Happy Halloween

Four of my favorite pet costume photos. I received two emails from friends with the photos.....these make me laugh everytime!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween!!!

Funny Photo

Our friend, Debbie, sent this photo and it seems to say it all!

Dates not right on posts

Not sure if it is user error or a problem with blogspot, but the dates of my posts are not correct. The 10/22 post is from yesterday.
Cheryl

Radiation: 13 done, 21 to go

The radiation treatments are quick each morning but are starting to take there toll on my energy level (nothing like chemo). My skin is starting to turn a slight pink color. The techs say I should be pretty red by next week.

Nothing else to report on the cancer front other than my lymphedema is getting better. Swelling is down and my index finger is not as sore. I switched to a wireless mouse and I am trying to learn to use it with my left hand to eliminate some of the strain on my right hand. Using your left hand is easier said than done!

Enjoy your weeks!!!
Cheryl

Army of Women

The Army of Women is a national initiative to recruit one million women of every age, ethnicity, and breast cancer history interested in partnering with scientists and taking part in breast cancer research that will move us beyond a cure.

Please take a moment to register www.armyofwomen.org (plus you can read more information on how it all works, check out the FAQ section).

Time to wipe "the beast" aka breast cancer off the face of this earth!

Thank you,
Cheryl

Radiation: Six down, 28 to go!

Just a reminder to do your monthly breast self-exam!

If you haven't done your yearly mammogram...get your butt in there and DO IT! No more excuses.

Radiation: Two Down and 32 more to go

Thought the Chinese breast cancer awareness campaign photo was pretty cool.

Friday was my second radiation treatment, only 32 more to go! My appointment is everyday at 7:15 am, which is mighty early for a medical procedure. I believe patients start arriving at 6:30 am since I am not the first appointment in the day.

Once I complete the radiation, I start on Tamoxifen which is going to help me not get breast cancer again (I will be on this one for five years). Here is a link about Tamoxifen: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/tamoxifen.

Eddy and I headed downtown this afternoon to see Burn After Reading. Funny movie but on the dark side in some spots.

I've had a rough couple of weeks in regard to my mental health but feeling like I am coming out of my "funk". The lymphedema thing PISSES me off more than you can imagine. The compression sleeve and glove are like wearing control top pantie hose on your arm.....I HATE IT!!!!! I want to kick, scream, cry and throw myself on the ground.

I am done ranting this evening.
Cheryl

Radiation: One down and 33 more to go

I had my first radiation treatment this morning at 7:15 am. The picture is of a linear accelerator, the machine used for radiation treatments. You are stationary on the table and the machine moves around. My entire breast and underarm area are getting radiated and toward the end of the six and half weeks, I get a little extra in the area of my incisions.

Side effects from the radiation start in around week two or three and will consist of fatigue and skin irritation (redness, swelling, blisters... any number of things can happen). I am still experiencing fatigue and muscle weakness from the chemo so I hope it doesn't get much worse.

There are also long term effects from the radiation. It is my understanding the radiated tissue may feel thicker and be changing over the next two plus years. The lymphedema in my arm could also become worse since they lymph system will get some scar tissue from the radiation. I am not sure how the lymphedema in my rib area will be after treatment.

That is all I have for today. Cheryl

Great Song

Check this out when you have about 4 minutes.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QKxsiRYC9Q
Cheryl

Update on Ducs for a Cure

Eddy just updated the Passionately Pink website with all of our donations.....drum roll please....$8300.00!!! We are still expecting a little over $2000.00 from the Code 4 race team, which should be coming in any day now. You know what that means? We made the goal of $10k!!!

Thank you for the supprt of Susan G Komen for the Cure and our race team, Ducs for a Cure.
Cheryl

Lymphedema Sucks

Can you imagine wearing a really tight sleeve and glove on your right arm daily? How about sleeping in something that looks like one of those police dog training sleeves? Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what I am going to be wearing. The beige sleeve and glove are compression garments and the big blue oven mitt looking thing is to sleep in.

Yesterday was my second appointment with the lymphedema therapist and we went over a lot of information along with getting me custom measured for my new torture devices. I can tell you right now I am probably going to be pretty cranky in the next few weeks since I can not stand having on tight clothing!

Wednesday I go in for my simulation at the radiation oncologist's, which just means they are making sure the "mapping" they did is accurate. October 9th is my first radiation treatment. Total number of radiation treatments is 34......so if all goes as planned the end should be around the beginning of December. The schedule does get pushed out if I am ill, skin needs a break from burning or the radiation machine goes down.

Side effects from the radiation, from what I am told, could be fatigue in about week three, skin issues, swelling and lymphedema (might make it worse). According to the doctor, skin color is no indication of burning from radiation. There is also a slight chance of another cancer in the radiated area but that will take 10-20 years to develop. Something to look forward to in the future (that is sarcasm just in case you weren't sure).

I am due for a tempertantrum....just want to kick and scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheryl