Quick Cancer Update

Taking a break in the hospital's cafe.

Things have pretty much moved into the extremely monotonous stage of treatment. For the most part, we do the same exact thing every single day. We go to the hospital and see the same people each and every day. 

Our days are so monotonous that Sheila says she feels as though she is in the movie "Groundhog Day".

Each week, we have to squeeze in a visit with the Radiation Oncologist... another day we squeeze in a visit with the nurse... another day is another doctor... and another day is acupuncture for oncology patients. Even with these added visits, things have become quite monotonous.

The daily radiation has already started to create a visible burn like a sunburn. The entire right side of her chest... all the way around to under her arm... is getting darker like she spent too much time in the sun. There is some swelling... some relatively minor pain (especially if she attempts to run)... and definitely some irritation from the burning. She already went through a stage of intense itching and we're both hoping that the itching issue has been resolved.

The first time Sheila went through treatment for breast cancer, the radiation was more pin-pointed to a very small area so it turned out to be a bit less invasive. This time, because the cancer had metastasized to her lymph nodes, the area being radiated is significantly larger. The larger area and the more aggressive treatment over a longer period of time means more side effects.

She is slowly recovering from her cold that she picked up at the same time she started radiation treatment. Her voice is still very hoarse even after more than two weeks of trying to shake this cold but she is slowly improving. 

The one nagging problem we have is that Sheila keeps getting styes in her left eye. At this point, antibiotics don't seem to be helping much. We really need to address this problem again today or tomorrow. 

Fatigue is beginning to be a bit of a problem too. Sheila's at the stage in treatment where fatigue is known to bring patients down and it is definitely affecting Sheila.  

I think we visit with the nurse today so we'll address some of these nagging problems. 

Overall, however, things are rather monotonous... which, considering what we're involved in each day, that is a good thing!