TENTH DOWN!

I have no idea if that means anything in football-ese, but the football season is upon us, so I thought I'd try!

Had my 10th chemo session on Thursday.  Thus the reference in the title.

The same sharp pains as last time started right on time yesterday while we were out enjoying the Turkish cultural festival at the botanic gardens.

I didn't let it stop me, though, and we enjoyed the food and I got to see the dancers I had wanted to see.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day, and we spotted lots of migrating monarch butterflies, and a couple of humming birds as well.

The pains continue this morning.  I hope they go away by Wednesday, like they did the last time.

Doc says it's the nerve impact of the new chemo.  Yippee.

I am hoping that the finger and toe numbness, which started on the Sunday after the last treatment, doesn't start to increase today.  I am taking the new medication three times a day as directed, and am hoping it does SOMETHING.

So far, no real change.  Just an ever so slight improvement over how it was a week and a half or so ago.

Finished my tick bite antibiotic on Friday with no ill effects. Doc looked at the bite when I saw him on Thursday, and was pleased with how it was healing.

I have started to develop lymphedema in my right arm.  I first noticed the swelling in my right hand about a week and a half ago.  I thought "great, now I get to grow a giant arm!"

Doctor confirmed when I saw him on Thursday.  Yippee.

The good part is, though, that it has not gotten any worse than just a little swelling in the hand, and the arm looks EVER SO slightly larger than the  left.

I have been following his basic guidelines of holding my arm up like an idiot whenever I think of it, and doing some massage techniques that I already knew, and which he said were okay to do.

It's also good that I am healthy and active, and staying that way will decrease the chances that I will end up with an elephant arm, like some women do.

I'm just pissed off that it's happening.  It's weird to me that it took 5 months since surgery for it to begin to appear.

What the f*ck ever.

The sentinel node test only showed one on the left, but it seems the surgery on the right was still more radical or invasive, even with the removal of the left sentinel node.

In other news, I have been playing my guitar and mandolin a little, taking advantage of the numb fingertips to build up the calluses!  It's been fun.

Dave had never really heard me play before, and his encouragement has been really helpful.  He seems to think I can play....almost.  Just need more practice.

Going to continue to enjoy the gorgeous weather today, and my only cooking project is to make chicken soup out of last night's roast chicken.

Good Sunday to everyone!  Turn up the music and open the windows!