An update

Well, I wondered what would eventually happen to my skin and now I know!  It looks like a really bad peeling sunburn!!  Doesn't really hurt too much but it does really itch!!  So I guess it will just take time to finish healing.  Other than that, I feel really good and have been back to work all week.  It is good to see the families that I visit.  Seems like most of the kids have grown a couple of inches in the last month. 
It was cold in Minnesota and I think I brought it with me.  Had that doggone below zero weather for a few days but it was up around 40 today and supposed to be that tomorrow.  Always enjoy the warm breaks!  So I guess I'm done with this for now....hopefully I will not have to create another blog.  Many prayers were said and they were definitely answered.  Thank you all for that.  It is always comforting to know that people are praying.  Many hugs to all.  Love, Patsy

I'M DONE!!!

What a great feeling to be done with the radiation treatments!!  Definitely not done with the journey but at least I feel like I am two thirds of the way done.  Now I have 5 years of hormone therapy taking the drug that I thought I was taking for the last 5 years!  I pray though that the research will help the daughters of our generation and I don't regret doing the study at all for that reason.  My skin is still in pretty good shape although it definitely looks like a sunburn now....and I still am amazed at how big the field of radiation was.  Dr. Yan says its because of the angle they have to use so as to not radiate the lung but still get the breast tissue.  The radiation will continue to change my skin for the next couple of weeks and then over a long period begin to return to normal....not sure it will ever be the original normal but at least will resemble normal.

It was a weird feeling to go to the radiation therapy department for the last time as it has been so routine for the last month.  But will I miss it ....I think not.  But I got hugs from the gals who treated me plus Jenn DeWeese came over from her side to give me a hug as well.  When you finish treatment they have a tradition.  Mounted on the wall is a small bell like you might see on a boat about 8-10 inches in height.  There is a verse on a plaque on the wall that says to ring the bell three times to signify the completion of your treatment.  So you gladly ring the bell and everyone in the waiting room claps and cheers for you.  It is kind of emotional.  I saw many patients ring the bell and was touched by the smiles on their faces.  To say the least I had more than a grin as I rang the bell.

So, I am mostly packed and will leave for home tomorow.   Will be traveling with Krista and the boys and taking a couple of days to do it.  But I am so looking forward to being home and just getting back into my routine.  However, since my routine has so included my grandsons, I know that I will miss them immensely when I get home.  But, there will always be another trip as I will be back to see Dr. Yan in radiation oncoloty in April and then back to my 6 month routine with Dr. Pruthi in the breast health clinic.

So, I will try to keep you posted as to what really happens to the skin after you complete radiation.  I am sure it varies alot from person to person.  So, for all that have kept up with the journey, thanks, and big hugs to all.  Love, Patsy

Two more to go!

I have now had 2 of the 4 boost treatments which means I am down to two more days!!  It hardly seems like it has been that long but it also seems like a very long time.  The boost treatment basically treats just the area where the actual cancerous lesion was removed.  It is still about 3 inches in diameter but not the entire breast being radiated.  They actually make a special plate that slides over the machine window so it can block everything but just that area. So the radiation isn't any stronger, just covering a smaller area.

I also had an appointment with the radiation oncologist again.  We talked about how the skin will continue to change and darken over the next couple weeks even though I will be done with radiation.  She says it actually will look almost black and probably peel. So I am thinking scabby maybe.  I actually have no idea but it makes me want to keep the cream on it even more.  I will come back to see her in April for a follow up and then it will be back to Dr. Pruthi in October and back to my every 6 month appointments for the next 5 years again.  This is a never ending deal I guess. 

Well, I am tired and my treatment is at 8 am tomorrow so I am off to bed.  All take care.  Hugs. 
Love, Patsy

My Last Full Week!!!

It is Monday morning and this morning will be my 15th treatment which is three quarters of the way done.  I can an least see the light at the end of the tunnel now.  I am amazed at the breadth of feelings which one experiences while going through cancer treatment.  Sometimes I feel like I really don't have cancer (maybe that's just denial) and other times, especially when I see the variety of effects on people, it really makes me sad.  Mostly that anyone has to deal with cancer.  It is definitely an ugly disease and it affects everyone a little diffently.  As I talk to some of the people at the Hope Lodge, it is amazing the amount of time some people spend over here.  Talked to one lady who has been here since September.  I guess once again, I need to really be thankful for the short stint I will have. 

I have this morning's treatment and tomorrow's treatment and then they will do what they call a boost to the actual excision area.  I don't know if that is going to create more of an issue than I have had so far or not.  My skin is really showing an almost "tan/sunburn line" so I can see where the actual radiation is going.  I was so amazed to see the line way under my arm and around to my back.  I asked the oncologist about it and she said that comes from the angle they have to use to cover the entire breast.  Hmmmm.  The things we really don't know.  I have been keeping the cream on so it hasn't been too bad and at least so far the skin
hasn't broken down.  I guess for some people it actually weeps like a real sunburn.  But the oncologist says it's a matter of the new skin cells not being able to replace at a fast enought rate.  I have been taking Emer'gen-C a couple of times a day hoping that the extra c will help the skin repair faster.  Who knows what really works and I am sure what works for one doesn't neccessarily work for everyone.

