RELAX - it's just an armpit....

It is difficult to orient oneself in the photo - but I was photographing my own armpit - not as easy a task as it may sound! The raw patch is at the bottom of my pit. It looks even worse now than when I took the pic. And YES, it hurts. I have some other delicious looking spots on my fake boob but thought that this picture was graphic enough already....

So - the good news is that radiation officially finished on Thursday. The bad news is that I have a couple more weeks of suffering as the radiation 'keeps working' (the way we are choosing to look at it rather than 'keeps causing me pain'). I have Flamazine cream for the open raw bits (like the giant blister that formed on the breast part after I stupidly wore my silicone synthetic insert without realizing it would not be good for the delicate skin). Plus that gross raw open bit in my armpit. I also have hydrocortisone cream for the itchy parts, and then I have a thick 'basic' cream for straight moisturizing. This is a very messy venture.

PLUS, they told me that I should be keeping this stuff open to air as much as possible so I've been semi-streaking a lot around the house. Since Cam renovated, the blinds are not up in my kitchen so I have to keep some sort of covering on or else risk alienating the neighbours. So I drape a light scarf-like fabric around my neck to hang in front of the scary bits but leaves the armpit open to the air.

Armpits are 'chafy' places. This isn't the most fun I've ever had in my life. And my skin was doing REALLY well right up until that blister arrived, then the armpit went haywire so I guess it all caught up with me - as they predicted.

I will be much happier in a coupleo of weeks when this horrible raw openness disappears.

To take my mind off the pain, I am going up to Tulameen to meet Suzanne at her cabin there. The gals 'bacheloretting' it for a few days.... plus I'm going to take Cooper with me since he loves his mom the best of all.

Today I went to Costco to pick up one of my numerous prescriptions & it is nearby to my friend's flower shop. I stopped in to see her and lo & behold she was in the middle of doing a giant Indian wedding. They delivered all these flowers there yesterday to be used for some thing or other, and now they were all picked up again to be picked over and redistributed into brand NEW arrangements (using some of the old flowers). Her shop was overrun with masses of colourful arrangements. She insisted I take one of them home & 'repurpose' it. So I did - and it was so big that I now have about 4 or 5 vases of beautiful flowers distributed throughout my house. And I'm not even here for the weekend! I hope Cam enjoys them.....

Lots of lilies (which never were my favourite due to the strong smell - but they are growing on me...ha ha)

Now that radiation is finished, I have to start taking Tamoxifen - which is an oral drug I'll be on for FIVE years..... can't wait to learn the side effects of that one.... (sarcasm)

Later Hosen!

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A Hair Raising Experience

Well, I think it can be said that I finally have hair. I have been telling folks that I no longer look like a cancer patient - I now simply look like a lesbian. (not that there's anything wrong with that)

I mentioned this to friends on the weekend and rather than the usual small chuckle, I received complete agreement from some people. Of course, others who live in the west end quickly corrected it to explain that if someone were paying attention they would realize that the pink toenail polish and the wedding ring would confirm otherwise. Personally, I'm not so sure. I know I can delve into the stereo-typing, however, I am convinced that there ARE lesbians who wear pink toenail polish. (and wedding rings for that matter)

Anyway, the point is, my hair is growing back quickly. As evidenced here:




As far as radiation goes, I have been developing some redness to my skin and the itchiness persists - but not the drive-you-crazy kind. It's almost more dangerous than that kind because then you KNOW you're not supposed to scratch it. When it's mild itchiness, you forget it's because of radiation and you just scratch it without thinking about it. They don't like you to scratch it.

Had my 7th Herceptin on Thursday. Nothing interesting to report there. Except that I told the nurse some interesting words & phrases my mom taught me. NOPE - not sharing because it will be embarrassing for her.... ha ha - and now your imaginations will run rampant and probably think up things way worse than what really happened. I'm evil.

My ball team had a tournament this weekend. I did not play in it - I only managed it. However, my managing skills are suspect because we can't seem to get past the first round of single knock-out. Grrrrr. Oh well, the team had fun and the sun was finally out on Saturday - although it was pissing down with rain this morning. It was funny seeing everyone out there burnt red from yesterday all glowing in the downpour. (me, warm & dry in the dugout diligently keeping score).

I think I have only 2 more weeks of radiation to go. I've been told that you don't start to feel really tired until the actual radiation is finished. They did warn me that side effects from radiation persist after you finish the actual zapping.

Next weekend is a flyball tournament on the island which I will be watching. Not sure if Molly will be playing as she is limping today and we don't know why.

On Thursday, mom and I got pedicures before all my treatment. The lady offered free threading for new clients. Can you believe it? I actually had enough eyebrows to warrant threading!!! The pedicure was great and it was only $25. She has an at-home spa (Pamper Day Spa 778-855-3333 in Fleetwood). She also gave me a massage on Friday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. http://pamperdayspa.yolasite.com/ She does gift-certificates too - but her only stipulation is that she works only with women.

Well, that's it I guess. Until next time!

Mirror Image

So this is me about to enjoy a taco salad at the Black Bear Diner in.... I forget what city.... Maybe Carson?

Anyway, it looks like a mirror behind me, but really it's just a bald guy at the next booth. HA HA HAH AH HA HA HH AH AHHA HA HHAH A

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough;
remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly,
he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and start to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again
if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions
Things that if everything else was lost
and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand
and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'