Did you miss me?

I’m back. I took a bit of a break over the last week. The pressure of the holidays is always a little intense, and I have to admit that for the most part, I’m glad they’re over. There are highlights, of course, one of which is a special sweatshirt from The Pretty Girl to her Mum. And then there’s work. That’s a whole other set of pressures.


Let’s see, what’s new? I’ve finished 12 of 33 radiation sessions. So far, so good, not much to mention. I’m beginning to notice some skin irritation but it’s manageable with the burn cream provided by the center and 100% aloe gel.

And my hair is growing! It’s a slow process and it will be months before there’s enough to push out of my eyes, but it’s growing. Looks gray, or salt-and-pepper at best. Imagine that! I’ll post pictures when there’s a little more to see.

I think (hope!) that my breast cancer sally is moving from being the major player in my life to a supporting role. Radiation will continue until about January 25. I have an appointment with my oncologist on January 22, presumably to discuss and establish my drug therapy plan (five years of an estrogen-inhibiting drug).

I won’t stop writing this blog, I just won’t put so much emphasis on my cancer. I plan to publish it into a book and have already found a company that will allow me to self-publish. I’m very excited about that. And there’s plenty more to discuss—good books and movies, presidential politics, Boston sport teams (how ‘bout them 16-0 Patriots, huh?)

Read More......

It's almost Christmas

I'm sending you all a cyber-hug and wishes for a wonderful holiday with the people you love. This can be a very difficult time of year and sometimes it's hard to find reasons to be thankful and grateful, particularly when facing the loss of someone you love or tough times for whatever the reason. In your own way, each of you has touched my life over the last six months, and with luck we'll continue to walk together for a long, long time to come.

Merry Christmas. God bless us every one.

Read More......

Who reads this blog?

We have a counter on the blog that shows us where readers are located. Here’s a recap of the last 100 visits:


California: Chico and Desert Hot Springs
Florida: Lake Mary
Maine: Edgecomb and Wiscasset
Massachusetts: Boston, Boxford, Easthampton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lexington, Lynnfield, Marblehead, North Andover, Reading, Rowley, Taunton, and Woburn
New Hampshire: Concord, Lyndeborough, North Salem, and Suncook
New York: Schenectady
Pennsylvania: Schnecksville
Virginia: Mechanicsville
Wisconsin: Madison

And from outside the U.S.:
Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
Carouge, Geneve, Switzerland
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Pretty cool, huh?

Read More......

Radiation photos

As promised, finally, here are some pics of the radiation machine.


I’m not quite sure how to describe everything (what, me at a loss for words? HA!) That round section that’s above the table—the radiation beam is delivered from the section. Now look at the second picture.



This shows you the underside of that round section, what I see when I look up at it. See the two rows of thin grey bars that meet in the middle? They’re like two bar graphs, and those individual thin bars separate to make specifically-shaped images so the radiation beam can be targeted to deliver the good exactly where they need to go,

In this shot, the image “hole” looks a little like an anvil (yes it does…!) Another of my images looks like the state of Vermont, and a third one looks like a sea horse. Hey, when you’re on your back getting radiated, your mind goes to strange places!



That round head rotates around the table to deliver from a variety of angles (the third picture shows the machine rotated 90+ degrees to one side. I get hit with seven different blasts from three different directions: one straight down with the head directly above me; from the left at about the number 10 on the clock, and from far down on my right (I can’t see how far down because I have my head turned to the left). Those left and right shots are more targeted to the area where the cancer was found; the overhead hit delivers to the entire breast.

This third pic also shows the table without the drape. My upper body is elevated slightly and my arms and hands are extended over my head and rest in the supports. It’s a very comfortable process and is over in less than 10 minutes.

Any questions????

Read More......

The color purple

Stuff they don't tell you about chemotherapy: my purple finger and toenail beds are an indication of dead nails. I can look forward to them peeling and eventually falling away. What fun!

