Tomorrow I'll be 2/3 through with radiation!!

My how time flies when your having...oh wait, that idiom doesn't quite fit, but time is flying!! I am encouraged that I have made it this far and am not as tired as I expected to be at this point. I am still in need of naps, but radiation is much better than chemo.

My skin in the radiation field is getting more painful and I am developing some open sores. Ouch. I am also having some complications with lymphedema and am going back to the lymphedema clinic tomorrow (Tues, April 7). My left arm, the side that is getting radiated, is very sore and the tendons or lymph channels or something is getting really tight. Every morning I have to go through painful stretching exercises just to be able to straighten my arm all the way. It hurts a lot. On my right side, the side I didn't think I'd have any problems with, has developed some significant swelling under my arm. They ruled out blood clots and cancer, which was good! Now they think it is lymphedema, though I did not have any lymph nodes removed from that side. Apparently, when they do a mastectomy, it can disrupt the lymph system and cause problems. A temperamental little system apparently!! So I should find out more after they evaluate me tomorrow.

I would really appreciate your prayer that my burned skin would heal, especially the open sores. Please pray for a release in my left arm, that the tendons or lymph channels or whatever is causing the problem would be healed and relax so the pain would stop and I can have full use of my arm. Please also pray for whatever is causing the swelling in my right arm to be healed as well. It sort of feels like I am carrying a clutch purse under my arm, but of course there is nothing there but swollen tissue...it feels weird but at least that side doesn't hurt.

Thank you for continuing on this journey of faith with me! You are a great traveling partner!!