It was Oct. 24 that I completed 33 treatments of radiation. It then meant that it was time to move onto the next step. This should have been easy. At least that is what I thought. I was still in physical therapy for the lymphedema and lymphatic cording I have in my right arm. The girls at Coral (who are great!), are getting that under control and making it all manageable. So the first of November, I went to see my Oncologist who put me on a maintenance pill to keep the breast cancer from returning. The one they wanted me on, Femara, has side effects of bone and joint pain, they were concerned because I was still having quite a bit of pain with the joint/bone pain, and neuropathy from my chemo treatments. We decided to give it a try and we'd reevaluate it all in 6 weeks. The first two weeks went okay, but then I noticed increasing joint pain all over my body. It got to where stepping up onto a curb, or any step, was very difficult. I also would go someplace with Rick or my girls and start looking for a place to sit and rest! I could not believe what was happening, I felt like an 80 year old. THEN, within a 2 1/2 week period of time I put on 10 pounds!!! NOW I WAS MAD!!! I had not changed my diet, and in fact this last year I have been eating very healthy, thanks to the help of my sister. We knew from the get go that with all the steroids I would have to take with chemo, I'd be putting on weight, and I didn't want to work really hard after to have to get off the excess. So up to this time I had managed to maintain, and in fact drop a few pounds, just by eating right and walking. By the time I got back to the 6 week evaluation I was hurting, and having trouble walking much, even across the small parking lot! (that was about all I could manage) They took me off that pill right away. That was Dec. 11th, and I started a new med Jan. 5th. Now we wait to see how, or if it will affect me. Hoping no side effects! While I have had some relief being off the Femara, there are times I kneel down and can't get up without help. Usually it is my girls that have to help me up, and then it is difficult to get me upright because we are laughing so hard about it! It is comical in a sense, mostly be cause it is so not me. But if I am out in public and I need to kneel down for something, I will just forget about that!
I have just this week started a treatment for all the neuropathy in my hands and feet. The pins and needle pain and numbness sometimes goes all the way to my ankles and wrists. This makes it sometimes a challenge to walk and makes the fine motor skills in my hands sometimes very limited. They believe they can put me back together again, just like Humpty Dumpty!! I actually have very high hopes for this process, and while it is not fun, I am willing! I go 2 times a week for the next 12 weeks. During the treatments they give me 3 shots, in each leg, for a total of 6 shots, of a nerve blocker. This allows the nerves to relax and improve blood flow. I am then hooked up to an Electronic Signal Therapy machine. The research on this has actually found that this treatment causes the nerves that are dead to get regrowth. It is an incredible process, and if you're interested in reading more, go to this website, www.pntreatment.comThis journey is not finished, but I am pretty sure I see light at the end of the tunnel. I am excited to see what that will look like when I reach it, but I know it will be beautiful. My view of things, even the simple, has changed so much! I thank God for trusting me with this experience. He blessed me with so many new friends and experiences! But the next time I have to take "year plus off" could it be on a beach with room service and a fruity drink in my hand with massages daily??? Just kidding......sort of!!
Love you all!!
