Breast cancer - Get your mammograms - annually!

Probably the most important event in my life in the last few years was being diagnosed with breast cancer 29 May 2018. (Funny how I used the exact date and not just the year.  Guess it's one that will forever stick in my mind).  It was a shock, but not as much as you'd think it'd be.  When I had my mammogram in March, somehow I knew.  It wasn't any more painful than usual, no sign from the tech, just a feeling I had.  I learned some time ago to always trust these feelings. (As a reminder of my intuitions and feelings read my 3:11 post.) Three Eleven (3:11)



I always go annually for my mammogram. Like the nurse at my doctor's office told me years ago when I asked her how often I should go, she said: "I just go when they send me the reminder."  I have followed her advice since that day way back when. Thankfully that's the case.  If I was going every two years my situation would have been a whole lot different.
After my mammogram I did the usual waiting.  No news is good news right?  I didn't get my usual follow up letter saying it was normal and that my doctor had been advised.  Instead I got the dreaded call.  "They want you to come in for more testing." What does that mean?
Having been through this a couple years ago, I knew what it meant.  It meant a diagnostic mammogram.  Even then I knew that something was wrong.  They gave me an appointment right away.  That's always a good thing.  So I had the diagnostic mammogram.  


It's a little different than the annual screening mammogram that we all have. The procedure is similar, but more detailed. Then you sit and wait while the radiologist examines the pictures and decides if they need another picture, your clear and can go on your way, or you need to come back for an ultrasound.  While I was waiting, I just knew.
Then the nurse goes back and forth between rooms and her smile turned to a neutral face.  Hmmm, not good I thought.  Then she comes to me with a piece of paper stating that I need to come in for the ultrasound.  That's the next step. Having been through this before, I knew that was the next step.  So I booked the appointment for that.  

I'd been through this routine a couple years before and it turned out to be nothing.  So I was hopeful that this would be the case again, but I couldn't help this feeling I was getting.

So, I go to the ultrasound and the technician is quiet as a mouse as they usually are.  Then I heard the dreaded "hmmm" while she was waving her wand over the same spot over and over.  Then the "You're doctor will get the results in 2-3 business days."  Yikes! That didn't sound good.  Again the waiting... 
I didn't have to wait long, the doctor called me the next day.  He told me that they found something and I needed to go for a biopsy.  A biopsy!  What does that mean?  I didn't have to do that before so I had no idea what to expect.  More waiting was to be the next step.  I got an appointment for my biopsy at Jim Pattison Breast Health Clinic in Surrey.
Stay tuned for my next segment: Breast Cancer - The biopsy.
I have attached some info from the National Breast Cancer Foundation below.  It explains the procedure much better than I could.

What is the difference between a diagnostic mammogram and a screening mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. While screening mammograms are routinely administered to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms, diagnostic mammograms are used after suspicious results on a screening mammogram or after some signs of breast cancer alert the physician to check the tissue.
Such signs may include:

• A lump
  
• Breast pain
  
• Nipple discharge
  
• Thickening of skin on the breast
  
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
  

A diagnostic mammogram can help determine if these symptoms are indicative of the presence of cancer.
As compared to screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms provide a more detailed x-ray of the breast using specialized techniques. They are also used in special circumstances, such as for patients with breast implants.

What’s involved in a diagnostic mammogram?
If your doctor prescribes a diagnostic mammogram, realize that it will take longer than a normal screening mammogram, because more x-rays are taken, providing views of the breast from multiple vantage points. The radiologist administering the test may also zoom in on a specific area of the breast where there is a suspicion of an abnormality. This will give your doctor a better image of the tissue to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
In addition to finding tumors that are too small to feel, mammograms may also spot ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). These are abnormal cells in the lining of a breast duct, which may become invasive cancer in some women.

Check out their website here for more information: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/diagnostic-mammogram

What's new with me.

Well, I see it's been about 6 years since I posted anything. Can't believe it's been that long.  Time is going just way to fast. I remember my dad talking about how fast time goes the older you get.  I didn't believe it then, but I sure do no.

Guess I've been a very busy girl.  Yes, it's true, I have been.  Where to start...

Probably best if I break it into a few different posts rather than bombarding you all with everything that is new in my life recently.

I'll try to keep them quick and simple.  That's the easiest way I find to read a new post, so thought everyone else would too.

Stay tuned, more to come...

Bee Stings - What to do

 

I was out working in the garden today and got stung.  I didn’t even see what it was.  There were no bees, or wasps that I could see in the area.  I’m always very careful to give them their space.  No one likes getting stung and some people are very allergic.  If you are one of those unfortunate people, follow your doctor’s instructions and get to an emergency room right away if needed. If not, here’s a tip.

 

So what do you do with a bee sting or wasp bite, or any other critter for that matter?  First of all get some vinegar on it. We use cotton balls and soak them with white vinegar and apply the cotton ball directly to the affected area.  This works really well. (It has something to do with the toxins being the base and the vinegar being the acid, so I’m told by my husband, the hazmat guru.  It doesn’t matter to me how it works, I just know that it does.) It takes the sting out and helps reduce swelling.  Secondly, I always take an anti-histamine as well.  It helps with any of the other reactions.

What do you do when you are on a motorcycle in the middle of nowhere and you get stung? Pull over as quickly as is safe to do so.  Get your vinegar on the sting spot right away. (If you’re not sure of the exact spot, the general area will work too)  We carry vinegar soaked cotton balls in an old film case on the bike at all times. We also usually have some dissolving anti-histamines so we don’t have to worry about having water all the time. (I use Claritin, but I'm sure all the brands are good). Having these small items in all your vehicles would be a great idea too. You never know when you’re going to get bitten or stung. Bugs don’t care if you’re in a car, on a motorcycle, riding a horse or camel. They just bite!

