I've been forgetful since I was a little girl, so I really cannot attribute my lack of remembering to chemo-brain. But I do know what this felt like. It's the strangest thing when you literally can't think back to what happened only days before. And you really do have a kind of "fog" that drifts over your eyes, your mind and your overall self.
I have to be honest in that I'm not so sure it's an actual side effect from drugs, but a natural reaction to being slapped in the face with an ugly thing called cancer.
So for all of you out there that start to glaze over reading a book, watching TV or even talking with friends - it's called "chemo brain" - and it's not because they are boring, (well it could be - haha), it's completely normal. Let's just hope it doesn't last for 20 years like this article says!
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/breast-cancer/chemo-brain-may-linger-20-years-after-breast-cancer-treatment
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Making Lemonade
I just came across an amazing article that is so closely to how I have been thinking about breast cancer and I love the energy that is put behind this effort. It plays on the idea that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And that's definitely how being diagnosed with breast cancer was for me.
There is a woman by the name of Corinne Ellsworth Beaumont, who had 2 grandmothers who both passed away from breast cancer. She tried to find out more information at the age of 21, and couldn't really get any good solid understanding of what could happen her. As a graphic artist, she used the above metaphor and created the below visual identity of breast cancer - to help teach women all over the world about breast cancer in all women.
Check it out: http://ihatebreastcancer.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/how-a-graphic-designer-created-an-awesome-global-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign/
Cudos to you Corinne!
There is a woman by the name of Corinne Ellsworth Beaumont, who had 2 grandmothers who both passed away from breast cancer. She tried to find out more information at the age of 21, and couldn't really get any good solid understanding of what could happen her. As a graphic artist, she used the above metaphor and created the below visual identity of breast cancer - to help teach women all over the world about breast cancer in all women.
Check it out: http://ihatebreastcancer.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/how-a-graphic-designer-created-an-awesome-global-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign/
Cudos to you Corinne!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tamoxifen can be a Night Terror!
These past few nights, I have been waking up in the middle of the night - not only sweating - but almost panting because I have had the worst night terrors. It feels so silly, like I'm a little kid, but they are the worst!
Last night, I was dreaming that I was with my co-worker and I started to drift away in the sky. She stayed on the ground, but was trying to hold me down. Finally, I couldn't hold on and I started drifting over the ocean and knew there was no way for me to be saved. My co-worker looked up at me and said "Kara, I think you're going to die." I quickly woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. How horrible!?!
I woke Nate up and needed some spooning, but I just felt so horrible.
Then, went back to sleep to have another dream that Nate and I were hanging with friends and he just kept walking away from me. Kept leaving me behind. It was awful!
The night before, I had dreams that I was running away, away from something chasing me!
So I went to work this morning, still thinking about why I'm having these horrible dreams. I started talking to my friend Justin and he mentioned that sometimes taking medicine before bed can give you side effects.
It clicked! Tamoxifen!
I googled "Tamoxifen and Bad Dreams" - and what did I find?
66% of people who have been taking Tamoxifen for 2-5 years have bad dreams!
Over 325,000 results and many sites and blogs of people saying they have bad dreams due to Tamoxifen!
So for those of you who are on Tamoxifen, take it in the morning!
I'm going to :)
Last night, I was dreaming that I was with my co-worker and I started to drift away in the sky. She stayed on the ground, but was trying to hold me down. Finally, I couldn't hold on and I started drifting over the ocean and knew there was no way for me to be saved. My co-worker looked up at me and said "Kara, I think you're going to die." I quickly woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. How horrible!?!
I woke Nate up and needed some spooning, but I just felt so horrible.
Then, went back to sleep to have another dream that Nate and I were hanging with friends and he just kept walking away from me. Kept leaving me behind. It was awful!
The night before, I had dreams that I was running away, away from something chasing me!
So I went to work this morning, still thinking about why I'm having these horrible dreams. I started talking to my friend Justin and he mentioned that sometimes taking medicine before bed can give you side effects.
