SUCCESS !! I've been working closely with the physical therapist at Mass General to improve flexibility in my left arm, which is still stiff and sore, a month after my second surgery. The first time I went for a radiation "fitting" I wasn't able to move it to a position over my head to fit in the CT machine. A week later, with a little help from my friends (Ativan and Percoset), I was able to tolerate the procedure. I'm now sporting 5 tattoos which the radiologists will use to guide each radiation treatment to precisely the correct spot. In case you're wondering, yes, I DID ask for a discreet flower tattoo around my ankle, time permitting, when they were through. Clearly they'd been asked this before (where IS their sense of humor), the answer was a flat NO. This makes me want to go to the first treatment with a few paste-on flowers, to possibly make them reconsider.
My radiation "dry-run" is scheduled for Monday, June 8. The real-deal treatment begins June 9. It's going to be a full day, starting with 5 chemo pills each day for 12 weeks, and Herceptin infusions (every 3 weeks for a year). YIKES. My goal is to stay strong for the duration of the treatment.
Martha is going with me on June 9. When the zapping is complete, our plan is to walk from the Yawkey Building at Mass General directly next door to the Liberty Hotel, straight to the Alibi Bar for an after-radiation/chemo/infusion cocktail (other than toxic chemicals). We'll be toasting ALL OF YOU for helping me make it through to this next step in my recovery !!
Our niece Chrissie is staying with us for most of the summer. We're VERY happy. She'll be working 2 days a week as an intern at O'Neill and Associates, in Boston, and looking for additional employment, hopefully the kind that comes with a paycheck, as she's saving to go back to school in the fall. In addition, she'll be helping me through the first couple of months of treatment. She'll be BUSY.
I remain positive and strong, again because of you. Words can't express my gratitude for your unfailing support, good wishes and prayers. Here's to YOU, best wishes for the summer and all your endeavors. Oh, and GO SOX !!
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7 comments:
Kathy, You're doin' it...herceptin isn't bad at all, and great that it will be every 3 weeks. Radiation for me wasn't anything...just machines and appointments, as you know. Have a margarita for me after day #1. I will be thinking of you. See you soon, maybe even at the Cape! Karen
Have Karen give me a heads up and I will try and meet you guys at the bar to participate in the drinking activities.
I think we should all go for real tatoos, too.
One year from now we should all be sporting tattoo's and drinking to your good health, at some Tropical Island Beach !!
thinking of you as you start your week..liz palmer
If there's anything left of Igor, he must have had a miserable day yesterday; Mass Gen'l did everything but waterboard him, including zapping and poisoning. With Karen's solicitious ministrations, Kathy sailed through it as if it were a day at the beach. This morning she was all aglow, and it WASN'T the after effects of the radiation. The only downer was that the treatments lasted so long that the ladies missed their Happy Hour in the Alibi Lounge. More Zapping today and tomorrow and then the weekend off.
Thank you for all you do in supporting us.
Steve
a missed cocktail! heavens to Betsy.....sounds like a reason to take a rain check and all of the girlfriends to be included ...YES?
Glad to see your keeping up with the blog, and that your sense of humour is still "the best"
Sarah
and by the way I am the spoil sport.....no tatoos for me !!!!!
but I'll mix and hand out the cocktails to deaden every one elses pain.!
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