1 year check-up - Good results!

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I had my one-year MRI and a spot mammogram, and results were good! The mammogram said "Probably benign", which they expect after surgery, and there were no changes since 6 months ago. And the MRI showed no issues. So I remain in the status of "No evidence of Disease" and am thrilled. My feet and hands look and feel good again, which is exciting! My fingerprints are back and I'm delighted to be able to open my own jars and bottles! My main remaining symptoms are inability to focus and accomplish complicated tasks, low endurance, low arm strength, and lower breathing ability. They mostly don't bother me much and are all improving. Frank came back from a FIRST Robotics convention and tested positive for Covid a couple days later, and although we'd stayed apart since he got home, I tested positive the next day. We isolated a lot, but didn't have terrible symptoms. Mostly sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and fever for a couple of days. I'm thankful th...
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Fitted for radiation, and continuing to get more active.

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I met with the radiation specialists this week to be "fitted" for the upcoming treatments. They had me lay down on a table that had all sorts of jig holes in it, then they spent about 30 minutes pushing, poking, and adjusting both me and the table! There is a line of holes to align the head cradle, and a grid of holes to insert the two pegs that I grab onto to keep my arms in position and my breast flattened as much as possible. There's a place to put the dam to slide my hips up next to, and some wedges to hold my hips and shoulders in place, and there are two arm supports so I don't get tired. 

Apparently, I have very long arms, as they had to keep adjusting me to allow my elbows to fit into the CT scanner! I've always noticed my shirt sleeves were too short, but didn't expect not to be able to fit inside the scanner! Finally I was able to slide in, then they all left the room while the table moved in and out of the CT scanner opening several times. I was able to keep my glasses on, so I could see the pieces spinning around inside the machine around me. It is not loud like an MRI, and it didn't take very long once I finally got in position!

On Friday, I will have a "dry run" to make sure all the settings are right, then I'll start getting the actual radiation treatments on July 18th. I have them at 10 am every weekday for 4 weeks.

Oh, I thought I would be getting two or three tattoos, but I didn't get any. She said they haven't been using them to align the equipment, so there's no need for them.

My poison ivy doesn't itch anymore. My booster shot made me tired for a day and I had a mild fever, then I was fine the next day.

I played Ultimate Frisbee Thursday and actually ran around for an hour and threw further, so that felt nice! I also walked 7 miles one day because I had two groups of friends who wanted to walk the same day. I felt good, but I skipped swimming that week! I still tire out on hills, and I'm still doing double bras, but I'm improving all the time!

We went to a birthday party inside a restaurant, but kept our masks on and only stayed for a short while. Not ready for more than that yet! We also went to see some nearby fireworks last weekend.

Frank and I walked in the Amherst NH July 4th parade to carry signs for our friend Jenn who is running for state representative. It was different to be carrying political signs in a parade rather than playing in a band! It went well except for one house who had lots of people booing at all the Democrats. Sigh...

And today we went to an outdoor party for our 3-year-old friend at a playground and had fun!

Holding signs and ready for the parade!

A baby deer with the zoomies!

Seen on a walk today.





Comments

  1. Janet AndersonJuly 14, 2022 at 6:56 PM

    You're a trooper! Way more active than I am - I feel lazy in comparison! Good luck on the dry run. Will be interested to hear what that is all about. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amy TravisJuly 15, 2022 at 2:42 PM

    sorry about the tattoos.. I was hoping you'd get at least an anchor!! And, um, a 7-mile walk!!!! WOW!

    ReplyDelete

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