It is a week today since I had my last treatment and I wish I could report that I am back to normal. (Of course some would argue I was never normal, so there's no hope of me getting there regardless.) The treatment has done a number on my skin and I have two sores, or more accurately burns, which I'm treating with a prescriptive ointment. One is on my neck and the other is under my left arm. I know it could be a lot worse but these are tender and it has been a challenge to find a way to cover the affected area and not bother the surrounding skin which is also sensitive. I've tried not covering it at all, but then I get the cream everywhere. I'm now using a sterile pad and tape and just using care as to where I put the tape.
Last Thursday we went to Rob's parents. He took some well deserved vacation time which didn't involve going to a doctor's appointment. It is still hunting season and he wanted to try for a deer in that part of the province. I'm sorry to report he wasn't successful and I'm still waiting for my freezer (the deal is he gets a deer, I get a freezer). While hubby was busy hunting, I rounded up my brother-in-law Richard (Diane's husband) and made the trek out to Digby Neck where Kathy E lives.
It is about an hour's drive and a ferry ride to the island and we had a beautiful trip out. The weather turned before we got back and I ended up driving part way home in a heavy downpour. It was a very nice visit. Kathy had let it be known earlier in the year that she wanted to meet me in person after reading my blog and praying for my recovery for so long. Hopefully I met her expectations and the visit wasn't a disappointment for her. She seemed very happy to meet me and she hadn't seen Richard for ages. We spent two-and-a-half hours chatting before leaving to catch the ferry back. Kathy lives in a beautiful, seaside, century home. Richard and I both love this type of architecture and were quite taken with the wide cornices, tin ceiling, narrow plank flooring and deep baseboards.
Rob and I returned to the city on Saturday. Poor Tess had an upset tummy and was sick multiple time during the early morning hours. I think from 3 to 7 a.m. we barely got a wink of sleep. She'd be sick, we'd take turns cleaning it up, we'd crawl back in under the blankets and just start drifting off and repeat the process. She's better now, but she obviously had a bug of some sort.
On Sunday Rob and I took a drive (Cole was still at the kennel) and I cut a bunch of bows to make a green wreath. I have to pick up a frame, but hopefully I'll get that done today. The neighbors next door have decorated for Christmas, and while it is very pretty, it makes my display look rather anemic -- despite the fact that I invested in new lights this year. I also need to decide on what cookies I plan to make on Thursday when I meet Marion, Kelly and Robyn for our cookie bake. I'm leaning towards a citrus square and a batch of my grandmother's shortbread (now I just have to find that recipe).
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Radiation Treatment Done
Eventually the Hero hits the end of the road, his quest completed, and has to go back to his life in the real world. He leaves his mentors behind, he thanks those who have helped him on the way and he goes back to his village to lead a quiet and peaceful life...at least in theory.
Today marked the end of my cancer treatment. I'll have a few follow-up appointments in the coming months, but no one, including me, expects these to be anything but routine. Twenty-five radiation treatments are behind me and overall I've tolerated them well. I have a red, dry rash on the left side of my neck and my left armpit is very sore and angry looking. The rest of the treated area looks like I fell asleep in the sun. I have creams and gels to use to treat the area and I'll have to be very careful with sun exposure in the future...no topless beaches for me.
Now I just have to get on with the act of living a healthy lifestyle...exercise, healthy eating, lots of rest. Doctor's orders. I've been trying to walk four or five days a week, for at least 30 minutes. It was pretty easy the last week or so with the beautiful weather.
I took in a big tray of ginger cookies to the radiology team as a thank you. I don't know how they do their job so cheerfully every day. While I wasn't the youngest person receiving treatment I was in the younger third of those in the waiting room. They regularly deal with older people who become quite debiliated by the treatment and whose skin gets much worse-looking than mine. I was being set up for the second blast when one of the techs came in and said how wonderful the cookies are. It's kind of funny...the recipe for them came out of an old IWK cookbook I've had for years.
