Cody Updates by Mom

Well, I have finished 21 sessions of radiation treatment.   Only 12 left to go.  I am looking forward to the end of the first week of September!!

This last week has been a challenge of sorts.  On Thursday I ended up in Urgent Care to get eye drops for a very bad eye infection that I had.  I did try to use the online “get a script for normal stuff” but the “are you being treated for cancer” question took me out of the running for being able to just get a quick prescription.  Luckily the doc at urgent care wasn’t scared of the big bad cancer word and was able to give me drops to clear up my issue.  I am sure that it helped that I had talked to my oncologist, radiation nurse and the nurse at the online place and I am thinking there were notes in my chart.  Anyway, I am happy that my eyes are not a problem anymore.  However, it was kind of fun knowing that if I even pretended that I was crying at work that I would have immediate sympathy.

Over the weekend I had some other weird stuff too.  On my right side I thought I had a bug bite but then it turned into a fairly large blister.  I was worried that somehow the radiation was hitting my right side too.  I talked with Dr. B on Monday and he cancelled my Monday radiation and saw me before my treatment today.  He was able to tell right away that it wasn’t the radiation but now I have no idea why I got a random blister.  Maybe my body is mad at me??  I also had some tremors in the muscles on my left side.  These apparently are not unusual but REALLY annoying.  It is kind of like someone revving the engine of a car over and over until you want to take their keys and well…  Anyway it was irritating.  Luckily it appears to have subsided.  I hope it is done for good.

Good news is that the side effects from the tamoxifen are getting better.  I have been able to get the stomach issues and the nausea under control.

The normal side effects are continuing.  The burning is getting deeper and more uncomfortable.  They have now added some bandage type material to the areas that are getting pretty bad.  This is helpful from a standpoint that I can keep them on for three days and not have anything brush up against the skin in those areas.  The downfall is that I keep them on for three days and cannot get them wet.  Oh well, showering has been interesting anyway since I do not want hot water to touch the radiation areas but I refuse to take a lukewarm shower.  Guess I will need to be more creative for showering.

Today they set me up for what they call my boosting sessions.  (doesn’t sound like that much fun)  They told me it was arts and crafts day where they drew new lines and put stickers on me in a smaller area, traced those lines to make a pattern and took more measurements.  The last five days of treatment will be only in this boosting area.

I was able to find a video on how the radiation machine works.  It is not the exact machine but very close to what is used on me daily.  This will give you a little idea of my routine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WgQhKY5MmA#t=14

Here’s HOPE for a better week this week! 🙂

Caring Bridge Comments

Love and prayers..from mom|Aug 20, 2014 10:01am
It was good to talk to you yesterday and fix my computer. Thank you. You have come a long way already and I’m sure you will continue to get better and then most of this will be behind you. we have all learned from you in your posts and I for one, have become a stronger person. You have been an inspiration to me. Prayers, hugs, and love continuing to be sent your way. I love you, Mom