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October 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.
October
3, 2007
Today marks the first day
of my official radiation treatment. More
markings were drawn on my body as they took
numerous x-rays. I'm starting to look like a
tic-tac-toe board! Everything looked "beautiful"
according to my doctor and technicians and
tomorrow will be the first radiation treatment.
It was really good to see exactly what would be
occurring during the simulation today. The fear
of the unknown can always be a bit scary. And
those who know me well, know I do not like
surprises. Just tell me like it is and I can
deal a whole lot better.
Justin and I had a lovely lunch at Islamorada
(Bass Pro Shop) on our way home. It's a lovely
relaxing environment and one of our favorite new
restaurants in town. He is my constant during
all of this and I know how worried he gets. I
keep reassuring him that I'm fine and it's all
going to work out just fine.
My treatments are scheduled to be over the day
before Thanksgiving. So, depending on the
"fatigue" factor, we would still like to go to
New Jersey to be with our Jersey girls and son.
It gives me something to look forward to. Our
granddaughters always bring a twinkle to my eye
when we see them and I think that will be the
absolute best medicine I could imagine.
Your continued prayers, well wishes, and gifts
have been so helpful in my recovery. I couldn't
ask for a better support group :).
Yesterday at school, my team surprised me with a
beautiful gift of support. One of our students,
Anna, made little pink ribbons with pins and
gave one to every student on our team (117) plus
our entire faculty was wearing them too! She had
some help from Liz's and Amy's Connections'
classes. It was just amazing to see all the
support and love our Granger staff exhibited in
support of not only me, but others who are going
through this same thing.
An interesting side note, this week we've been
having parents shadow their students so parents
can get a better feel for middle school. One
parent mom shared with me that after I announced
to the students that I had breast cancer her
daughter came home and asked her is she'd had
her "mamm...mammo..." and her mom was surprised
and pleased by her question. She also felt that
I was handling it well with the kids. That has
been a concern for me. But I felt being upfront
with them was the best approach. It's a great
life lesson for them....life is messy, I tell
them. They give me tremendous strength in so
many ways, even as children.
Remember, October is Breast Cancer Awareness
month! Anything you can do to create more
awareness and support of cancer research is
really appreciated. We're planning a PINK DAY on
October 19th, the day before National
Mammography Awareness Day at school. I think
I'll be wearing a lot of pink this month :). I
do think I look pretty good in pink as
well...good choice :) Y-Me has some great info -
http://www.y-me.org/information/breast_cancer_news/nbcam.php
and of course the American Cancer Society -
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/PED_20_BCA.asp.
My sister, Suzanne, is participating in the
"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk.
I'm also finding that Weekenders new Activa wear
is so comfortable and it will be a staple for me
during my treatments. I just ordered some more
tops, jackets, and pants.
That's it for now....time to snooze and continue
building up my reserves as best I can.
October 4, 2007
What a beautiful fall day!
We have been blessed with some great weather
here in the Chicago area and all that bright
sunshine certainly encourages a sunny
disposition.
Today at school all my students were curious
about what happened yesterday during my
treatment as well as what was going to happen
during the actual radiation treatment today. I
continue to reassure them that all is going well
and that I feel great! Because I believe that
completely. Tomorrow I'll be filling them in.
The first radiation treatment went very well. I
didn't feel a thing! I'm sure it's going to
catch up with me in a few days or so, but for
now the slight warmth is not uncomfortable. It
is pink, however, so I have to watch it
carefully. My trusty aloe vera plant stands in
wait. I'm using creams to sooth today. Most of
you know I'm very fair skinned, so I'm pretty
sure I'll be having some skin reactions along
the way.
The actual treatment was less than a couple of
minutes. In fact, the beam bursts are for 30
seconds or less. It takes more time to position
me than to actually do the treatment. Everyone
at Edward Cancer Center has been marvelous. They
are patient with me and are great about
answering my numerous questions. I like knowing
the ins and outs of what's happening and what I
can expect to happen.
Time to make an appointment with my massage
therapist. I want to get in a good massage
before I get too sensitive. I can feel a bit of
neck and lower back kinks beginning. Time to
resolve those before they get to that "beyond"
point.
Hope all are well and thank you for all of your
kind and inspiring comments and posts!
October 9,
2007
Had a wonderful 3-day
weekend! Today's treatment was followed by a
doctor consultation. This will occur every
Tuesday. It seems I have a bit of Adema going
on. My lymph nodes aren't moving the fluids out
like they should and there's increased swelling
and more pinkness. So my doctor has ordered some
physical therapy for me. I'll be getting
"massages" and instructions on how to keep the
fluids moving out and away. This will relieve
the discomfort quite a bit.
I also wanted to tell you about a deodorant
product I found. It's called "Crystal" and comes
in spray and roll on. Crystal is a body
deodorant for men and women and contains no
aluminum chlorohydrate. It's also paraben free,
hypollergenic, fragrance free, non-sticky,
non-staining, eliminates odor and contains
natural minerals salts. It performs better than
any antiperspirant I've tried! And it works
naturally. You can find it at Osco or probably
any pharmacy. Look for the pink breast cancer
ribbon. Their web site is
www.thecrystal.com. It's a "healthy" choice
for all.
For those undergoing radiation treatment, I
can't recommend highly enough the results I'm
getting from my aloe vera plant. It's keeping me
"cool" and "calm". :) Eucerin also makes a
product called "Aquaphor". This creates a
barrier and is proven to restore smooth, healthy
skin. I use this at bedtime. Great on dry,
cracked, or irritated skin. For those who have
dry skin, this is a must for the upcoming winter
months.
And lastly, for comfort, I'm finding our
Weekenders Activa wear is so soft and
supportive. I know my students will see me in
various pink, black, and turquoise combinations
for the next 5 weeks!
That's it for now...papers to grade!
Hope all are well and blessings to all...
October
20, 2007
11 down and 24 to go! X'ing
off each calendar day following treatment is
quite therapeutic :)
Treatments have been going well, although
Lymphadema has definitely set in and I believe
been there since the surgery. I'm now receiving
occupational therapy and am doing simple
exercises to expand my range of motion and
special lymph node massages to get the other
nodes working more efficiently and draining the
fluid build up. So far I don't need a
compression sleeve, but am hopeful the massages
will get the nodes working properly and
continually to avoid that sleeve.
Also, physical therapy will be added next week
for my neck. The rather awkward positioning I
endure during the treatment has been aggravating
my neck and back. I have degenerative discs and
things are starting to tighten up a bit. So with
PT I'm really looking forward to relief in those
areas.
My days are still filled with school and kids
and a very supportive staff. And on Monday, the
22nd we'll all be wearing PINK as a message to
all about breast cancer and cancer awareness in
general. I can't wait to see the PINK halls of
Granger!
My sister, Suzanne, participated in one of the
Breast Cancer's Walks in Florida and her team
took in more than $9,000 in contributions! I
think that is amazing! Next summer I plan on
participating here in Chicago. That's my newest
goal :). I hope that those of you who live near
me will join me as well!
We're also planning some amazing vacations this
year and next. More than we've ever taken
before! We've been putting off too much and I
want to make sure that I have the opportunity to
do as much as I can. Life is precious and all
too short and I really want to spend more
quality time with my grandchildren. Retirement
is still 3 1/2 years away, but I'm starting now
to enjoy the time I can garner with them.
Thank you again for all of your cards and notes
of support and love. It's wonderful having such
a positive life link to you all!
Love to all....time to get some chores done :)
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
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