I got stung last summer right at the helmet line at the temple on the side of my face.  We pulled over right away and I got the vinegar on and the anti-histamine in.  In about 10 minutes the stinging had really eased down to not much of anything, thankfully.  I was very concerned about swelling so close to my eye. One can’t ride a motorcycle with a swollen eye affecting your eyesight! Like always, it worked like a charm and I had very little swelling in a small area.

If you don’t have these items on your possession and wonder what to do.  My daughter was stung right on the upper lip, poor thing. And on the Friday of a long-weekend no less. We didn’t have any vinegar with us, but we were only about 4 miles from a McDonald’s Restaurant.  We high tailed it for McDonalds.  I ran in and got some napkins and some vinegar packets.  We put that on as soon as we could get it poured onto the napkins.  It helped a bit, but we were a bit late.  We also didn’t have any anti-histamines with us, so we used Advil.  Any anti-inflammatory will help with the swelling, but not any of the other reactions that may be possible.

Of course none of this is designed to deter you from doctor’s orders or advice by any means. But whatever you can do for yourself at home without medical attention the better.  And on the road it’s a must. Medical services and restaurants aren’t always handy when you’re travelling. 

If you are unfortunate and get stung, try this method.  It really works.

Ed Pretty - Wood Artist

Let me introduce you to an outstanding artist, Ed Pretty.  I love his work, all of it, always have and always will.  Unfortunately because the medium he uses was a trade for many years most people still consider it a craft rather than art. It seems that most people don’t view something as art unless it hangs on a wall.  Hogwash! I say. 

The type of artist I’m speaking of is a “Wood Artist” or “Woodturner.”  Woodturning is most commonly known for making spindles, table legs, salad bowls, that sort of thing.  Only recently is it starting to be considered as an art form rather than just a craft.  If you don’t believe me, check out the instant gallery at any of the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) symposiums to see for yourself.

Ella's Slotted Spoon

One of Ed’s first turned pieces was for his mother Ella.  She needed a new handle for her slotted spoon, so Ed made one for her.  He recalls he was about nine years old at the time.  That's just a few years ago :)

 

My first little vase 1997

My first little bowl 1998

I remember the first turning I received from Ed.  It was back in 1997 as a Christmas gift when we were working together.  I was lucky enough to get one the following year as well.  I love these little pieces, they still sit proudly on a shelf in the bedroom.

Ed was getting bored with “round and brown” as he puts it, so he started coloring wood to enhance its natural beauty, not cover it up.  He uses dies rather than paints or stains on most of his pieces.  Painting will cover up the wood completely.  Stains sit on top of the grain, which isn’t an undesirable trait depending on your goal.

Wedding Ring Holder

He made a lovely colored bowl for a very special occasion in July 2002.  His wedding.  It is a lovely burgundy color piece that has been enhanced by “lime-waxing” making it a combination of burgundy and white.  Inside there are satin ring slots. The young fellow, his step-son, who was his ring bearer carried this piece instead of the traditional small pillow. It also has a “special” spot in his house.

The “That’s Not Leaving the House Collection” was born when Ed made a gift for a friend.  He calls it “Harmony.”  It has become his signature piece.  It is a combination of round and square, black and white, large and small, old and new.  It is a lovely piece thwarting all traditional woodturning techniques and styles.  His wife liked it so much she said, “You’ll have to make something else for a gift, that’s not leaving the house.” Thus the collection was born.  It increases on a regular basis. His newest piece is struggling to make it to the gallery and not become part of this rare collection.  He told his wife that if it sells, it’s a cruise.  How can you argue with that logic? :)

Harmony

Rag Time side 1

Rag Time side 2

Ed’s work has progressed over the years and is now something of a marvel.  I’m still amazed at his most recent work.  Having been there during the progression, I’ve become a large part of the idea, or brainstorming, phase for his newest pieces. Ideas and inspiration come from the strangest places and at all times convenient or not, doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’ll be on a cruise from a liquor bottle, or at a restaurant from a salt shaker on the table.  Of course there is always the middle of the night “Light-bulb” or “Aha” moments that Ed thankfully keeps to himself.

Rag Time side 3

In case you’re wondering how I happen to know about these middle of the night events, I guess I should tell you that Ed is my husband. I didn’t forget to mention it, I chose to wait until now to give it more of a punch, so to speak. I also didn’t want you to think I was biased or anything. :)

In keeping with the theme that art isn’t art unless it’s hanging on the wall, Ed now puts some of his work on the wall.  What else is a guy to do?  Some of these pieces are the most intriguing of all.  At his show in November 2012, the wall pieces were the first to sell.  I think this method is going to continue into something exciting.  Stay tuned.

Nemo Corners the Convict Fish

If you’d like to have a closer look at more of Ed’s work.  Check out his website. Ed's Woodturning You’ll find it quite amazing I assure you. He also does commission pieces. If you are interested in learning to turn, he also does instruction in his shop at our home here in Langley, BC.

You can also view his work at the “Circle Craft Store & Gallery” Circle Craft Store & Gallery

If you’re a Facebook member, you can join our group called “Ed’s Woodturning” or like us on Facebook at “Ed Pretty – Wood Artist” 

What does the future hold?  Who knows?  We are always searching for new galleries and shows; getting the word out there and informing the public about woodturning as an art form, not just salad bowls and spindles. For the record, I don’t have one single salad bowl in the house, but I do have a lot of “Wood Art” and hope to keep it that way for many years to come.