Lucky No. 7
May 19, 2012
This was a very good week! Most of the pain I was experiencing was gone, I started exercising again, and I completed my 7th round of Chemo. So just one more to go.
I started doing some very basic yoga (I've been an active practitioner for years, but have been away from the studio for 4+ months now), but it's been limited by a new side effect: Cording. This can happen after lymph node removal (which I had) and occurs when lymph fluid builds up under the arm and crystallizes around muscles/tendons, creating a thick, hard cord that runs from the armpit down the inside of the arm (attractive, right?). It's sore, feels like a very tight tendon, and has limited my range of motion in that arm. But it is reversible through "aggressive massage" and exercises designed to break down the crystallization, and I will hopefully see the physical therapist about it next week.
I've also been walking - two to three miles every day for the past week - and while I won't set any pace records it has really improved my stamina and all but eliminated the pain in my legs. Plus, I'm getting to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and all these Spring flowers in Charlestown:
Yes! Just one more chemo treatment. Thanks, Eric.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 27, 2012 at 08:31 AM
That is such great news! For whatever it's worth, I am very proud of you. Just one more treatment, right?
Posted by: Eric Wholley | May 26, 2012 at 05:15 PM