The Swell Season

One of my favorite musical duos, but not my favorite way to feel.

Unfortunately, I do indeed have lymphedema in my arm and body. I have a lot more internal scar tissue than I thought. The scarring from the drain tubes is really blocking my lymph system. The PTA has worked me over and given me manual lymph drainage steps to do 2-3 times a day. Last Monday she did some myofascial release, and then applied kenesio tape on my arm, chest and back. I was seriously sore when I went in last Thursday, and she did much more release work, mostly on my surgical area. Yesterday was more of that, more tape, and we added super low resistance exercises.  I feel like I have been hit by a truck. I thought I was stretching and massaging the area enough, but apparently not. I will have to do all of the stretching, manual drainage, and specific exercises for the rest of my life. It stinks, but I hope I have to do it for a long time.

My neck, shoulders, and upper back are wrecked, and I have not had a deep tissue massage in a year. Kim generously did some wonderful energetic massage for me before my surgery, but I need some elbows in my traps, and I am not sure I can have them. I still have 2.5 more weeks of PT (at least) so will be discussing that with them.

I checked in with my oncologist also, and she thinks I am doing really well. The neuropathy is steadily going away, my bone and joint pain is lessening, and most of the swelling is gone. While I still have several side effects from the chemo, surgery, and tamoxifen, they are something I can manage right now without crying myself to sleep every night. It is down to once a week!

John’s office is almost done, he’s painted all the walls and ceiling a beautiful green, and hopefully will have the trim done the first half of this week. He also built a desk for himself out of birch. It has a really pretty grain to it, and it isn’t as large as the desk he currently has so it has freed up a little space in there. He’s so creative and handy! I love that he has the ability to just – make things. He also got a new-to-him car.  A little old honda civic wagon. It will be super cute once we get it all fixed up. So many projects….

So- time for my favor of the month. A friend from highschool is married to sweet woman that was seriously injured in a very bad car accident. They really need help right now to pay the day-to-day expenses, and will need a ton of help with paying for her medical bills for a long time. My badass BFF Erica is setting up and coordinating a benefit for them, and a donation page has already been set up. The event will have music and some great articles for the silent auction. Please take a moment and if you are on facebook, check it out:  https://www.facebook.com/events/221110021412628/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

If you just want to donate cash: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my54/wendy-s-financial-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fb_share_stream.share&utm_campaign=BA_FBshare&fb_ref=2006603

If you want to donate an item for the auction, let Erica know via the FB link, or leave a message here and I will get in touch.

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. They are good people and really need a hand right now.

 

OK- I am out for the night. I hope you are all doing well and are feeling good.

xoxoxo

 

 

 

 


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