I hadn't been on an airplane since 2001. So all of the customs and rituals of airport safety were entirely new to me. I had no idea I 'd be told to remove my shoes before walking through the security contraption or that my baggage would be opened, searched, and inspected. It was a whole new world for me. Prior to 2001, none of these security measures were necessary. A compression sleeve wasn't either.

A compression sleeve -- my own personal security device -- is my new travel companion. Designed to protect my arm from swelling caused by the combination of missing lymph nodes and airplane cabin pressure, this sleeve fits my arm from wrist to armpit. It's tight like a glove and while it's not a very apparent fashion statement, it's slightly visible with its darker-than-flesh color.

I almost forgot to wear my sleeve on my flight to Tucson because I sometimes forget about breast cancer and it's effect on my life still. I sometimes forget how unsafe this world can be too. Then I see barefoot travelers passing through an airport corridor just before a jolt sparks my memory, and I rush to pull on my sleeve before it's too late.

There are four missing lymph nodes up my sleeve. And I must never forget this.

I am in a slump. I feel tired and slow and unmotivated. And ever since October 14 -- when I ran in the 5K Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event -- I can't seem to find the inspiration to exercise. I am making myself do it -- here and there -- but my usual drive and push and spunk are missing. Typically, I crave exercise and feel lethargic if I don't accomplish some sort of daily physical challenge. But for the past week or so, I have no craving, no desire to walk or run or lift weights, no appetite for my usual fitness routine. I am just plain tired.

Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment -- even years after treatment ends, according to some experts. So perhaps my drop in energy and enthusiasm is due to the cumulative effect of my own treatment for breast cancer that just ended in June. My treatment spanned almost two years. Maybe it's no surprise my body is lagging behind my expectations for physical health.

Experts also say exercise helps combat fatigue. I believe this -- it's why I usually like exercise. It boosts my adrenaline, perks me up, makes me feel alive. If only I could get back into the swing of things, these feelings might come flooding back. But right now, I am not even thinking about how to find my old groove. I am just too tired.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a federal agency that conducts research on healthcare quality, costs, outcomes and patient safety has performed a study that shows that other tests other than a biopsy can miss four to nine percent of cancers in women who have an average risk of breast cancer after an abnormal mammogram.

Usually when a women has an abnormal mammogram she will need further testing done. Sometimes testing is performed by MRI, ultrasound or PET scan. This study showed that a biopsy is more effective at detecting breast cancer than the other methods mentioned.

Sometimes we hear about the overuse of biopsies being done since eighty percent of breast abnormalities come out to be benign, however the other twenty percent show to be cancerous.

The research showed that none of the tests mentioned are sufficient to replace biopsy because the screening tests show a two percent risk of missing a cancer in a women who has an abnormal mammogram.

Make sure if you do have an abnormal mammogram that you discuss with your doctor the option to have a biopsy.

You want to be sure your diagnosis is accurate!

Olivia Newton-John, breast cancer survivor, and strong advocate for raising breast cancer awareness, recently released a CD dedicated to anyone who has been touched by cancer.

The CD features performances by some of her closest friends including Delta Goodrem, Patti Labelle, Diahann Carroll and Amy Sky. One of the ten songs on the CD includes Can I Trust Your Arms, written by Olivia's daughter Chloe, as a special Christmas gift for her mother.

Olivia Newton-John shares her feelings about the CD by saying, "I believe the songs I have chosen reflect the many emotions of such a journey. By way of this CD I am grateful to be able to pass on that torch with these songs of inspiration, encouragement and understanding to all of those facing breast cancer or any other challenging journey." Part of the proceeds from Stronger than Before are going to help build a comprehensive cancer center to treat all cancers at the Austin Hospital in Melborne, Australia.

During the late 1950s, Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women in many countries around the globe as an antiemetic to combat morning sickness. As it turns out, the drug, which had passed safety tests necessary to gain approval, was a nightmare of unimaginable proportion when it was discovered that babies born to mothers who took the drug suffered extreme birth deformities and missing limbs. Many of the babies did not survive the first year of life. If it were not for Frances Oldham Kelsey, a reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration, who refused to grant approval for a drug she knew was not safe, many babies in the United States would have suffered the same tragic fate. Thalidomide was pulled from the market when it became clear what was causing a sudden epidemic in birth deformities. The drug was later introduced in the treatment for leprosy.

Drug makers have found a new use for thalidomide, being marketed as Thalomid, in the approval for treatment of multiple myeloma -- a blood cancer. It sounds like everyone is being very cautious about this drug, and with good reason, given its history. According to reports, it will be strictly controlled to prevent pregnant women from access to the drug. Thalomid also will carry a black box warning about an increased risk of blood clots for multiple myeloma patients.

The UK Bristol Cancer Help Centre conducted a survey and discovered that cancer patients are not given information about cancer prevention when it comes to diet. This does not surprise me. When I was newly-diagnosed with cancer and undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, no one discussed nutrition with me or how I might include cancer prevention foods in my menu planning. I had to research and educate myself about the benefits of eating healthy foods that would support my healing and long-term health.

In the survey of 1,288 cancer patients, the researchers found that 83 percent were not routinely given advice on nutrition by their healthcare team and 77 percent did not feel they could ask for it. In addition, 93 percent of the survey participants were not told where to find information about diet, even though 61 percent said they directly asked for information on the role of healthy eating.

Some of the cancer patients reported that when they did ask for advice on nutrition from healthcare workers, the answers they were given ranged from, "diet makes no difference, just eat normally" to "eat a healthy diet." Those answers are little help if there is no information provided defining what eat normally and healthy means. There is a mountain of research indicating that what we eat makes a difference to healing and health. This survey was not an eye-opener for me, but perhaps it will create an awareness in the healthcare community to the need for developing comprehensive educational materials on nutrition and diet for cancer patients and cancer survivors.