Another Certificate!
I'm very happy to have completed radiation today, earning myself a second certificate! Radiation was pretty breezy....until it wasn't. I started blistering this past week and it's been super painful. As much as I despised chemo, it really wasn't painful. This has been very much so, but should subside within the next 2 -3 weeks. Happy to have at least completed the daily burning stage!
So this leaves me with two major therapies accomplished and two more to go, that I trust will both be a lot easier. I know my herceptin infusions are not bad, as I continue those until November. But in June I need to start endocrine therapy, which lasts for 5 years. This could throw me back into menopausal symptoms, which I am NOT looking forward to, as I left hot flashes in the rear view mirror almost a decade ago! Uff da!
I asked Dr. Moore when I'll know if my surgeries and therapies have worked, and she said not until I've been cancer free for five years. So I've started to ponder when my "interlude" phase might conclude. I don't have a clear finish line, certainly not 5 years out, as I've already resumed a lot of normal life. I've walked Lake Harriet again, which felt like a huge milestone, and have resumed traveling a bit. Most importantly, I no longer spend long lonesome hours in my chair ~ PTL! I do still nap most days, something I never did before, and still struggle with a few lingering side effects. My hair is finally growing out, but it feels like it is taking FOREVER to gain any length at all. At least my eyelashes are pretty much back!
When I really think about it, I think my interlude milestone will be when I have my port removed. I hated having it put in, it seemed to mark me as a "person who is sick" in my mind, and continues as a constant reminder not all is well with me. That won't happen until November, so I pray when it does finally come out, it'll feel like just a tiny vestige of my interlude finally breaking free, allowing all of my life and vitality to arise, full force, once more!
