Today I went to see Dr. K for my follow up to the lumpectomy surgery done back in April. It's almost exactly 6 months since that surgery-time sure flies when you're having fun! Anyway, I had been scheduled for a mammogram today, but because I have decided on the bilateral mastectomy, we decided to hold on it. A permanent hold, I believe, as there is no plan to do them post surgery. I will continue to do self exams, and of course images will be made if anything suspicious arises, but otherwise, with no symptoms, we assume I'm healthy.
I am, but I'm tired the last few days. Came home from work today and took a nap. I think my body is so used to being jacked up on steroids on Thursdays that it didn't know how to handle a day-after-Wednesday with no Decadron to bolster my energy. The nap helped though, and I'm ready to go out and do a couple of massages this evening. Not the King Kong feeling I've had on Thursdays for the last 3 months, but quite refreshed.
The doctor told me that women who are more flexible in the pectoral region do better during rehab after surgery, so the next 6 weeks are boot camp for flexible pecs. I want that best-case-sceanario after each surgery (there are 3 involved with the mastectomy and reconstruction) and during the period while my expanders are being expanded. I intend to do some traveling during this period, and I plan to feel as great as possible during it as well.
I need to get back to keeping the symptom log, but won't get around to it tonight, so I'll include them here:
Neuropathy: still going on; the oncologist told me that all kinds of odd sensations that I've been experiencing lately are the result of Taxol-induced neuropathy. Today it's lots of itching, along with the occasionally needle-jabs of pain in my feet and hands. I've got a few rashy places particularly on my left hand, ring finger, that I'm thinking are also related, but not sure exactly how. 6/10
Swallowing: not too bad; haven't been taking many of my pills though. Burning tongue 4/10
Sleeping: mostly good; sometimes need to listen to my guided imagery on my Ipod to turn my head off, though.
Appetite: beginning to taper off. Now if I can just get this weight to start backing down again...
Looking forward to the weekend. It's right around the corner.
No comments:
Post a Comment