The “maintenance” therapy for my lymphedema includes wearing a compression sleeve + gauntlet. However, since the majority of my lymphedema is in the hand, my therapist added a little pad under the gauntlet, in the back. All this seems to work fairly well at keeping the swelling at bay. Last weekend we went skiing, and… Continue reading Switching Gears and Researching Options
It’s been a busy last couple of weeks and I have not had time to blog, so I’ve been writing this post in my head for awhile. Prior to starting radiation therapy, I did a little Googling around for the best lotions and creams to use to manage the inevitable skin redness and irritation. Here… Continue reading Lotions and Potions and Creams, Oh My!
I had a lot to discuss with Dr. Zap and his nurse at my weekly Wednesday visit with him the week before last. It was my final visit with him during my radiation therapy and I had a list, including the chafing wherein I was gifted those heart pillows. One item, however, was not on… Continue reading Mammogram? Already?
Here I am in the last stages of my radiation therapy, and (as expected) the skin redness has definitely gotten worse since I reported on it in my previous post. No more polka dots; it’s all awash in red by now. Fortunately it still does not actually hurt very much (unless you poke it –… Continue reading I “Heart” Heart Pillows
I started this blog back in June primarily as a cathartic exercise, a place to articulate as best I can how I’m feeling about all of this cancer shit. You know, get it off my CHEST (ha ha haaa!). Writing is so helpful for working through things; the Scripps Clinic, where I’m receiving my treatment, even… Continue reading Why I Blog
As my fuzz halo becomes more defined – not quite yet a crew cut, but getting there – hat fatigue is setting in. I’ve become lazy and am grabbing only my most basic, comfortable, easiest-to-wear hats these days. I have not taken Yolanda out in weeks now. I no longer give a shit about covering… Continue reading In Praise of Buffs
When I first started radiation therapy and got the low-down on what to expect, I was told that it would take a few weeks before my skin started to react. In my posting of the radiation process I did not talk much about how my skin was reacting, because it had only just started to… Continue reading Worst Tanning Booth Ever
As chemotherapy and its immediate aftermath (colds, eye styes, holidays…) have gradually faded into a bad memory, I have felt like a coiled spring. Last year at this time the Wilderness Basics Class had started, and I was excited and gung-ho to get out there with my new friends and classmates. A few months later… Continue reading Red Blood Cells are Awesome
Last week when I went to visit Ms. Lymph, I graduated – from a fully bandaged hand/arm, to a compression sleeve and glove. The bandage was utterly ridiculous. The compression sleeve is not awesome, but at least it does not cause people to scream, “Oh my god, what did you do to your arm???” To… Continue reading Lymphedema Graduation
Project Perky 