SURPRISE IT IS ME "STARLIGHT"
Hello, It's me again *Starlight*:
It has been quiet some time since I have posted anything on my blog. I see the last post was in 2012. I knew it had been a while, but didn't realize it had been 6 years. I had been using the Notes app on Face Book as my blog for a few years now. It had been working out very well until about March of this year 2018. I have been having a very rocky road the past few months.
My mother Eletha Hinds Johnston was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in 1998. She had been a widow for four years. She had surgery to remove her right breast in 1999. Three years after the breast cancer she was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It was in her lymphnodes all over her body. She battled cancer for about 15 years. Up until 2011, her best friend Betty Brunson Eddy had been by her side. She took mom to her doctor appointments and later to her chemo treatments over the years. In about 2010, Betty moved to Arkansas to be close to her daughter. Mom had retired from the Wood Manor Nursing Home in Claremore in about 1988, and later from the Ginger Bread House (child care center) in 1991 and was living on a fixed income, since early retirement. In 1994 my dad passed away. My sister and I were at a high risk of getting cancer because of my mom's battle with it. It was recommended that we get a yearly exam. So I began getting mine.
Starting in about 2012 I had been having an irregular mammogram and having to go back and have an ultra sound done the past four years on one breast and then the other. It had always proven for four years I was cancer free. Back in 2012 the doctor wanted me to have a biopsy done on a spot in I think, my left breast. I never had it done due to the lack of funds. I didn't have medical Insurance and we couldn't afford to add a payment to our already stretched budget. I even stopped getting yearly mammograms. My mom, my grandpa mom's dad, an uncle and a couple of cousins had passed with cancer. Mom's brother next to her, Charles, has had two types of cancer and is now battling with a blood cancer. I have been high risk for Breast Cancer since it was found in my mom back in 1998. At my last mammogram in 2016 I was cancer free. In December of 2017 I had my yearly mammogram done. The results came back irregular. My doctor recommended me to go to an oncologist for a biopsy. In January of 2018 an ultra sound was done on my left breast. The spot they had found on the regular mammogram showed a small tumor. The tumor was definitely there in January. In February I had a biopsy done on the small lump (not even an inch in diameter) by Doctor Laurie Flynn, MD, Oncologist. It was cancer. I truly didn't feel it would be cancer this time. God had seen me through 3 other ultra sounds and I had been cancer free. Dr. Flynn told me it didn't look like cancer to her. We were both surprised when the results came back. I had stage 1, low grade, non-invasive, carcinoma. A very operable and very curible cancerous tumor in the milk gland of my left breast. Actually it was outside the gland, but hadn't spread.
I didn't stay with Dr. Flynn. I went for my surgery and treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All of my testing, surgery and treatments and follow up appointments were all in the same building. If I had stayed with Dr. Flynn, I would have to go to at least three different places for testing, surgery and treaments. I had heard good things about CTCA and how nice it was. How caring the staff was and christian based. I found out many people I knew that had cancer, had went through CTCA. All had a good report on their care there.
On March 22, 23 and 26, of 2018, I went to CTCA for testing. They did an ultra sound on me and looked at the films from Dr. Flynn. I had a consultation with an oncologist Dr. Shresta. A treatment plan was formed, I had a consultation with a surgeon for the removal of the tumor, a reconstrutive surgeon, a radiaolgist, and also a Anathesist. On April 4, 2018 I had surgery. Dr. Michael Thomas, surgeon, removed the tumor and surrounding tissue. Dr. Michael Payne, my radiaology Oncologist, gave me radiation at the time of surgery after the tumor was removed. Then Dr. Rola Eid did reconstructive surgery on my left breast. This was done one right after the other. They were hopefull those steps being taken would keep me from having to have any type of theorapy after my surgery. The results were fantastic. I did not have to have any treatments after my surgery, no more radiation and no chemo. I wasn't sure I would take the chemo treatments if they were recommended. I do have to take a hormone blocker for ten years. Breast Cancer feeds on hormones in the body. So they put you on a pill to block hormones. Used to, as when my mom had her breast cancer, she only had to take a hormone blocker for 5 years. But studies were showing that many women who took the pill for 5 years, the cancer was coming back in the 6th and 7th years. The remedy for that was extending the time you take the pill from 5 years to 10 years. Another thing once you have had breast cancer, you get a mammogram done every 6 months for two years. After that period, you will go back to having a mammogram once a year. This month I had to return on the 13 of August for blood tests and a follow up appointment with my oncologist Dr. Shrestha. The blood results were good. In October on the 5th I go back for my first mammogram since my surgery, and a follow up visit with my surgeons.
