An online journal of every step of my battle against breast cancer. From diagnosis to hair loss, a double mastectomy, and multiple reconstruction surgeries, I documented every step with words and photos. It is my hope that this blog touches others in a positive manner and provides support and strength to those facing this ugly disease.
Monday, August 18, 2014
As I state with every week, I walked in dreading my appointment, but it gets me one step closer to being done, so in I went. My skin on my chest right between my breasts really began itching in earnest over the weekend. The inside of my cleavage on my left breast is also red and an obvious difference from the right side. I try to take photos of this, but the flash and glare from the lights doesn't do the discoloration justice. There is more than what shows up in the photos. I try very hard not to scratch the area that itches as I know it will cause my skin to look (and feel) worse, but I catch myself doing it without thinking. I've been layering Hydrocortisone ointment on the area as much as possible to try to prevent more damage to my skin than there already is. The tired feeling I complained about early on really doesn't seem to bother me too much now. Perhaps I've become used to it? I'm so busy at work right now, I can't tell if the tiredness I feel is radiation or just the fact that I'm extremely busy.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
I woke up with a migraine and not feeling well at all this morning. My radiation is at 9 a.m. every morning, and I knew when I woke up there was no way I could drive to radiation the way my head was pounding. I called and asked to switch the appointment to later in the day so I could take some medication and try to sleep the headache off. They switched me to 1:40 p.m., and I happily went back to sleep. After waiting about 10 minutes for my appointment, I was informed the radiologist had to leave due to becoming very sick, so I wouldn't be able to get radiation that day. As much as I hated to miss a treatment, I honestly didn't mind. I still wasn't feeling well myself. But, I went to work and worked the rest of the day. However, I went home and turned in early. My skin on my chest was still red and itchy even though I skipped a treatment.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
I had my 20th radiation treatment today (out of 34). I was informed I would not need to have any radiation that is shot from my back as I first told I might need. Based on scans, the radiation is penetrating my lymph nodes in my midline area from the front. She said this is due to me being so thin. So, I will take that as my good news for the day. After radiation today, my skin became pretty angry and red. My left breast is bright red while my right is pale. I truly look like I got a sunburn on the left half of my body only. I also have a few white dots in the redness between my breasts as if my skin is trying to peel a little. Again, I try to catch this in the photos, but I don't think it's showing up too well. Below are photos after today's treatment.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
I am struggling with some pain from the radiation at this point. Mostly on the underside of my left breast. It's becoming very tender. I'm finding the end of the week is pretty tough as the radiation is building up. I always look forward to Friday for various reasons, but mostly get a break from treatments. I've been using hydrocortisone religiously as directed, but my skin is having a tough time recovering at this point. You can now see redness beneath my left breast and on the upper portion of my abdomen.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Today, I informed my radiologist of the pain I'm having associated with treatments. She said she would speak to the doctor and have a prescription cream called in to help. I'm not sure why this wouldn't have been given to me before things got bad?! That's a bit frustrating! I have a very obvious box on the left side of my body now that's angry red. It's very clear the entire area that's being radiated.
I'm a week behind in updating my radiation blog updates, but tonight, I have a very strong desire to simply type out the thoughts that are in my head. I'll get to my radiation updates soon enough, but tonight, I'm blogging for the sake of my own well-being. While this blog is intended to help others out there who are facing cancer, it is also my sanity and has served a very real purpose in my life. My thoughts, emotions and deepest fears are in this blog. I was able to express myself through the keys on my laptop when it felt I couldn't say what I was thinking to anyone else. When it felt there was no one even listening. Tonight, I need to do that again. To get lost in letting out the thoughts that are threatening to drown me.