Rob and I went out for supper to celebrate, nothing fancy, just my favorite bruschetta pizza at Boston Pizza which we followed up with some Christmas shopping.
I'm just glad to have all the treatment behind me in time to focus on getting ready for Christmas. I've got my outdoor lights up and the greenery I put up around the railing.
The next phase -- our poor hero never gets to rest, that's why all good fantasy writers put out sequels -- is all elective. I say it is elective, but in my mind what comes next is as essential as the treatment I've just completed. I'm still waiting for a date for my hysterectomy and of course reconstruction won't happen until next spring/summer (I won't even have a follow-up with the plastic surgeon for six months.)
I'm glad to have this behind me. And I thank all of you who followed my blog with great regularity, who sent me cards and gifts, who said prayers or sent positive energy.
This isn't the end of my blogging, but I won't be making updates unless there is a change or new information to add. I do plan to do up a tally...how many visits to the hospital, parking costs, medication costs etc.
Today marked the end of my cancer treatment. I'll have a few follow-up appointments in the coming months, but no one, including me, expects these to be anything but routine. Twenty-five radiation treatments are behind me and overall I've tolerated them well. I have a red, dry rash on the left side of my neck and my left armpit is very sore and angry looking. The rest of the treated area looks like I fell asleep in the sun. I have creams and gels to use to treat the area and I'll have to be very careful with sun exposure in the future...no topless beaches for me.
Now I just have to get on with the act of living a healthy lifestyle...exercise, healthy eating, lots of rest. Doctor's orders. I've been trying to walk four or five days a week, for at least 30 minutes. It was pretty easy the last week or so with the beautiful weather.
I took in a big tray of ginger cookies to the radiology team as a thank you. I don't know how they do their job so cheerfully every day. While I wasn't the youngest person receiving treatment I was in the younger third of those in the waiting room. They regularly deal with older people who become quite debiliated by the treatment and whose skin gets much worse-looking than mine. I was being set up for the second blast when one of the techs came in and said how wonderful the cookies are. It's kind of funny...the recipe for them came out of an old IWK cookbook I've had for years.
Rob and I went out for supper to celebrate, nothing fancy, just my favorite bruschetta pizza at Boston Pizza which we followed up with some Christmas shopping.
I'm just glad to have all the treatment behind me in time to focus on getting ready for Christmas. I've got my outdoor lights up and the greenery I put up around the railing.
The next phase -- our poor hero never gets to rest, that's why all good fantasy writers put out sequels -- is all elective. I say it is elective, but in my mind what comes next is as essential as the treatment I've just completed. I'm still waiting for a date for my hysterectomy and of course reconstruction won't happen until next spring/summer (I won't even have a follow-up with the plastic surgeon for six months.)
I'm glad to have this behind me. And I thank all of you who followed my blog with great regularity, who sent me cards and gifts, who said prayers or sent positive energy.
This isn't the end of my blogging, but I won't be making updates unless there is a change or new information to add. I do plan to do up a tally...how many visits to the hospital, parking costs, medication costs etc.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saying Farewell to a "Mentor"
During his journey the Hero is frequently guided by numerous mentors. Some will teach him skills, while others will help him achieve specific tasks or goals. This week I said farewell to one of the key mentors responsible for my recovery.
Yesterday, I saw my oncologist for the first time since I completed chemotherapy at the end of June. She was very pleased with my recovery and upon reading the pathology report (which she had faxed to her during the appointment) she was absolutely beaming. "This is the best we could hope for," she said, "to prevent recurrence." As I've reported previously, the chemo did its job so well there were no traces of the tumors remaining.
Unless I develop another tumor I won't be seeing anyone in the oncology department again. She says all that is required at this point is monthly self-breast exams (or chest exams in my case), regular quarterly checkups with my family doctor and yearly blood work. I won't need to go for a CT because they try to limit the number of CT scans because they can cause cancer. Basically she cautioned me to listen to my body and when something doesn't seem right...go see my GP.
