Half Way Mark & Mom

I've reached the halfway point through radiation. While this isn't a cake walk, it's better than chemo. Actually, it is a cake walk versus chemo. I can handle the skin discomfort. My problem is that I don't want to.

I'm hydrating my chest with a cold washcloth under an ice pack. It makes me quite cold but working from the outside in is one of the ways to keep the skin from being damaged. It's amazing that I've progressed from the point of being worried about the cancer moving to being worried about my skin. How the priorities change. It lurks though, in the back of my mind.

I finally got a tiny bottle of cream for the itching skin. Only can apply once or twice a day, particularly at night to stop the itching. The concern is creating any open sores or tears on my skin.

I think this blogging thing is rather strange. It's amazing to me that the counter just ticks away with people reading this blog and I have no idea who they are. I also find it interesting that there is a core group of us who comment on each other's blogs pretty regularly. And then they are some that I read that never comment anywhere. Got to wonder if these folks are just so mired in their own pain and suffering or if they're really that self-centered in real life.

On to Mom.

She kicked butt with chemo this time and I'm taking full credit for it. She had chemo monday and I brought her lunch. On Tuesday, Dad brought her over here so I could write and babysit. Jackie and Stef were at school. She had a very peaceful, quiet day. My cats don't make nearly as much noise as her three dogs. She ate well, rested 3 times and I think this started off this recovery very well. I know I went to keep her company on Thursday at her house and I tried for 4 hours to rest. It's not easy over there at all. So, executive decision Mom - you're coming over here next time for peace and serenity :)

Kathy, you're on my mind, doll. I think you'e got the very best attitude possible about your recent mastectomy. Keep at it, use your drugs to control your pain, and look forward. You're done jumping through hoops.

Mom, you're attitude has changed with your last PET and I'm thrilled for you. You're alive, you seem happy even though I'd like to curse the fact that you're the only person who happens to look great while taking steroids :) One day at a time gets us through this.

Sheri, chemo is a nightmare but a necessary one. It's intestional, so think of it that way. Eat, please eat and drink 80 ounces of water a day. You'll have one crappy week (literally) and two good ones. You're strong in your head, and your body will get stronger. Just look at your kids and husband to give you strength. Clementine oranges work wonders, really. Just ask my mom - I turned her on to them like a drug :) BTW, your blog totally cracks my mom up. We shared a read just the other day. She thinks you're a hoot!

Props to Armand, Sue, Renee and Deb for handling your situations with humor and wit. Virtual hugs to all of you too. As silly as it sounds, I'm damn proud to "know" you all and thrilled that every single one of us is being proactive with our care.

Outta here.