I don't know about other cancer survivors out there, but I often catch myself looking at other women and coveting their hair and perfect boobs. The boobs I used to have. While I'm very thankful I was able to go through reconstruction, and I had a great result considering what I've gone though, I still can't help but miss how I used to look. I had awesome boobs, and I miss them. Call me vain, but it's how I feel. So, if I'm vain, then so be it. Anyone who wants to judge me based on me saying I miss my own boobs should go through what I've gone though then get back to me on how "vain" I'm being. As far as hair goes, my hair is growing, but it's not something I can style yet. I'm so tired of wearing a wig to look like myself, but I refuse to settle for how I look without one yet. Again, maybe that makes me vain. Mostly, I just hate the looks people give me. I cannot stand the "Oh, she must have had cancer--poor thing" looks. It makes me want to scream! I'm all about genuine empathy, but I do not do pity.
I've been back to work regularly and "hard at it" since early May. We have begun fall semester at Ohio University, and my job is stressful for a healthy person. I'm going through radiation, which makes you tired in itself, plus I'm keeping up with my job at one of the busiest times of the year. I am functioning on sheer willpower at this time. I go home every night completely exhausted and wondering if I can even get myself home before I fall over. My body has been aching relentlessly. I imagine from being on my feet so much at work. My job is very hectic, and it used to wear me out before I had gone through all of this, so I even amaze myself that I'm keeping up with it while doing radiation (just had my 24th radiation today). My body has been through so much in the past year. I am amazed at how strong I am. I don't say that to build myself up; but to say I truly had no idea I could be so strong. There are days I truly wonder if I can put one foot in front of the other just to get myself home. Yet, I always somehow manage. Then I clean my house, do laundry, and keep up with everything around my home after working a 9 hour day. I've tried forcing myself to take a lazy day and just relax, but I start going stir crazy after just few hours. After an entire winter of hibernating in my house, I can barely tolerate being home for very long. Therefore, I'm not complaining about my job. I'm very thankful for it. I'm just saying I'm tired. I think I've earned the right to say that!
I've begun redecorating my bedroom. I've never liked the color of paint that's on my bedroom walls, and I've always intended to change it, but I've always had something more important that needed redone in the house. My bedroom just kept getting pushed back. However, after spending a year of my life in this bedroom and facing some of the hardest and lowest times of my life in here, I need to change it. My memories in this bedroom over the past year are not good. I look around, and all I see are broken promises, tears, cancer, and sadness. It's almost more than I can bear at times. The memories overwhelm me and threaten to suck me into a deep, dark abyss. It was then I decided I needed to create a spa-like atmosphere in my bedroom that would allow me to forget the memories that occurred in this room over the past year. I got a new comforter set, and that allowed me to begin planning my decorating scheme from there.
Last night, I began painting my bedroom set. I had the TV in my room on the country music channel, and I was busy painting away when a song came on the television that stopped me mid stroke with my paintbrush. There are certain songs that I absolutely refuse to listen to after Chuck and I parted ways and ended our marriage. I simply choose not to let myself go there. If I'm in the car, I change the station or skip the song on my Ipod. But last night, I had paint on my hands, and couldn't easily get to the remote to change the station. The song that was playing was sung in my wedding, and against my will, tears sprung to my eyes. I sat there for a few moments and allowed the tears to stream down my face. Not because my feelings are the same or I want my relationship back. But because the song reminded me of how I felt when I was planning our wedding and picked this particular song to be sung during our ceremony. I was reminded of the love and promises I held onto at that time. The feeling that our love could withstand anything and no matter how tough things were, love would save the day. That all-encompassing feeling that I had someone to hold me up when I was down and stand beside me no matter what. And there I sat four years later redoing my bedroom to try to forget all of this.
For those on a smartphone that cannot see the embedded video, you may listen to song at: http://youtu.be/4fqPcnuVPR8
I've listed the song above I am referring to. In a few moments, you will see why. I forced myself to let the song play even though it was making me cry. I was done hiding from certain songs. I was done with not facing certain feelings. Part of the healing process is to face things head on. And it was clear to me it was time to face this demon. As I sat there with tears streaming down my face, I listened to the words with a new outlook. Before, I had listened to this song from the perspective of a man promising a woman to stand beside her no matter what. To never let go of their love. Now, I listened as a woman who had recently saw all these promises fall to pieces. But also, as a woman who had just faced the toughest year of her life. Facing breast cancer and all the treatments and surgeries has taught me to rely on myself more than anyone else. The words suddenly took on an entirely new meaning.
