I went and had physio at the rehab services yesterday. They made measurements on both arms again, to see if I am having any lymphedema. The measurements looked pretty good, though slightly increased at the top 3 measurements near upper arm/armpit. She said we will just keep an eye on them for now, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. I know the signs and symptoms of lymphedema and will vigilant watching for it.

We did more exercises and I used a band to do some bicept/tricept exercises. She was pleased with my strength and mobility of the arm/shoulder area. We talked about the “zingers” I get when my shoulder goes in a certain way. The “sunburn” type pain I was having has gradually been lessening so that’s something to cheer about. It was so bad initially I had to sit with my arm up over the recliner, with nothing touching it, or I would weep with pain. The pain then, and for many weeks was a constant 8-10/10 and it felt like 2 bad sunburns being rubbed against each other. Now the pain is about a 3/10.

I got a call to say I have to have a liver ultrasound on Sunday March 13th. (It’s amazing to me they are doing this stuff on a Sunday, but I confirmed it. I imagine they want this stuff done before the radiation starts, and I was injected by nuclear medicine on Tuesday for the bone scan, so I guess they need a few days to get the tracer out of my system. So next thing medically for me is the Liver US. Again, I think they are just checking to see if it has metastasized before the radiation starts. Wish me luck!  Then, the next thing for me is Radiation that starts on Wednesday March 16th and will go on daily mon-fri  x 5 weeks.. so I’m thinking that will be until April 19th or so… but that’s not confirmed yet.  I’ve been warned by everyone and their dog that the radiation can affect how tired I am… (and I’m wiped and tired now, so I’m not seeing how it can be much worse, to be honest.)

Good or bad, I’ll let you all know how the radiation feels. Right now I’m just tired of being sick. I’ve been sick with this damned sore throat ( sore enough to feel like strep or a tonsilar abscess) anyways Dr can see me today and I’m soooo hoping I get some antibiotics. I was talking to mum on the phone today and I started to hack and wretch so bad because throat is so inflamed and swollen still, that I had to run to bathroom to throw up (sorry, TMI) so hopefully I’m not going to look like a friggin raccoon full of petechae around my eyes. SIGH! I just want to feel better and get some energy.

I know it sounds like I’m whining right now, but I’m just feeling a little wiped/fatigued/sick of hacking.

I know there are alot of people out there dealing with more than I am, and I want you to know I am  feeling glad and grateful that the cancer was caught early, hopeful that it has not spread elsewhere, and thankful to my my husband Maurice who has been my rock, and to my friends and collegues to give me no end of warm fuzzies when least expected. 🙂 No matter how crappy I feel, I know I have a husband who loves me and helps me so much, family and friends who love me. When all is said and done, that’s what is really important. Having cancer really makes you re-evaluate the priorities in life. What is really important, what matters. It’s the people in your life, not the things in your life,  that give your life meaning and worth. I’m blessed to have great people in mine. I hope you have the same in yours, and if you don’t… then get out there and work on it! Pick up the phone and make some first steps. 🙂

…Pam…