The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Through this process, there has been a lot that is out of my control. I’ve had to trust in God that He would bring the right medical professionals and people into my life to guide me through this process. It has been a daily choice to trust God and still be ok with disappointments when what I wanted was different from what came to pass. Still, through adversity is how we grow and become more like Jesus.
It has been a good week. I was able to start the first of my 21 radiation treatments. 5 times per week ending the Monday before Thanksgiving. I bought the recommended lotion for $50 a tube to be applied 4 times daily to hopefully prevent my skin from getting red and blistered. I have 6 plastic stickers and 4 tattoos (freckles) on my breast so they are able to get the exact location of the treatment area every time. So far I feel fine but there is a cumulative effect so probably the last weeks and even up to 2 weeks after I may have fatigue and a sunburn feeling or pain in my breast. The treatments are very quick. I can go straight back and change without having to wait. Sometimes the song on the speaker doesn’t even finish before they tell me that I am done. I meet with my wonderful radiology oncologist every Wednesday who will monitor my progress.
My oncologist doesn’t need to see be for 4 more months and I start on daily oral Tomoxifen after I complete my radiation treatments. Tomaxifin has Menapause symptoms but hopefully I will tolerate it well and it may even help strengthen my bones. My Onca tumor score is 11 with a 3% recurrence rate for the next 9 years. Any score below 25 is good. Yay!
I can stop wearing a jog bra 24/7 and my scars are healing. I have been meeting friends for walks on the beach or the neighborhood to check out Halloween decorations. Kari has been great and so supportive. He often works right through lunch and past quitting time to get everything completed. I am doing a lot of leg strengthening and core exercises and reviewing my Physical therapy notes to make the transition back to work easier. I start back on Monday!
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