And the Saga Continues...

So yay! I miscounted my chemo cycles and only have two more which means only 280 pills left! Well, less the ones I've taken since Friday, but who's counting? This girl is! 😁 I'll be done in six weeks with this shit and excited to go off the meds, but nervous about not doing anything proactively to reduce recurrence. All good though, I'll survive. 😁

So I went to the doctor three weeks ago for my regular appointment to continue my chemo cycle and mentioned some breast changes to Dr. Khanal. He said they were to be expected as a side effect of radiation. Over the next three weeks, there were more changes and pain so I told him about it again this past Friday. He checked and said he thought it was lymphedema, but wanted me to see the breast surgeon to double check. I saw her this morning and she said it could be that, which sucks since it's only treatable, not curable, but it is what it is and I'll deal with it. Then she said that recurrence presents this way as well. WTH! Not thrilled with that news at all. I told her I was in chemo currently and she said my file was marked chemo resistant and that perhaps my current meds weren't working.

Then I got really pissed internally because why am I going through all the side effects of this crap if it isn't even working?! I might as well not take them anymore and just enjoy a damn glad of wine! My internal argument proceeded while she told me that she wants me to try massage everyday to move the fluid if it is lymphedema and get a compression bra to wear 24/7. Who the hell wants to wear a bra all the time? She made an appointment to see me back in two weeks to see if there's a change. If there's not a 100% improvement, then she'll do a skin puncture biopsy to test for cancer... again.

I had already researched the symptoms and was prepared for instructions to alleviate some symptoms, but I was not prepared for a recurrence discussion. Good thing I'm a quick adapter I guess. Trying to determine how worried I should be, but according to those in my support group, they describe their lymphedema with these symptoms, so I'm figuring the chances are like 90/10 that's what it is. It's the 10% that's got me worried.

On the bright side, I have three people at work that are currently battling or recently diagnosed that have come to me to vent and ask advice so maybe this is where the universe wants me right now. I'm glad to at least be able to be an ear to listen and understand first-hand what they are experiencing and offer comfort in numbers. It's nice to know we're not alone in our crazy.

PS - Miss Olivia is helping keep me sane. She came with one stuffed animal and found my bear to make friends with. We played Candyland three times and of course she called Uncle Rhys with the banana game.