Thursday, August 7, 2008

It's been awhile since my last post. Work is keeping me busy. I am currently in West Palm Beach, FL. It is very hot here, but not as humid as Louisiana!

I am feeling well and all of my doctors tell me I'll live another day. I also went to the lymphedema clinic for a consult. I have some very slight swelling in my left arm, but it is not lymphedema- yet. Apparently, there has to be at least 1 1/2 to 2 cm of swelling for it to be lymphedema. I have about 1 -2 mm of swelling. The therapist suggested wearing my compression sleeve overnight after I fly. This seems to be controlling the swelling.

My hair is still very curly. Friends tell me it has gotten darker! No, I haven't dyed it!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Dr. Abernathy: Went to see Dr. Abernathy (oncologist) for my 6 month checkup. I'm happy to say that I'll live another day!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Mammogram: It's been six months since my last radiation treatment. The doctors want a baseline mammogram at the six month mark. I am happy to report that my test results are NORMAL!

Pneumonia: I ended up having pneumonia. I'm glad to report that I am fully recovered and feeling well.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Anniversary: Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my surgery. I also went to see Dr. Christian (surgeon) for a checkup. All is well.

I've recovered from the treatments, but I've caught "the crud". Went to the doctor today and got some antibotics. Hope to feel better soon.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Merry Christmas! We are currently in Missouri visiting Tom's parents, sister and her family. It snowed on the way up Saturday so we had a semi-white Christmas. Most of the snow has melted, but there is more snow in the forecast this evening. Hopefully it will get it all out of it's system by tomorrow when we drive back to Baton Rouge.

How I'm doing: I went to see Dr. Abernathy (Oncologist) Friday before we left. She gave me a clean bill of health. I'm feeling great, albeit a little tired, but that doesn't have anything to do with the cancer, it has to do with life!

My hair is coming back very curly but at least it's not gray!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

How I'm doing: I am doing great. My underarm is 99.9% healed. It's still slightly tender, but that is to be expected. It's tender like new skin, because it is! My strength is back as well. I am pronouncing myself well.

Hair: So many of you have asked for a picture, so here it is. I took it myself, so forgive the bad photography.

Doctors: Went to see Dr. Boyer, the radiation oncologist, Monday. She said I am doing very well.

Future posts: Since things are going so well for me, I don't anticipate posting very frequently. I'll probably post something after each doctor visit. So check back in December!

Thanks again for all you've done for me. This journey has shown that I have THE BEST family and friends. I could not have made it through these last eight months without you.

Sunday 9/23/07

How am I? What a difference a couple of weeks make! I feel much better. My underarm area is almost completely healed. There is an area the size of a penny that is like a mild sunburn. There is a slight discomfort, like a you'd have with a sunburn. I no longer take any pain meds. I pronounce myself well.

Work: I finished my last radiation on Monday 9/10 and went to New Orleans (the city is my client) on 9/11. I am back on my travel schedule of Monday - Thursday. It's tiring, but it's normal. I'm glad to get back in the swing of things.

Doctors: I went to see Dr. Christian (surgeon) on Friday. She said I was doing very well. She said I need to see either her or Dr. Abernathy (oncologist) every three months. I have an appointment with Dr. Boyer (radiation) in about a month. Dr. Christian said that Dr. Abernathy would order any additional scans. Apparently one has to wait 6 - 8 weeks after radiation is done before doing additional testing.

Hair: Coming in strong now. I've quit wearing a hair cover - hat/scarf. Although if it doesn't start to lay down soon, I may go back to wearing them! There is an area where the right side is crashing into the left side creating a kewpie effect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kewpie_doll_(toy).

LSU: How about them Tigers! I went to the Middle Tennessee game last week and the So. Carolina game yesterday. I was not amused when sitting in the rain, but it didn't last too long. The important thing is the Tigers won!

Saturday, 9/8/07

Radiation: All together now! One more treatment! My last radiation is scheduled for Monday, 9/10. I can't wait. My underarm area is the color (and texture) of burnt toast. It hurts pretty bad. I am using RadiaGel for the burn. It's like aloe with an analgesic in it and I take Tylenol during the day and Oxycodone at night.

Because my skin is broken, I decided to forgo the LSU/VA Tech game tonight. I figured sweating and possible rain would not be a good idea for my skin. I'll be watching on TV however.

