Well, I decided to copy and paste all of my blogs over from myspace as this appears to be more accessible.
the last blog I did was December 5, 2008. I guess I just needed to step away for awhile.
Just a quick update.
I finished my radiation treatments on December 17, 2008. I tolerated the whole thing pretty well. I am now doing a daily regimen of Tamoxifen, which is basically an estrogen blocker, and the worst part of it is the hot flashes. Ugh.
Things otherwise are going well. I am, for the most part feeling pretty good and my spirits are good.
When I have a few extra minutes I will clean up the formats on these blogs. they just cut and paste into one paragraph.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, December 05, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
There is light at the end of the tunnel 12/5/08
Well, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. I have endured 5+ weeks of radiation now and only have 9 treatments to go.I have tolerated it fairly well. I look like I have sunbathed topless for about 6 hours but in reality it looks worse than it feels. I had a terrible infection last week that is now under control. Aside from that and a lack of energy, I am doing pretty well.The treatments up til now treated the entire area of both breasts. Starting today the treatments will be targeted to the tumor sites.The radiation oncologist is a hoot and the nurse is just a sweetheart. The techs are awesome as well. If this could be considered a good experience it's because of the great staff at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.The tediousness of going daily and the skin care and having little energy get me a little down on occasion but overall I am doing very well. I thank God daily that we caught this so early. My surgeon said a couple of weeks ago that they still talk about my case. The fact that we kept digging and were able to treat it with the least invasive measures is something they are very excited about. So, Christmas will be very special this year. I continue to pray for my friends Dave, Sue and Janeen in thier battles
Live well and celebrate life!
There is light at the end of the tunnel 12/5/08
Well, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. I have endured 5+ weeks of radiation now and only have 9 treatments to go.I have tolerated it fairly well. I look like I have sunbathed topless for about 6 hours but in reality it looks worse than it feels. I had a terrible infection last week that is now under control. Aside from that and a lack of energy, I am doing pretty well.The treatments up til now treated the entire area of both breasts. Starting today the treatments will be targeted to the tumor sites.The radiation oncologist is a hoot and the nurse is just a sweetheart. The techs are awesome as well. If this could be considered a good experience it's because of the great staff at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.The tediousness of going daily and the skin care and having little energy get me a little down on occasion but overall I am doing very well. I thank God daily that we caught this so early. My surgeon said a couple of weeks ago that they still talk about my case. The fact that we kept digging and were able to treat it with the least invasive measures is something they are very excited about. So, Christmas will be very special this year. I continue to pray for my friends Dave, Sue and Janeen in thier battles
Live well and celebrate life!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Just a quick update 11/9/08 Current mood: cheerful
Well, I've had 7 radiation treatments. So far I am tolerating it well although I am feeling a bit of fatigue. The folks that take care of doing the treatments as well as the doctor and nurses are are really neat people. If I have to see these people daily, I'm glad it's this bunch. I'm going to try and get some pics of them as well as the machines and stuff so you all can see what I'm talking about.I have a follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday. That should be a fairly simple/quick appointment.As always, I'm doing well and am grateful for all I have.
Just a quick update 11/9/08 Current mood: cheerful
Well, I've had 7 radiation treatments. So far I am tolerating it well although I am feeling a bit of fatigue. The folks that take care of doing the treatments as well as the doctor and nurses are are really neat people. If I have to see these people daily, I'm glad it's this bunch. I'm going to try and get some pics of them as well as the machines and stuff so you all can see what I'm talking about.I have a follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday. That should be a fairly simple/quick appointment.As always, I'm doing well and am grateful for all I have.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
On the way!! 11/2/08 Current mood: good
Well, I am on my way with both treatments.I started on the Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago. So far I am tolerating it but I am guessing it takes a while for the side effects to kick in. I am told that the hot flashes and aching joints are a good thing. The studies seem to show it means the drug is working.I started radiation last Thursday. That will be 5 days a week for six weeks. The treatment itself is pretty much a non event. I go in, put on my little hospital gown and they come get me. We go to the table, I lay down, they set up the machine and adjust the way I am laying and then go hide behind the wall and do the zapping. I feel nothing and see nothing. The only way I know anything is happening is the sound of the machine which pretty much just sounds like an xray machine. They adjust the machine a total of 3 times, once for each spot they are zapping. Then I put on my clothes and go home. The side effects of this will be like a sunburn on the zapped areas and the areas that surround that, and eventually fatigue will set in. The fatigue is from the body using so much energy to regenerate the cells that the radiation kills. Everyone reacts differently so only time will tell how severe the fatigue might be. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good. I am grateful that in this messed up economy I still have a job. And of course I am always humbled and grateful for the support I get from all of my awesome friends and family!
