I know it has been quite a while since I have checked in with everyone.  I wanted to give everyone an update on my progress with post cancer treatment and what is next with breast reconstruction.  Tomorrow, I'm having a pre-opt appointment with Dr. Treece, my surgeon, and preparing for Friday's surgery to have my port removed.  HORRAY!!  In case anybody doesn't know, to have your port removed is a "good" surgery.  The port is the medical device used to administer chemo that was place inside my chest a week before I began my first chemo.

After I returned from Christmas vacation, I started the pos-cancer drug, tamoxifen.  I will say that I have had my ups and downs on this drug, so for the most part I'm doing OK.  I am having the normal menopausal symptoms (hot flash, mood swings, insomnia).  The downside is that my thyroid is kind of doing a flip-flop right now.  Prior to cancer, I had a low thyroid; as a result of the radiation, one can experience side effects on hypo-thyroidism as well, so I'm feeling really tired and uncomfortable and have yet to feel rested.

I am praying for Bron and I to both experience a good nights rest.  We have been juggling doctor's appts, returning to the Louisiana Philharmonic, and physical therapy.  I'm trying to relax as much as possible, but it seems like I can't ever get enough....

I returned to work with the LPO February 1.  It is been wonderful playing music with my fellow musicians again.  I can honestly say that I never thought it would be so difficult returning to work, but then again, that's what all the doctors told me. HAHA  It's been a little challenging feeling the "role" of  a musician again. I've had this "job" fighting cancer the past eight months and now I'm back to my daily job.  I know it will get easier as I keep playing.  Trying not to be hard on myself.....

In the meantime,  my strength is returning to my arms and chest, though I'm not quite ready to play crash cymbals yet.  I will have a couple of months of building muscle in my pecks. By the way, my physical therapy is going great.  My PT has incorporated a lot of yoga practice in with my strength training. Tamarin says that I'm ready to take a class and how amazingly fast I have come back!!!

At some point this spring, Bron and I will visit some reconstructive surgeons (New Orleans actually has some of the best in the country).  They will make some decisions as to what type of reconstruction will be used based on my body type and also how the radiation affected my tissue currently in my chest.  We are taking our time, focused on healing and are not in any hurry to "fix" things before it's my time.   We will keep everybody in the loop, I promise!

I've had a lot a cards and thoughts sent my way.  I love you all and thank you thank you thank you to my family and  Bron's family and friends for your continued love and support! Will promise to write sooner than later! Love, Nena

Recently over a thousand spam messages have been posted in the comments section of each post.  Not only is it flooding the comments section but also Nena's regular email inbox.  As a result we have had to disable this feature until we get a safer system in place.  This probably means you'll have to create an account in order to leave a comment to one of Nena's posts.  Sorry for the hassle.  You can thank the worthless spammers.  In the meantime you are always welcome to send her a direct message through email or her facebook page.

-bron

I just wanted to write in and let everybody know how I am doing.   This are going well as planned with the radiation.  I am starting to be sunburned and very tender in the treated areas.   I am continuing physical therapy and am getting a lot of mobility back in my arms.  The good things is that despite the pain endured, my nerves are fussing back.  I still have a lot of numbness, which will continue throughout the year, but that is to be expected.

It's been quite a full-time job these past few weeks taking care of radiation and PT.  I have had various doctor's appointments just to make sure that everything is normal in all parts of my body.  They can check a thousand times for all I care; it's good to know that they double and triple check everything.

After the new year, I will have yet another surgery to remove my port and beginning strengthening my arm.  I've been doing a lot of mobility PT work on the arm and will add the strengthening and lifting after I heal from the radiation.  I am looking forward to begin work again.  As of now, I am looking at returning Jan-Feb to the LPO.  Bron and I are going to check out some specialists and get opinions on various approaches to my reconstruction and we will make that decision based on what's best for me.

The end is near......

I had my first physical therapy and my first radiation today.  Both were very physically and mentally challenging.  I've come to the realization that work might have to be delayed until radiation is finished.  My doctors are recommending that I should return to the orchestra after all is complete.  It's hard to sit and wait, but I'm learning that I have to take care of myself before anyone else now.  I did not realize that the toughest part for me would be taking each step forward to recovery and transitioning back to work. I am the lucky one; many cancer patients have no insurance and have to work during their entire treatment.

I was evaluated by the PT and I will be seeing her twice a week.  She is wonderful--she is incorporating breathing and relaxation, swimming, and mobility training so this will surely help my playing, my strength, and just "chillin' out".  I have quite a bit of pain today, mostly from moving my arm a lot yesterday and in therapy today.  I am going to take it easy the rest of the day for sure.

Radiation is basically sitting on a table (in an awkward position)  and watching a huge machine circle around me several times.  I don't know what it is doing, other than killing anything left that's bad in my body and of course, for the prevention of the cancer returning.  Eventually, my skin under my arms and on my chest will be similar to a sun burn and it might limit my mobility again, which is very common.  However, there will be creams to ease the tenderness.    I am pretty drained today.   I am looking at 8 appointments per week up to Christmas between therapy and radiation so my schedule is pretty packed.

I wanted to let everybody know that my radiation oncologist told me, "I guess you can say that you are in remission right now." It's such a relief that I hopefully have the worst behind me.   I start radiation on Wednesday; I don't really know what to expect, yet.  I was "tattooed" this past week by the doctor so that they have 3 pinpoints to put the radiation.  Funny enough, those 3 little dots are permanant.

My scars are healing great.  I am making an effort to look at my scars every day, not only to get used to my double mastectomy, but to also see myself and all the beautiful nooks and crannies God gave me , besides my breasts.  This is only temporary and there are amazing things ahead of me, not to mention a great set of knockers! HEHE

My arms continue to regain mobility and I am starting physical therapy this week at Touro Hospital.  I'm looking forward to pushing myself a little to relieve some of the tightness in my chest muscles and to regain strength in my arms and shoulders.

I write in my blog not only for the good, but for the bad, as well.  It's my way of not only keeping my family and friends updated, but it's my outlet for my emotional battles that all breast cancer survivors face.   So many things have escaped my mind because it seems like chemo was a million years ago.  I am feeling sluggish these days and feel like my hormones and immune system is little whacky.  It will take quite a while for these new cells to repair.

I met a wonderful woman the other day.  My friend, Lena, started chemo last week and I feel like I am sharing many things with her.  What I want, most of all, is to be a good listener for her.  I think being around other breast cancer survivors is important, but also, for me, it was important to be around my friends to give the "C-word" a rest. I also realized that I cannot be an expert on other people's cancer; I can only share what I went through as information.  At the end of the day, every single cancer case is a difference cancer experience in a different body and only God has that right formula for each individual person.

I will continue to write, especially about how I  felt emotionally throughout these past 5 months. ( REALLY???? Has it been this long?)  I will also write about the importance of family and friends, and the surprises I have received along the way.   Bron has been so wonderful.  He is doing the cooking, cleaning, and most of the grocery shopping.  I love him to pieces!!