He shoots, he scores!

I forgot how nerve-wracking it is to watch hockey. Pro hockey doesn't get a lot of attention in Florida and I haven't been following the Pittsburgh Penguins since I moved here. But I watched the game last night, all the way into triple overtime. I must've fallen asleep the second after the winning goal, because I remember opening my eyes and seeing the local newscast and don't remember anything in between. Game 6 tomorrow night!

My first lymphedema therapy session went well. The therapist explained the lymph system to me in great detail. They use massage to help the lymph fluids flow. I go tomorrow and she'll demonstrate some exercises. I'll go 3 times next week and take if from there.

My nephew Jeff and his wife Lili will be here Thursday afternoon. I still have a lot to do before they come. I'm tired and it's TOO hot and muggy. I wouldn't mind being in Alaska this time of year. Seriously.

Better

The cortisone injection I received last week has really alleviated the bursitis. Hope it lasts awhile. Mind you, I don't feel like doing handsprings, but it is a definite improvement!

Tomorrow I go to a lympheodema center to see what I can or can't do from now on. Not real happy that I will have a lot of restrictions. I already know I shouldn't lift more than 8 lbs. with my right arm...and geez....a case of bottled water is heavier than that! So is Stella, Bella and Levi. By the way, it seems lympheodema can be spelled with or without the "o." Woo hoo.

On Friday I saw my radiation oncologist and his nurse-practitioner. It went well. He wants to see me again after my PT scan at the end of July. I have to schedule my mammogram tomorrow. I wasn't sure if I should go back to the place in Orlando where I had my biopsy or go to the new radiologist at the Florida Hospital closest to me. There was a big shake-up at the place I used to go to, so my other radiologist (who read my MRIs and did the biopsy) probably isn't even there anymore. This new guy spoke at the last BC support meeting and I was very impressed. Lots of good credentials and very knowledgeable. My radiation oncologist told me that since the lumpectomy and radiation, things will look quite different and this next mammo will be my new baseline, so as long as the new radiologist has my previous images, it should be fine to switch now.

Forgot to take my sleeping aid last night and I didn't sleep well at all. Wide awake in the middle of the night. Then I feel asleep close to morning and had incredibly bizarre dreams. The kind that seem sort of real. Hate that!

I give up trying to grow vegetables down here. The leaves on my tomato plants were being eaten by some tiny pest and now it looks like some type of worm is eating the fruit. I'm not doing this again....GRRRR

Interesting how I seem to be complaining about stuff more now than I did while undergoing treatment. What's up with that??

Oops!

Somewhere in my pea brain I thought my appointment with my radiation oncologist was early afternoon today. It wasn't. It was at 10:00 a.m. and I didn't drag myself out of bed until 9:30, which is when I realized my mistake. I had 10:00 a.m. in my calendar, but you not only have to look at your calendar, what's on the page has to actually connect with your brain. I called the office and rescheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

I've got plenty of things to do, but my major accomplishment today has been to go back to bed and read a book. I think I'm going to put an ice pack on my aching arm. I wonder how I'm going to get things done since I'm right-handed and that's the side that's affected and it hurts just to reach for something. Should be interesting.

Ancient!

That's how I'm feeling this evening. After x-rays today, my orthopedic doctor said I have bursitis AND arthritis in my left hip. Oh, and degenerative disc disease, too. He gave me a shot of cortisone in my hip and would like to see me in 2 weeks unless it's feeling better. He told me that I would let him know when I need a hip replacement. GAH!

My arm is aching and I'm very, very tired. Time to hit the couch and watch some hockey. Go Penguins!

Sigh.

3 month checkup

My visit with my medical oncologist went well. My sister-in-law Linda came with me since I can't remember anything. He wants me to be evaluated for lymphoedema. He said if that's what it is, it's very mild. I hope it's just swelling from radiation.

My blood counts are fine. They'll be checking tumor markers and I have my script for a mammogram. This will be routine for some time to come. I'll have a PT scan at the end of July, which is about a year from my surgery. Can you believe that?

I see an orthopedic doc this afternoon and my radiation oncologist tomorrow. I'll report back later. Good day all!

Salute to the Troops

Thanks to all who serve now, served in the past, or lost loved ones in battle.

Sorry I've lagged behind in my posting. It was a busy (for me, anyway), week and a half!

The time spent in Vero Beach was very nice. Beautiful home, beautiful area. The woman who owns the home is a truly wonderful person. It was quite hot most days, though, and flies were biting!

I picked up some pretty seashells. I was surprised to see so many since Daytona and New Smyrna didn't have many washing up on the beach a couple of weeks ago.

Last Wednesday we drove from Vero to West Palm Beach (about 80 miles) to see my aunt and uncle. Always a good visit.

I don't admit this to very many people, but I watch American Idol. I watched it for the first time the season before last and then this season, so I'm not completely addicted to it. I have to say that I'm happy that David Cook won. SWEET!

This week is going to be very busy. I see my medical oncologist Tuesday, then an orthopedic doctor and my radiation oncologist later in the week. It's time for my 3 month follow up, so I'll be having a mammogram and I imagine some blood work. My right arm is bothering me a bit, slightly swollen in the forearm and tender. I'm praying it's not lymphodema! And, as usual, I tire VERY easily!

We received some MUCH needed rain this past week. My front lawn is looking green again. The weeds are another story.

Long time, no hear from

Hi everyone. Got back from Vero Beach last night. Van goes back to Pennsylvania tomorrow. I get my first hair cut today! ;-) I'll report more later....Cheers.