At CTCA they do all kinds of test for your entire body health and recommend medications to take to help with full body health, not just cancer. You can get your prescriptions filled at the CTCA Pharmacy or go to the pharmacy you use for your medications. I had a bone density test taken of my bones. I was diagnosed with osteopena. This is a lighter case of thin bones than osteoprosis. If not treated, you could have problems with your bones breaking very easily. If you have osteopena, it doesn't necessarily mean you will wind up with osteoprosis. I have to take more vitamin D and have a shot of prolia every 6 months to help my bones become stronger.
On top of finding out about my cancer, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I was put on a CPAP maching for my breathing at night. I was to start getting at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. No naps in the afternoon. I had been having sleep problems for a few years, but had tried to deal with it. It got worse and to the point I felt something needed to be done. I had prayed God would take the problem away or make it better. Either my faith wasn't strong enough or he wanted to show his power through others in the medical field. I told my primary physisian the problems I was having with falling alseep when just sitting and reading. I even fell asleep at the wheel of my car. It got to dangerous for me to drive very far by myself. I had one accident due to the fact I had fallen asleep at the wheel. My night vision over the years had worsened. It was no longer safe for me to drive any distance by myself especially at night. The car lights blinded me and I got very disorented even in places I usualy drove. My family doctor referred me to Dr. Jana Loveless, MD, Sleep Specialist. I got an appointment with her to talk over my syptoms. She recommended that I have a sleep study. On February 27, 2018, I went through the Hillcrest Hospital Claremore for my sleep study. In the Utica Park Clinic/Oklahoma Heart Institute building behind the hospital, they have rooms for the sleep studies to be conducted. Some times it takes more than one night study to get the results. Mine was done the first night I had the study. That was a very good plus for me. Normally people stop breathing at least 5 times an hour. Any more than that you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I had 19 episodes of stop breathing in an hour. Some peopel have it even worse. One of my couisns I talked to, said she had 43 episodes an hour. Thank God I have a milder problem. It is hard to get used to sleeping with a machine giving you air every night. I am still not sleeping every night with my machine on.
With finding out about my cancer, my Sleep Apnea, I also had a CT scan done on my sinuses. I thought I had sinuits. I have had a constant cough, and drainage so bad I could hardly sleep. Because I was diagnosed with GERD back in 2015, which is almost the same as Acid Reflux, it was recommended that I sleep with my head elevated about 8 inches. Ulsers were found in my throat. I had to have a colonoscopy and a test down my throat that I cannot remember what it is called, Esophogualostpy? back in 2015. They found polups at the top of my small intestines, not cancerous. I just have a very slow colon. I have had sinus problems for years. The ear cannals and sinus passages running along beside each other causes me to have severe ear aches some times for several days. It isn't an ear infection. Thankfully I was not diagnosed with sinuitis. The problem with small sinus passages can be treated by medication and not have to go through surgery. At the time of the sinus CT scan the Allergy doctor had a skin test done. I have a few light allergies, but nothing life threatening.
With having my cancer surgery, I have tried to do to much to soon. Because my cancer was so small and caught early, I was never sick and I never hurt. I am having muscle spasms and pain from the surgery. Not from the cancer. If it wasn't for the scars from the surgery and the pain from healing, it is as if my cancer was in a dream. I feel like a faker when I go back for my follow up appointments. Others there are going through a lot of pain and suffering. Many have shaved heads, wearing wigs, skin and bones, they look so bad. My heart goes out to them. It had been 3 months since my surgery that my husband and I decided to go for a bicycle ride. I hadn't been on a bike in like two years. I shouldn't have gotten on to the bicycle yet. It was too soon. I had a wreck and messed up my left should and arm and my elbow. I have been in so much pain from that. I think this accident damage is worse than recovering from my cancer surgery.
I am sure going to miss face book. I really enjoyed visiting with family, friends, church famiy and classmates. My problem was I didn't know when not to make comments on face book about others. I used it as an outlet for me from becoming to depressed and have anxiety attacks. It was good theropy for me. I was hurting emotionally and spiritually. Some had hurt me so deeply, it is hard to forgive. I didn't realize how bad I had gotten. I just couldn't understand why every one was getting upset with me. I refused for a long time to do anything about it. I felt it was the devil getting at me through them. I felt God had called me to be a missionary from the comfort of my own home and my personal computer. I feel I have been a help for the missions department of the church. But I finally realized just maybe, I was over the top, and it was time to deactivate face book. I loved posting scriptures daily for other to read. That is what I truly wil miss the most. Then It came to me today, why don't I start using my blog.spot account again. I can post scriptures on here. I don't know if as many will see my scriptures here on my blog as they did on face book. I was also posting genealogy. I had also done that on here in the past.
So here I am again, *Starlight* posting on her blog "Starlight's Ramblings!" I hope you will take the time to read my blog from time to time. Take care and May God Bless all of you, my dear friends.
