Today, I had another follow up visit with my surgical oncologist. He made my day. After going through the results of my latest mammogram and recent CT scan he pronounced that I am officially in cancer remission. “You’re now a breast cancer survivor” he smiled.
It has been a monumental day. Tears flowed, and smiles ran broadly across loved ones’ faces with the news. Admittedly, I am still digesting the good news. I wasn’t expecting to find out the remission status until my oncologist’s appointment in May. It is a relief that the nightmarish last 11 months of my life is now over and I am in good health. I think a celebration is needed…
As a breast cancer survivor, I have been asked to participate in a local study being funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the cancer treatment organization, and the local university’s School of Medical Rehabilitation. The study involves following a group of breast cancer survivors and monitoring their exercise, physical fitness, and diet.
The researchers involved include an oncologist, physiotherapists, a dietician and a personal trainer. The goal of the study is to see how diet, nutrition and exercise affect breast cancer recovery from treatment, and if the healthy lifestyle can potentially ward off a cancer recurrence.
Yesterday, my physicality and body strength were measured, accompanied by several questionnaires on lifestyle, exercise, rest, diet, and social support. In some of the physical testing I found out that I came out of chemotherapy without any effect on my heart function. My resting heart rate was considerably lower than the adult average and my blood pressure levels were low.
I did reasonably well on some of the strength tests, and miserably on others. The physiotherapist that assessed me recommended some alterations in my daily work-out routine to help build more body strength as I continue working on physical recovery from all of the treatments.
At the end of the session I was issued a pedometer, which I will have to wear daily for the next 40 weeks to monitor my physical activity. I am also required to keep a daily physical activity logbook and food diary for three days each month. In late March, I will return for physical testing to see if there have been any changes in my bodily strength. The food diary and monthly physical strength monitoring will continue for the duration of the study.
In April, several sessions with the dietician, physiotherapist and personal trainer will begin. Each study candidate will be closely monitored on their program progress. It is expected that individualized plans will be created to participants to achieve optimal health as they recover from their cancer treatments.
A new chapter in my life has started to be written today. I will continue my daily fight against cancer with prevention as my new goal. I continue to move forward in this new “normal” life with Strength, Courage, and Determination.