It's like a storm. That cuts a path. It breaks your will. It feels like that. You think you're lost. But you're not lost on your own. You're not alone. I will stand by you. I will help you through. When you've done all you can do. If you can't cope, I will dry your eyes. I will fight your fight. I will hold you tight, and I won't let go.
Suddenly, I realized this song I had avoided hearing for so long had an entirely new meaning, and I didn't have to avoid it. Yes, me getting sick destroyed my marriage, but our marriage was struggling before I got sick. Yes, it happened at one of the toughest times of my life, but I also learned to face my fears and struggles on my own and to be stronger than I ever thought possible. Finally, I learned to love myself more than anyone else. Cancer came into my life like a storm cutting a path, and it truly felt like it broke my will. I felt lost and alone with no one to turn to. I desperately wanted someone to scoop me up and save me from the hell I was facing. I cried many tears that were not dried by anyone, and no one held me tight or promised not to let go. No one but my children, sister, and friends. But mostly, no one but myself.
I have discovered I don't have to let go of life, hope, and everything that makes me smile simply because someone chose to let go of me. And I'm perfectly okay with it. In fact, I'm learning things about myself I never knew. So, I take this moment to step outside of the fantasy world of expecting love or someone to save me. To simply make this promise to myself:
I will love myself no matter what. Bald, short hair, long hair, or grey hair. Big boobs or boobs that have scars. A size 2 or a size 8. I vow to fight and never give up because my life is worth fighting for. I promise to never let go and stand by my own beliefs and promises. To stand true to what I believe in. I simply will not let go.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, I became more aware of what I put into my body and how I treated it. I also began to think about all the time I've spent in the sun without sunblock and countless hours laying in a tanning bed. I'm fairly dark complected naturally, so it doesn't take a lot for me to have a great tan, but I was always reaching for just a little darker, a little more color, etc. Tanning made me feel good about myself and how I looked. It becomes somewhat of an addiction.
After being diagnosed, I obviously couldn't tan all winter. I didn't even care to. A tan was the last thing I cared about. But, after my treatments ended and winter turned to spring, I found myself noticing how pale I was. I had a trip to the beach planned for the first week of June, and I was excited to soak up some sun. I did use sunblock while I was there, but this was pretty much the first time in my life I had applied sunblock. I still got very dark while I was there even though I used sunblock. But, while I was laying in the sun soaking up some Vitamin D, I kept having a nagging thought in my head: I need to have all these moles and marks checked on my body. This thought had been on my mind the entire time I was going through treatment, but I knew I couldn't get moles removed while on chemo. Chemo slows down your body's ability to heal itself, so I had promised myself I would get a full body check as soon as I was done. As I lay there in sun, my eyes kept being drawn to two flat, black moles on my stomach just above my belly button. For some reason, I kept getting a strange feeling about them.
The larger mole on my right side had been there for over 10 years. The one to the left of it was smaller, but it had cropped up about four years ago. The photo below is a photo I took at the beach in June. You can see the two flat, black moles just above my belly button.
I finally made the appointment to get a full body check in early July. I saw the doctor about a week ago, and he removed four moles. He removed one beneath my right arm, one from my right hip, and one from my left should blade. These were all raised moles that were a nuisance to me, and I requested to have them removed. He wasn't concerned about them, but they would be sent to the lab nonetheless. He was immediately drawn to the smaller flat, black mole on my stomach that had cropped up four years ago. He removed it as well. The larger mole next to it was a perfect circle, but the one he removed had funny shaped edges. He removed the mole by numbing the area then using a razor blade to cut the mole out. Yes, it left a small hole in my stomach, but that will heal.
