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