Catching rays...

Whew - time is flying! I have been so busy attending radiation sessions daily and keeping up with work and playing with family, that I have not updated things in a while...

Radiation has gone pretty well so far. The first four weeks seemed to fly by. I had some itching on the skin and a few mild expected rashes. It was all very bearable.

Things got rough about 10 days ago when I had my first burn from the treatment. They did not seem too worried and told me that it does happen (and everything I read said it could happen also) - but it still hurt a bit. After two more tretments, the area was very painful. I thought over the weekend, it would heal, but that was not the case. Last saturday, I was so miserable that I used my aloe vera gel five times and was having to sleep with a 1/4 inch thick layer of it on and nothing touching the skin. I was bummed because I missed sledding with the kids and a few other fun activities.

This week, I discovered why the pain had worsened. I had gone from first degree to significant second degree burns over about a 8x10 cm area (ouch!!!). My regular oncologist was a bit too backed up so they had me see his partner who seemed unconcerned and told me to try some burn cream and basically tough it out.

The pain had somewhat eased throughout the week - as the skin sloughed and the virgin red skin became evident. I was doing pretty well - even though a bit concerned until last night. On the way home from a holiday party, I rubbed the front of my chest (different area) and noticed my skin sloughing in that area also. I now have about 25x20 cm areas of second degree burns on my chest and am not too excited at anybody getting too close to me. I decided to forego the final two treatments - since this is a very minor part of my overall treatment regimen and it is even debatable if I should do radiation at all. Steve has kind of brought up the fact that it seems pretty counter-intuitive to continue radiating very burnt skin especially when it is trying to repair. I have a feeling I may have just increased my risk of skin cancer by about 20-fold in the area. I guess I cannot sunbathe in a bikini anymore - bummer!! No nude beaches either!

Otherwise,I am doing well and keeping in good spirits. This has just been a drag on an already very stressful two weeks. The good news is that I feel pretty well otherwise. The radiation does make me a bit more tired - but my immune system is in good shape. I have not taken anything for pain other than a few ibuprofen since the pain is severe only when I get the bright idea to put lotion, aloe vera or burn cream on the area. I get about two minutes of severe stabbing pain as my virgin skin gets used to having something penetrate it - then it dulls to an annoying ache.

I have found that a warm bath with baby oil is awesome! I have also found thinking and fantasizing about my upcoming visit to family and friends is therapeutic also. The beach is a very welcoming thought at about this point (just not in a bikini!).

Radiation...

I have done very well since my surgery and seem to be healing quickly. I am back to work already (of course!!) and things are going well overall. It is hard to be away for long when you are a business owner - but I managed to be gone for over three weeks!!... Things went okay overall - but it is good to be back.

I started radiation today - after a failure yesterday. I seem to pose challenges for the oncologist and physicists - but am not quite sure why. It seems to be related to my body shape and where the cancer was located. They had the computer crunch the data again and came up with a new plan that will deliver the radiation in the right places and dosages. I had the first of 30 treatments today and will get the rest over the next six weeks. It is a pretty simple procedure and takes about 10 - 15 minutes. It is just a drag to show up five days per week at their office - but since I want to live another 20 or so years, I will follow the plan.

Life is busy as usual - but it keeps me from feeling sorry for myself and keeps me from getting bored. Our house is all decorated for Halloween and the kids are excited about the holiday. They have their costumes all picked out and they are making lots of decorations and cards for family members. We even made chocolate chip cookies this weekend and picked out pumpkins.

I joined a gym and am trying to work out regularly and get my body in pretty good shape again. I have most of my energy back and am feeling back to my old self - so that is very nice. I may get a little tired with radiation - but it will be nothing like chemo and should be overall pretty easy to handle.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers on this journey. It does help!

Healing...

I am healing very well since my surgery and am back to most of my activities. I had to keep one drain in place for two weeks - so that limited activities a bit, but not much. I celebrated having the drain removed by taking a 3 mile hike with my sister :-). It was a beautiful Colorado day and we decided to make the most of it.

I have been getting things done around the house and my sisters have been helping me tremendously both mentally and physically. I managed to get me sewing machine out and help both kids make a pillow. (I am a bit challenged in this arena - so a pillow is about my limit.) I did some cooking and tried a few new recipes. I think I have played over 20 games of monopoly jr. with Natalie and about 10 games of Thomas with Andrew. I am just happy he now prefers dominoes - since that one is definitely more enjoyable for me.

I am enjoying sleeping in and I think the kids enjoy having Mom around in the morning. Andrew and I like hot breakfasts when the weather is cold - so we have fun 'cooking' in the morning. I have been exercising and doing arm stretches so my range of motion is pretty good.

My office seems to be doing well overall in my absence. The doctor who is covering for me had a family emergency so I may go back to work a week earlier than expected. I will miss reading books, afternoon naps, and relaxing - at least that was the plan next week - but it will be good to get back to work because I really love it. I might have actually started to get bored if I was home too much longer. It was more enjoyable than I had realized - at least once the drain was out and I slept at night.

