Hey, what's up on Wednesday?

Hello OFF Family:

It's Wednesday morning and I'm home for my weekend. I had the late shift tonight, to check the newspapers and make sure everything was OK. So I didn't get out of there until after 1 a.m.

I have found a doctor here; I have an appointment Friday. So I should be able to get my prescriptions refilled and set up shop here medically. I was concerned this doc who was recommended to me by my coworker wouldn't be taking new patients, but he was.

Plus, Juliette's new vet called to see how she was doing ... I've never had a vet do that. I'm very impressed.

Well, I'm off for the next two days. I have lots of unpacking to do. I want to get some of these boxes out of here.

Have a good day ... I'll check later.

Good morning, everyone! Today will be my sixth radiation treatment and one month on Arimidex which lowers my estrogen. My skin is starting to look pink and my armpit is getting very tender already but I am handling all of that rather well.  Twenty more treatments to go. My biggest challenge is the Arimidex…this pill lowers the amount of my high estrogen level. Hot flashes began within a week of starting this med. I had never even had these power surges before, nor did I ever have PMS but, wow, poor DH finds himself without covers  or with my side of all the covers in top of him! The worst is that, the last ten days, I have been having BRUTAL pain in my legs and shoulders…last night, so bad that I was almost in tears and I have a very high pain threshold. I was beginning to think that I was creating this pain because of my studies in MIND/BODY (John Sarno) experiences which state that the brain will create pain in the body when one gets too close to emotional clarity. In fact, the brain will actually shut down the flow of oxygen to various body parts in order to distract a person who may be delving deeply into emotional issues that the brain has deemed too difficult for the person to handle. Shutting off oxygen to a part of the body will cause pain.  Unable to lay down, to sit or to stand, I found myself wandering the house late at night, frustrated beyond words because I was unable to control the pain with EFT and self-hypnosis. However, today, the Oncology nurse told us that the Arimidex actually causes severe pain in the bones and joints, exactly as I described to her…..it’s not just in my head after all!  Whew!  She told me to try Tylenol 2-3 or even an allergy pill which, for some reason, helps some people with the pain.  I had no idea that the aches & pains mentioned in connection to this pill would actually strike so harshly and so quickly.  Funny, how just knowing this is possible, helps me to handle it better. My shoulders had serious damage from a car accident when we were rear-ended by a four-wheel drive truck that totalled our big Buick Park Avenue and she said that this damage likely caused arthritis in my shoulders and so the Arimidex attacks all joints and long bones that have already been damaged.  What fun! However, I do have my “big girl panties” on and I am dealing with it, trying to tough it out w/o painkillers.  I sat outside on our porch after we returned from my treatments and just enjoyed the rare sunshine and my outdoor kitties who surrounded me, sat in my lap, on my shoulders or wrestled with each other at my feet.  Such a social group of felines! I was hoping that sitting out in the fresh air would help me sleep bit it didn’t so here I sit online at 6 am, still not sleeping.   We had had a blizzard Sunday & Monday all day and night then Tuesday, it was suddenly a record-breaking 11 degrees celcius and all the snow dried up fast and the ditches are full. Nature doesn’t know what’s going on and there are trees budding and the wild geese are flying NORTH!  Well, I’ve finished folding laundry and  emptying all the garbage containers around the house…today is garbage pickup.  That was always Derek’s job but he has moved out now …funny how much I miss him even though our grocery bill is now less than half! And now, I will attempt again to sleep…my treatment is close to 4 pm so I have time yet, even though it’s a good hour to the cancer centre still. Sending healing energy and prayers for all who need them. Nancy B

Hi Nancy,

    My heart and prayers are with you. You are an amazing person. Take care and be good to yourself.    Mag

Nancy you are a Soldier. You are doing battle and you are doing an amazing job. Those kitties were loving on you today. What a lovely gift out of nowhere. Enjoy the gifts. Enjoy the unexpected pleasures life has for you.
 
I am praying for you my girl. I pray you get good sleep, good health care and relief from any pain. Blessings! Sharon

 Hi Nancy,
You are in my prayers.  Hugs.
Trish

Nancy, I hope you know It is not weakness to take a pain pill....you can't get addicted if you have real pain..pain works as an antidote...at least back when I was a nurse that is what they told us. Take care honey. M

You are brave doing this without painkillers ... I head straight for the vicodin or imitrex or flexeril when I'm in pain. I can handle it at work sometimes when my mind is occupied (well, I almost have to), but when I get home, I have to get something to take care of the pain. Just a thought, though ... ice packs help my pain issues ... or heat pads ... maybe that would help you. I prefer ice packs, even though I'm colder now. Seems to take down the inflammation.

Hang in there, Nancy. You are a cancer warrior.

Hi Eileen,  Nancy and those to follow,

     I am up way to early. I was awake at 3:15 but stayed in bed until 4:15. My friend is coming over at 7:15 to walk with me so I have time to shower, do some laundry, etc. Have a doctor's appointment later in the AM. Also need to dust the living room and my bedroom. This afternoon I get to sit around and wait for the cable man to repair the system at my sister's(Lee) condo. Oh, what a fun time.

   Take care of you.   Mag

Hello! Happy Hump Day!

I had my psych consult yesterday. It was painless. I also had an appointment at the Pulmonologist to get a breathing test. That was not pleasant. The gal who perfomed the test is 10 years out from having RNY. She was very positive and it made me happy to be able to talk to her about her experience. In a few weeks I see the cardiologist and have a stress test. Hopefully these are stepping stones to the WLS. Gastric Sleev here I come.......

I am going to look for wonderful in this day today. I'm not sure what it will be, but I know it's waiting for me. I hope all of you find a small piece of wonderful today.

Be Blessed,

Sharon 

 Good Morning Eileen and OFF Family,
I am waiting for the visiting nurse.  She should be here in about a half hour or so.  After she leaves, I have to go to the pain center's nurse practitioner.  I have not seen her since around the time I had my toe surgery in the Fall.  

In the afternoon, I will be working on my knitting project.  

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Hugs,
Trish