So it snowed again a little bit last night.  The worst over here is that they don't get the really nice weather like we do at home so it goes away for a little bit.  Just stays.  Had a good week-end with the kids though.  The boys are fun even if Garrett is on the unbelievably rambunctious side.  He started preschool on Thursday and loved it so that was really good.  He needs it to say the least.  He has always said that he doesn't want to go to school so it was a surprise that he was so at ease with going.  Never can figure.

Well, I need to get ready for the day but realized I hadn't posted again for several days.  I guess that means time is going faster than I thought.  But I am definitely ready for this part of the journey to be done and get home and back to work!  So until next time.  Hugs.  Love, Patsy

OK Now I Understand the Tired Thing!

They said that half way through is when you would begin to feel the effects of the radiation.....my gosh but they weren't kidding.  Yesterday I was absolutely wiped!!  But today was a little better and I just need to get a little more rest I guess.  I see the radiation oncologist tomorrow and will see what she has to say.  I have 4 regular treatments left and then 4 boost treatments to the actual excision site in case there were any little seedlings hiding out that got left behind or something.  Will have to investigate that a little more. 

Went to the potluck over here at the Lodge last night and found the food yummy and the company great.  Some people from Elm Springs, SD checked in yesterday as well.  They are ranchers from somewhere near Union Center.  Haven't chatted a whole lot with them but it sounds like they came over in a rush.  So it was nice to have home people around.  It was amazing to look over the crowd and see the variety of people that cancer attacks.  Nothing that has a common factor that's for sure.  But everyone was very nice.  Sat with some people from Baton Rouge, LA and a guy from Milwaukee.  There's also a couple here from Florida.  So they come from all over as well. 

Well, like I said, the tireds have hit so I am going to bed.  Until I check in again.  Hugs.  Love, Patsy

Halfway there!!

Today (Monday) was the tenth treatment which means I am halfway done.  It has been pretty uneventful just long.  I also saw the nurse educator again who also watches out for radiation side effects and she was pleased with how things were looking.  My treatment was late today for the first time ever....usually I get in about 10-15 minutes early but they were really running behind today so I got to see some different people.  It is all the same no matter what.  They have all the calculations so it works just like clockwork. 

I am now over at the Hope Lodge which is an amazing facility.  Kind of like a mix of a dorm and a hotel.  The rooms are very nice and everyone gets a shelf, a door shelf in the refrigerator and a shelf in the freezer, plus a little locked cupboard for dry goods etc.  They have fully equipped kitchens with all the dishes and untensils you might need. There are TV rooms, library rooms, and exercise room and of course laundry. Tomorrow night is a potluck which I plan to attend and meet some of the other people who are staying here.
When I filled out the paperwork, the lady said that I might want to know that they have a crow problem here.  I was kind of puzzled until I looked out my window to see the top of every tree filled with black crows.  Was a little freaky especially if you grew up in the era of Alfred Hitchcock and ever saw "The Birds"!  Yikes!!  They also make lots of noise in the morning as they are waking up.  I am certianly glad that dawn isn't at 4:30!

Cold and snowy again today but I guess this is Minnesota.  I am off to bed because I am starting to feel more tired than usual.  Maybe the suggestion or maybe I just am.  So until the next post....Hugs to all. 
Love, Patsy

Wow! It's Friday Already!

Well, this week certainly flew by!  I didn't realize I hadn't posted since Monday.  It has been a busy week although I'm not quite sure what I all did other than travel to the clinic and back again.  Also spent a lot of time with the boys....I am getting even better at reading stories and having Garrett fall asleep before I am finished...hmmm is that a good thing or a bad thing?  Good actually-bedtime is a struggle.

But as for the treatments....they are still quick and I am getting to know the radiaiton therapists on a first name basis.  It becomes pretty ritual....so much that the other day, I checked in, they handed me my pager and I went to sit down.  I suddenly realized that I had no idea where my pager was after only less than the time it took to grab it and go find a place to sit down.  So I went back up to the desk and sheepishly explained I had no idea where my pager was.  So the receptionist called it and I had already tossed in in the basket on the desk....which is what you do after they call you on the way back to treatment not after they hand it to you.  But I finished the 9th treatment today.  As of next Monday, I will be half done!!!  Yay!!  I saw the radiation oncologist yesterday (Thursday) and she was pleased that my skin was not showing signs of breaking down yet.  She told me to keep the Vanicream slathered on....so I guess I will.  I am not feeling too tired yet and I think what tiredness I am feeling is really lack of sleep since I am sharing a room with Nathan and he doesn't necessarily sleep through the night.  But that is about to be remedied as I got a room over at the Hope Lodge and will be over there starting Sunday night.  So a continuous nights sleep will probably feel amazing. 

I continue to feel very blessed that things have gone so well.  I sometimes feel like I really don't have cancer at all but I guess I do and at some point, my experience will benefit someone in some way.  Never quite sure, but God always has a plan and it becomes evident down the road.  So until later.....hugs to all.  Love, Patsy