We all had so much fun at the cabin in New Mexico last month that I have a long weekend planned the first of next month. I love watching the aspen turn color during this time of year so I planned for us to stay right at the edge of Rocky Mtn National Park. We are going 'camping in the mountains' as Andrew likes to say - but it is really a nice room at the YMCA. It will be warmer than a cabin and will have a full bathroom - which I will enjoy. There is a good chance of having snow - so I really did not want to try a public shower after walking in the snow and freezing. It should be a good adventure in any case.

I will probably start radiation therapy in a week or two. My appointment was supposed to be yesterday but we had to reschedule a few times. It will be a five week commitment so I hope to start in just over a week so I can finish by Thanksgiving and then officially start the AC (after cancer) phase of my life. I have not been able to give up carrying sanitizer in my purse yet - but hopefully soon I will feel okay without it and be able to trust my body and immune system. I did get my flu shot and will probably go for the H1N1 as soon as it is available just for extra protection.

Miracles do happen!

I do believe in miracles! I just received the news that when they looked at the breast tissue (which was the entire breast) and 26 lymph nodes - they found not one single cancer cell!!

Chemotherapy and all of the prayers and thoughts from all of - cured me of my cancer! Again - NO EVIDENCE OF CANCER AT ALL!!

I am recovering well from my surgery. I am off of all pain meds but may take an ibuprofen here and there until my drains are removed - hopefully on friday. I am moving my arm pretty well - considering the surgery they performed (lymph node dissection).

My sister Mary just left after a great visit. She was a great help before, during and after the surgery - as was a host of good friends. I have my other sister Kathy and my Dad coming tomorrow to help out and do some good bonding with the kids.

Tonight though, we are celebrating that I am now cancer-free! I just need to heal from this surgery and I will be doing some more celebrating!! I cannot wait to see the ocean and walk on the beach. That is my gift to myself once the radiation is over. I think my beautiful daughter will share in this experience with me - since we are both 'ocean girls'. I think we will also be attending the 'Joy of Christmas' os something like that at the Crystal Cathedral - because I do believe in miracles.

Thank you, thank you, thank you - and keep the prayers coming!

Doing well...

I made it through surgery with flying colors! I stayed in the hospital a little over 24 hours and was up walking and moving my arm within 3-4 hours after surgery. I was actually amazed at how little pain I had. It does hurt and ache some, but not as bad as expected - which is nice.

I have my sister Mary and Steve helping out at home. I am getting yelled at for doing too much and using my arm too much - but it is hard for me to sit in the sidelines... I am not doing much lifting or ready to bench press - but I can move my arm about 30% of my normal range of motion - which is pretty awesome for just coming out of surgery.

One of my best friends Stephanie - took both kids for a sleep over the night of my surgery - so that was a great distraction for them and a chance for all of us to rest and slow down a bit. The kids loved their 'first sleep over' and were plenty exhausted when we picked them up in the afternoon (Thanks Stephanie and Ken!!!).

I am going to do my best to relax and not lift or use my arm too much over the next few days - but it is hard when I do not have much pain :-). I am also anxiously awaiting the final pathology report on the breast tissue and lymph nodes.

Thanks so much for all the great thoughts, prayers, cards and warm wishes. They help tremendously! I am sure they are a big part of why I am healing well. I am going to catch up on my books and movies over the next few days. Email me with any good suggestions.

Surgery

I am doing well mentally and physically as I get ready for surgery in a few hours. I am a bit nervous and scared about losing my breast and learning about the final pathology report on the tissue. I am hoping that the cancer is only in the breast and has not spread to any or many lymph nodes - but we will find out after the tissue is taken out and evaluated... One lymph node was just barely being attacked by the cancer when they did the initial biopsy - so we will see how well the chemo worked on that tissue.

My sister Mary and Steve will both be with me at the hospital and helping keep my spirits high. It will be nice to have family around after surgery to help out with kids and just keeping up the household.

Thanks to everyone for all the great encouraging words. The thoughts and prayers are very appreciated also!

More soon,
Sharon

Feeling good

I am feeling overall good and am getting my energy back and starting to feel like my old self again - which is wonderful. It is nice to not have to take an hour or two nap every day and to enjoy a few extra hours in the day. It is really nice to start doing things with the kids again.

I took the kids to the wildlife museum on tuesday and met some friends there. We had an actions packed day and we were all a little tired when we were done - but it was nice to take the kids out of the house and see them enjoy things. Today was my first day to not feel the need to lay down at all after work and that was nice. I did some shopping and picked up the kids early so they could play a bit at home (ie watch movies or play computer games) but it is nearing the end of their summer or really their off-track time since they have started school already.

I am enjoying have my taste buds back - but am trying not to enjoy sweets too much again. The nice thing about chemo is that it took away my taste for sweets. I do not want to tempt things too much and see if it is back...

I am excited about our trip in just a week. I even agreed to go camping - even though it is a KOA cabin -since we chose one of the busiest and most expensive weekends in Santa Fe to visit. The kids are really excited to go camping for the first time this year - and more excited at the idea of a pool at the campsite. Mom is excited by the cafe and the idea of not cooking...

My day of celebration will be next tuesday when the chemo should be out of my body and I should have my immune system and energy levels just about back to normal. I get another two and a half weeks to let my body recover before I have surgery done. I plan on enjoying my time thoroughly and playing a lot. I am not quite sure what I will be doing - but am sure I can think of something.