Category: Ruminations

Odds and Ends

Today was our first follow up with Dr. Oncologist.  I am a candidate for Tomaxifen because of the type of cancer and that I can metabolize this particular drug.  I am also a candidate because I am not prone to blood clots, I don’t smoke, I don’t take birth control.  In addition to blood clots…


Birthing Day

I have always taken my children’s birthdays off.  They have the choice whether they want to take the day with me or not.  In elementary and jr high school hanging with me was the choice.  What we did was entirely up to them.  This year on E ‘s birthday he and B went camping.  Looking…


“Last coat of pain”

I’ve noticed with increasing fatigue that my tolerance for mess at home is decreasing at the same time my ability to flit about and clean is.  Why we chose this time to start renovations on a bathroom is beyond me but at the same time, I’m so happy we are continuing with the project.  We…


Exhausted

The daffodils brighten up my spirits, but I’m really POOOOOPED.  I have no energy tonight.  My skin is starting to itch.  It’s very bizarre because I can feel the itch, but I cannot feel relief if I rub the area.  The chinese salve helps a bit, a cool compress does as well.  If the skin…


Getting things back

When we were visiting family for the holidays in December, I had the good fortune to see a friend, someone who is very much a part of our family.  He was undergoing chemotherapy at the same time I was.  He told me that he had a story to tell me.  I received a card from…


Radiation treatment #10 of 33 today

I’m moving along through radiation treatments.  I can feel the fatigue right around 2pm or so.  By now, 4pm, my eyes are doing the slinky thing.  My skin is just starting to turn pink, there is no sensitivity yet.  My hair continues to grow, I’m thrilled to say. A suggested a while back that I might…


18% finito

It’s strange, surreal, like limbo and at the same time not at all like limbo.  I get up every morning.  The 4 of us get ourselves out the door, some how close to on time.  I head for radiation.  I’m greeted, I change, I’m shown to the table/bed with the cradle that fits my arms,…


CYP 2D6

Once treatments are over, many breast cancer patients with hormone-receptor positive cancers are recommended to take a drug called Tamoxifen for about 5 years. Our oncologist very wisely informed me that the Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is an enzyme that is involved in the metabolism of numerous drugs, of which Tamoxifen is one. Here is…


Uno mas

I spent last night at home, just me and the katz.  A had helped me put the first coat of paint on the bedroom yesterday and this morning before my 8:00 walk with D, I put half of the second coat on.  I managed to fill my day with putzing and being outside.  Now, with angel…


Just Thinking

When I think about the journey so far, the thing that is dominant in my mind is love.  I am not cancer.  I AM loved.  I feel it with my family.  I see it when I read back in this blog at the story we are telling.   The entries from B, A, and E are part of a love story. …