Cody Updates by Mom

Today I met with Dr. B again and he says that things are progressing as they should.  This is good because I really wouldn’t want to start over.  There are four areas where they are sending the radiation into my body.  The lymph nodes are getting a double dose from the front and back.  Then one from each side, both of which seemed to be focused underneath.  I am starting to be able to see the spots where the radiation is going by the redness.  This is helpful when I need to put lotion on twice a day.  They use a metal blanket every other time to intensify the beam.  This is a cool thing (cold because it is metal, but totally cool because it looks like old time chain mail blanket).

Dr. B said that now I am in my third week that the areas will start getting “really uncomfortable”.  That sounds like fun.  Not!  Oh well, just part of the process to keep this cancer away for good.  He mentioned that the itching will get intense.  When that starts I will start with cortisone cream and then when that doesn’t do the trick they will prescribe a super-anti-itcher.  As for side effects, basically, I am tired.  People at work are even starting to see it more.  Guess I am not doing as good of a job hiding that I feel like a truck keeps running me over.  Might actually have to break down and use the quiet room at work to rest one of these days.  I am having some pain and itching but nothing really bad yet.

The anti-estrogen pills are going ok.  I am having some nausea with it that I am working through.  I am trying not to take any prescriptions for this because I would like my body to eventually get used to it and for it to subside.  I have had a few minor hot flashes.  They are a very unfortunate thing and I have a better understanding of how these can be debilitating when going through menopause.

A few more learnings to share: 🙂

• You have already heard about being careful of long scarves and toilets – a coworker brought up that I should be very careful if I do not notice the issue and flush – might have some unpleasantness with a self imposed swirly
• Double check pockets of all clothes before washing – when you are faced with very little nose hair and needing an inordinate amount of Kleenex it is not fun to pick it out of your clothes after washing
• If you accidentally wash multiple Kleenex’s just go ahead and dry everything, eventually they will disconnect themselves from your clothes
• If the radiation techs forget to warm the metal blanket on your legs before placing it – remind them – not fun to have it be really cold when they put it on
• Wear fun shoes or pants if possible to radiation.  The techs like to talk and I think they have asked all the questions about DQ that they want so we have now moved to the parts of my wardrobe that they see – too bad they only see the bottom half
• LAUGH – for some reason we have been in a weird cluster of not great things going on (broken vehicles, bad timing on things, etc.)  It is important to still find a way to laugh or the stress of normal life toppled on the stress of cancer treatment will bury you.  Some days are harder than others but we are making our way through.

Thanks for reading.  Have a fantastic week! 🙂

Caring Bridge Comments

Love and prayers..from mom|Aug 6, 2014 6:54am
I’m glad to hear that they are giving you cortisone cream for the itch. It does help with itch. I’m glad you have a place to go at work for a bit of rest. it seems like “Murphy’s law” is going full force right now. Sending love and prayers that things will level out. If there is anything I can do to help let me know. Lots of prayers coming your way and yes you will beat this cancer and it will be gone. I love you. Mom