Radiation & Chemo

Friday June 298:00 am - My recliner chair awaits. Today, I had Nurse Karen.  I mentioned that I didn't remember seeing her before and she said she remembered me and that she has been doing this for 24 years.  (wow, memory really is shot).  She took my vitals (BP 143/92).  Once the Herceptin drip was set up, I leaned back with my blanket that Jane made and another one that was heated .... ahhhhhh. Karen gave me a glass of orange juice and pillows.  I'm spoiledI hit twilight for the hour.  It was nice to just...

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The Brain

I usually see Dr R on Wednesday's, so I was surprised when the tech said to wait for the nurse to take me back to see the doc.  It is good to touch base, especially since I'm pioneering the prone position and can give him feedback from a patient's point of view.  Today, we talked about the MRI and the headaches.He did state that there was no cancer in the brain and, naturally, we are relieved.  I asked him if I've ever had TIAs .... none showed .... no strokes either.  My memory has been shot, my concentration just...

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MRI Results

I arrived for my daily "glow" appointment and a nurse met me as the tech was taking me to the treatment room.  She said that Dr R was not in today, so he wanted her to give me a message.  He looked at the MRI results and "did not find any disease in my brain".  They aren't sure what is causing my headaches, but this is a BIG RELIEF.  I didn't realize how much I was stuffing my emotions until she gave me the news.I gave her a hug and happy tears flowedThe techs were throwing out some possibilities .... perhaps my blood...

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Say "Cheese"

Monday ~ picture day.  Keeping visual track of my breast by the routine photo shoot before radiation treatment.  In the middle the shoot, I knew that my arm and neck were in a bad position.  I just had to hang on a little longer and get through the radiation. Oh my gosh, laying prone sucks.  Still waiting on the MRI results.Yep, my head hurt...

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The Beginning of a New Week

Saturday, the MRI went okay.  The nurse was as gentle as she could be with my veins.  She found one in my right hand (which seems to be the only one folks can find).  With the smallest needle, the vein rolled the first try and then she got it on the second try.  So very glad I was laying down.  Very glad for the ear plugs as well.  The machine hit pitches like a jack hammer.  At one point, I was counting the patterns 1 2 3 4 5 .... 1 2 3 4 5 6 ..... 1 2 3 4 5 .... etc.  At times, it...

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Round 15

Friday - Completed #15 = 3 weeksRadiation treatment seems to be going quickly.  The cream is helping to keep the redness under control (although it is staining my bra).  Tonight we went out to dinner and did some shopping at wally-world (aka Walmart) and I experienced a deep stabbing pain in my treated breast.  Haven't felt that before and I'm not sure if it is "normal".Life is full of "new norms"Traffic was really backed up and I made it there 10 minutes before closing.  Crazy construction.The MRI is scheduled for Saturday at 10am.  They are going to use the contrast ... last time, it was accessed...

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Remission

Today is Wednesday ~ I see the radiation doctor every Wednesday.I mentioned that I have been getting headaches daily for a couple of weeks and told him about the incident that happened Saturday.  I thought it could be my blood pressure.  I've been on my B.P. medication for at least 3 years now.  If anything, I can at least contact my family doctor and get checked out, or at least buy a pressure cup for home and monitor it.  He wants to do an MRI instead. Just to make sureI haven't considered that before (and I'm not...

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By the way

The middle of last week, my eyebrows started growing back.  I had to get real close to the mirror to make sure I was really seeing them.  It seemed to happen when I was sleeping.  At first, I thought it was smudge and wondered how I got that in my sleep.  Now I can express myself.Getting some dark peach fuzz on my head as well.  Each day, just a little bit more.  Kinda habit forming to rub my hand over my scalp, lol.I've been getting some massive headaches over the past two weeks or so.  Friday night,...

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Ignite

The word "ignite" has been mentioned 3 separate times today.  Once, when my husband was speaking of a church he went to last week that ignited the passion he once had .... the excitement of worship that drew him out of the wall of shyness.  That is saying a lot.Once again when I got a text from my daughter who is developing a concept for her community and thought of "Ignite the Flame. Follow the passion that burns inside of you...." The 3rd time was when she called me from her drive to Colorado Springs to tell me she just entered...

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Round 10

Two weeks down!!!Ahhhh, Friday.  End of the week and I'm sleeping in tomorrow! Everything is fine and dandy. The tech gave me a picture of me on the table with the mesh on my back and he also gave me the link to a model doing the same thing.Trust me, you can't move when it's locked down tightYou are looking at the MODEL!...

