Tuesday, June 1, 2010

I hope you all had as great as a weekend as I did. It was good to just relax and not worry about anything.

Started the morning with the 4th radiation treatment to the brain. One more on Friday so I'm excited to get this part out of the way and concentrate on the chemo treatments. They said that the radiation would fatigue me but the be truthful I think its getting up at 4AM, driving to the hospital and then to work. That's the tiring part for me!

I finally figured out how to down load the photos of what I look like getting the treatments. The mask they put on is so tight my face looks like a waffle when its taken off. Good thing I don't have claustrophobia because you can't move a hair once the put you in this contraption.

Down to 2 steroids a day which is a good thing. Hopefully I'll have a better sleep pattern and not be so hungry all the time.

Speaking of STEROIDS - let's talk! If you know anyone who is on them, were on them or going on them let me give you a 5 minute education! First of all the reason I'm on is to reduce the swelling caused my the treatments. From what I understand swelling/fluid and radiation are not a good mix when radiating your brain (SPLAT if you know what I mean). Taking these things are nasty.

Here's what happens (at least to me).

1. Hungry all the time. I usually give most of the dinner to Mark when we're at a restaurant. Now I'm looking at his plate!!!

2. Constant having to go to the bathroom. Never knew I had so much liquid in me. Besides not sleeping I'm up every hour on the hour ruining to the bathroom!!!

3. Poor sleep pattern. Too wired to sleep all night through.

AND THE WORST........

4. MEAN DOREEN comes out. Seriously, about 10 minutes after taking one (when I was on 4x day) I feel my whole personalty change to the dark side. Everything bothers you from the women talking too loud at the next table to Mark eating those french fries so fast. You know its not right but all you want to do is lash out and tell someone off. Thankfully I have a strong personality so I was able to control the urges, but I can see how some people go off the deep edge and actually hurt someone else. I know they wouldn't be prescribed if not necessary but please keep a close watch on the person to make sure they do not hurt themselves or anyone else!

Tomorrow is another chemo treatment. My last of just Hercepton - they add Taxol next week.

Thanks again to all of you for all the energy you have been sending me. I love you all!