I received the call on Tuesday regarding my biopsy results. As suspected, the nuisance moles were nothing. The one removed from my stomach was A-Typical. This means the cells within the mole had begun to cluster together. This is often the behavior of a mole before it turns into skin cancer. Luckily, there were no cancer cells found; but that may not have been the prognosis had I waited to get it removed or not went at all. The behavior of this mole indicated it would have become skin cancer had i left it intact. They said there were clean margins around the mole, so they "got it all" and I did not need to return to have more removed.
That nagging feeling I've felt for months to get checked out turned out to be something that prevented a future issue. I had this same nagging feeling when I had a lump in my breast; but I brushed it off as a cyst and ignored it for months. Had I listened to this nagging feeling from the start, my breast cancer could have been caught at a much earlier stage. If there is one thing I've learned, it's to follow your instincts and that nagging feeling.
I think about how as a parent, I nag my children to do something they need to do. I truly believe those nagging thoughts we can't seem to shake is God making sure we pay attention and listen. As a parent, he truly wants the best for us, and his love is without end. The next time you have one of those feelings you can't shake, thank God, your loving father in heaven, and follow up on that feeling. You are having it for reason.
Finally, use sunblock and visit the tanning beds sparingly or not at all. I say sparingly because I know how hard it is not to visit occasionally to maintain some color. Just beware of tanning multiple times a week. A tan isn't worth dying for!
Radiation--Week 4: August 11-15, 2014
I've been having to remind myself of this daily!
Treatment 14 of 34: Monday, August 11, 2014
Work has been extremely busy, and it will continue to get worse as fall semester draws closer and begins; therefore, I'm a little behind on keeping up with my daily entries. I'm going to try add what I can for each day based on memory from last week; but the week itself is a bit of a blur due to so much going on at work.
As with every Monday, I walked in dreading another week of radiation. It's so time consuming even though it's literally only a 20 minute appointment. Having it every single day for five days is time consuming. Below are photos after my 14th treatment. I don't recall anything to note for the evening of this treatment.
Radiation--Week 4: August 11-15, 2014
Treatment 15 of 34: Tuesday, August 12, 2014
I have no photos for this particular treatment day, and I do not recall anything noteworthy happening for this day besides I've been noticing an itchy feeling along the inside of my left breast and on my chest on that side. It's an annoying itch, and I catch myself scratching it without realizing it. I was told to put Hydrocortisone Ointment on it to stop the itch as this is how radiation burns start. The areas I have the itch are also the first areas they begin. Also, today was the last radiation treatment I had with the bolace pad. After today, I won't have this pad covering my breast during treatment. This pad served as a layer of skin to pull the radiation deeper into my breast.
I also the call from my dermatologist regarding the moles I had removed last week. I had 4 moles removed. Three of them were harmless moles of no concern. The one on my abdomen, however, was considered a-typical. This means while it contained no cancer cells, the cells within the mole were clustered together, which is a-typical of a mole before it turns into melanoma. She said they got it all as there were clean margins around it, so I'm thankful I followed my instincts and had it checked out!
Radiation--Week 4: August 11-15, 2014
Treatment 16 of 34: Wednesday, August 13, 2014
I've had some tenderness on my skin beneath my left breast as well as the annoying itch on the inside of my left breast and chest area. I also have some redness creeping in. I've noticed my chest looks red on the left side through the day after radiation. Typically, by the evening, it's faded away and barely noticeable, but as of this treatment, it was still there at bedtime. My skin on the radiated side is definitely becoming more sensitive as well. My necklace laying on my skin is irritating and causes the area to itch, which is a vicious cycle as the more I itch, the more it bothers me. The Hydrocortisone ointment helps a lot, so I will need to buy more soon. I put it on at night before bedtime in a heavy layer, but I also use it lightly through the day.
Below, you will find photo of the radiated area after my 16th treatment. You will see the left breast/chest area is red (this is the right side of the photo).
