Hello Everyone:

I finally did my ‘annual’ physical with my family doctor (almost 2 ½  years late). And the results are in: my blood work was amazing she said. Cholesterol level at 1.88. She said whatever I am doing to keep doing. I haven’t gotten any shorter and my weight has stabilized back to ‘normal’ & my pulse is strong and steady. Even better, is that my blood pressure that I have been taking pills for to control over the past 10 years, seemingly is under control now and very normal. 120/80. I actually stopped taking them (on my own accord – not usually recommended). I have been going for regular follow ups and so far so good. I’ll have another check of my blood pressure at the end of the month and fingers crossed, if it’s normal – no more medication for that!

I went to the new After Cancer Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital for my first appointment in April. It is a clinic that works in conjunction with Princess Margaret Hospital. Dr. Townsley was very nice and is my new ‘point person’ who will touch base with me once a year, along with my surgeon to make sure things are on track and don’t go awry. I think it’s better to have the clinic away from the chemo/radiation units. Less depressing. One thing she mentioned was they are recommending that people take Tamoxifen for 10 years instead of 5 years. Initially when they did studies between groups that had taken the drugs for 5 and 10 years there wasn’t much difference. However now, a number of years later, they are finding the patients who have taken the drug for at least 10 years fare much better overall. Guess that means another 7 years to go for me. So much for wishing away the hot flashes and the bad hair growth. *sigh

I also had my annual check-up with my gynecologist and he had check my estrogen levels last year and thought things looked pretty good and there was a good chance that my ‘flow’ would become a regular visitor again. However, after being on Tamoxifen for another year, things have changed significantly. My estrogen is very low. Since my cancer was hormone positive it’s a good thing I guess. So it’s probably official that I will be getting wrinkles soon!! In cases like mine, hormone replacement therapy is not really recommended but my doctor said there are some low dose options but I don’t think I want to risk it. I am going to have to figure out how to grow old gracefully and sooner than I thought. I was counting on my “yellow” genes to keep me looking young longer, but alas, even that might not be enough. :p

On a more serious note – means I won’t be having any of my own offspring (too bad world!). I’ve accepted and come to terms with it. Although I did think that because of my age and spinster status that I wouldn’t have kids of my own – it was hard sometimes because at the end of the day it wasn’t my choice. So simply Auntie Winnie I will remain.

It’s amazing how you can be healthy, feel good and all of a sudden get hit with something. It happens all the time. Whether it be cancer, some ailment or even catching some bug/bacteria.

We need to always been aware of our health and not take it for granted.

It’s D-Day. 70 years ago today those brave & frightened souls – many mere younglings, landed in Operation Neptune.

I was doing some reading on it. Nearly 200K soldiers were delivered into the theatre of Normandy. To most of us, we will never truly understand nor appreciate what transpired during those fateful hours, but what we can do is take some time to reflect, and respect.

Now – THAT is being BRAVE and courageous in the face of great adversity!! I can’t even imagine – I can still visualize the opening scene of the movie, Saving Private Ryan. . . . . Yikes! (And I closed my eyes during part of it).

Take care. Keep well. Happy & Healthy.

Love Always, Winnie xoxo