Pain ... Pain

I had the most excruciating pain in my right hip this morning! I don't know how I managed to get dressed but couldn't lift my leg to get into my car so I don't know how I thought I would be able to function at work.

It's been many, many years still I've had pain like that. At first I thought it was pain in my bone but I finally figured out that it was probably muscular because it would hurt even more when I moved a certain way. I could not sit properly or lay down. I took Aleve and used a hot water bottle but it wasn't till 2 pm when I had some relief.

I actually felt better moving around and I would walk around the house whenever I was awake. I kept falling asleep -- it was probably a reaction to the Aleve and the pain.

I am pretty sure that this is more than likely a side effect of one of the many drugs I've had to take.

Merry Christmas!

I had a lovely, lovely Christmas with the family. David stopped in just after noon to spend the rest of Christmas day with us and it was really nice.

We stuffed ourselves on pizza rolls, cranberry meatballs and cheese log, and when dinner rolled around we could barely eat the prime rib, macaroni and cheese, french beans, rolls! It served us right.

It wasn't long before we were all crashed in the den on our various electronic devices and I was downloading photos, and exchanging funny chats with Sarah and laughing hysterically. I had a great time!

I know this disease has given me a different perspective on what is important in life and I am deeply grateful for all the special times I get to celebrate, and all the rest of the days that I get to live.

The anniversary of my diagnosis is coming up and I am trying not to let that bother me. I have faith ...

Blood Pressure Medication Changed

I managed to get an appointment to see my GP today. The appointment was for 11 but didn't actually get to see her until 12:30 -- there were moments when thoughts of murder did occur! Anyway, she has switched my blood pressure medication to one without the diuretic, so we shall see how the potassium does with this new pill.

I never was so glad to get out of there because I was starving! I had been on the elliptical that morning and had only had water because I wasn't sure whether she was going to be doing bloodwork -- never can tell. I was ready to eat a horse by the time she was done with me!

Damn Potassium

Today was my last Herceptin infusion for the year and had to stay an extra 2 hours for a potassium infusion -- yes, the pesky thing has dropped to 2.9! How is that possible? I have been on potassium pills and am eating potassium rich foods.

The oncologist's nurse, Diane, came to speak with me, and it's clear that they think that it is the HCT in my blood pressure medication that is interacting with the Herceptin to produce the low potassium levels. I'm going to have to make an appointment with the GP before my Jan. 6 Herceptin infusion so she can switch my blood pressure pills.

Well ... this is nothing new ... my "new" life is about adjusting and more adjusting ...

Last RO Visit for the Year

It seems hard to believe that I won't have any more doctors' visits this year that are associated with this crappy disease! Had my follow-up visit with Dr. Trivette today ... all is well ... skin is healing beautifully. The only signs that I ever went through radiation are two tanned areas -- my lymph node area and the site of the boosts. Eventually they will fade.

I won't see Dr. Trivette again until July of next year!

Fourth EKG

Yes ... it was that time again today ... to make sure that my old ticker is not being damaged by Herceptin. Went to St. Mary's at 3:00 pm to get my EKG done. If something is wrong I am sure that I will be hearing from Dr. Schaffer's office because she told me in the beginning that if there is any damage at all, she will stop the Herceptin right away.

I haven't noticed anything to give me alarm. Sometimes I feel as if I can't quite catch my breath but that has not impacted my quality of life. I work fulltime, I exercise, cook and clean, so I doubt if this is anything. Considering what my body has gone through this year I am surprised it has not crashed in despair.

I've survived the horrors of this year by keeping my life as normal as possible. After the EKG we went shopping for clothes for the Angel Tree. I picked an 11-month-old boy -- again more clothes for girls than boys!

John took me out to dinner and then to Trader Joe's where I found roti paratha, channa masala and stollen! No December is complete for me if I do not have my marzipan stollen ... it's the little things that make me happy.

We also bought a gingerbread house for Sarah and David to decorate. I am really looking forward to Christmas. I am deeply grateful for every day that I am alive, and so incredibly sad for all the women all over the world who encounter this disease. Dear Lord, let there be a cure for this crappy disease in my lifetime.