Radiation Done!!

Boy, I haven't posted in a while. I forgot to announce that my one year Survivorship anniversary was on July 22. If I am lucky enough to live as long as my Bubby Edna, who is still alive and kicking, then I hope to celebrate another 50 plus years of survivorship.

Another milestone celebrated last week was my very last IV of Herceptin. Woohoo! You have no idea how much I hated getting those IVs. They never got easier you know. I hate needles. My blood count readings showed that my white and red blood counts were still a little low but hopefully they'll get back soon.

Today was a milestone of a day too, I finished my last radiation treatment today! Yahoo! How did I fare from the radiation? Well, the radiation doc (who was really wonderful) said that my skin had done really well with the radiation (meaning the reaction was not as severe as expected). In the end, I have one blister on my breast and a really red area in my armpit, but apart from that, the skin has done fairly well. I have a bit of a burn on my neck and collarbone but really not too bad. I am hoping they go away in a few weeks to a month. The redness in my armpit has made it the most sore spot on my body (from the radiation), but it's nothing really bad.

So, what's left?... well, I'll have to have one last surgery to remove my chest expanders and put my real fake boobs in (silicone implants). I am told they are alot more comfortable than the chest expanders and I am really hoping so. I have had these in for 7 months now and they are still uncomfortable. When I sleep on my side, I am still sore when I get up because the expanders are hard. I'm going to see my plastic surgeon next week so he can check out how my skin is recovering, then I guess well talk about surgery timing.

How else am I doing? Really great! If you think that because I am still going through radiation and crap that I am sickly, you are very wrong. While I am still not in peak form, I'm working hard to get there. I have come a long way and am feeling pretty darn strong. Last posting I talked about just finishing a century (100 mi) ride. This past weekend I climbed White Mountain, my first 14er (14,252 ft)! We were lucky because the gate was open, so we only had to ascend about 5.5 miles and 2600 feet of elevation to the summit. I was able to ride (and push alot) the first 4.5 miles but I gave up within the last mile and climbed to the peak in my bike shoes. Not the most comfortable hiking shoes you can find but I managed. It was really, really hard. I was so exhausted when I got to the top. That is the highest I have ever been under my own power.

It's been really quiet lately, and maybe I'm in support withdrawal. I have heard of this happening. So drop me a comment so I know you are still out there and still following.

Thanks to everyone for caring and for your support over the past year.

The worst is over!

Mo