So, I went in for my "simulation" appointment this morning. It took about an hour and was pretty painless - even the tattoos.
One of the radiation therapists, Gary, took me through my upcoming radiation visits. I don't have to check in each day - I just go change and wait in a little waiting room for the therapist to come and get me. He showed exactly where everything is so I will know where to go.
Then he took me into an x-ray room. He showed me how I will lie on the table each treatment and what sounds the machines make and what the table feels like when it moves. He wanted to make sure there are no surprises when I start radiation.
The x-rays, CAT scan, and tattoos took about an hour total. I have six little permanent freckles now. Actually, on top of the freckles I'm covered with dots, x's, and lines drawn by the therapist and the doctor to take all the measurements for accurate radiation. They assured me it washes off!
Fortunately, according to Gary, I have "good skin" so the pokes for the tattoos were tiny and quick. Whatever makes "good skin" - I'm grateful for it.
I begin radiation next Monday. So, the next stage begins.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Medical Update
Hi, all - I realize that it has been quite a long time since I posted. I'm fine - really! In fact Kent and I just returned from a 6 day road trip. Before I tell you about the trip, let me give you a medical update:
I met with Dr. Rich, my oncologist, on Monday the 29th. Here is what we covered:
1. I have a little neuropathy in my feet. That means that my toes are a little numb and sometimes tingly. Hopefully, it will improve and not get worse. It is a side affect of chemo.
2. My fingernails are partially yellow - also a side affect of chemo.
3. My Vitamin D level is just under normal. I will be taking a Vitamin D pill daily and in 8 weeks I go back and see if my levels have improved. Why is this an issue?:
My cancer is estrogen positive. That means that estrogen helps cancer grow. Now that I am through with chemo I need to take some kind of anti-estrogen pill for the next 5 years. My choices are:
a medication that blocks estrogen receptors. The side affects of this med - hot flashes; possible blood clots; increased chance of getting uterine cancer.
The second option, and the one both I and Dr. Rich prefer, a medication that blocks the production of estrogen. The side affects of this med - hot flashes; bone loss; stiffness in my joints - usually worse in the mornings.
So now back to the Vitamin D issue. I have osteoporosis, so losing bone density from this medication is not a happy option. Dr. Rich had me go in for another bone scan the day after our appointment. He wants to see how my bones compare to last year. I haven't yet heard from him on that. So I need to continue taking my calcium and increase my dose of Vitamin D. I think Dr. Rich is also going to prescribe a bone thickening medication as well. Please keep my bones in your prayers.
5. Since my chemo is finished, I don't need my port anymore. I can't get in to see Dr. Tittensor until after September 22, so I don't know anymore than that at this point.
6. After radiation, I have follow up visits for several years. I start by going in every 3 months for a couple of years, then every 4 months etc. then once a year for a few years. As we discussed this part I think Dr. Rich could see that I was feeling a little discouraged about my future life. He told me - "Don't let chemo control your life. People who go back to normal activity and keep busy, recover much quicker and better than those who lay around watching soap operas and wishing they felt better. :) That is what I intend to do. In fact, I came out of that visit feeling lighter and more optimistic than I had in quite awhile. Thank you, Dr. Rich.
If I could ask another focus on your prayers, please - tomorrow I go in for my "simulation" appointment before I begin radiation. I'm nervous about the tattoos! :( Your prayers would help.
I will post again soon about our fabulous road trip!!
I met with Dr. Rich, my oncologist, on Monday the 29th. Here is what we covered:
1. I have a little neuropathy in my feet. That means that my toes are a little numb and sometimes tingly. Hopefully, it will improve and not get worse. It is a side affect of chemo.
2. My fingernails are partially yellow - also a side affect of chemo.
3. My Vitamin D level is just under normal. I will be taking a Vitamin D pill daily and in 8 weeks I go back and see if my levels have improved. Why is this an issue?:
My cancer is estrogen positive. That means that estrogen helps cancer grow. Now that I am through with chemo I need to take some kind of anti-estrogen pill for the next 5 years. My choices are:
a medication that blocks estrogen receptors. The side affects of this med - hot flashes; possible blood clots; increased chance of getting uterine cancer.
The second option, and the one both I and Dr. Rich prefer, a medication that blocks the production of estrogen. The side affects of this med - hot flashes; bone loss; stiffness in my joints - usually worse in the mornings.
