Breezy Mama

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4 New Words You Never Want to Hear: The Cancer Came Back

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Emily, the day before what would be her third surgery.

You may have read my story about Emily, my daughter who was diagnosed with cancer this past September. Her tumor was taken out and we left the hospital without needing chemotherapy. She was having regular check-ups and scans, but there was a 15% chance the cancer would come back. I tried not to obsess over the 15%, but I did. Every time Emily was having fun at something, I would think such thoughts as, “What if she can’t enjoy this next year?” I kept telling myself to live in the moment–she was having monthly check-ups and bi-monthly CT scans–if it came back, it would be found and treated right away. And then, just as I was getting better about not thinking about it, that’s when it happened. Guess who fell into that 15% range? [Read more…] about 4 New Words You Never Want to Hear: The Cancer Came Back

Delish Dish: Edamame Salad–Part of Breezy Mama’s “Hospital Series”

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edamameYou may have read that my daughter was diagnosed with cancer last month. As a result, we were in the hospital for a long period of time, and when we were finally discharged, our friends rallied around us and brought meals every night. Each one was phenomenal, so I thought I’d share them with you; hence the name, “Hospital Series”. This salad kicks it off.

While Emily was still at CHOC, I came home one night to be with Kieran and Bowen stayed with Emily. My sweet friends Cama and Jen brought me dinner from my favorite restaurant. Included was a yummy arugula salad, and I commented that I hadn’t had any vegetables in days, because I was surviving on hospital food. Jen, master of all good eating, and the Queen of Salads put together this meal for me to take back to the hospital the next day. It was delicious, and when I called and thanked her for it she replied, “No problem, I’m glad you liked it, I couldn’t have my friend’s digestive tract going to pieces.” Now if they only had a salad bar half as good in the CHOC cafeteria. . .

Ingredients: [Read more…] about Delish Dish: Edamame Salad–Part of Breezy Mama’s “Hospital Series”

Your Daughter has Cancer: 4 Words You Never Expect to Hear-Plus: Advice from a Pediatrician and Pediatric Oncologist

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Emily in the Oncology playroom the day she's admitted to CHOC.
Emily in the Oncology playroom the day she's admitted to CHOC.

If you read my piece on my son getting Swine Flu, you know that it takes a lot to freak me out. Well, I guess fate decided to test me, because the day that story posted, I was told that my nine-month-old daughter, Emily, had a mass in her abdomen, which could very likely be a cancerous tumor. It was time for me to freak. –Alex

It all Began. . .
I took Emily to her nine month appointment on a Thursday and put her on the scale like I always do. She had only gained three ounces since her six month appointment. I knew she was small, but didn’t think much about it, and never realized that she wasn’t gaining any weight at all. Her pediatrician, Dr. Conti, was very concerned. He proceeded to examine her, and spent extra time palpating her stomach. Again, I didn’t think much about it. Dr. Conti went and got Dr. Carruth, who normally sees Emily, telling me he wanted Dr. Carruth to feel her stomach as well. Dr. Carruth orders a blood test to be done, and I’m thinking something must be wrong with her intestines, which is causing her to not gain weight. Dr. Carruth says the blood test will confirm if there’s [Read more…] about Your Daughter has Cancer: 4 Words You Never Expect to Hear-Plus: Advice from a Pediatrician and Pediatric Oncologist