Radiation--Week 4: August 11-15, 2014
Treatment 17 of 34: Thursday, August 14, 2014
Today's treatment is a big milestone. As of today, I am HALF WAY done with radiation therapy. Yes, I'm beginning to have some symptoms, but considering I'm half way, I think I'm doing very good. My chest area on the left side continues to be very sensitive as well as beneath my left breast. I'm still wearing a normal bra though. I have to dress up for work, so It's very difficult to wear dress clothes with a sports bra (or nothing at all). I am finding it isn't too bad if I put it on the loosest hook. Yes, it rubs and irritates me a little, but it's manageable.
The photos below will show clearly the slight radiation burns I have. Overall, it's not that bad. It's more of an annoyance than anything. I've had sunburns that were worse. It's the tenderness in my breast itself that bothers me the most. For some reason, I notice radiation tends to make my left breast area and beneath that arm more tender, ache, and even increase the tight feeling beneath my arm and across my breast. I'm so happy to be half way day. I'm on the down hill side of things now!
Radiation--Week 4: August 11-15, 2014
Treatment 18 of 34: Friday, August 13, 2014
Today was my my first treatment on the down hill side of completing radiation. I am still fighting fatigue through the day; but it's either becoming more bearable, or I'm getting used to dealing with it. I often go home from work extremely worn out; but my days are long and tiring. I would be going home exhausted even if I wasn't getting radiation. My skin continues to be tender and itchy. I didn't take photos Friday night but my skin looked exactly like it did Thursday night.
Treatment 9 of 34: Monday, August 4, 2014
I walked into treatment this morning dreading starting another week of treatments. Not because they are so horrible, but because I feel good on the weekends without that somewhat overwhelming tired feeling. But, I showed up physically even though mentally I was anywhere but there. Everything went well with nothing to report. I failed to remember to take photos this evening. By the time I get home from work, I'm pretty tired, and I find myself falling asleep before I can remember to do it. However, I've yet to see one indication of something to document besides the slight redness the one day last week, which disappeared.
Treatment 10 of 34: Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Treatment was uneventful today. This is becoming quite a routine. A routine I don't like, but one I have to get through. I've learned every single step of the radiation process. Exactly where the machine will move, how long it will be in each stage, all the noises the machine makes, etc. I am finding I feel more energetic in the mornings, but within a few hours of receiving radiation, the tired feeling hits me. Unfortunately, I often begin getting my energy back around 11 p.m. when I should be falling asleep and could use that extreme tired feeling. It's very difficult because the worst of the tired feeling hits me while I'm at work and cannot sleep. By the time I'm home and can rest, I'm getting my second wind.
I did take photos tonight although I see nothing indicating there is anything to document. I sure hope this trend continues as I know how very fortunate I am.
Treatment 11 of 34: Wednesday, August 6, 2014
You may have noticed that this week's update shows a total of 34 radiation treatments rather than 28 as I've listed before. That's because I found out today I have to have 34 treatments. I will get 28 radiation treatments to my entire breast area (which is what I'm doing now). Then I get six more to my scar across my breast only. This totals 34 treatments. They do extra radiation to the scar because they have found if a recurrence happens, it's often in the scar area. So, I'm not as far along in my treatment progress as I first thought I was, but I understand the logic. I feel very good physically. My skin isn't sore at all. I continue to use the water-gel lotion. I haven't had to change my daily habits at all due to treatments. Yes, I am fighting extreme fatigue, but I'm pushing through it. As I stated above, the tiredness hits me like a block wall about noon after treatments and sticks around until late evening when my energy level seems to go back up. Unfortunately, this is keeping me from always resting well at night. I look forward to the weekends when I don't get radiation so I am not fighting the tired feeling. Yesterday at work, I was talking to one of my employees, whom I happen to be very close friends with as well, and he asked me how I was doing. I told him I was doing okay--just a little tired. He said "Teresa, I've known you forever, and I can tell by looking at you that you're tired. In fact, you're so exhausted, you're about to cry". He was exactly right. First, it shocked me that we've worked together that long and he knows me that well, but secondly, I couldn't have said it better. The overwhelming, tired feeling was almost more than I could take in that moment. I'm fighting so hard to keep up with my work schedule and my personal responsibilities, and many days I just look up and ask God how strong he thinks I am. God clearly has more faith in me than I do myself because some days I am so tired, I could just drop to my knees and hope someone picks me up. But, I will be thankful in spite of all of this and keep pressing forward.