So now back to the Vitamin D issue. I have osteoporosis, so losing bone density from this medication is not a happy option. Dr. Rich had me go in for another bone scan the day after our appointment. He wants to see how my bones compare to last year. I haven't yet heard from him on that. So I need to continue taking my calcium and increase my dose of Vitamin D. I think Dr. Rich is also going to prescribe a bone thickening medication as well. Please keep my bones in your prayers.
5. Since my chemo is finished, I don't need my port anymore. I can't get in to see Dr. Tittensor until after September 22, so I don't know anymore than that at this point.
6. After radiation, I have follow up visits for several years. I start by going in every 3 months for a couple of years, then every 4 months etc. then once a year for a few years. As we discussed this part I think Dr. Rich could see that I was feeling a little discouraged about my future life. He told me - "Don't let chemo control your life. People who go back to normal activity and keep busy, recover much quicker and better than those who lay around watching soap operas and wishing they felt better. :) That is what I intend to do. In fact, I came out of that visit feeling lighter and more optimistic than I had in quite awhile. Thank you, Dr. Rich.
If I could ask another focus on your prayers, please - tomorrow I go in for my "simulation" appointment before I begin radiation. I'm nervous about the tattoos! :( Your prayers would help.
I will post again soon about our fabulous road trip!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Last chemo! :)
Well - I've made it through chemo. These are the sweet nurses who took such good care of me all these weeks! They let me ring the bell and gave me a bottle of sparkling cider.
I'm finding my reaction to the end of chemo rather baffling. Everyone around me has been more excited for me than I have been. Maybe it just doesn't seem real yet ??
Anyway, I feel as good as I always have after chemo. Although, I do have some numbness in my toes - which I hope doesn't get worse and goes away!
I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rich in 2 weeks.
Chemo was on Thursday and Thursday evening we had Kent's annual birthday open house and included my last treatment into the celebration. It was so fun to see good friends, eat BYU brownies, and read funny/rude cards. It is one of the highlights of our summer!!!
Friday night we went out to dinner with friends - ate at Milagros - and got to hear Jackson sing for us. Today I have been sleeping quite a bit - perhaps I partied too much!
Even with all of the fun and happy times - there is this underlying "something" that keeps me a bit low. I still haven't looked at any of the information that Dr. Clark's office gave me about radiation.! Maybe actually reading it would make me feel better. Maybe it is simply because it is something different and unknown. Maybe, maybe, maybe . . . . . I'll let you know if/when I figure it out!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A little bit more about radiologist visit
OK, I'm feeling a bit better about my visit on Monday, so I'll share just a bit of info.
1. The reason I have to do radiation is:
2/3 of the women who have my kind of cancer and have gone through the exact same surgery/treatment would not need radiation - the cancer would be gone.
1/3 would NOT be cancer-free and would need the radiation.
There is no test they can do that will tell them which women fall into which category - hence everyone does the radiation - just in case.
2. Side affects from radiation "should be" easier than chemo. Here are the most common ones:
"Sunburn" to the radiated area - can get bad enough to blister and peel although they don't think mine will because I'm not doing it as long as some do. They also gave me a list of lotions I can use to help with that.
Muscle aches under the skin, from radiation - take Advil unless something stronger is needed.
Fatigue -- I "should" have more energy than with chemo but not as much as if I WEREN'T doing radiation.
Lymphadema in my arm. Retention of fluids - swelling etc. I've decided that this is what is making me anxious. I thought lymphadema showed up after the SURGERY. Since I've come this far without any issues, I thought I had put that concern behind me. Apparently not. The doctor will give me a prescription for a mastectomy sleeve that I have to wear whenever I fly. Hopefully, that will be the extent of it!
I think the rest of my anxiety is just the unknown - which seems silly to my logical mind, given what I've already gone through -- but there it is!
Anyway, I have an appointment in about 2 weeks to get an X-ray and Catscan of the area and then little tattoos to mark exactly where they want to do the radiation. One week after that I being 5.5 weeks of radiation. I go in everyday, Monday - Friday, for about 20 minutes or less and have the weekends off.
On the upside - I REALLY like Dr. Clark and his staff. So good!
1. The reason I have to do radiation is:
2/3 of the women who have my kind of cancer and have gone through the exact same surgery/treatment would not need radiation - the cancer would be gone.
1/3 would NOT be cancer-free and would need the radiation.
