When my surgeon said, the surgery was the easy part, he wasn’t kidding! I feel like I am always going to the doctors.

So I see the radiation oncologist first. Nice interview, lots of information, brought a friend for that second pair of ears. We had  discussions on the length of time in treatment– everyday! One of my questions included what if I need to miss a day. They will add it on at the end. They want to do the bulk of treatments back to back to get the desired effect. They did a physical exam of my breast. Doctor said it is still swollen but that won’t make a difference yet. They will ‘map’ me as I get closer to the time of treatment. The ‘mapping’ process will include CT of breast/chest, original tumor location, so they know density and relationship to rib cage. He did say I would get to update him once I visited the medical oncologist, as it looked like, in addition to estrogen/progesterone positive, I was Hers2 but that was simply injections every three weeks of Herceptin. Ok, well that no big deal! Let me go do more research on that Hers2 receptor site!!

Medical Oncologist visit. Well, now here is the surprise. We discussed factors used to determine the Hers2 and I am 3+ Oh my gosh! So this not only means Herceptin – IV, not a ‘shot’ as I was originally told, but six chemo blasts to improve the outcome and decrease chances of more cancer someplace else in my body. I need to have a ‘port’ surgically implanted. This will prevent all my veins being blown with all the IV chemo, pre-meds and such. Plus, I need an echo-cardiogram, (every three months) as the Herceptin has a chance of causing heart failure. Really ??? I guess I am buying quite the ‘insurance’ plan to make sure I come away as clean as my surgery had been. I know I am not looking forward to this.

The port is placed two weeks later. Pretty easy in and out surgery. Sets along top of ribcage. Lots of swelling and some redness. My fear, infection. But there was nothing present. However, first chemo, nurses couldn’t access port. Too swollen. SO, burned through three veins that day. Plus, I was there over six hours. Thank goodness I don’t have to return for 3 week. In between, I go to see the oncologist, to make sure I am doing okay.

Next chemo/Herceptin boost, the port is accessed. This makes life so much easier! Everyone should do this if you are getting more than a couple treatments. The Herceptin will continue until end of next February. Here I have really not been sick in my life, now doctors, nurses, infusions, blood draws, something all the time.

First two days post chemo, due to steroids I am in great form. Lots of energy, getting many of things done. However, day three, not only do I  crash down in energy but the bone pain in all my joints is excruciating! The post op lumpectomy pain didn’t hurt like this. Plus, I have numbness and tingling and burning in my feet and some of my fingers. When I call on Monday, they said, oh, gee, this is a little early for that kind of reaction. That usually happens at the end. Well, isn’t that special.

Next oncologist visit, he changes some of pre-meds (steroids) to also be post chemo too to help with bone pain. The we will ‘watch’ the numbness in hand and feet. What has happened. Surgery was so simple. And this will take me through June. I will be traveling around my infusion schedule, for board meetings and speaking engagements. I will do all best efforts to stay healthy!

Next, the ongoing saga of how things change with each chemo blast.

Question, thoughts, conversation, call Linda at 310-831-4400

Always a good reminder as things continue to evolve in the healthcare world. Very good article by Richard E. Mackey, Jr., Contributor. As compliance becomes key, always continue learning.

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/tip/Key-elements-of-a-HIPAA-compliance-checklist?track=NL-102&ad=777444&asrc=EM_NLN_12122780

This video was developed by Houston PD, shared with a connection in Colorado and sent to me. Personally I think in today’s world, such as Cal State Fullerton event on Dec 12 and the Oregon Shopping mall shooting event, it would be great for training video to go viral; as we MUST think about what is happening around us.

In time for the Holidays:

For those who love Google, Wikipedia, and the search for information on line, check out the new modern approach to the birth of Jesus:

There will a 1/2 day conference in Las Vegas for the American Association of Preferred provider Organizations, where Linda Vincent, RN.PI. of the Identity Advocate will be presenting a workshop on Medical Identity Theft. Check the registration form for other topics and speakers as well as added value information: http://www.fchn.com/documents/RegistrationFormB%20non-members.pdf

Five ways you can help prevent your child’s identity from being stolen.

1. Think first before you post. Guide children to share only the information that they wouldn’t mind sharing with strangers and their friends. Make them aware of identity theft – in their language – so they think before sharing nuggets of information that might be useful to an i.d. thief. By the way, how many of us post things about our kids, and family online? Before you go announcing your sister’s new baby on your social networking site, in email, on a blog, etc. consider the information you might be making available for thief. (Remember: place of birth and date of birth is all they need to become a new person.)

2. Don’t use your children’s real names. Wherever possible, enforce the use of code or nick names instead of a child’s real name online, whether for establishing an email address, registering on a kid-friendly website (to use the games, for example), or for setting up a profile on a social networking site.

3. Use privacy settings. For social networking fanatics, make sure only the people you know and trust can see what you’re posting and doing.

4. Use reputable, up-to-date security software. While identity theft can happen through offline sources as well as online, having good, updated security software will help prevent information-stealing software from getting onto your computers or smart phones in the first place. Use security software on any device that you store personal information on.

5. Shred and lock. The ITRC recommends that you shred all documents that contain personal information (whether about yourself or your children) and lock your mailbox if you can.

If you are resident of the U.S. and believe you or your child has become a victim of identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for free assistance at:

(888) 400-5530

You can also find additional resources and prevention tips at www.idtheftcenter.org

There is a new search engine out there called ‘not your grandmothers phone book’….www.Spokeo.com. It will find pictures your friends and associates in your email lists, they may have posted on their sites, and their social networks. It is a reverse phone directory but with so much more. More of your privacy at risk!

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. It is not necessary to contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual credit report through
www.Annualcreditreport.com;
or phone 877-322-8228;
or Complete the Annual Credit Report form and mail to:
Annual Credit Report
P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281