I saw my doctor today, and he reported my skin looked perfect, and I have no signs of radiation burns. He said he's even shocked at how good my skin looks. I got through chemo so much easier than most although it wasn't easy, and now radiation is going so well. I take no credit for this. I can only thank a loving and generous God who is clearly blessing me far more than I deserve.
Treatment 12 of 34: Thursday, August 7, 2014
Treatment occurred quickly today. Or maybe I'm becoming numb to this routine? Either way, I felt like I was walking out within seconds of walking in. As I've reported before, my skin feels perfectly fine. There is no indication of radiation burns both visibly and what I feel. I began feeling tired about 11 a.m. and that tired feeling stuck with me until about 7 or 8 pm. Although I was tired when I got home from work, I cut the grass and used the weed eater. Needless to say, if I hadn't been so tired when I got home from work, I would have been after that.
The area beneath my radiated breast was slightly tender tonight. I'm not sure if it was related to radiation or just my bra rubbing the wrong way. I was relieved to get home and put a sports bra on.
I have no photo for this particular treatment.
Treatment 13 of 34: Friday, August 8, 2014
I was running a little behind for my treatment this morning as I had a hectic morning. I pretty much jogged into the treatment facility, which is rare for me. I hate being late for things. But, they started my treatment right away, so I was back on track within minutes. I haven't been as tired today as I've been through the week. I think I managed to fall asleep a little earlier last night than I have been, which I'm sure helped. I'm still "tired", but that overwhelmingly exhausting feeling hasn't taken over today. My radiated breast still feels soft and pliable. My skin may be just barely pink today? It's tough for me to tell, but if it's different, it's just barely.
I had a dermatologist appointment today to have a full body check of moles. They removed 4 moles to be sent for pathology report. I am a former sun lover, so this didn't surprise me. Only one of the four was concerning for him, so I will be anxiously awaiting the results on that. The concerning mole was removed from my stomach.
Below are my photos taken the evening of my 13th treatment.
Treatment 4 of 28: Monday, July 28, 2014
Although the area beneath my left arm and the side of my left breast was a bit tender on Friday after my 3rd treatment, I felt very good all weekend. I went out on a boat and spent all day/evening on Saturday in a bikini top, and I felt perfectly normal. It felt good to forget all this breast cancer nonsense for a while and just remember to have a little fun. I forgot about radiation, and everything felt fine. So I walked into my appointment Monday morning dreading it as I figured that tight feeling would return. And it did. I'm not facing issues with my skin feeling tight or sunburned. It's the muscle or tendon under my arm. For some reason, it's tightening up and leaving a pulling feeling that travels down my arm to my elbow. I asked the radiologist about this, and she said typically radiation doesn't cause anything like this. I'm not certain if I've slacked off my PT exercises without realizing it or what; but it certainly does hurt a little.
Today, I wore a lace camisole racer back bra that doesn't have underwires. I've noticed my regular bra digs into my skin and causes more sensitivity. So, it would appear I'll be spending a lot of time in these little lace scraps of nothing that pretty much do nothing for boobs. I continue to use the cooling gel and lotion, and it really does seem to help. I also had to go to the lab after work to have blood drawn. My doctor wanted to check my CBC counts.
