Dr. Moussa said it several times with emphasis: “You are doing a good job.”
I told him I was glad to still be alive, a whole year
later.
He was very happy with my PET scan results. Me, too.
Out of yesterday’s appointment with my oncologist came
plenty of affirmation.
And my observations brought solemn agreement and
promise of follow-ups.
Because my port has become blocked four times in the
past year with fibrin sheaths that my body seems to produce in abundance—and unblocked
by injections in it with what I call the “clot buster”—Dr. Moussa ordered a
port study. It is a brief imaging study that will be done here at the local
hospital by a radiologist to determine if I need a new port. It’s set for
October 19.
The more concerning thing is that I’ve developed
lymphedema in my right arm and cording under my armpit. Both are quite
uncomfortable. I’ve noticed mild swelling in my arm but have not been sure
about it. The cording I discovered this week. I went sleeveless and prosthetic-less
to my appointment I could easily show him. He recognized the lymphedema and
cording right away. (I’m too brain foggy to explain, so you’ll have to look it
up. It involves damage to the lymph system.) Dr. Moussa will refer me to a
lymphedema specialist. Treatment includes wearing a compression sleeve. I’m
hoping to receive the referral call tomorrow.
The other thing I showed him is a several-inch strange
trail of small dark spots going down over my left shoulder. He said we would
keep an eye on it. (It might be a Trodelvy side effect.)
I’m rather down about the lymphedema and cording. They
are two side effects of having breast surgery and removal of lymph nodes that I
really hoped to avoid. I’ve noticed recently that my right arm gets fatigued
and hurts more quickly with any kind of use. (I’ve had problems with that arm ever
since an ulnar nerve injury back in the early 1990s and a shoulder dislocation
in 2004.)
Today was treatment day, and the pain and fatigue have
begun.
But here is what I choose to remember: God is present. I
can call on Him no matter how lousy I feel. I am weak, but he is strong. He’ll
get me through this.