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Round 8

Route 8 backed up (again), ugh ~I asked how many sessions I had left and the tech checked the computer screen.  I looked at the figures and quickly added in my head *tongue-in-cheek* (I feel brain dead)25 standard  7 boostNow, that's 32 and I thought it was 33!  I told him he just made my day!!!!Well, he said, it depends on if the doctor wants to change some of the radiation "type" .... it might add to or subtract to the total count. ~ Sigh ~Wednesdays, I meet with the doctor.  Dr. R was not in today, so I saw the lady doctor from the "photo" session.  I opened my ball gown, she took a quick peek...

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Today's Thought

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 2 Corinthians 4:7-9AMENI usually put all my devotions on my tab "Inspiration".  Today, it is right out front.The White Fa...

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Round 7

This morning, I broke another blood vessel.  This one is on my foot from the base of my little toe, wrapped around the side to the back on the "padded" part of the foot.  Ouch.  I just stepped on the plastic matt under the office chair.  My body seems so fragile.The day went by slowly.  I made it to radiation and was taken right in.  It is getting faster to line everything up and blast me.  I asked them when the fatigue is suppose to hit and they said about two weeks into treatment.  But I'm tired...

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Round 6

Monday ~ the beginning of a new week.  Not too much wit and humor today, just don't feel like it.  My sister and her husband just received a call that his life long friend just died.  So sudden .... they just saw him yesterday.  It is times like these that make you pause and wonder.  Life can change in a second.  My prayers go out to Bonnie and her family.  May Don find peace in the beauty of Heaven. Staying focused, staying positive, just tired. ~ 27 remaining ~Praying for you too, Judy,...

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Saturday

I worked 5-1/2 hours today to make up all the time missed for treatments.  Sure got a lot done in the quiet.  Afterwards, I went to Clinique. Just love meeting women who "get it".  A beautiful lady seemed to remember me and it was awesome chatting with her.Calling all women! Get your mammogram!!!Walk thru your fear ...

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Round 5 + Herceptin

This morning I was due for my Herceptin drip.  My appointment was 8:30am and it was about 9:15 when the IV was administered.  They were really busy and had 70 patients that would be coming through today.  Canzer is everywhere.  I was in a private room and Nurse Bev took great care of me. L-O-V-E the heated blankets!I tried to relax my body and quiet my mind enough to take advantage of the moments of stillness. I am so very tired, but couldn't fade into sleep (too much activity outside the opened door).  Got my...

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Round 4

The numbers are counting down fast. Tomorrow will be a week in to the radiation treatment.  Set up is going a lot faster too.  Today, I was in & out really fast.The best news is that the 4:30 appointment slot became available and I now have it starting tomorrow.  Instead of leaving work at 3:30, I can leave at 4:00.  Really good news.Getting thru the muck and mire and seeing the finish lineMarsh land in Florida 29 left...

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Round 3

So, round 3 on Wednesday was SO much better.  I saw Dr R first and he was certain that I did not have an infection.  He did say that it was the beginning of the redness and tenderness that usually starts two weeks into treatment.  My skin is sensitive and I did warn them about that.   We discussed various creams and he said that they try to give out as many samples as possible (pricey) but they were all out.  The one packet I got the day before will have to due until more comes in.Dr R also showed me ...

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No Pain No Gain?

I woke up this morning with redness a little bigger than half a dollar.  Feels just like a sunburn ... tight, itchy, hot.  I try to be proactive. I thought by calling the doctor's office this afternoon to get a prescription (or at least a sample) of cream ordered, I could get it after my treatment.  The nurse said that it couldn't be the radiation treatment because it takes at least two weeks  before side effects occur. She actually saidIt has to be from something else(really?)That threw me for a loop ~ trust...

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First Radiation Treatment & Lessons Learned

I made it to the radiation oncology with 2 minutes to spare (accident on the freeway to get around).  There are only 6 parking spaces in a narrow parking lot, which were all taken. Valet parking! (am I suppose to tip them?)Swiped my "I'm here!" card and made my way to the dressing room.  I didn't have long to wait.  I was taken back by Tim & Holly to get things rolling.  Apparently, the film they took before the power went out Friday didn't transfer over in the system.  So, new photos were necessary before...

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Radiation Begins

Today, I went in again for the final adjustments with the mesh that was moulded last week. They also wanted to take films.  This time, only 3 men (and a woman came in to replace 2 of them)I'm a pioneer woman! Not like this awesome Pioneer Woman .... no, just the first patient at Akron General to lay "prone" instead of on my back.  That's pretty exciting, right?  I googled this a bit and read (parts) of Journal of Clinical Oncology, which talks about the "prone position to spare the heart & lung". My forehead and chin...

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