November 26, 2012 Radiation side effects

I have two weeks left for radiation and now my skin is breaking down. Ouch on the boobie. The skin is tearing like my surgical scars did after my reduction surgery. Instead of gell, I have a medicated pad that lasts for seven days and I must remove it three times a day. It has made wearing my bra way more comfortable this morning.But my armpit hurts. The lymphedema irritates me too. Otherwise, life is GREAT. My feet are doing better. I switched from Tylenol to Anacin, way better. I did blood work today, fasting, hope the results are good. My gland keeps swelling up in my right jaw, and I now know what does it - fruit. I love fruit. Swell - no fruit, fruit - swell? I pick SWELL.............. LOL. I am so tired. Going to go eat something and go relax.

November 14, 2012

Went for my twentieth zap today, fourteen to go. That takes me in to December. My hair is growing back. My labs came back clear today for anemia. I am having side effects from the chemo and the Tamoxifen. The Dr. was going to give me pain meds but no thanks, I have to drive myself to and from my appointments and drive my nephew to and from school. Can't be impaired. I will manage with Tylenol. I have to begin B-12 complex. I have to excercise. All I want to do is swim. According to my oncologist I need to walk to work out this leg pain from the Tamoxifen. The foot pain is neuropathy from the chemo, I guess I can walk on my knees? I just have to suffer through it for awhile or get on medication. If I get worse, I have to let the Dr. know. I lost another pound and a half since last weigh in a week ago. I feel good about that. So over all, I am getting better and I don't have any serious side effects involving my organs so I am happy. My boob is brown and dry, it is darkening and swelling from the radiation, the pain is minimal. My skin color is coming back and my head swelling has gone down considerably. I look normal. I looked like a happy face dummy for awhile there with a big yellow, round head. OK, I am sleepy again. Every day, so tired. The vitamin B will help. More later.

Out of sequence - 8/19-23/2012

Having mutiple side effects and can't tell if it is a combination of chemo and PMS or just chemo. My vision is blurry, my tummy is upset, I have frequent trips to the porcelain palace, I am tired, I randomly sweat like a wildabeast escaping a pack of lions - or how I imaging they would if they could. My stomach is bloated, I am having some bleeding but credit that to the Pms, this is unusual for me. This is only day two of week two, I should be on the up swing.

Update

Prior to my diagnosis, I had gone to the Dr. six months prior for a rash on my boob. The Dr. gave me a cream. I think that was an indicator of things to come.

Oh, forgot something - (out of sequence)

My CT scan of my head will be interpreted for me by the ENT Dr. Awaiting a call for an appointment. My ultra sound of my head showed parotid gland swelling but that isn't major. Whatever. My pelvic ultrasound was normal but I still have to see the specialist next week. The Tamoxifin I will be taking may make changes to my uterus, a side effect is blod clotting in the legs and lungs, possible stroke, death, and uterian cancer. But the benefits outweigh the risks.

November 9, 2012, Side Effects

I was reading posts from fellow cancer patients and Tamoxifen users. I found that the current issues I am having are Tamoxifen related. I have identified that my fellow survivors have similar issues and mine include multiple side effects. I have dry skin, dehydration, serious bone pain, dizziness, and constant headaches (I thought they were sinus or lack of coffee)I also have occasional female regions pain and it makes me walk funny. My additional issues include the bottoms of my feet hurting, especially the heels. I am wheezing more frequently. I notice that I get really hot in certain places too which is weird and may be from the radiation. My right hand gets hot, I thought I was having a fever or something and kept touching my head and neck and it felt really hot. Finally, my nephew checked and he said my hand was hot, not my head and neck. Weird. I have begun to wear a pad again, for safety reasons. The Tamoxifen creates some heat and moisture and it feels like I will have a period but nothing has come down. A side effect I haven't had is I haven't had weight gain, I changed my eating habits. I increased the protein, fiber and veggies intake. Oh and PIE intake. YAY! My cousin has been making me greens lately, which I LOVE, they are keeping me regular I am sure. My diet includes rib eye's, eggs, fruit, greens, oatmeal, yogurt, pie, ice cream, milk duds, apples galore, banana bread, and smoothies. I have reduced my macaroni and cheese intake dramatically. Don't want to get blocked, that is some painful stuff. No thank you. I so want to go swimming........... I can't till radiation is over, it will wash off the marks and tape on my back. I can't even wash the area in the shower. Anyway, I am chubby and flabby from lack of exercise and am really dreaming about getting in shape. HAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I will get there eventually. :-). Gotta go, got radiation later. Bye.