10 years Breast Cancer Free
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
2y ago
Today, October 10, 2021, is my 10-year Cancerversary from Stage 3a Her2Positive Breast Cancer. I remember diagnosis day like it was yesterday. Never did I think I would be here 10 years after that day! I am so grateful. That day I did not know that I would only be able to take 3 months of the miracle drug Herceptin for Her2Positive Breast Cancer when you normally need to take 1 year. I did not know that I would have a heart attack from the chemo drug Adriamycin which is called the Red Devil. I did not know that for 9.5 of those 10 years I would be living with heart failure because of the dama ..read more
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NCI Designated Cancer Centers and What They Mean For You After Cancer Diagnosis
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
Recently, I was asked what was the #1 advice I give to cancer patients through my blog and business.  My cancer experiences are based upon two years of Stage 3 cancer treatment myself, along with the cancer diagnoses and treatment for my mom, my sister,  (both survivors) and my beloved dad who died from Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.   My response came quickly:  “Always get a second opinion from a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center.”     What is an NCI Designated Cancer Center?   NCI-Designated Cancer Centers deliver cutting-edge cancer treatment ..read more
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What Kind of Cancer Survivor Are You This Christmas Season?
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
This Blog Post is a reprint of a post I wrote several years ago!  It is worth reading again even if you aren’t a Cancer Survivor!   Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!  Denise After cancer treatment is over, you can decide what kind of Cancer Survivor you wish to be. At this point, I believe a conscious decision is made. For years, it has been a hobby of mine to talk with strangers. Now I talk with Cancer Survivors because that is who hangs around the three cancer centers I frequent! I’ve noticed one thing from my talks with hundreds of Cancer Survivors: Cancer Survivors ..read more
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Prophylactic Mastectomy Cancelled or at Least Postponed
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
Recently, I went to my breast cancer surgeon expecting to get a surgery date as I had completed all of my preliminary testing before surgery for a prophylactic mastectomy of my right breast.  My left breast had been removed because of Stage 3 Her 2 Positive Breast Cancer 7 years ago, and it was recommended I have it removed because of my genetic mutation which puts me at even higher risk for another Breast Cancer. My surgeon is very credentialed and is the Director of the Breast Cancer Center at the large university hospital where I am a patient.  I’ve met her on several occasions be ..read more
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Preparing for Prophylactic Mastectomy as a Breast Cancer Survivor
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
My Oncologist highly recommended I have a prophylactic mastectomy of my remaining breast because I am considered high risk for recurrence since I have a genetic mutation in addition to my initial diagnosis of Her 2 Positive Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  He told me this 1.5 years ago, and I’ve put him off until now.   Now it is time to face it and get it done. It has been almost 7 years since I made the decision to keep one breast at diagnosis.  Of course, if I would have known then what I know now, I would have had a double mastectomy.  But I made the best decision for me at the ..read more
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Lymphedema During Summer
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
The challenges of living with Lymphedema gets so much worse during the warmer months of Summer.  Here in Ohio, we had a long, cold Winter and then a cold Spring. Then bam, it is Summer– hot and humid all the time! My sister (also a breast cancer survivor) and I both have Lymphedema.  My sister has more truncal lymphedema in her body, side of breast, and upper arm.  My lymphedema is in my left arm from my wrist up to my upper arm. During the Summer months, my arm swells constantly and is much larger than it is during the colder months.  Always, I wear my sleeve at least 12 t ..read more
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Most Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer Can Forgo Chemotherapy When Guided by Diagnostic Test
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
A huge study has just been released – June 3, 2018 –  at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists which I have reprinted below.  For many of us, this study would not have made a difference in our care, but for some of you it does.  Please be sure to read the article!!!  Denise Most Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer Can Forgo Chemotherapy When Guided by a Diagnostic Test FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2018 Summary includes data not in the abstract MEDIA CONTACT: Alise Fisher 571-483-1354 alise.fisher@asco.org PATIENT AND CAREGIVER INQUIRIES: Conta ..read more
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Are You Adjusting to Life as a Cancer Survivor?
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
Have you ever watched the popular HGTV series, House Hunters International?  This show highlights an American family that lives in a mega mansion with two amazing jobs in a Major USA Metropolitan area, three kids in private schools, and family and friends by their sides as they entertain them every weekend.   Then abruptly, they decide to sell their home, move their entire family to Siberia, without jobs, no language skills, no family or friends, and move to a 1 bedroom flat off the grid? Cancer patients are forced to make those kinds of dramatic changes, but not through any decision ..read more
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Do You Have Dense Breast Tissue?
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
Once again I had one of those phone calls that takes my breath away and takes the wind out of my sails.  A friend was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer this week and the reason it was found so late is due to DENSE BREAST TISSUE.  She had a mammogram a year ago, and was told it was fine.  In October of 2017 she said she felt something was wrong in her breast.  She went to her Primary Care Physician who prescribed some antibiotics for a breast infection.  In December, my friend still felt something was drastically wrong.  Finally, they did the mammogram, ultrasou ..read more
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Cancer at Christmas
Denise4health & Hello Courage
by Denise McCroskey
3y ago
I’m writing this to the women and men who are in the midst of cancer treatment this Christmas season.  Oh how you will miss the normalcy of Christmas as you have always known it.  In a flash of hearing those words, ‘You have cancer” everything in life is changed. Now, this very unwelcomed guest has arrived in your household, and there is absolutely no way to get rid of them except to learn how to co-exist. One of the difficulties of Christmas for many cancer patients is not only feeling so sick, it is the awkwardness of seeing family or friends you may only see infrequently.   Y ..read more
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