We also discussed a few side-effects I've had since treatment stopped. There is a persistent feeling of numbness/swelling in both my right hand and my feet. She says the D portion of FEC-D chemo can sometimes cause nerve damage and this is probably what I am experiencing. This may or may not go away. It really doesn't affect my day-to-day life in any way except as a minor irritant. I can still walk, type, paint etc. The treatment also stopped my monthly cycles, which she confirms are not likely to restart. However, I do need to protect myself against osteoporosis which means taking calcium and vitamin D and being physically active. I'm trying very hard to get into the habit of walking and so far so good this week -- Cole and I have been out twice for an hour each and Tess and I were out once for about 20 minutes (she can't go as far, nor as fast as she once did). Now I just need to keep it up. It is recommended I have a bone density scan in three or four years to gauge any bone loss.
Yesterday was my regular appointment with the radiation therapy nurse too. (Yes, I probably spent about two hours at the hospital.) I'm glad I didn't have treatment today because the skin is becoming quite sensitive. I look like I have a minor sunburn on my left side, up to my neck and under my arm. In fact the other night my arm was itching so badly I had to get up and apply more cream. I treat it with a hydro-cortisone cream provided by the doctor, and apply aloe gel to the rest of the area which is still only a little pink. The good news -- only four more treatments until I'm through.
The Hero is on his way back to his own world after a long a arduous journey. It will be good to put this all behind me and get on with the task of putting myself back together.
Yesterday, I saw my oncologist for the first time since I completed chemotherapy at the end of June. She was very pleased with my recovery and upon reading the pathology report (which she had faxed to her during the appointment) she was absolutely beaming. "This is the best we could hope for," she said, "to prevent recurrence." As I've reported previously, the chemo did its job so well there were no traces of the tumors remaining.
Unless I develop another tumor I won't be seeing anyone in the oncology department again. She says all that is required at this point is monthly self-breast exams (or chest exams in my case), regular quarterly checkups with my family doctor and yearly blood work. I won't need to go for a CT because they try to limit the number of CT scans because they can cause cancer. Basically she cautioned me to listen to my body and when something doesn't seem right...go see my GP.
We also discussed a few side-effects I've had since treatment stopped. There is a persistent feeling of numbness/swelling in both my right hand and my feet. She says the D portion of FEC-D chemo can sometimes cause nerve damage and this is probably what I am experiencing. This may or may not go away. It really doesn't affect my day-to-day life in any way except as a minor irritant. I can still walk, type, paint etc. The treatment also stopped my monthly cycles, which she confirms are not likely to restart. However, I do need to protect myself against osteoporosis which means taking calcium and vitamin D and being physically active. I'm trying very hard to get into the habit of walking and so far so good this week -- Cole and I have been out twice for an hour each and Tess and I were out once for about 20 minutes (she can't go as far, nor as fast as she once did). Now I just need to keep it up. It is recommended I have a bone density scan in three or four years to gauge any bone loss.
Yesterday was my regular appointment with the radiation therapy nurse too. (Yes, I probably spent about two hours at the hospital.) I'm glad I didn't have treatment today because the skin is becoming quite sensitive. I look like I have a minor sunburn on my left side, up to my neck and under my arm. In fact the other night my arm was itching so badly I had to get up and apply more cream. I treat it with a hydro-cortisone cream provided by the doctor, and apply aloe gel to the rest of the area which is still only a little pink. The good news -- only four more treatments until I'm through.
The Hero is on his way back to his own world after a long a arduous journey. It will be good to put this all behind me and get on with the task of putting myself back together.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Snow and Warm Blankets
Today I trekked across the city through slush and pools of water, thanks to our first snowfall of the season. I think it impacted all of the appointments as everyone seemed to be waiting. There was a feeling of restlessness over the waiting room and it was more crowded then usual.