On the way!! 11/2/08 Current mood: good
Well, I am on my way with both treatments.I started on the Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago. So far I am tolerating it but I am guessing it takes a while for the side effects to kick in. I am told that the hot flashes and aching joints are a good thing. The studies seem to show it means the drug is working.I started radiation last Thursday. That will be 5 days a week for six weeks. The treatment itself is pretty much a non event. I go in, put on my little hospital gown and they come get me. We go to the table, I lay down, they set up the machine and adjust the way I am laying and then go hide behind the wall and do the zapping. I feel nothing and see nothing. The only way I know anything is happening is the sound of the machine which pretty much just sounds like an xray machine. They adjust the machine a total of 3 times, once for each spot they are zapping. Then I put on my clothes and go home. The side effects of this will be like a sunburn on the zapped areas and the areas that surround that, and eventually fatigue will set in. The fatigue is from the body using so much energy to regenerate the cells that the radiation kills. Everyone reacts differently so only time will tell how severe the fatigue might be. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good. I am grateful that in this messed up economy I still have a job. And of course I am always humbled and grateful for the support I get from all of my awesome friends and family!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Well, that was fun! 8/22/08 Current mood: amused
Well, got through the radiation simulation this morning.Got through the appointment today relatively unscathed. I think 5 or 6 little tattoos which was the worst part. That HURT! I can't believe people do that on purpose!!! LOL Oh, and the doctor had cold hands. Note to self: get Dr. LaPorte hand warmers for Christmas:DI have to go back next Wednesday for some more stuff and then I will start treatments on Thursday.Claustrophobia wasn't too bad except when they first tied my feet together. I had a couple of moments in the little machine but nothing I couldn't control.So, we are moving forward.
Well, that was fun! 8/22/08 Current mood: amused
Well, got through the radiation simulation this morning.Got through the appointment today relatively unscathed. I think 5 or 6 little tattoos which was the worst part. That HURT! I can't believe people do that on purpose!!! LOL Oh, and the doctor had cold hands. Note to self: get Dr. LaPorte hand warmers for Christmas:DI have to go back next Wednesday for some more stuff and then I will start treatments on Thursday.Claustrophobia wasn't too bad except when they first tied my feet together. I had a couple of moments in the little machine but nothing I couldn't control.So, we are moving forward.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
I have once again befuddled them! 10/17/08
I know it's been a while but really, there was nothing to report until now.As has happened a few times in this process, I have again kind of stumped the experts.Here's how it went.After my last appointment, 3 weeks ago, with the oncologist she was going to order the Onco Type DX report to determine for sure if chemo is needed. Well, after some confusion at Rose apparently getting the samples to the company that does the test, it finally got there. Results were supposed to be back in 2 weeks so that is when I set my appointment. Well, last Friday was the two weeks and I had an inkling that the results weren't back yet so I called before my appointment and sure enough, they weren't there. I rescheduled for today.Mary (my sister) and I got there today, doctor comes in and apologizes for the confusion last week and explains the confusion getting the sample to the lab. Then she said, "but that's not the end of the story". I started laughing. Just par for the course in this thing. Well, it turns out that the sample they got doesn't have enough cells in it for them to do their test. LOL So, the doctor said that she doesn't think that the benefit of chemo would be worth what you have to go through so, we are going with what we originally thought would be the case and that is, 6 weeks of radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifen or it's equal once I am considered post menopausal. I'll take it!!!Yay!!!! What a relief. I think I can now move forward. Who knows what crazy twists and turns this will take in the future but at least we have direction.
I have once again befuddled them! 10/17/08
I know it's been a while but really, there was nothing to report until now.As has happened a few times in this process, I have again kind of stumped the experts.Here's how it went.After my last appointment, 3 weeks ago, with the oncologist she was going to order the Onco Type DX report to determine for sure if chemo is needed. Well, after some confusion at Rose apparently getting the samples to the company that does the test, it finally got there. Results were supposed to be back in 2 weeks so that is when I set my appointment. Well, last Friday was the two weeks and I had an inkling that the results weren't back yet so I called before my appointment and sure enough, they weren't there. I rescheduled for today.Mary (my sister) and I got there today, doctor comes in and apologizes for the confusion last week and explains the confusion getting the sample to the lab. Then she said, "but that's not the end of the story". I started laughing. Just par for the course in this thing. Well, it turns out that the sample they got doesn't have enough cells in it for them to do their test. LOL So, the doctor said that she doesn't think that the benefit of chemo would be worth what you have to go through so, we are going with what we originally thought would be the case and that is, 6 weeks of radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifen or it's equal once I am considered post menopausal. I'll take it!!!Yay!!!! What a relief. I think I can now move forward. Who knows what crazy twists and turns this will take in the future but at least we have direction.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Waiting, waiting. 10/1/08
Well, the radiation oncologist won't move forward until the the test comes back that completely rules out chemo. We got most of the appointment stuff done, just didn't do the simulation. I should hopefully know next Friday on the chemo and am pretty confident that will be a big negatory so I will start Tamoxifen at that point and then we will do the radiation simulation the following Wednesday (15th I think) and should be able to start the radiation treatments shortly after than.I think after all this I'm changing my name to Job. :DThe big thing this week is that my baby turns 21 on Thursday! Happy Birthday honey! I love you!
Waiting, waiting. 10/1/08
Well, the radiation oncologist won't move forward until the the test comes back that completely rules out chemo. We got most of the appointment stuff done, just didn't do the simulation. I should hopefully know next Friday on the chemo and am pretty confident that will be a big negatory so I will start Tamoxifen at that point and then we will do the radiation simulation the following Wednesday (15th I think) and should be able to start the radiation treatments shortly after than.I think after all this I'm changing my name to Job. :DThe big thing this week is that my baby turns 21 on Thursday! Happy Birthday honey! I love you!
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