Well, it’s been a long time since my last post and I think that’s a good thing! It’s now been a year since I finished radiation treatment and was deemed ‘cancer free’. I’ve been back for a number of PET scans, and still have to get poked and prodded once in a while, but things are so much better.
Physically I think I’m pretty much back to normal. I have some reduced lung function which will likely stick with me, but it’s not enough to bother me unless I really exert myself. I also recently had surgery to correct a severely deviated septum which has helped my breathing a lot.
The chemo has made me a sweaty mess, literally! If I get even slightly hot I’m sweating buckets. Not sure how or why but that’s the nature of chemo side effects; every one has a different reaction.
The dentist is still watching my teeth very closely. I go in for cleanings every 3 months and use a Sonicare (love it BTW) along with some powerful fluoride toothpaste. The teeth have been much better, no pain, lessened thermal sensitivity. However he did find a small cavity in the affected area on my last visit. I haven’t had the appointment yet to fix it, but I think it’s just a little guy, hopefully nothing to worry about.
My radiation tan is completely gone. I can still see the line on my cheek, but no one else does. I’ve still got the chemo port in my chest, they say we need to wait a little longer before we take it out. I barely notice it anymore unless it gets hit with something hard.
My job is going well, I’ll have been here a year next month. If you recall from earlier posts, I got laid off weeks after finishing my radiation!
Once I make it to two years cancer free my odds of having a recurrence drop dramatically. Half way there!
One year… you are doing great. congratulations.
This absolutely makes my day! *dances a happy dance*
Thanks for the post!
Momma
YAY! Made me tear up a little today. We’ve come a long way and I’m so proud of the strength you have shown through it all. I believe in my heart of hearts that it’s over but little milestones like this will always thrill me.
I saw on FB that you’d finally put a new post up on here. Congratulations on your one year anniversary of being cancer-free! That’s wonderful news. I’m very glad to hear that you are doing so well physically, and that you also got a new job. I hope you and Elaine are doing well, what a tough thing to pull through. Again, congrats!