Ouch!

Because my last chemo was cancelled I ended up not getting chemo for 2 weeks. The cancelled chemo was right after my normal week off and unfortunately the cancer went crazy in that time. My nipple got sore and raw, the cancer under my breast and on my lumpectomy scar grew and the lymph nodes in my chest became extremely painful. I've had a pretty hard couple of weeks. I have spent most of my time sleeping.

It is really strange to me to be able to see the cancer on my nipple and under my breast. It smells weird and looks terrible but it is useful. I do not need to get a scan to instantly see how I am responding to treatment but it is also hard to have it right in my face to watch and monitor. It is also strange how much my cancer hurts this time around. Last time when I had a large lump in my breast the cancer itself was never painful.

I had chemo last Thursday and hopefully things are getting under control. I am actually looking forward to more chemo this week, which feels weird because in the past I have dreaded it. My doctor said that if my blood counts are off again that I'll get a shot that ups white blood cells rather than miss another session.

This past session I had the delight of having my friend Lisa visit with me AND they happened to put me in a private room due to a shortage of chairs in the main area so we had nice lighting and a private space to have some fantastic conversations. She also helped me navigate generic pain med branding, so I happily have the better generic version of my pain patch.

I have been trying to stop by work to visit with folks there but last week it just wasn't in the cards. Hopefully this week will be better. 

Jonas took me out to see a little live music on Halloween and I enjoyed us dressing up as the black queen from chess. Jonas was king.