I will be ringing the bell tomorrow morning! I have ONE more radiation treatment to go, and then I am finished! Woo Hoot! This year has flown by so fast! Since starting treatment, some friends have had babies, children have grown a few inches, other friends have been in and out of surgery, we’ve crossed two school years, other friends and friends of friends have been diagnosed with cancer, and more. In the beginning, the hill seemed so steep and the journey just as arduous. Now, as I look back on the last year, I can’t believe I am finally finished. Thank the good Lord for bringing me through. Tomorrow I will be a survivor!
My light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (II Cor. 4:17).
My skin looks good according to my radiation oncologist. She can tell I’m applying the Aquaphor or it would look a lot worse. How might it look worse? I asked. Basically, imagine 2nd degree burns with blisters and swelling, and oozing. Luckily, I don’t have any of that, and while my skin is very red, sore, and peeling, it could be worse. An important lesson I’ve learned in this process–there is always someone who has it worse than you do. Be thankful.
The radiation continues to work for a few weeks after treatment, but my skin won’t get any worse. However, I still have to protect it. And it will be sensitive forever. The antibiotics I started last week should also be helpful in healing my skin. All things work together for good to those who love God (Rom. 8:28).
You may recall from Friday’s update I found a “hole” in the incision scar by my port, so my oncologist started me on antibiotics hoping it would heal. Well, the hole closed over but she says it looks like there is still some “tunneling” underneath the surface. It is still sensitive to the touch. Removing the port will decrease my risk of infection. Time to pull it out!
Apparently it comes out easier than it goes in, and it should be a quick procedure. I don’t really need it anymore, and frankly I’ve wanted it out ever since it was installed! So this was good news, a blessing in a way. I have 4 more infusions of Herceptin, which can be done through the veins in my arm without any repercussions. The removal of my port is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. I had to cancel my dentist appointment (hmmm… port… dentist… port… dentist… tough decision). I was glad to get it on the books before our big Victory Ride, and yes, she thinks I will be fine to ride.
Too bad Tim isn’t here to share all of this fun. He’s in a Church Planter’s conference in California, so he will miss out on all the things coming up this week…
Up next:
Tomorrow – RING THE BELL!! I’m a survivor.
Wednesday – A new look! I’m getting my hair trimmed and colored (yes, I have enough hair to cut!) Can’t wait to remove this “platinum” on my head. I’ll be sporting the Jamie Lee Curtis ‘do. Slick and sophisticated.
Wednesday – Breast Friends Support Group (I haven’t made it yet, but I may go this week since I’ll already be in town)
Thursday afternoon – PORT Removal
Thursday evening – Strike Cancer and Light up The Marketplace. Hopefully I’ll still be up to attending.
Friday – VICTORY RIDE!! Still planning on it!
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Pets. Can’t live with them, and, well, we could live without them (ha).
Picking up the dog before she decided to dominate the boxer who lives behind us (he decided to run into our yard) was a little unnerving as she squirmed in my arms. I was worried she might scratch me, or poke my chest, but I survived. I enjoyed chatting with my neighbor while we both struggled to keep our dogs under control. We discovered both our husbands are the alpha males; the dogs are more quick to obey them.
Her problem is this; our little dog thinks she’s bigger than she is. She attempts to dominate any dog who comes out to play. Sometimes the bigger dogs just roll over and take the ten pounds she gives them. Other times, like last week, it doesn’t end up so well. Midge ended up in the ditch, screaming with the other dog dominating her. She only suffered some superficial scratches, a racing heart, and a body full of mud, but it sure scared the daylights out of me. This was another neighbor’s from down the street, who apologized and admitted he had never seen his dog do this “unless another dog tries to dominate him.” Hmmm. We really need a fence!