Met with radiologist, Dr. Ballenger

It is Saturday, August 28th. I met with my radiologist, Dr. Ballenger, yesterday. We covered a lot of information, so I wanted to go ahead and post an entry now before I get behind. I have several upcoming appointments in the next few weeks, and I'm going to try harder to post my updates regularly so that I won't forget anything or get overwhelmed.

Dr. Ballenger examined me pretty thoroughly yesterday. She thinks it's okay to go ahead and get the ball rolling as far as the radiation. She gave me a prescription for a cream that I will be using three times a day during the treatments, as well as a special deodorant. She didn't pull any punches as far as trying to prepare me for what to expect. She said that she would be getting me "good and red" because if she doesn't, she's not doing me "any favors". Of course, every patient is different, but she said that it would be like having a really bad sunburn for a really long time. She said that it may blister, and, at times, even "weep and ooze". Because breast cancer has a tendency to return to it's original site, they will be radiating my chest, as well as the area of my clavicle (collarbone), and also my underarm. This may result in some hoarseness due to being so close to my throat; and it may also result in some scarring of the upper lobe of my left lung.

I have an appointment Monday at 0900 to receive my markings. Evidently, it's a very involved thing to get a plan of care going and check and recheck everything before getting started. I have to work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. She said she would probably have me go back again on Friday just to make sure everything was right before getting started. She originally told me that we would be starting the week after next (the 13th), due to her being gone Labor Day week; but when I was leaving, she said she would think about letting me get started the day after Labor Day. That's the way we left it. I guess I'll find out more on Monday.

Dr. Ballenger was very concerned about my arm, saying that she could look at it and tell it was swollen. She said that the radiation could easily cause it to swell up to the size of my thigh. (I told her that she could've gone all day without telling me that......) She wanted to know if I had received any therapy, and I told her no. I have been to a lymphedema clinic, been fitted for a compression undergarment, sleeve, and glove; but I have not received any therapy. She did not like this, and said that I should have received therapy to get the fluid out, then be fitted for the compression garments. She requested to send me to a therapist of her choosing and I agreed. From what I understand, they will go through some exercises with me until I have them downpat, start some therapy to get what fluid I have accumulated thus far out, and monitor me very closely during the next several weeks to try and prevent any major problems from starting.
I thought that I was going to leave with an appointment already made, but no one mentioned it, and I forgot it. I fully expect to leave Monday with a referral and appointment in hand. Even though I know this is necessary, I am really uneasy about it. My arm is extremely sore and tender from my elbow all the way to my shoulder. I can hardly stand for anyone to touch it and at times can barely stand my sleeve rubbing it. I have discussed this, as well as the radiation, with my mother. I am of this opinion at this point: I will do my best to tolerate any- and everything that they think I need to do in order to prevent the cancer from returning, and to try to prevent any further complications with my arm. That is all I can promise. If it gets to a point beyond what I can physically or mentally take, then we'll just have to take a break and let me regroup/heal a little bit. That is a decision only I can make, and only I and the Lord know what I can tolerate. I keep telling myself that He knows my limits and won't push me beyond them.

Okay, as far as the exercise program at ViQuest.........that has been postponed. Dr. Ballenger said that swimming (which I have been told is the best thing for my lymphedema) and sweating will wash off my markings. Plus, between trying to work, having radiation five days a week, therapy, recuperating from chemo, etc, etc........I'm sure you get the point. I have been told that about the time the chemo starts wearing off and I feel a little better, the radiation will start giving me fatigue. Also, due to the possible tenderness of the radiation sites, I might not be able to tolerate a lot of activity. And if that's not enough, why start an exercise program, only to stop and have a hysterectomy? So,......I will be calling them on Monday to cancel and see if I can enroll maybe in January.

Next Friday, I will have my first appointment where I will be receiving Herceptin only. This is another "precaution" to try and prevent the cancer from returning. This is the drug that prevents any remaining cancer cells from receiving estrogen and being fed by it. I will receive this drug through my port every three weeks until next spring. Also, Dr. White, my oncologist will write the orders that day for my scans to be repeated. They will probably be done the following week.

After that, I meet with my surgeon, Dr. Habal, on the 13th. This is a followup, and I'm not too sure what to expect other than I should be receiving the prescription for a prosthesis. Of course, with the radiation just starting, that will have to be put on the back burner. One thing I do want to discuss with him is the frequency of mammograms on the left side, possible removal of my remaining breast to prevent relapse, etc. I'll keep you posted.....

So, now my brain is fried, my fingers are tired, and I'm mentally exhausted. That's a lot of stuff to keep straight in my brain, much less type it all up. For that reason, I'm going to type up a list of my appointments at the end of this posting to try and help ya'll keep up with it all. I'm going to wrap it up for now. I had to work today, and I'm starting to get tired. Tomorrow's a new day though. My mama's older brother, my Uncle Bill, is taking me for a boat ride tomorrow. He's been wanting to take me fishing; but I've been afraid to go due to the heat, fatigue, and the sun making me burn easier. We're going to try a short boat ride on Bryce Creek right there behind his house. Might take off my hat and let the wind blow through my fuzz. Oh yeah, another week or so, and I should see the beginnings of my hair and eyebrows returning. I'm gonna ask Mama if she thinks shampooing with Miracle Grow will help my hair as much as it helps her plants. I'm open for any and all suggestions!

Okay, I gotta go. Again, thank you for caring enough to tune in. Please lift me up in prayer over the next couple of months. A lot of people have commented on how strong I am, how well I'm doing mentally, etc. The truth is, I'm only human. Being a nurse helps but it doesn't take away the fears. I just keep telling myself that God is in control and that worrying won't change anything. Please keep the prayers, cards, phonecalls coming (as well as the carrot cakes, oatmeal and raisin cookies, etc). After all, Dr. Ballenger won't let me start the exercise program right now, remember??

Take care. I hope to see you soon. Stop by for a visit....

Cindy
August 30th, Monday, 0900 Receive markings
September 3rd, Friday 0900 Herceptin, scans reordered, possible appt at radiation
September 13th, Monday Followup with surgeon