The staff is always concerned about patient comfort and several times I've been offered heated blankets; today I took the technician up on the offer as the radiology room was a little chilly. I got goosebumps on my back as soon as I removed my robe in preparation for treatment. It is rather decadent to lay down under a warmed blanket, the heat just seems to seep into you.
I have six treatments left and a break in the middle of next week because they don't do treatments on Remembrance day. I'm not sure what I'll do with myself when its over. I've gotten used to the daily trek across the city. Fortunately I'll be consumed by pre-Christmas preparations. Kelly, Marion, Robyn and myself have a cookie baking tradition. We're doing it at Kelly's new apartment this year on the American Thanksgiving, which also happens to be Marion's birthday. It's enjoyable to hang out with the girls and we each go home with an assortment of goodies. I've been perusing my Christmas book trying to decide what cookies/bars to make this year. They have to be easy, quick and tasty.
Cole and I topped up the bird feeders when I got back from treatment. Tess was busy just wandering around the yard, not paying attention to anything which is why she ran into the rain gauge. So far we've had blue jays, gold finches, nuthatches, hairy and Downy woodpeckers, mourning doves and chickadees. The chickadees are so bold they sit within feet of me while I fill the feeders. Cole loves the snow and was tearing madly around the yard; "swimming" though it on his side.
The staff is always concerned about patient comfort and several times I've been offered heated blankets; today I took the technician up on the offer as the radiology room was a little chilly. I got goosebumps on my back as soon as I removed my robe in preparation for treatment. It is rather decadent to lay down under a warmed blanket, the heat just seems to seep into you.
I have six treatments left and a break in the middle of next week because they don't do treatments on Remembrance day. I'm not sure what I'll do with myself when its over. I've gotten used to the daily trek across the city. Fortunately I'll be consumed by pre-Christmas preparations. Kelly, Marion, Robyn and myself have a cookie baking tradition. We're doing it at Kelly's new apartment this year on the American Thanksgiving, which also happens to be Marion's birthday. It's enjoyable to hang out with the girls and we each go home with an assortment of goodies. I've been perusing my Christmas book trying to decide what cookies/bars to make this year. They have to be easy, quick and tasty.
Cole and I topped up the bird feeders when I got back from treatment. Tess was busy just wandering around the yard, not paying attention to anything which is why she ran into the rain gauge. So far we've had blue jays, gold finches, nuthatches, hairy and Downy woodpeckers, mourning doves and chickadees. The chickadees are so bold they sit within feet of me while I fill the feeders. Cole loves the snow and was tearing madly around the yard; "swimming" though it on his side.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Nine Treatments Left
Nine treatments of radiation left. So far the side-effects are minimal...pinkness on the breast area and a bit of a rash on my collar bone. I met with my radiologist briefly today. He's happy with the way treatment is progressing. I've been given a cream to apply to the area to mitigate the symptoms.
Everyone seems surprised that I'm not more fatigued. My doctor says he believes the fact that I've been somewhat active throughout the course of my various treatments has helped in that regard. I figure I've been sleep deprived for years due to life with pets that I just don't know any different.
Rob is a way this week, in Colorado, for his company's annual meeting. We spent last weekend at Mom and Dad's as it was the opening of hunting season. He saw deer...but they were does and he only has a buck license. Of course that is one step better than last year.
I received several cards this week. One from Helen, Julie and the Southville Church.
Everyone seems surprised that I'm not more fatigued. My doctor says he believes the fact that I've been somewhat active throughout the course of my various treatments has helped in that regard. I figure I've been sleep deprived for years due to life with pets that I just don't know any different.
Rob is a way this week, in Colorado, for his company's annual meeting. We spent last weekend at Mom and Dad's as it was the opening of hunting season. He saw deer...but they were does and he only has a buck license. Of course that is one step better than last year.
I received several cards this week. One from Helen, Julie and the Southville Church.
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