Hair: My hair is continuing to grow. I now have enough that I don't need to wear a hat or scarf, but not enough to comb! I now know why I had so much trouble styling my hair (when I had some.) I have cow licks all over my head! I fear I'll look like a troll doll at some point! http://imaclanni.blogspot.com/blog/trolls.jpg

Bathroom: Things are coming to completion. The shades were put up this week. The only thing left is a cover for the outlets.

Kitchen: They finished the backsplash and grouted this week. It looks great!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Katrina: Well, today is the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. So much has changed since 8/29/05. Some for the better, some for the worse.

Radiation: Twenty-eight down and 8 to go. The area under my arm is starting to bother me. It hurts worse at night than during the day. The other day, my doctor asked if I wanted a script for some pain pills, just in case. I responded in the affirmative. She then asked what I wanted. I told her I was doing some remodeling, so something with a high street value would be appreciated.

Hair: Still growing! It's about 1/2 long - where there is hair. However, about 1/4 of the follicles haven't started growing yet. It looks like it'll be salt and pepper. More salt than pepper however.

Other bathrooms: The downstairs bath is finished. It looks good! We replaced the floor. The floor was the same lovely blue tile that was upstairs.

The upstairs bathroom - before. Note the lovely blue tile.

The floor after. MUCH better! Also replaced the tub and cultured marble.

Labor Day weekend: I'm heading to Chicago for the weekend. Going to EGA National Seminar! Looking forward to it. I'm leaving Friday and coming back on Sunday.

Monday, August 27,2007

Radiation: Let's see, 25 down, 10 to go. Things are going fine. Still a little irritation, but the fatigue is getting better and better.

Nothing is ever easy at the Miller house: We got our counter tops put in. They look great. Still some odds and ends to be done. The back splash needs to be finished and other minor details to tend to, like fix the dishwasher! Yes, you read right, now our dishwasher doesn't work. The counter guys came today and spent several hours trying to fix it to no avail. So, the plumber is going to look at it when he comes tomorrow to finish the upstairs bathroom. And the cherry on the sundae is the check engine light on my car came on.

Before

After (Phase I)

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Radiation: Twenty-two down and 14 to go. Over half way! Woo-who! My strength and stamina is getting better and better. I'd estimate I'm about 95% pre-chemo. Radiation is starting to be a bother however. The skin under my breast is getting irritated. They said it'd be like a sunburn, but they lie. Imagine you wore a wet bathing suit for a week. You know how your skin would be chapped? It's like that. I am using Aloe gel, Vaseline and other lotions on it in an attempt to get it to heal. Also, the hair follicles in the area near my underarm are getting irritated. I'm told that is normal as well. All in all, I'd rather some irritation than fatigue from chemo.



Bathrooms: The tile is finished in the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. The cultured marble is scheduled to be put in on Friday upstairs and the plumber is coming on Tuesday. This will finish the bathroom remodels. Yea!



Kitchen: I think I mentioned that we are getting granite counter tops put in the kitchen. That is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday). Never knew that getting cancer would be the impetus for remodeling!

Monday, August 13,2007

Radiation: Fifteen down and 21 to go. Overall, I'm feeling better and better each day. I'm almost back to pre-chemo strength. My skin is starting to feel the effects of the radiation however. Using lots of lotion to try to stop the drying out. BUT I'd rather have dry, irritated skin than be tired all of the time!

In-Laws: Tom's parents, brother and grandfather left this morning after an eight day visit. It was too bad they picked the week where we have 100+ degree weather! The heat index is in the 110+ mark. It's brutal. Other than the weather, we had a very nice visit.

Bedroom: We have now moved back into our bedroom and bathroom. Things are about 95% complete. We're still waiting on some odds & ends like the mirror covers for the plugs. Nothing major. We got the bedspread and drapes put up. Looks great!

The Bedspread and drapes


Monogram on the bedspread


Drapes

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Radiation: Ten down and 25 to go. Still no ill effects. Feeling better and better each day. Guess I'm finally getting over the tiredness.

Master Bathroom: The bathroom is FINALLY done and we are moved back into our bedroom - sort of. Most everything is put up, but there are some odds and ends still to be put up.

Upstairs bath: We're "on the list" for the cultured marble to be put in. Once that gets done, the faucet and shower head can be put on and we're done up there too.

Culverts: The culverts are done too. All that needs to be done there is some clean up work and sodding.

