Just ONE more.....

Last night was fairly restless--Percoset helps with pain and mood, but it really jacked with the quality of my sleep. Wow...cool dreams though. Nice and bizarre!

The pain from my burns is still very much there, but when I am able to take Percoset, it helps a lot. The swelling under my arm is very slightly reduced...this apparently will take some time to go down. Ugh, I am sure my caffeine intake is not helping either the pain or the swelling for that matter.

Getting into position today for the targeted radiation treatment was a bit easier, thank goodness. The radiation therapists are such good folks--even saved me a doughnut from their lunch! Yummy Krispy Kreme doughnut!

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I am blogging for the Youth and Family Alternatives Rap River Run 5K Race. It is held in June, and I decided a while back to start training to participate. I agreed to track my progress with training for my first 5K, and I blog each Wednesday night with my weekly updates. I really couldn't contribute much this week--I have not been able to do any exercise for about a week and a half. Oh well, when the burns heal up a bit and the swelling abates, I will get back into the swing of things.

Here is a link to the Rap River Run Blog: http://www.rapriverrun5k.blogspot.com/
There you can follow my progress, along with that of other folks who are training to participate in the race. I hope that those of you who are in the area will join me at the race!

JUST ONE MORE RADIATION TREATMENT TO GO!!! I WILL BE DONE TOMORROW!!! WOO HOO!!!

Bring in the Percoset, please!

I did not sleep much last night, just could not quiet my mind or find a spot that was comfortable to my left arm or chest area. These burns are a bitch!

I decided I would ask the doc for some Percoset, as Tylenol, Advil and Vicodin have not done a damn thing for the pain (or swelling for that matter!) I could probably deal with the pain...but emotionally I have been just worn out. The pain is making me emotionally worse and vice versa.

Getting into position for my radiation treatment was a grueling experience today. Lifting my left arm above my head with cracked and burned skin...sheesh! You know, I have chatted with two other breast cancer survivors who endured radiation...and neither of them had burns like I have. Lucky ladies! Ugh, if ONLY!!!

Anyway, the doc was kind enough to prescribe some Percoset, and it is helping. If nothing else, it is helping my mood. Oh, and it does cut the pain down too.

Just 2 more...I am even beginning to cheer up with the thought of being done!

Massage Last Night...

Oh yeeeesssss...that was nice!

I found a local massage school, Cortiva Institute, that has evening and weekend clinics that suit my schedule, so I went to the Wednesday night 6:30 PM "clinic." They were a little concerned about working on me, but I informed them that my doc had suggested it and that I was not at all in pain or sedentary. They opted to do a very "light" massage on me just to cover themselves...since I did not think to bring a doctor's note. The trainee was just fabulous! Did a wonderful job...I felt so good and relaxed afterward!!!

After we were done, the staff there asked for my Doc's name to get in touch with his group...to see if they could do some work with the patients...I think that would be a great idea! I provided the info and need to let my doc know the next time I see him.

Interestingly, they invited me to their "Special Populations" class this Saturday...It is a free session...one hour, wherein the students get to work with people with special needs and/or conditions. I signed up for the last slot...just need to try to get the doc to send over a note before then...I have to laugh though, I've never been in a "special population!!!" Hmmmm....not sure if I dig that or not!!!

Anyway, I highly recommend this to anyone going through chemo that is not sedentary...I found that, while I had been retaining LOTS of fluids (especially in my midsection and thighs), my swelling went down within the next 18 hours or so...WOW! I dig less fluid retention! My pants just fit better!!!

With love,
relaxed and less-swollen Tory