IMPORTANT NEWS: Paget's Disease

I got this warning via email and I thought it's important for me to share it here.

New kind of Breast Cancer PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE

Please forward to all of the women in your lives . Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, etc.

A rare kind of breast cancer has been found. A lady developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds, it continued to get worse, so her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass. A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health. She had one year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine, she died.

She left this message to be delivered to women everywhere:

" Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible. Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous.

Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureole can be breastcancer. (Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.)

What are the symptoms?

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn
(As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureole are a with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is effected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately.
Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast.
Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life.

My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin.

If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread... "

TO ALL READERS:

Women are not aware of Paget's disease of the nipple. Most people only know of Pagets disease itself (which is a bone disease and obviously totally different)...
So it is vital to pass this information on. If, by passing this around on the e-mail, facebook or whatever means possible to us, we can make others aware of it and its potential danger, we are helping women everywhere!

Please, if you can, take a moment to forward this message to as many people as possible, especially to your family and friends. It only takes a moment, yet the results could save a life.

Why Do Women Cry? and A Strong Woman

Yes, maybe you've read these from forwarded emails. However, I think any good message deserves to be shared, even just to remind us once more. Both were taken from this site: PositiveThoughts.com. I've put the link in my sidebar.

Why do Women Cry?

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he asked God. He said, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said: " When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

A Strong Woman
by Luke Easter & Dee Cheeks

A strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape.
But a woman of strength kneels in prayer
to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything.
But a woman of strength
shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her.
But a woman of strength
gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman walks sure footedly.
But a woman of strength
knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look
of confidence on her face.
But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that
she is strong enough for the journey.
But a woman of strength has faith that
it is in the journey that she will become strong.