Health Update: Never expected the second half of my illness to go into overtime. Today marks the start of the second overtime. Patience & flexibility have never been my forte, so cancer & the complications from treatment have been a fierce challenge. While my healing continues to progress, I have become allergic to yet another adhesive (this one designed for super sensitive chemo skin). As the treatment now is addressing adhesive burns from surgery in July, the home health nurse was not willing to take any chances today. She put a wet to dry dressing on and a wife beater is holding it in place. The wound vac requires a seal in order to function, thus the need for adhesive. I meet with the surgeon in the morning to see if there is an alternative so that this less invasive treatment can continue. I was making progress until this newest obstacle. Following the double mastectomies and reconstruction, I had managed on Tylenol & Aleve. That changed with the September 11th surgery. Dressing changes which occur every three days are the most brutal pain that I have ever experienced, beating even childbirth. I have been sparing with the narcotics so that their efficacy will be in full force when I take them before dressing changes. I have heard from many of their own or a relatives bad adhesive experiences. It amazes me that a solution does not yet exist to such a pervasive problem. My physical goal for this year had been to train with my youngest son so that we could do all or part of the 50 mile Katy Trail bike ride with his boy scout troop over Labor Day weekend. That goal has been postponed a year. This year my goal is to walk upright with good posture. I have to remind myself daily to lift my head and pull my shoulders back. Modifications in the kitchen enable my independence. No food in the lower part of my fridge or upper shelves of the pantry. Hand washing of dishes instead of using the dishwasher. The kids are a big help with laundry and trash. And Ive been able to drive for a week. The skill, as of yet unrecovered, is the ability to use my computer or netbook. Getting my arms/hands in front of me at the same time impacts the open wound. My sense of smell, that chemo eroded, has not yet returned. I still have the Taxol induced neuropathy in my fingers and toes. On the positive side, my hair is growing back and my throat is no longer impaired. Gives me hope that my nose will get back to normal. Im grateful to those who helped create and maintain my garden this summer. I really enjoyed it today as I sat on my back patio. The beauty of the day and peace of my surroundings helped balance my panic and fear. Please keep praying for my healing. I know that your prayers and positive thoughts are helping.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 02:29:52 +0000