STILL HEALING

I saw my radiologist Dr. Smalley today and he said I am healing slowly but surely. I am still peeling and have a raw spot under my arm and am red, but healing, under my breast. The Dr. said again that due to how my skin reacted to the radiation, it was best to stop the treatments and just watch me closely. I have to go back for a recheck the week after Thanksgiving so he can check my skin again. He said he would talk with my surgeon and let her know what has happened and have her do another mammogram and sonagram in March of next year. I am hoping to get back to work next week.

Thanks Linda, for taking me today and Thanks Jen for taking me the weeks before. Jen & Decovin went back with Bob on Sunday. It sure was quiet this morning when we got up. I do miss you both but I know how you feel about being in your own home.

We were invited up to Jeff & Marianne's on Saturday. Mom came with us. James & Nancy cooked several dishes for us to try. They had rice, a chicken & vegetable dish, a noodle dish, sweet & sour chicken, curried beef, ham, seasoned chicken wings, chocolate coconut jello, sweet potato donuts & Marianne had requested my cranberry salad which I brought. It was all very tasty and we were all stuffed. Thanks James & Nancy. We met Jeff & Marianne's neighbors who came over for a short visit. They are from Sweden and have been here for about 6 months now. They have a 3 yr old girl & 5 yr old boy. The little girl doesn't understand or speak English much yet.

We are going to Christy's tomorrow night for Halloween. We will take our treats there to give out. Mom is going to come over also I think.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my regular Dr. in Paola. The office called today and made the appointment. He wants to do a check up in order to go over my medications and renew prescriptions. Aaargh! I am tired of Dr. appointments!!!

May you all have a good week and stay healthy. Thanks to all who have made comments on my blog.

OH HAPPY DAY!

I went to the radiation doctor today and I was ready to tell him I had decided to do the mastectomy if they wanted to do anymore radiation on me. Well, he started out by saying he was very sorry that I was in so much pain. He looked at my burns and said that my skin didn't react to radiation like other people. He said that I should stop the "neosporin plus pain" ointment and use only the vaseline gauze this week and gave me a prescription for Hydrocodone. He still wants me to come in next Monday so he can check me again to make sure I heal up. He also said he thought I should not have any more radiation b/c of how my skin reacted. When we first started all this he had told us that because my surgeon got the cancer out, I could probably do ok without radiation but they would have to watch me really close to make sure the cancer didn't come back so he suggested stopping the radiation and doing just that. He said the other choice was mastectomy. Well, I was so relieved. Guess which one I chose? Yeah, I'll play the "wait and see" game for now. Just pray for me please. Thank you God....OH HAPPY DAY!

WISH I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!

Decovin's growl is cute and sort of sums up how I am feeling. It seems the burn is spreading and hurts more than it did the first of the week. I don't think I can handle any more treatments. I would like to have had it cut off yesterday b/c it was stinging and burning so much. I could use some mail from some of you to try and take my mind off things. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to let him see how it is doing. I don't think I can stand another round of radiation burn. I will have to ask what other alternatives I have now. I don't know. Yes, I am a whiner when it comes to pain. I'm sorry but I can't handle it very well after this long a time.

Grandchildren

Grandchildren are wonderful little people. Here I am covered with mine. They are all beautiful but, of course, I am predjudiced. I was able to get them all on my lap for a picture on Jeff & Marianne's moving-in day. It is great to have them all so close to us now.

AND THE BURN WINS...

I have been given a weeks hiatus from radiation treatment due to my burns. If I heal enough, I will get to continue again the following Monday.
I have also, as of Tuesday, taken a leave of absence from work until this is all over. I hate doing that to my boss but he said he understands.

Decovin has started trying to stand on his own now. Hard to catch him on camera as by the time you see him do it and you get the camera ready, he sits down. Jen has a cold. Bob has come down for the weekend. There is a Long Family Reunion tomorrow at Rick Long's place. Jeff & Marianne & her folks are coming down for it also.

RADIATION BURN

The bad news is I have a radiation burn plus a yeast infection which has begun under my left arm and breast. It is tender as well as uncomfortable. The good news is that the radiation is doing what it is supposed to be doing to the cancer area. He said that it was doing the job perfectly. Whatever! He also said they will just keep a closer check on me now. I wasn't supposed to burn so quick. I don't seem to do things like I'm supposed to. Today will be my 13th treatment. Jen is not feeling good & didn't sleep good last night. I had hives again so I stayed home from work. Decovin is teething and has been cranky which is a big change from his usual happy disposition. Jen got to feeling better by the time we had to leave & so did Decovin. He entertains all the other people waiting in the waiting room while I am in getting treated. They just love him. So do I.
P.S. I got in and out of the treatment room really quick today. It took less than 20 minutes. I still have the hives though.