Still going...

Still going on the radiation treatments, that is.  Of course I am still going, too.  After I posted that last entry and had treatments through June 19, my chest was so burned (and my spirits so low because of the pain) that the oncologist suggested I take a week off before we started the last phase (of 6 treatments).  I don't think I could have taken any more had he not suggested this.  Frank was all for my quitting, because seeing the outer skin damage, he was so worried about what it might be doing to my internal organs.  We met with the dr. and he assured us all was OK internally.  He said I had actually done very well and lasted for 6 weeks when some women burned like me would ask for a break at 3 weeks.  He said I had some "nasty cancer" with many lymph nodes infected and they wanted to "hit it hard" to make sure it does not come back.  All I know is I was in real pain with burns that looked like you had sat a hot iron down on my chest.

That week off sure helped.  Here is a shot of some of the area 11 days after the last treatment.   Still looks like the point of an iron burned me in that one spot.  But it is scabbing over.  And darn it, it is up high enough that in shows in all my tops.

I still have some other pretty raw places, too, but when I saw the oncologist today, he said I was doing great and seemed like my old self again.  I decided to have a treatment today.  I will have 3 treatments this week (they will be closed Friday for the 4th), will have a 3-day rest, and then will have the final 3 treatments next week.  I will be so glad to have this over.  These last 6 do not cover my entire left chest, all the way to the clavicle, but rather just the area of the lumpectomy.  I am not sure if the dosage is the same or not, but at least it is not as wide an area! 

I also saw my orthopedist today and he is very pleased with how my knee is healing.  When the physical therapist measured my extension last week, I have 141 degrees in that knee, which is all you could ask for--outstanding!!  It is still a bit weak about my walking on it, but it is getting there!! I have 3 more therapy appointments, finishing up next Monday.  Just think, by Wednesday, I will be finished with both PT and radiation treatments.  Praise the Lord!!  He said it will be awhile--1 to 2 years--before I can kneel because of the lower area with the patella piece missing but I can just do without kneeling.  (I tried kneeling the other day to find something I thought might have rolled under the bed and yikes, pain on that spot!  Fortunately Frank volunteered to look for me.

I have some other things to go through with the oncologist.  Of course the radiation oncologist will continue to see me for awhile, he said, to see how I'm healing.  And the regular oncologist, Dr. H., will see me for the Zometa injections every three months.  But basically as my energy level comes back, I will be able to do what I want and not have so many doctor visits to make!

What I want most is to have my energy back!  I still get really tired sometimes, but as friend Pam Deacon told me, "you don't have to do ANYTHING except rest and get well."  I think of her encouragement every time I'm tired and think I SHOULD feel like doing something.  I have stopped "should-ing" myself!  You SHOULD clean the bath.  You SHOULD dust.  You SHOULD mop the floors.  No, I just have to get my energy back

On a lighter note, we have been dog sitting Gabby's sister Chelsea since June 19 and it's been so much fun to have them both here together.  Chelsea loves going for walks with us, running behind the 4-wheeler, and of course keeping me company.  Here they both are while I am posting this entry:

  These Schnauzers are loving little dogs and they stay right with their "humans".  What a joy!!  

Thanks for reading this latest entry.  And thanks for continuing to pray for me and for your cards and messages and calls.  I love each of you!!

Smiles, Laura