Saturday, October 3, 2009

It's been awhile since I've last posted. Let's see if I can remember everything that's happened.

Barbara, from the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Headquarters in Missouri called me last week to tell me that she wanted me to send back my cancer grant application along with canceled checks for the dues and she would have the check issued from their fund. This means I can return the check to the local auxiliary and they can put it back in their kitty. Barbara said that she wanted to make sure it was all above board and there wouldn't be any issue in the future of it looking like money was given to the post commander's wife. I'm relieved.

I went and saw Dr. S, a new doctor, who examined me to see if there were any signs of lymphodema and how I could avoid it, if possible. I don't have it as of yet, however, I can no longer wear my watch on my right arm or my rings. He gave me a prescription for a compression sleeve for when I fly. He said I wouldn't have to worry about wearing it for flights under two hours. He said flying aggravates the condition; it doesn't initiate it. Now I need to find the time to find a company that does custom sleeves.

When Sandy, my clinical coordinator came in to go over a questionnaire with me, I realized that it was September 23rd, the 1-year anniversary of me finding the lump. Maybe that's why I've been a little emotional lately. Sandy said "And you're still here!" I know she meant it to inspire me but it made me think. If I hadn't of found it when I did, where would I be now health-wise? Would I even be here? Kind of scary and depressing.

I also had my preliminary radiation appointment. When I first got there, I asked if they had some sort of parking plan. I would be there Monday-Friday for 5 weeks or so and it's $4.00 to park for the first hour. The receptionist told me that I would get a "Get out of Jail Free" card every visit. I told her about trying to go to another facility in Moon but couldn't because I would have to pay the specialist co-pay each visit. The insurance lady was sitting there and heard my conversation. While I was in seeing the doctor, she checked on my insurance. She came in to the room near the end and told me that I would STILL HAVE TO PAY the co-pay to go to Magee-Womens Hospital. Talk about upsetting. If I had to pay, there was no way I was going to drive to downtown Pittsburgh if I could avoid it. I told her that I would check again when I got home but I was told that if it was a hospital, it would be free to me. While they were making the appointment for a CT scan, she came back and told me I was right. No co-pay. Apparently they had the radiology doctor listed as being in a private office and not a hospital, so all is well on that front. Whew!

The radiologist told me that I would be undergoing 6 to 6 1/2 weeks of radiation because of the advanced nature of the cancer. He said the side effects were blisters (ouch), ribs more likely to fracture on that side (double ouch) and fatigue. I had no clue it would become tiring. We'll have to see how that works out.

I went back yesterday for the CT scan. First I had to go to the radiology clinic where they tested to see if I could raise my arm high enough. I passed! Then the doctor came in and I was attacked with a blue Sharpie. They drew marks all over my chest. I then went to the CT department where they put tape with metal in it to mark areas. They did the scan which took about 5 minutes. No iv or contrast. Woo hoo~! They left stickers on my chest and told me to try to leave them on as long as possible (adhesive reaction) but if it got too bad, I could remove them. It's already starting to itch. The nurse said that when I took a shower to try not to rub too hard so as to not lose the stickers. This means I will have sharpie marks on me for quite awhile. Guess it's turtleneck time.

They'll take a few days to plan the radiation and have me back in next week for another simulation. Then I'm not sure how long it will take after that to actually schedule the radiation treatments and start. I'm figuring the week after that.

I also was fitted for a prosthesis and bras. I'm having a little difficulty with the prosthesis. When I was fitted, it looked great. However, we did not take into account all the moving I do at my desk at work. Turning from side to side, reaching up to put files on shelves, etc. The prosthesis is moving around more than it should. I may have to duct tape that baby down but then I tend to have reactions to the adhesive. Oh well. I did learn some interesting facts. I was originally a D cup prior to surgery. I'm now in between an A and a B. The fitter told me that they carry up to L cups for Pittsburgh. L!!!! I've never heard of anything bigger than an E. When she handed me the fake boob (tired of spelling prosthesis), I couldn't believe how heavy it was. They try to balance the weight so that you don't feel too heavy on the side with the real breast. Btw, she gave me an A cup size. Could you imagine how heavy an L would be? You'd need two people just to help you hold it and get it into the bra. I couldn't get over that. I went back to work the next day and proudly showed off my "two".

I also saw Dr. Z, my surgical oncologist. This will be the last time I see him unless I pop in during radiation. He will be leaving the practice at the end of the month. I told him I was mad at him (he moved away when I said that..wonder why) and asked if he knew where he was going. He said no and I told him I had an extra room if he needed a place to stay. I thanked him for helping me through this. He was my first doctor and called me all the time to tell me what was going on, what would happen next and explained all the tests. He even called once on a Saturday. He's a very dedicated doctor. He said wasn't it funny that we had met previously when he called me out of the blue to notarize some documents for him. He just picked my name off of a notary website. Must have been karma.

He told me that I did not need to be seen by the surgical associates group unless I had an issue. Once a year I was to go to the wellness clinic where they would do a physical exam and other tests. I will miss him.

MFS came home from State College on Thursday night because he was having PRK (hope I got that right) surgery on his eyes the next morning. It's different than Lasik. It's supposed to have better results but the recovery time is longer and more painful. It's the only eye surgery the Navy will accept if you want to enter their flight program, which he does.

On the night he came home, I had moved a bag of socks for the troops off the rocking chair in the family room so that I could sit and talk to MFS and BDHA. While sitting there in the chair, I looked down and saw a white speck. For some reason it reminded me of my lost diamond and I told MFS that I had lost it a few weeks earlier. I reached down, picked up the speck and IT WAS MY DIAMOND! It had been on the chair and fell off when I moved the bag and sat down. I was stunned, to say the least. I still am.

MFS will be home this next week recovering from the surgery and seeing the eye doctor for follow-ups. He was given a pair of sunglasses and with the way his hair is cut, he reminds me of Ellwood (Dan Akroyd character) from Blues Brothers. How does it go..? "We have a full tank of gas, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses."

BDHA is flying to Chicago today to attend his sister's tenure party. She is celebrating being a tenured professor at Illinois State University. I had thought about going but I've been tired lately with working so much and decided I needed some down time. Congratulations Dianne!

I think that's all that's happened since my last post. If not, I can always post again. :) I was planning on going back to bed (been tossing and turning since 4 am) but I just looked at the clock and realized I would have to get up in 15 minutes to take MFS to the eye doctor. Oh well. Afternoon naps are wonderful!

Take care peoples.

-Suesan