I'm including two photos from my weekend on the river to show one can go live life and still have fun while in the midst of treatments. Were you not reading a breast cancer blog, I'm willing to bet you would never guess what I have endured the past 10 months. And it is exactly the same for YOU! As promised, I'm also including photos of my skin on my breasts. The photos below show my skin after my 4th treatment. The one photos shows my skin as looking a little pink. I didn't see this in person as my skin color looked perfectly normal to me; however, I took the photo several times, and it looked the same each time.
Treatment 5 of 28: Tuesday, July 29, 2014
I arrived for my appointment a bit tired this morning. Of course, that could be because I had been on the phone since 7 a.m. regarding work-related issues. I was stressed out and focused on getting done so I could get to work and take care of issues I needed to deal with. Of course, this was the day they were a little late getting me started. Today's treatment went like every other day. The area under my arm has been hurting a little less today. I believe I have slacked off on my PT exercises too much. The less I do, the more that muscle/tendon seems to tighten back up. My skin still looks good. I don't see any pink areas or signs of radiation burns. I'm praying that continues!
After my treatment was complete, I had to see my doctor. This is the first time I've had to see him since I began radiation. It was a brief appointment. He said my blood work looked good, and everything appeared to be going well. He said, once again, he felt I was going to breeze through radiation. My body is telling me differently as I generally feel exhausted. My body aches when I'm tired, and I've been fighting an all-over aching feeling for a week now. It doesn't help that I am pushing myself to keep a schedule that would exhaust someone who hasn't gone through treatments and the hell I've inflicted on my body over the past 10 months. I work 9 hours a day, and then I stay busy all evening doing yard work, house work, and the like. I never seem to have any time for down time or to just relax. When I have a day off work, it's spent at a doctor's appointment. Yes, I had an awesome day on the boat Saturday, but I was still go, go, go! Tonight, I plan to do nothing but sit on my couch and go to sleep early.
Below are photos of the radiated area after treatment 5.
Treatment 6 of 28: Wednesday, July 30, 2014
My appointment was uneventful and the same as always. The area beneath my arm wasn't as sore today. I have been making a much bigger effort to stretch my arm multiple times per day, and this is helping. I was in and out of the clinic within 25 minutes. After my treatment, I went home and refused to allow myself to do any work at home. I sat on the couch and read a book and did my best to relax. I fell asleep a few times through the evening, which isn't normal for me.
The photos below show my radiated skin after treatment 6. As you will see, I'm adding an additional photo to show the top of my breasts and my chest area. You will see my chest area above my left breast (right side of picture) is a little pink. I look like I have a slight sunburn in that one area of my chest.
Treatment 7 of 28: Thursday, July 30, 2014
Today, I completed 1/4 of my treatment. It's a small "win", but a win nonetheless. I had plenty of energy today as I slept well last night, but I began feeling pretty tired about 2 p.m. Work has been exhausting lately, and I think a big portion of how tired I've been is related to stress and trying to keep up with everything I have going on. Between working a stressful job 40 hours per week plus caring for a home (yard work, house cleaning, etc.) by myself, and tying to have a life, I find myself pretty tired at the end of the day.
The redness that was on my chest after the 6th treatment seems to have disappeared. I have continued to use the Water-gel lotion, so nothing has changed in how I'm caring for my skin.
Below are my photos after my 7th treatment:
Treatment 8 of 28: Friday, July 31, 2014
I hurried into the treatment center anxious to get in and get out. I'm already getting tired of doing this every single morning for five days straight. This definitely takes a commitment on the part of the patient to stick with it. I'm absolutely determined not to miss a single treatment and power through these, but it's quickly becoming an annoyance.
I walked into treatment feeling fine. I really didn't have any sore or tender areas. If I wasn't walking in to get radiation every morning, I wouldn't have "felt" as if I was besides the tired feeling that always hits me about mid day on the days I get treatment. I am finding I don't get this overwhelmingly tired feeling on the weekends when I didn't have treatment that day.
I have no photos to share for Friday night's treatment. Simply because I forgot to take them! I am happy to report my skin looked perfectly normal, and there was nothing to photograph anyway!
