Entries from November 2007

November 29, 2007

try and try again

I guess this little moral of the story is about asking the right person.
Side note before the story: radiation burns have stopped hurting! Am now into the peeling/itchy phase. Far preferable to pain.
Ok, well, it’s been quite a day. Backing-up for a start:

November 28, 2007

nablopomo #28

Feeling much better today.  Almost made it through a whole work day before I hit that pain wall.  It was so nice to have a near-normal day.  And there are rumors of snow!

November 27, 2007

Good news

Tumor marker test (CA 15-3) came back normal.  But then again, it was normal when I knew I had a tumor in me.  But apparently that happens with early cancer.  So, not quite sure what good it is.  I’m told it’s trends that count.
Still not quite sure I understand it, but if the doc says [...]

November 26, 2007

Mack truck, revisited

On these dark days, when I wake up all ready to start my day, laying there in bed coming up with the list of things I’d love to do, I get excited and happy and then, well, then I make the mistake of trying to move. As in, roll over so that I can [...]

November 25, 2007

selective memory

A sweet moment from this summer - my friend who loves gardens. (I’ll tell ya, if I didn’t journal the bad stuff here I probably wouldn’t remember, because the good stuff, that’s what has staying power.  The power of selective memory is that strong!):

November 24, 2007

This is how we live

This is the email that I sent to friends and family when I was starting chemo, and it’s a good one. Just wanted to save it here for posterity.
Remember how I said this whole breast cancer adventure might be a long haul?

November 23, 2007

radiation burns

….hurt like all get out. Drinking tons of water, eating protein, and sleeping. And taking painkillers. The photo on the left is of my clavicle, at the base of my neck. The photo below (click on the “keep reading” button, this one is not for the squeamish) is of my [...]

November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

And boy do I have a lot to be grateful for, first, starting off with a quote passed on by my Aunt N:

November 21, 2007

Drugs not to take with tamoxifen: CYP2D6 inhibitors

For quick reference, here is my lay understanding of the list of drugs not to take with tamoxifen, thanks to http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/table.htm.
CYP2D6 inhibitors:
Strong inhibitors:
bupropion (antidepressant, Wellbutrin, Zyban, Budeprion and Buproban)
fluoxetine (SSRI, Prozac)
paroxetine (antidepressant, Seroxat, Paxil)

November 20, 2007

fall light, two weeks ago