The next Step

Well, I have good news and bad news to blog about. The good news is that I'm done with the therapy on my arm. The bad news is my Oncologist will no longer be taking our insurance as of April 30th. I'm still not sure what to do about that. I don't really know what roll she will be playing in the next five years. I don't really know if my oncologists is the one who requests scans, blood work, Mammograms or not. I have my next appointment on March 13th so I guess I'll find out what is going to happen then.

I get my port removed on Friday and that should be the end of all of this for a while. I guess they will watch me for the next 5 years and if they don't detached any more cancer they will tell me I am cancer free. I'm still just taking one day at a time and enjoying my family and friends. All of which, have been very loving and supportive.

Lymphedema/New Pictures

It seems like forever since I wrote anything in this blog. I'm feeling wonderful! The past year is a blur! I don't feel sorry for myself one little bit! I have learned so much about myself and others through my illness. I'm not saying I ever want to go through that again but I have seen so much love in the past year it is hard for me to look at it and feel sorry for myself or blame God. OK enough of that!

Right now I am going for therapy on my arm. My left arm is swelling a bit from having no lymph nodes on that side. I use that arm a lot on my route plus I have heavy paper on Sundays, they think that is what is causing my arm and hand to swell.

Here is a little information about it.

Risk factors and occurrence of Lymphedema:

Women who have had breast surgery (either mastectomy or lumpectomy) with a complete axillary lymph node dissection have the highest risk of developing lymphedema.
Women who have only a sentinel lymph node procedure have a small risk of developing lymphedema.
Women who have not had a lymph node dissection do not develop lymphedema.
Lymphedema can be mild and only last a short time starting a few days after the lymph nodes are removed. The affected arm may be warm and slightly red, but usually not painful. It typically gets better within a week by keeping the arm elevated.
Lymphedema may not occur until six to eight weeks after surgery or during a course of radiation therapy.
Lymphedema can arise slowly and become noticeable 18-24 months after surgery or not until many years after finishing cancer treatment.
Some women will have very mild lymphedema that may fluctuate over time. However, most women with lymphedema will have chronic, constant swelling that requires regular management to prevent further problems. Physical therapists specially trained in lymphedema management techniques can help. They will teach you how to reduce swelling using a special type of self-massage, how to apply compression bandages, and how to wear a compression sleeve to maintain the arm’s size. Treatment to manage lymphedema is also available in some locations through a lymphedema clinic.

My hair is starting to grow pretty fast now. As of Friday February 13th, 2008. I freed myself from hiding behind my wig. I haven't had short hair in a very long time and never this short but I have to start somewhere. Believe it or not I have had a lot of compliments on my trendy hair style. : )

Sooooo, this is the new me!

It's Over!!

Today was my last day of radiation treatments. It feels soooo good to be over.

I will post one final post into my cancer blog. I want to put this year behind me and focus on living, not just surviving.

Yea! One more Day!

One more day fa,la,la,la!

I have to write about my son Boaz in all of this. Every morning I drop him off for school he asks me how many more days before I am done. I thought it was because he was happy for me to be done with my treatments. He told me he will be happy when he doesn't have to go with me to take his brother's to school and get out of the car and stand in the cold 10 minutes before he can go into school. LOL!! At least he doesn't have to walk!

I feel lucky to be Alive!

I have been trying to come up with something to write in a book they place out in the patient radiation area to be written in, on your last day of treatments. Something that will encourage other patients.

As I sit back and think about how all of this began over a year ago, I just can't believe that it is almost over. Oh, don't get me wrong, I will still be on hormonal treatments for the rest of my life and I have a lot of testing that will still have to be run over the next five years but the surgeries, Chemo, and Radiation treatments are almost done.

My life has changed so much! I know longer take my life for grated. A man (Barry Crandall) that used to be our Assistant Pastor would always say these words. "I am just happy to have air". I now know what he means. I no longer take things "like air" for grated.

This statement has been said to me or about my illness over and over again. "None of us know if we walk out the door today that it won't be our last". This statement is very true and I've used it many times myself but when you are going through cancer treatments, or any trial, things are much clearer, it hits much closer to home! I'm not going to live forever and I do have a life threatening disease. I'll be honest, if you haven't been through it, you really don't know how scary it is. When I write my departing comments in that book, I want it to be from my heart. How I got through each day of treatments and didn't lose my faith in God. I want to write how important it is to stay around positive uplifting people. People that really care about how you must be feeling.

I still have a few days and many hours to think about this. I feel so blessed to be alive and have another chance at living, breathing and being thankful for everything I have.

I'm feeling great again Today!

I feel so good! I just got done working-out for an hour. I can't believe it. Radiation went really well.

3 TREATMENTs and I'm done!!!

Another update on My Treatments

I have so much to share but I don't know where to begin.

For starters, I only have 5 more radiation treatments to go. Yea!!! In know, I said I would be done on Monday January 26th but I called in cold on Friday. I know what you all are thinking. This woman does a motor route 365 days a year and -20 keeps her from getting her treatment! I want to be done by January 30th, my youngest boy's 12th birthday. When I found out I was going to be done Monday the 26th, I thought I would stay home with my kids on Friday. The schools were closed because of the weather.

The next exciting thing that is going on is, they are only doing treatment on one area now, instead of three. I'm in and out of the hospital in no time. Today, I was done at 8:10 a.m. my treatment was at 8:00 a.m. To cool huh!

Lastly, I'm feeling great! I'm getting my energy back already.

I'll know more about what I'll have to do next Tuesday. I have to sit down with the nurse and go over the Doctor's plans for the next year. I'll write more soon!

Thanks for praying!