Happy April 1st! No, it's not a joke...

Today is April 1st, 2012. For those that don't know or don't remember, today is my one year anniversary of my diagnosis. I thought I'd wait a bit after my last post to update my progress and today is as good as any, right? There's been both good and bad things to report. I'll start with the rough stuff first.

After my last radiation treatment, the sore spot turned into a pretty bad burn, blisters and all. It was expected though. The doc did brief me that it could happen, so I made sure to be prepared. I used a mixture of hydrocortisone and Silvadine creams to cool the burn and to promote healing. I have so much more empathy for burn victims now! Once it started healing, the skin turned to a Arizona/Florida leathery tan texture and began peeling, even the black spot which is now my normal color. I used Aquaphor to keep the skin moist so it didn't itch as much. (It also works fabulous for tattoos, just so you know!)

I've had a hard time with the Tamoxifen. You'd think I'd be better at it after taking all those chemo meds for so long, but it's been difficult for me to remember to take the darn things. My head still isn't quite straight, I've been suffering some depression, and my energy levels are still low. I'm thinking it has to do with my estrogen being non-existent now. (As a reminder, my cancer is an estrogen eater. So I have to take the Tamoxifen for 5 years to shut down my ovaries.) My doctor said that even if I try, I might not be able to lose any weight because of the medicine.

My appetite has been a problem too.  Things taste ok when I eat them, but never seems to satisfy me or take care of a craving. My tummy has been upset constantly for the last couple of months, even though I'm taking prilosec daily.  I called the chemo center other day because I was getting so frustrated about it. They started asking me all sorts of questions about whether I'm able to keep my food and liquid down or if there was blood involved. I know what they are worried about and it terrifies me. What if the cancer has traveled? I have burst into tears so many times the past few days because of this phone call.

But then there's the good... They put me back on the Ativan, in addition to the Prilosec, to help with the depression and my stomach. They want me to check in with them in a week to see how I'm feeling. If I still feel bad, they want to run some more tests. Better to catch it early, right? Besides, I always wanted that tummy tuck.... :^P  As of today though, I thought I noticed some improvement. Not as much nausea and things actually stayed tasting good for a little bit! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm also as determined as ever to lose my extra weight. I just have to show myself more patience. I tried going back to karate, but I think it might have been a little too soon. I got exhausted too easily and kept losing my focus enough that I worried my partner. So I think I'm going to take a step back, work on my endurance and strength training a bit. Let my body get used to this new chemical balance. I said it before and I'll say it again... I lost 30 pounds just so that I could go flip a jerk of a doctor off. Nothing will stop me from obtaining my goal. It just may take me a little longer to get there! :^D

It's been one year, Baby!!!! YEAH!!! Much love to all! :^D