Another bad start to the year

Good news, that's excellent all round.

I bought a ukulele some time ago and then got overcommitted on other things - I have to really put time aside to learning to play it this year!! 

Thanks you. @Afraser. A buddy ended up in hospital for 6 weeks with cellulitis after getting an infection.  :(  All good with the lymphedema lady. She thinks I will be fine as only the 3 nodes taken and she is happy with my range of movement. No fluid retention either. 

@Julesjourney. How are you going now ... at nearly the Week 2 stage of rads? I hope all is still going ok!!

i am now in the Blue Mountains for the Ukulele Festival this weekend ... if you want to have a REALLY good time singing and smiling .... put it on your list for next year. It is All free except your accommodation/meals .... SO much fun.  My group is performing Sat night.  I wasn’t sure if I’d be here for it - I am SO happy!!

My initial radiation appt is confirmed for Monday now! YAY! If it all goes smoothly I will be stoked! 

All the best, ladies

Fluid caused by lymphoedema may be quite limited if you have got it early. It also may be more than you think. I've had one cellulitis event in nearly five years, so I feel that sensible, normal precautions work. Better to waste a lot of Betadine by sloshing it over a cut than get an infection and need antibiotics. Antibiotics are a marvel of our time but not if we overuse them and build resistance. So disinfect when anything happens and save yourself the problem of taking antibiotics more often than desirable. Exercise and massage can do a lot if your lymphoedema is mild. Ten minutes a day may seem an imposition but believe me it's not! If you can manage the problem that simply, you have a really good outcome. Best wishes. 

OK .... I go back to Sydney tomorrow to see the lymphedema lady on Wed .... is there anything specifically that I should ask?  I haven't noticed any swelling/fluid retention yet ..... As I kayak fish, I know that I need to be very careful with cuts & nicks from hooks & fish!  I'll take Betadine & bandaids on the yak with me.

I'll also be able to pick up the Kelo-Cote Gel that minimises scarring on Wed as well .... so look forward to using that - as my nipple definitely looks a little 'Frankenstein-ish' - but I am so lucky to still have it, I don't really mind!  It is my Battle Scar!

Sleep is still very much hit & miss - I've only really had the one decent night's sleep since the surgery!  :(  The painful underarm is lessening, thank goodness - now more of a 'numb' feel!  

My referral for radiation has finally been received today at Port Macq (after going Missing in action since last Wed) & I hope to see the Radiologist next Monday and hope I don't have to wait too long to start!  I will definitely be asking about the Mepitel skin (as I get sunburnt even walking in the moonlight!  ;)   )  ..... I  just hope that my treatment can commence by March 5th, giving me 4 weeks to complete the course - and still have 2 weeks to 'rest up' before I go to Norfolk Island for a week of Ukulele Playing!!  :smiley:

Sadly one of my uke players has just been diagnosed with colon cancer & is only just starting her own journey   :'(    I've got 3 weeks on her & have been able to help her with lots of 'Rural Patient' info & tips on doing stuff in general that she has found really useful already!  She was a huge support to her grandson when he was diagnosed some years back  -  so now it is the family's turn to be supportive of her & they will, I know.  
I hope that she can connect with a really good Colon Cancer Forum, like we have here with my 'Breasties'!

Thanks ladies, for making this journey that little bit 'easier'!


  


  

Thanks, Jules .... i hope you don’t have any bad reactions to the radiation .... I’ll be finding out about it sometime soon!  All the best, Roberta

Hi Roberta. So glad to hear your wonderful news. You must be very happy. I am day 2 Radium today, it is ok not what I thought. All good. Just very happy you got good results. Jules

Many thanks guys ... it was YOUR support and info that helped keep me sane .... you guys ROCK!

@jennyss I’ll be going to Port Macquarie for the rads and they have a lodge attached to the hospital .. just walk across the car park to treatment, as we are 1.5hrs+ away as well.  we stayed there when my hubby had his chemo following stomach cancer back in 2010.  They've just added 12 more rooms and have another 12 starting once funding is approved.

They also have a great uke group there and i know where some good fishing spots are .... so will be taking my uke and fishing gear with me.  :smiley:

Yeeehaaaa ... the smile is still on the dial!! :wink:

Dear @arpie , great news! I smiled at your description of surgery around/including the nipple. Mine was like that too: amazing what surgeons can do.I have no scars on my breast, just a little crease after radiotherapy. For radiotherapy I was lucky enough to be able to stay at Western Care Lodge in Orange during the week, rather than a two hour trip daily each way. It was a wonderful service. Best wishes from jennyss

That's really good news. 

That's great news, @arpie!