There is no test they can do that will tell them which women fall into which category - hence everyone does the radiation - just in case.
2. Side affects from radiation "should be" easier than chemo. Here are the most common ones:
"Sunburn" to the radiated area - can get bad enough to blister and peel although they don't think mine will because I'm not doing it as long as some do. They also gave me a list of lotions I can use to help with that.
Muscle aches under the skin, from radiation - take Advil unless something stronger is needed.
Fatigue -- I "should" have more energy than with chemo but not as much as if I WEREN'T doing radiation.
Lymphadema in my arm. Retention of fluids - swelling etc. I've decided that this is what is making me anxious. I thought lymphadema showed up after the SURGERY. Since I've come this far without any issues, I thought I had put that concern behind me. Apparently not. The doctor will give me a prescription for a mastectomy sleeve that I have to wear whenever I fly. Hopefully, that will be the extent of it!
I think the rest of my anxiety is just the unknown - which seems silly to my logical mind, given what I've already gone through -- but there it is!
Anyway, I have an appointment in about 2 weeks to get an X-ray and Catscan of the area and then little tattoos to mark exactly where they want to do the radiation. One week after that I being 5.5 weeks of radiation. I go in everyday, Monday - Friday, for about 20 minutes or less and have the weekends off.
On the upside - I REALLY like Dr. Clark and his staff. So good!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Visit to Radiologist
Well, Kent and I met with doctor Clark today. We both liked him very much. He and his nurse were both very caring, compassionate, and nurturing. My reaction to this visit surprised me -- I have been anxious all day. Even after meeting with the doctor I am still anxious. I'm not sure why, since this should be much easier than the chemo was - even Dr. Clark said so.
For now, since I AM feeling anxious, I'm not going to talk about all that I learned today. I'll tell you later! :)
For now, since I AM feeling anxious, I'm not going to talk about all that I learned today. I'll tell you later! :)
Friday, August 12, 2011
More cabin
I was hoping to have more pictures - but not yet. But I did think of something that I wanted to share. I was a little bit concerned about how the grand kids would react to me without hat or hair at the cabin. Here is what I discovered: Haley and Lexi, both age 5, were very interested in seeing me without a hat. Haley liked to rub my head and they both spent quite a bit of time removing and replacing my hat.
The first time I took off my hat [actually, Haley or Lexi probably took it off :)] Max, who is 3 said:
"Hey, you're bald, just like me." He never gave it another thought after that!
Ethan, who is 8, was telling me about something and he suddenly just said, "Ok, this is freaking me out, could you please put your hat back on." :)!
Ah, the wonderful innocence of children!
The first time I took off my hat [actually, Haley or Lexi probably took it off :)] Max, who is 3 said:
"Hey, you're bald, just like me." He never gave it another thought after that!
Ethan, who is 8, was telling me about something and he suddenly just said, "Ok, this is freaking me out, could you please put your hat back on." :)!
Ah, the wonderful innocence of children!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Cabin get-away
What a great weekend we had!! Lou Ann's cabin is next to Solitude in a lovey, shady grove next to the river. Awesome!! Basically, this is what we do at the cabin:
play games
eat
play more games
take turns in the hammock with various mixes of children
eat
Dwight & Jenny do a treasure hunt for all of the kids
play even more games
eventually go to sleep at night and begin the routine again the next morning. :)
Kent and I were able to go on one walk in the woods but then the bone pain kicked in. But, here are a few beautiful flowers that we saw on the walk. I've also included photos of the cabin experience! I didn't get pictures of all the kids yet, so I'll post some more later!
Below is Kent with Max [3] & Jackson [12]:
This is Aspen [9]:
This is most of us playing a game:
Haley [5]:
Lexi [5]:
Kent:
Skylar [4]:
play games
eat
play more games
take turns in the hammock with various mixes of children
eat
Dwight & Jenny do a treasure hunt for all of the kids
play even more games
eventually go to sleep at night and begin the routine again the next morning. :)
Kent and I were able to go on one walk in the woods but then the bone pain kicked in. But, here are a few beautiful flowers that we saw on the walk. I've also included photos of the cabin experience! I didn't get pictures of all the kids yet, so I'll post some more later!
Below is Kent with Max [3] & Jackson [12]:
This is Aspen [9]:
This is most of us playing a game:
Haley [5]:
Lexi [5]:
Kent:
Skylar [4]:
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