|
|
 |
November 2007
From diagnosis through treatment
and beyond....I hope my journaling will be
helpful, inspirational, and motivational to you.
It's not been an easy journey, but one that has
enlightened me in many ways.
November
4, 2007
We're down to only 14 more
treatments. I guess you'd say I'm in the final
stretch. This coming week I'll have five regular
treatments, but then starting next Monday, the
12th, the Boost will begin. Those final 9
treatments will target the original tumor site
and not the entire breast with a 60% rather than
50% strength.
So far the body has been holding up. I'm using a
special cream now to help reduce a breakout in
my skin in the radiated area. It seems to be
working this weekend. There was a concern that I
may have to rest an extra day or two until it
cleared up to continue with the radiation. I
think we'll be a go for tomorrow. I do not want
to prolong the time period, if at all possible.
I'm taking care of me and opting for extra days
at home away from school. Last week I thought I
was coming down with a cold and decided to stay
home Thursday and Friday. That was a very wise
choice for me. Students had been coughing and
getting sick and I knew I needed to be out of
there to avoid any complications. It worked out
well and I was able to avoid a cold and get some
extra rest. I'm heading back to school tomorrow.
And we have parent conferences coming up over
the next couple of weeks. I'm planning on taking
a few extra days so that I'll be able to attend
the evening conferences. Fatigue is the greatest
factor now. But I'm managing pretty well.
A couple of nice side effects that I'm seeing so
far has been a drop in weight! I've now dropped
over 14 pounds and will continue to see a drop
down to a more desirable weight for me. I'm
finding I'm not snacking like I used to and yes,
chocolate doesn't seem as good to me anymore.
Hard to believe, I know :). I still indulge, but
I do so with more control.
I'm so blessed to have so many caring people in
my life. From the Edward Cancer Center personnel
to my life at school and family and friends. My
students constantly amaze me at their compassion
for my condition and the thoughtful gifts that
pop up when I most need that special boost. They
are taking this journey with me and I look at it
as a life affirming journey, one they probably
won't forget. Hopefully, it is giving them the
strength and belief to see that cancer isn't
always the "end all" disease that we so often
see in more advanced stages.
Preventative and regular maintenance
:)...something we all should be doing...not
putting off a mammogram or physical for fear of
what it might be...
A dear friend of mine is going into surgery
later this week. She's had some masses for
awhile now and once I learned of them, I prodded
her to go seek professional opinion. I truly
bugged her :) and I'm really hopeful that she'll
do well and have a positive outcome. Please pray
for Jeannie.....I know she'd appreciate it.
Tonight we're having prime rib! I'm watching my
beef intake and allow myself twice a month for
something special. I think we'll even open a
lovely bottle of Pinot Noir we had shipped from
California...that too, is a very seldom event.
New diet, new outlook!
November 9, 2007
Terrific news! My
Lymphadema is under control! Yesterday my OT
gave me the good news that I'm equal :)! They've
done phenomenal work and now I only have to get
through the BOOST, which begins next Tuesday. On
Monday, they'll do the set up for it and I'll
have a normal radiation session. Then 8 days of
Boost will wind out my regiment. They'll focus
just on the tumorous area with a 60% power,
rather than the entire breast at a 50% power.
All in all, I'm doing well. Fatigue and grumpy
mood seems to hit me at the end of the work
week, but I attribute that to the radiation and
need for extra sleep. It was great sleeping in
this morning until 9 a.m.! My normal wake up
time is 5:30 a.m. on school days. Taking off
Fridays has been a good plan for me. I've also
found it helpful to take off the day of evening
parent/teacher conferences. Resting during the
day helps me to get through the evening much
better.
I can't wait until my energies are back to
normal or even better and I'll be able to be
with my kids all day. I know it can be
disconcerting for them having me darting out on
afternoons for treatment and therapy. But it's
nearly over :).
Have you all scheduled your mammograms? I saw on
one of the morning shows on ABC this week that
digital mammograms is now available in 60% of
the country and they are the absolute best!
That's what I had at DuPage Imaging in Hinsdale.
When you're scheduling yours, ask if they have
"Digital mammograms". You'll be glad you did.
I was also curious what would happen after my
treatment was finished. My radiologist, Dr.
Lingareddy, said she'd need to see me in about 4
weeks for a follow up and that I'll be having
diagnostic mammograms every 6 months for the
next two years. That seems very easy :).
This entire experience has been such a rewarding
one in many ways. Heightened awareness of
interest in my own health has been the most
important. And the outpouring of prayers and
support from all of my family, friends, and
students and their parents. Amazing healing is
going on here :).
All is well!
November
24, 2007
Last Wednesday was my final
treatment! Yea! I'm so relieved that the worst
is behind me. Now to get my skin back in shape.
The radiation has caused some pretty severe
reactions, but the doctors keep reassuring me it
will clear up in a couple of weeks. And in 6-8
weeks, I'll be back to "normal"!
Justin and I are out in New Jersey with our son
Erik and wife Nicole and our two adorable
grandchildren Kirsten and Amanda. They certainly
are brightening up my spirits. It's been very
good medicine for me. We'll return home on
Sunday, and the doctor wants me to rest for an
additional few days, which I'll gladly do.
I've been getting some great naps and being able
to sleep in in the morning seems to be helping
with the healing process.
I'm excited about Christmas and haven't even
starting shopping, yet! But first things first
:) I'm a great online shopper and should have
things organized pretty soon.
Wishing all of you a most joyous Holiday and New
Year! We all have so much to be grateful for.
Love of family and friends and our health!
Enjoy your weekend and know that all of you are
in my prayers. Thank you again for your caring
and support these past few months. It's been
quite the journey :).
July/August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February/April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
December 2008/January
2009
February 2009/April 2009
|
|
