SolandMonica.com

Well I have completed my 7 weeks, 33 radiation treatments, as of today which equals somewhere around 6,000 units of radiation.  My skin has been holding up, but it is pretty bad. The doctor said that the burn is somewhere between a 2nd and 3rd degree burn. I keep putting on the lotions, gels and soaps hoping that I can make it to the end and not have any permanent skin effects; it’s beginning to peel.  Another thing that the doctor said was that I will have 3 more treatments to the area around the scar. Because of the original size of the tumor, 11 cm, the doctor wants to give it all he can; somewhere around 6,600 units of radiation.  I am willing to give it everything that I can, but I am really looking forward to being done, too! I’ll do the three extra days if I know that it’s giving me the best chance that it will never come back!  So instead of being done today, like I’d hoped and planned, I’ll be done next Thursday.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

I love you all.

Monica

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Here’s the bottom line: I met with two doctors today and both seem to think that it is a temporary side effect of the radiation. 

Here are the details: I was able to get in to see my primary physican at 2:00, and she wrote out an order for x-rays of my whole arm just to make sure it is nothing having to do with the bones.  I met with a radiologist at 4:00 after my radtiation appointment (I see one every Monday), and he said go ahead with the x-rays, but he thinks the swelling will get better once radiation is over in three weeks.  He said that I just need to watch what I do with this arm…lifting Kai, carrying bags on my shoulder and such.  

So tomorrow I go for x-rays in the mid-morning (no time is set) and will wait for a call saying everything is fine.  It’s just that every little pain or new “issue” gets me all worked up and worried.

Thank you for continued prayer and I’ll let you know what the x-rays show.  (Hopefully nothing!)

Monica

Comments Off on Update on Swelling

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry that I haven’t updated in a while. Nothing has really changed in terms of my treatment. I continue to be treated on a daily basis. It doesn’t take long once you’re in, but sometimes they are running a bit behind. Good thing they have a puzzle. I don’t mind waiting, if there is a puzzle. We finished the tough puzzle and have just about finished the new puzzle. It’s kind of amazing to sit there and think that so many different people work on the puzzle – people who are fighting the beast and their support team.
Treatment seems to be going well. I am a little more pink by the day, and the doctor says it is going to worse before it gets better. I am halfway through the tough part of the radiation. When this part ends, then I’ll have a few treatments directly to the scar. I am looking forward to May 23rd, when all these treatments are behind me. I know that I’ll have to have scans every three months, which will bring on major “scananxiety” (a term I recently ran across), but I trust in the Lord and know that I am in His mighty hands. With that knowledge, comes an amazing, indescribable peace.

Sol is feeling much better, although his tonsils is still sore and inflamed. Please continue to pray for him. Kai continues to be a wonderful little boy! He is so active and adorable. He learns and uses new words every day! It’s amazing to see him grow and learn. The big news there is that he peed in the potty for the first time. He was so proud of himself! He hasn’t done it since, but he’s interested!

The last thing to report is that I have an appointment tomorrow for my prosthetic tatas. Oooh, La, La!!! I’ve experienced the gamut of sizes in my existence, and by far being in the middle is the best place to be. I guess that’s one good thing about this process…I’ll finally have the size I’ve always wanted. It’ll be an interesting experience I’m sure, and sorry, NO photos of this fitting will be posted! It’ll only be in my memory! 😉

Farewell for now. God bless,

Monica

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I just found out that I will have a radiology appointment tomorrow 4/3 at 10:00.  I think it is to get me all set up to begin treatment.  It is supposed to take about an hour and will be simulations of the real deal.  From my limited understanding, gleaned from “The Idiot’s Guide to Chemotherapy and Radiation”, they’ll be scanning my whole body a few times to create a 3-D computer model, so that they can get the exact “line of fire” and only radiate the chest wall and avoid the organs as best they can.  I guess we’ll see tomorrow.

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