are . . . but, get to a doctor and be persistent. My doctor ignored my complaints for six months while I whined about how I woke up drenched several times a week . . . it wasn’t until it was time for a mammogram that I figured it out. I am not one to seek out regrets, but if I could give any advice it would be to definitely pursue getting yourself truly checked out. Trust your instincts and your gut. I can’t say anything would have turned out differently if I had been better informed (or if my DOCTOR had been better informed) but, if I could have avoided a mastectomy . . . well, that would have been really nice. But, I am here and having lots and lots of pretty great days these days.
Sigh. Those searches made me feel pretty sad for whom ever was searching . . . and super grateful to be well.
Wishing you well out there.
Love and peace,
Lisa
cancerfree2b 
I’m so glad for you, too, Lisa. Not knowing S. California geography, it still sounds like a very long hike! Good for you!
HI Aunt Sally!
Thank you! I just checked and it was a six mile walk (round trip), super excited about that! I guess I have no excuses for not exercising every day then . . .
I hope all is well with you, miss you.
Much love always,
Lisa
hello, Lisa – so glad to see your post! being able to do that hike must have been so reassuring and invigorating! I am 5 months out from my second bout of cancer – the 1st was St IV MBC (now NED), the 2nd, uterine ca with mets to the cervix. I joined the livestrong program at the “Y” for post treatment cancer patients to gain both physical and emotional strength and for the 1st time in my life am enjoying physical challenges. I walked with my dog every single day through treatment (when the snow and ice weren’t 6 ft. high!) and I think it has really been an advantage; on my 1st assessment at the “y” I pressed 250 lbs with my legs! sometimes it’s hard to make one’s self get the old bod moving, but the combination of sense of accomplishment and physical improvement are sure worth it. I am so happy for you feeling so much better; and I am sure you have helped legions of others by sharing your story.
much love,
Karen xoxo
Hello Lisa!
I am writing to pass on details of an interview series I am organising which starts Sept 22nd.
It’s called Healthy and Powerfully Feminine and I am interviewing 10 women with unique experiences and expertise in this area. I thought it would definitely interest your audience.
I myself had breast cancer and I am also interviewing Susan Gonzalez, a nurse, certified in plant-based nutrition, and a stage III breast cancer survivor. She advocates for health and wellness with a focus on cancer prevention and the use of holistic healing for cancer survival. She has an Amazon best-selling book, “100 Perks of Having Cancer plus 100 Health Tips for Surviving It”, and an award winning blog, “The Savvy Sister: Simple changes for healthy living”, providing valuable tools for those wishing to live a happy and healthy life.
Plus many more wonderful women talking about health from not only a physical but also emotional level. More details can be found here http://www.healthyandpowerfullyfeminine.com and I would so appreciate it if your community could be passed on the information.
If you need more information or promotional material, please ask me.
Also, I am doing a survey on Life After Breast Cancer for women whose treatment has finished.
Are you able to pass on this link to your community? It’s just a five-minute survey :
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZXR2H8T
Again for more details or material just let me know.
Thank you for your help and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes,
Mireille Parker