Surgery Time

July 5th 

I got some very upsetting news today.  The woman I wrote about in my last blog passed away this morning.  She was only aware she had breast cancer for not even two weeks.  This breaks my heart.  42 and a mother of an 8 year old.  Please…no matter what…even if you don’t have health insurance, get your yearly exams and do self exams often.  There is help out there if you find something wrong. 

Sunday, July 8th

The article came out in the Nashville paper today The Tennessean.  Front page of the Sunday paper.  I was so shocked.  They did a really nice job on the story and I really appreciate them sharing it.  I hope it inspires people to get their yearly exams.   Every time we share our story’s we may save a life.   Here’s the link if you’d like to read it.

Tennessean.com Anita Cochran Fight Like A Girl

July 10

I had rehab therapy today for the pain and numbness in my arm and hand.  I’m sure it will take a few visits to see if it’s going to help but so far I can’t tell a difference.  I’m still in a lot of pain.  Between the pain and numbness of neuropathy in my feet that now shoots up to my calf muscles and now this pain and numbness from my neck down to my arms, and hands.  I can’t sleep and have stayed in pain most of the time.  

It’s confusing because my doctor thinks I have a pinched nerve in my neck or shoulder causing this pain and numbness.  I hope she is right but after all the medicines I’ve taken since my diagnosis I can’t help but wonder what’s really causing this because so many of the meds had side effects of muscle and bone pain, nerve damage, bone stiffness, neuropathy, I really am not sure if it’s a pinched nerve or not.  There’s a shooting pain down the back of my neck that starts the pain in the shoulder down the arm into my hand that causes my hand to go numb.  

Monday, July 16

I had my 15th treatment of chemo.   I had a couple errands to run but came home to the couch to lay down.  I was very tired and pain in my neck, shoulder, arm and hand seems to be worse.   I tried to nap but I just couldn’t get comfortable.  I have tried CBD oil, pain meds, muscle relaxers and nothing is helping.  

Tuesday, July 17th.  

Today I had physical rehab again to try to relieve the pain in my neck but I don’t feel it is helping.  I also am limited to how many physical therapy visits I have covered from my insurance so I have to be careful to not use many more because I’m told I may have to have hip replacement in the fall.  My doctor isn’t happy with me because I haven’t made an appointment to get my hips checked out but to be honest I’m tired of going to the doctors.  I need a break.  Between my doctor appointments and medical bills and my dads I feel as if I just live at a doctors office or their invoices.  I’m doing things at a much lower pace than I normally would tho my energy level has gotten a bit better.  My doctor is worried that I’m going to end up breaking a hip before I have surgery so I’m trying to be careful in what I do.  I don’t want to have surgery on my hips and hopefully that will NOT be the case.

As I sit here and type my right shoulder, arm and hand are now completely numb with pain shooting down it.  My feet are also numb and pain shooting through them.  Good news is, my echo gram came back with good results and my stomach issues have gotten a little better.   My taste seems almost normal now.  there are still some things that taste a little funny.  I have gained about 10 pounds  from the chemo and steroids I have taken.  I hope it stops at 10 ha ha!

I’ve had some really great story’s sent to me regarding my story and my song “Fight Like A Girl”.  I love it when people share their story’s with me.  Together we all help each other.  This video was sent to me by Jim Borda who is a trainer in Florida.  He is working with this girl Jasmine “Jazzy” who has brain cancer, Infiltrating Astrocytoma Grade ll.  She already has two prostatic legs from the knees down but insists on coming to the gym and working out so she can stay strong to fight her cancer.  She is using my song as her theme song and said it inspires her.  Well…she inspires me!!  She is such and inspiration!!!!  I look at her and stop my complaining.  She is amazing!  Watch this video!

Jasmine working out to Fight Like A Girl

I’m very nervous about tomorrow.  Wed July 18th is my final surgery.  They will remove my expanders and put in my final implants.  Though I am so looking forward to getting these uncomfortable expanders out, I am filled with anxiety again about surgery.  I really do NOT like to be put under.   I don’t know why I have such a fear of that but I do.  I’m also concerned about my healing time.  I really hope and pray this surgery is much easier than my first surgery.  My surgeon says it won’t be as bad as my first surgery.  It’s just frustrating because I’ve just lately been able to lay on my side.  Now with surgery again, I guess it will start all over of how I can lay down. My original surgery was in February and my pec muscles are still sore.  I pray my recovery time won’t be near as bad as the first surgery.  Really appreciate any and all prayers for a successful surgery.

Not sure if I will feel like blogging in the next few days but I will try to update you all.  You can also check out my facebook page anita cochran music and my twitter account  – theanitacochran   Those are quicker to respond than writing in the blog.  

I really want to thank everyone who has said a prayer or sent a positive comment my way through my journey.  I believe in prayer and positive vibes and believe that the prayers and positivity has really helped me! If you wouldn’t mind, please keep it up!:)