Kitchen: Ever the glutton for punishment, we decided to get granite counter tops put in our kitchen. So we are starting that project this week.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Things are never dull around the Miller household! We are almost done! The carpet and wallpaper was put in earlier in the week.

The carpet.


The wallpaper.


The electrician and contractor are here now finishing up! Things are looking good.

Culverts: We are also getting culverts put in the front yard. Yesterday the guy dug up the water line. Which wouldn't have been so bad, but the wallpaper lady and my maid were here. Can't hang wallpaper or clean a bathroom without water! So we took a bucket across the street and got water for the wallpaper lady. My poor maid carried water from the pool to the bathrooms to clean them. We felt like we were in a third world country having to get water from "down the hill"! Fortunately the water company came and had the break fixed in a couple of hours. In the process, they dug up a TV cable. Fortunately, it was a dead line.

Radiation: Seven down and 29 to go. Still no ill effects. Apparently the "sunburn" starts sometime after the second week, which is now. So they gave me some lotion to put on to keep the skin moist.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Radiation: Three down and 32 to go. Still no ill effects! Compared to chemo, this is a cake walk.

Lots of good stuff happened today! The glass man came today. We now have a shower enclosure and a mirror. The rest is scheduled to be completed next week.

The Shower



The Mirror. The circles are where the lights will be and the squares are where the electrical outlets will be.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Radiation: Had my first treatment today. It only took 20 minutes - curb to curb. It took longer to get the gown on than the treatment did! It's just like getting an x-ray. The machine makes lots of clicking noises then the techs come in, move the machine and change the "wedge". (The wedge is to direct the beam in an arc. ) I guess that's a good thing so it'll miss vital organs, ribs and things. Someone said she didn't mind radiation because her techs were all buff men. Me? I get two ditsy blond that are this big and a frumpy effeminate guy. Just my luck. One down and 34 to go!

Monday, July 23, 2007

Radiation: Went today for my final "tats". I just thought I was a kindergarten project before! I don't think there is a spot on my chest that doesn't have paint or sharpie on it!! Today they did a lot of x-rays to make sure my marks are correct. My first treatment is actually tomorrow. (I thought it was going to be today.)

Hair: My hair continues to grow. Yea! It is getting darker and darker. Double yea!

Trey: Trey drove to Dallas on Saturday to visit his friend Cristian for a week.

Bathroom/Bedroom: The painter finished painting our bedroom. It's more golden than the photo shows.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Hair: Well, the hair is starting to grow back. It's like a five o'clock shadow on a 15 year old. However, it seems to be dark, so I guess it won't be ALL gray!

Bathroom: Things are moving along. The painter stained all of the woodwork, painted the bedroom ceiling, and patched the holes in the sheet rock.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Phew! What a week. As you know, I went to visit my friend Audrey in Oregon. I've now been to every state in the lower 48! We had a very nice visit. Sunday, we went to see the volcano fields in central Oregon. We went into a lava tube. Apparently these tubes are formed when the lava on the outside cools and the lava on the inside keeps flowing. What's left is a tube large enough for a person to walk through. In some places it was 30 feet high and 50 feet wide! Way cool.

Monday, Audrey went to work, so I rested. Tuesday we went to see the waterfalls around Portland. Again, very nice.





Wednesday, I went to Denver for a work meeting. The meeting was very productive with presentations by senior Microsoft management. Friday night we went to Corteo Cirque du Soleil. The show was fantastic. If you ever get a change to go to a Cirque, do it!! For a preview, kick it here: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/corteo/intro/intro.htm.

Radiation: Went to the Radiation Oncologist today. Got my CT scan and all the requisite markings. My first treatment is scheduled for Monday, July 23.

Bathroom: The painter is scheduled to come tomorrow. He is supposed to prep the walls for the wallpaper, stain the woodwork, and paint the bedroom and closet. Things are finally moving ahead!

Happy Birthday Mark! Today is my brother-in-law Mark's birthday. He is 39.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

4th of July: We went to my parents house for burgers, hot dogs and beer. We had a wonderful time. Hope everyone had an equally wonderful day.


Week of July 7 - 14: I will be in Oregon visiting my friend Audrey and in Denver at a work meeting. So I won't be posting anything until after the 14th.

Tamoxifen: Started taking it yesterday. No side effects as of yet!