*Starlight*
It has been quiet some time since I have posted anything on my blog. I see the last post was in 2012. I knew it had been a while, but didn't realize it had been 6 years. I had been using the Notes app on Face Book as my blog for a few years now. It had been working out very well until about March of this year 2018. I have been having a very rocky road the past few months.
My mother Eletha Hinds Johnston was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in 1998. She had been a widow for four years. She had surgery to remove her right breast in 1999. Three years after the breast cancer she was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It was in her lymphnodes all over her body. She battled cancer for about 15 years. Up until 2011, her best friend Betty Brunson Eddy had been by her side. She took mom to her doctor appointments and later to her chemo treatments over the years. In about 2010, Betty moved to Arkansas to be close to her daughter. Mom had retired from the Wood Manor Nursing Home in Claremore in about 1988, and later from the Ginger Bread House (child care center) in 1991 and was living on a fixed income, since early retirement. In 1994 my dad passed away. My sister and I were at a high risk of getting cancer because of my mom's battle with it. It was recommended that we get a yearly exam. So I began getting mine.
Starting in about 2012 I had been having an irregular mammogram and having to go back and have an ultra sound done the past four years on one breast and then the other. It had always proven for four years I was cancer free. Back in 2012 the doctor wanted me to have a biopsy done on a spot in I think, my left breast. I never had it done due to the lack of funds. I didn't have medical Insurance and we couldn't afford to add a payment to our already stretched budget. I even stopped getting yearly mammograms. My mom, my grandpa mom's dad, an uncle and a couple of cousins had passed with cancer. Mom's brother next to her, Charles, has had two types of cancer and is now battling with a blood cancer. I have been high risk for Breast Cancer since it was found in my mom back in 1998. At my last mammogram in 2016 I was cancer free. In December of 2017 I had my yearly mammogram done. The results came back irregular. My doctor recommended me to go to an oncologist for a biopsy. In January of 2018 an ultra sound was done on my left breast. The spot they had found on the regular mammogram showed a small tumor. The tumor was definitely there in January. In February I had a biopsy done on the small lump (not even an inch in diameter) by Doctor Laurie Flynn, MD, Oncologist. It was cancer. I truly didn't feel it would be cancer this time. God had seen me through 3 other ultra sounds and I had been cancer free. Dr. Flynn told me it didn't look like cancer to her. We were both surprised when the results came back. I had stage 1, low grade, non-invasive, carcinoma. A very operable and very curible cancerous tumor in the milk gland of my left breast. Actually it was outside the gland, but hadn't spread.
I didn't stay with Dr. Flynn. I went for my surgery and treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All of my testing, surgery and treatments and follow up appointments were all in the same building. If I had stayed with Dr. Flynn, I would have to go to at least three different places for testing, surgery and treaments. I had heard good things about CTCA and how nice it was. How caring the staff was and christian based. I found out many people I knew that had cancer, had went through CTCA. All had a good report on their care there.
On March 22, 23 and 26, of 2018, I went to CTCA for testing. They did an ultra sound on me and looked at the films from Dr. Flynn. I had a consultation with an oncologist Dr. Shresta. A treatment plan was formed, I had a consultation with a surgeon for the removal of the tumor, a reconstrutive surgeon, a radiaolgist, and also a Anathesist. On April 4, 2018 I had surgery. Dr. Michael Thomas, surgeon, removed the tumor and surrounding tissue. Dr. Michael Payne, my radiaology Oncologist, gave me radiation at the time of surgery after the tumor was removed. Then Dr. Rola Eid did reconstructive surgery on my left breast. This was done one right after the other. They were hopefull those steps being taken would keep me from having to have any type of theorapy after my surgery. The results were fantastic. I did not have to have any treatments after my surgery, no more radiation and no chemo. I wasn't sure I would take the chemo treatments if they were recommended. I do have to take a hormone blocker for ten years. Breast Cancer feeds on hormones in the body. So they put you on a pill to block hormones. Used to, as when my mom had her breast cancer, she only had to take a hormone blocker for 5 years. But studies were showing that many women who took the pill for 5 years, the cancer was coming back in the 6th and 7th years. The remedy for that was extending the time you take the pill from 5 years to 10 years. Another thing once you have had breast cancer, you get a mammogram done every 6 months for two years. After that period, you will go back to having a mammogram once a year. This month I had to return on the 13 of August for blood tests and a follow up appointment with my oncologist Dr. Shrestha. The blood results were good. In October on the 5th I go back for my first mammogram since my surgery, and a follow up visit with my surgeons.
