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

Misc "Stuff"

The fundraiser this weekend went very well. Donations at the track $1621.00 and the Susan G Komen site shows a total of $6598.31. Another endurance race team, Code 4 Racing, helped us raise over $2000.00 (they had people donate per lap). The donations from Code 4 should show up in the next week.

Looking for female friends and family to sign up for Army of Women, http://www.armyofwomen.org/aboutus. By signing up you will help in research to figure out what causes breast cancer. Army of Women is looking for women that haven't had breast cancer as well as those that have had cancer. Please take a minute to look at the website and sign up.

Still not feeling 100% but I know it is coming.

Thank you for all of the donations we received for the Susan G Komen for the Cure.
Cheryl

Motorcycle Photos-Check It Out

Eddy and Zip just finished with the graphics on the bike for the endurance race. Photos are in the winner's circle, of course!!!

If you come to the race on Saturday, try to wear pink....yes, men and women!
Thank you,
Cheryl

Update

Unfortunately, I am still not feeling great from my last round of chemo. After each round of chemo I had very uncomfortable abdominal cramping but this time it is really painful. According to the oncologist the cause is from one of the chemo therapies, Taxotere (the T in my TAC treatment). Doctor's recommendation is to take NSAIDs and if that doesn't work go with the narcotics along with a stool softener and laxative. I'll stick with the NSAID (Motrin) but I am adding probiotics because I think my gastrointestinal track is pretty screwed up from the chemo.

My uncle, aunt and cousins came to visit yesterday for lunch. Tony and his wife, Mary, were out visiting from Utah and Kris flew in from San Antonio, Texas. I had grand plans of making lunch for everyone, celebrating birthdays and the end of chemo but had to scale back because I am just too tired. Suzanne, my sister, convinced me ordering good food would be a better idea and she was so right. I loved seeing my family and wish we could have had a longer visit.

Eddy left for the racetrack this morning to finish prepping the bike with the graphics (some kind of big pink ribbon sticker!). I sent him off with very bright pink t-shirts for the team, no mistaking our mission! Friday is practice for Eddy, Simon and Steve so they can all get used to Eddy's bike before the 4 hour endurance race on Saturday afternoon.

Donations are at $4600 plus dollars! Thank you everyone!!!!!

Time for a rest.

Cheryl

The SCAR Project: Surviving Cancer, The Absolute Reality

The link below contains some photos with real breasts, view at your own discretion. I found the pictures very moving but that is due to my close proximity to the situation.
http://www.davidjayphotography.com/TheSCARProject/

Fundraiser Update: We are 37% of our goal! Donations so far $3763.31. Eddy worked on the endurance race bike all weekend while I napped and worked on getting healthy. The body work should return from the painter today, then get graphics when we arrive at the track.

For those of you coming out to the race or already there, try to wear pink to show support for Passionately Pink, Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Thank you!

ER Visit and Hospital Stay

Ended up in the emergency room on Thursday evening with very, very low blood pressure, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain. Needed IV fluids and more anti-nausea medicine but my veins were not cooperating. The pediatric size IV was put in my wrist, which I must say is very painful. The fluids don't move quickly through something so small.....we spent hours in ER before they decided to admit me for "observation". Observation is a code word for waking you up every hour to check you blood pressure and take your temp. During my hospital stay I had several blood tests and ultrasounds (everything looks okay inside, yeah!). I am okay except for the bad reaction to the chemo. Just trying to recover some strength and energy.

I was released on Friday evening and able to sleep a full night in my own bed!!! Eddy's birthday was on Saturday....what a bummer of a birthday for him. We will have to celebrate later with cake and ice cream.

Don't forget about our fundraiser for Susan G Komen. Current donations are at approximately $2700.00 or 27% of our goal. Thank you for the support.
Cheryl

Chemo Graduate

I am finished and received my complete certificated from the oncology staff at the doctor's office! So excited but I know what the next few days will be like. Wish me luck.
Cheryl