It clicked! Tamoxifen!
I googled "Tamoxifen and Bad Dreams" - and what did I find?
66% of people who have been taking Tamoxifen for 2-5 years have bad dreams!
Over 325,000 results and many sites and blogs of people saying they have bad dreams due to Tamoxifen!
So for those of you who are on Tamoxifen, take it in the morning!
I'm going to :)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Happy Birthday to Me!
It's official. I'm 30.
Just about 3 years ago at this time, my hair started to fall out. I had 1 treatment of chemotherapy and my skull ached. Nate was over and I asked him to run over to CVS to buy an electric razor and off my hair went.
Now, I'm sitting in my cozy apartment reflecting on the greatest week of my life. Who would have thought turning 30 could be so exciting?
Well, when I think about what my 30's mean for me, I think about my life with Nate. My little niece Caroline growing to be a kid! I think of maybe even some kiddies for me! I think of how much stronger and smarter I am today than those crazy days in my 20's. They were fun (except for some time while I was 26/27), but they were a mess!
My birthday was February 17 and I actually thought my mom and sister were only celebrating with me by having a small quiet dinner at my moms house. I should have known better!
On February 11, I got ready to go out to dinner with Boosh and Nichole and Nate said "you know Kar, you should go all put tonight. Put on a dress, some heels, get all done up!" Nate normally doesn't suggest what I should wear, but I didn't flinch. I thought it was a fabulous idea!
By 8:30pm we were headed out the door for dinner. The host took us back to our table.... To find my whole family and best friends yelling "Surprise!!!". I was shocked!
My birthday began the week before I turned 30 and didn't end until the weekend after. I was spoiled!
The night of my birthday, I went home to Pompton Plains for a night with my immediate family - my love, Nate the Great, Mommy, JB, Dana, Steve, Caroline and the Saginario's. Little Carmen played the guitar (he's amazing), and my mom made rump roast. It was the best. Until it was time for presents. I thought the surprise party was my present!
I opened up a box, to find another box. As I unwrapped the paper, I saw it. CHRISTIAN LOUBITIN. HOLY CRAP! I started crying. I started shaking. To some, these are just heels. To me, these are the Holy Grail. The most amazing shoes on the planet. Black patent leather. With RED SOLES!
The next day, February 18th, Nate and I hurried back to the city to meet my girls from college. Allison, Ricky, Meaghan and Tim arrived and we were going out to hit the town! We went to a fancy brunch, then off to the Beer Garden at the Standard Hotel. Took some time to rest after day drinking and had a fabulous dinner then drinks at the Maritime. What a night - it was fabulous!
I truly cannot thank Nate, my family and friends enough for giving me the best birthday a girl could have. And it's not just because I had an amazing party, and got the most beautiful shoes a woman could ask for, but because for a whole week, I was surrounded by people whom I love and I know love me right back. Healthy or not healthy - my friends and my family make me who I am and have been my support system through everything.
So thank you everyone! I love you all!
Just about 3 years ago at this time, my hair started to fall out. I had 1 treatment of chemotherapy and my skull ached. Nate was over and I asked him to run over to CVS to buy an electric razor and off my hair went.
Now, I'm sitting in my cozy apartment reflecting on the greatest week of my life. Who would have thought turning 30 could be so exciting?
Well, when I think about what my 30's mean for me, I think about my life with Nate. My little niece Caroline growing to be a kid! I think of maybe even some kiddies for me! I think of how much stronger and smarter I am today than those crazy days in my 20's. They were fun (except for some time while I was 26/27), but they were a mess!
My birthday was February 17 and I actually thought my mom and sister were only celebrating with me by having a small quiet dinner at my moms house. I should have known better!
On February 11, I got ready to go out to dinner with Boosh and Nichole and Nate said "you know Kar, you should go all put tonight. Put on a dress, some heels, get all done up!" Nate normally doesn't suggest what I should wear, but I didn't flinch. I thought it was a fabulous idea!
By 8:30pm we were headed out the door for dinner. The host took us back to our table.... To find my whole family and best friends yelling "Surprise!!!". I was shocked!
My birthday began the week before I turned 30 and didn't end until the weekend after. I was spoiled!
The night of my birthday, I went home to Pompton Plains for a night with my immediate family - my love, Nate the Great, Mommy, JB, Dana, Steve, Caroline and the Saginario's. Little Carmen played the guitar (he's amazing), and my mom made rump roast. It was the best. Until it was time for presents. I thought the surprise party was my present!
I opened up a box, to find another box. As I unwrapped the paper, I saw it. CHRISTIAN LOUBITIN. HOLY CRAP! I started crying. I started shaking. To some, these are just heels. To me, these are the Holy Grail. The most amazing shoes on the planet. Black patent leather. With RED SOLES!
The next day, February 18th, Nate and I hurried back to the city to meet my girls from college. Allison, Ricky, Meaghan and Tim arrived and we were going out to hit the town! We went to a fancy brunch, then off to the Beer Garden at the Standard Hotel. Took some time to rest after day drinking and had a fabulous dinner then drinks at the Maritime. What a night - it was fabulous!
I truly cannot thank Nate, my family and friends enough for giving me the best birthday a girl could have. And it's not just because I had an amazing party, and got the most beautiful shoes a woman could ask for, but because for a whole week, I was surrounded by people whom I love and I know love me right back. Healthy or not healthy - my friends and my family make me who I am and have been my support system through everything.
So thank you everyone! I love you all!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Silly me
Silly me...just got an email from an actual contact at Extend Fertility saying that she included MY STORY in this newsletter too! Keep scrolling down and you'll see a blurb about me:
Egg Freezing Provides a New Promise for Breast Cancer Patients
Extend Fertility Client Shares Her Story With ABC News
In the feature "Breast Cancer: New Options and New Promise" with ABC News 7, Kara Skaflestad, an Extend Fertility client shares her personal story. Kara froze her eggs as a Fertile Hope patient at Extend Fertility affiliate, Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. "My eggs are frozen, living in Boston". Listen to Kara's story about becoming a breast cancer survivor, falling in love, and freezing her eggs.
And a link to the piece that Nate and I did with ABC News.
Here's to healthy eggs and future healthy babies!
Egg Freezing Provides a New Promise for Breast Cancer Patients
Extend Fertility Client Shares Her Story With ABC News
In the feature "Breast Cancer: New Options and New Promise" with ABC News 7, Kara Skaflestad, an Extend Fertility client shares her personal story. Kara froze her eggs as a Fertile Hope patient at Extend Fertility affiliate, Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. "My eggs are frozen, living in Boston". Listen to Kara's story about becoming a breast cancer survivor, falling in love, and freezing her eggs.
And a link to the piece that Nate and I did with ABC News.
Here's to healthy eggs and future healthy babies!
Success in Egg Freezing
Just came across an amazing article this morning from an alert email that I receive weekly from Extend Fertility, the fertility "house" where my existing 32 children (frozen oocytes) are stored. I was happy to read that the woman who is currently pregnant, not only had her eggs stored at the same facility that I do, but she was also treated at RMA of New York - the same place I went to for the treatments and egg retrieval.
Though this article is mainly about women "buying time" through egg freezing, I'm happy to know that the places that I went to, were a success for this woman at 42 years old. And thanks to Oprah for reporting on it!
http://www.oprah.com/health/Egg-Freezing-Technology-Freezing-Your-Eggs#ixzz1kQ3mdufp
Though this article is mainly about women "buying time" through egg freezing, I'm happy to know that the places that I went to, were a success for this woman at 42 years old. And thanks to Oprah for reporting on it!
http://www.oprah.com/health/Egg-Freezing-Technology-Freezing-Your-Eggs#ixzz1kQ3mdufp
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