At CTCA they do all kinds of test for your entire body health and recommend medications to take to help with full body health, not just cancer. You can get your prescriptions filled at the CTCA Pharmacy or go to the pharmacy you use for your medications. I had a bone density test taken of my bones. I was diagnosed with osteopena. This is a lighter case of thin bones than osteoprosis. If not treated, you could have problems with your bones breaking very easily. If you have osteopena, it doesn't necessarily mean you will wind up with osteoprosis. I have to take more vitamin D and have a shot of prolia every 6 months to help my bones become stronger.
On top of finding out about my cancer, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I was put on a CPAP maching for my breathing at night. I was to start getting at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. No naps in the afternoon. I had been having sleep problems for a few years, but had tried to deal with it. It got worse and to the point I felt something needed to be done. I had prayed God would take the problem away or make it better. Either my faith wasn't strong enough or he wanted to show his power through others in the medical field. I told my primary physisian the problems I was having with falling alseep when just sitting and reading. I even fell asleep at the wheel of my car. It got to dangerous for me to drive very far by myself. I had one accident due to the fact I had fallen asleep at the wheel. My night vision over the years had worsened. It was no longer safe for me to drive any distance by myself especially at night. The car lights blinded me and I got very disorented even in places I usualy drove. My family doctor referred me to Dr. Jana Loveless, MD, Sleep Specialist. I got an appointment with her to talk over my syptoms. She recommended that I have a sleep study. On February 27, 2018, I went through the Hillcrest Hospital Claremore for my sleep study. In the Utica Park Clinic/Oklahoma Heart Institute building behind the hospital, they have rooms for the sleep studies to be conducted. Some times it takes more than one night study to get the results. Mine was done the first night I had the study. That was a very good plus for me. Normally people stop breathing at least 5 times an hour. Any more than that you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I had 19 episodes of stop breathing in an hour. Some peopel have it even worse. One of my couisns I talked to, said she had 43 episodes an hour. Thank God I have a milder problem. It is hard to get used to sleeping with a machine giving you air every night. I am still not sleeping every night with my machine on.
With finding out about my cancer, my Sleep Apnea, I also had a CT scan done on my sinuses. I thought I had sinuits. I have had a constant cough, and drainage so bad I could hardly sleep. Because I was diagnosed with GERD back in 2015, which is almost the same as Acid Reflux, it was recommended that I sleep with my head elevated about 8 inches. Ulsers were found in my throat. I had to have a colonoscopy and a test down my throat that I cannot remember what it is called, Esophogualostpy? back in 2015. They found polups at the top of my small intestines, not cancerous. I just have a very slow colon. I have had sinus problems for years. The ear cannals and sinus passages running along beside each other causes me to have severe ear aches some times for several days. It isn't an ear infection. Thankfully I was not diagnosed with sinuitis. The problem with small sinus passages can be treated by medication and not have to go through surgery. At the time of the sinus CT scan the Allergy doctor had a skin test done. I have a few light allergies, but nothing life threatening.
With having my cancer surgery, I have tried to do to much to soon. Because my cancer was so small and caught early, I was never sick and I never hurt. I am having muscle spasms and pain from the surgery. Not from the cancer. If it wasn't for the scars from the surgery and the pain from healing, it is as if my cancer was in a dream. I feel like a faker when I go back for my follow up appointments. Others there are going through a lot of pain and suffering. Many have shaved heads, wearing wigs, skin and bones, they look so bad. My heart goes out to them. It had been 3 months since my surgery that my husband and I decided to go for a bicycle ride. I hadn't been on a bike in like two years. I shouldn't have gotten on to the bicycle yet. It was too soon. I had a wreck and messed up my left should and arm and my elbow. I have been in so much pain from that. I think this accident damage is worse than recovering from my cancer surgery.
I am sure going to miss face book. I really enjoyed visiting with family, friends, church famiy and classmates. My problem was I didn't know when not to make comments on face book about others. I used it as an outlet for me from becoming to depressed and have anxiety attacks. It was good theropy for me. I was hurting emotionally and spiritually. Some had hurt me so deeply, it is hard to forgive. I didn't realize how bad I had gotten. I just couldn't understand why every one was getting upset with me. I refused for a long time to do anything about it. I felt it was the devil getting at me through them. I felt God had called me to be a missionary from the comfort of my own home and my personal computer. I feel I have been a help for the missions department of the church. But I finally realized just maybe, I was over the top, and it was time to deactivate face book. I loved posting scriptures daily for other to read. That is what I truly wil miss the most. Then It came to me today, why don't I start using my blog.spot account again. I can post scriptures on here. I don't know if as many will see my scriptures here on my blog as they did on face book. I was also posting genealogy. I had also done that on here in the past.
So here I am again, *Starlight* posting on her blog "Starlight's Ramblings!" I hope you will take the time to read my blog from time to time. Take care and May God Bless all of you, my dear friends.
*Starlight*
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