I wondered throughout chemo treatment why my nails continued to be so strong and to grow. Chemo, after all, targets fast-growing cells (cancel cells--we hope, and hair) and I assumed nails would be among the fast-growing population.

They are, but from the point of growth (duh!), which is why it is only in the last few weeks that I've noticed the purple tint to a few nail beds. Now I know the reason.

I'm told to be patient, it will take a few months for the cycle to complete itself. It could be worse, right??

Radiation photos are coming, really. Maybe later tonight.

Read More......

Radiation Day 4

Where does the time go? Day Four today, uneventful (except for the male technician... but as the woman who went in ahead of me said, "At this point, all modesty has gone right out the window.") She knows the drill.

No skin reaction yet. Took some photos but I need one of my two "I-know-how-to-download-photos-out-of-the-digital-camera" gurus to get them up here on the blog. Patience, please?

Read More......

No radiation today

Snowed out. Took almost 3 hours to go from work (Marblehead) to home; called radiation en route and I was the only one they were waiting for. At that point I was 1 1/2 hours away (minimum), so we cancelled. I'll go tomorrow and we'll add a session on to the end of the cycle.

Read More......

I forgot the camera today

It's packed for tomorrow. Pics tomorrow night!

Read More......

One down....

... 29 to go! Radiation for real was rather uneventful. Just like simulation, only when the "BEAM ON" light it lit you know it means business.

My course involves nine blasts (one long, one short, machine is repositioned; one long, two short, machine repositioned; two more cycles of one long and one short with a repositioning in between). Duration of the blasts is about eight to 10 seconds for the long, 2 seconds for the short. I think. I'll count tomorrow.

I'll bring the camera tomorrow too and shoot some pics so you can see the machine. It's a little hard to explain how it all happens.

Good skin care is important during radiation. I've already told you I have to use an all natural deodorant. I can't use powders (cornstarch only). I have two different products the radiology teams suggests I use every few hours to keep my skin in good condition. One is Aquaphor (a thick ointment for dry or irritated skin), the other is a burn cream. I've been using the Aquaphor for a few weeks to get my skin ready for the assault. I'll start with the burn cream tonight.

I have to wash everything off four hours before the radiation treatment and go to the treatment "clean." Presently my appointment is at 4 p.m., which means I need to be cleaned up at noon (that includes washing off deodorant).

I asked today if there's a chance I can move my appointment to early morning, and there is an opening at 8:40 a.m. starting on January 3. It makes sense to change to that time as soon as possible because it gives me more time during the day to use products to help protect my skin and help it heal. They say it will be a few weeks before I notice any real symptoms of redness and "sunburn."

So, like I said, pretty unremarkable. The facility is warm and inviting, the staff is friendly and caring. If you have to go through this, it's a great place to be.

Photos to come.

Read More......

Radiation simulation complete

OK, I’ve been simulated, it’s time to get radiated. Tonight I wave goodbye to my Degree and bid a reluctant “hey there” to Tom’s of Maine. (Did I say all of this once before? It sounds familiar. Ah, get over it, Penny.)

So simulation was rather uneventful. Apparently the measurements taken the last time were all OK because I really do get to go back and get started tomorrow. I didn’t take a good look at the machine today; I’ll do that tomorrow and give you a complete report.

BTW, I made the “Letters to the Editor” column in the most recent issue of the “AARP” magazine (January/February 2008 issue with Caroline Kennedy on the cover). I’d written in response to an article in the last issue that listed reasons why women don’t get mammograms. For those of you who didn’t bother to read the letters (and to the rest of you too young to receive this fine publication), here’s a reprint:

‘Your article on why women are avoiding mammograms [Navigator Health, “What’s Your Excuse?”] worried me immensely. I’m the midst of chemotherapy for breast cancer and because I never miss a mammogram, my cancer was caught early. Women, please, schedule an appointment today, and tell someone you love to do the same.’

Signed with my name and home town. Pretty cool to be published nationally.

Read More......