May 30, 2022

Happy Thursday y’all – I hope that everyone is making it through this short week.  It’s been a crazy week for me and I’m sure it’s been the same for y’all.  

As you know the week started off hard with the loss of my friend, Angie and the sadness didn’t stop there.  I found out this week that a dear friend of mine was recently diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer and now starting her warrior journey.  A journey that none of us want to be on or chose to be on but never the less we have found ourselves on.  This person has been such an amazing source of strength to me during the beginning of my journey.  She’s texted, sent cards, checked on me constantly, etc.  Now it’s my time to help her and I will.  I have already provided her with the list of items that helped me during my walk on this path.  I am hoping that knowing she can reach out to me at any time and I will do my best to help her navigate the path that she now finds herself on.  CANCER SUCKS Y’ALL!   I am not at liberty to share my friend’s name because she is a private person and is still in her processing stage, however, please lift my friend up in your prayers as she begins her chemotherapy tomorrow.  I am praying that she gets a Brandi chemo nurse who can support and guide her through the chemo journey.  Everyone should have a Brandi chemo nurse. 

Now, a quick update on me, I am sure you are wondering how the heck I am doing physically since starting radiation well let me share.  So far, I am doing great or that’s what they tell me.  Today was my 13th of 16 whole breast radiation sessions.  I then will have 4 booster sessions which are radiation directed at the tumor bed area only.  Due to the Memorial Day holiday, I will have two booster sessions on the same day next week so I can be finished by next Friday, 6/10 to go home.  Yeah!

My radiation is currently scheduled for 7:15 am most days.  I hate getting up and running out the door to get radiation but the time is PERFECT.   It seems that 7;15 am is that sweet spot just before the morning rush hour traffic is out of control.  I am staying at a friend of a friend’s home in Houston and from here I can leave in the morning, stop and pick up a coffee and still be at the hospital by or before 7 am.  My radiation process – arriving, changing, radiation, etc. takes 15-20 minutes and I can be back at my home away from home by around 7:35 am – just in time to sit down and get to work for the day.  PRAISES for God providing me this landing pad to stay at while here.  Big shout out to Heidi y’all for offering up her home to me – I am so grateful! (PRAISES)

The process for radiation is easy.  It’s like a big x-ray machine that revolves around you.  Most people say they don’t really feel anything.  I feel a heat sensation that starts when they begin the radiation and continues through the day.  As of yesterday, I just started having some itching where they are doing the radiation.  The doctor today told me that it’s called folliculitis – inflammation of the hair follicles.  My skin is turning pink and it feels like a sunburn.  I am using my lotions, essential oils, and aloe all day long.  My right breast (the radiated breast) feels hot to the touch when you put your hand on it.  I opted to have tattoos for them to align the radiation machine, however, they still have me all marked up with different lines (red lines, blue lines, and now green lines).  Let me explain.  The red lines are outlining the “box” in which they are radiating in.  Meaning they are not radiating anything outside the red box.  (Picture a red box around my right breast).  Then there are blue lines.  The blue lines are the lines where they line up the radiation machine for my current radiation protocol.  Last week, they added green lines.  The green represents the markings where they will align the radiation machine for the boosters which will start next week (Wednesday 6/8).  I’m beginning to feel like an art deco project.  But it’s all good.

I am feeling tired in the afternoons but NOTHING like the chemo tired.  Nothing like that at all.  I am still walking in the mornings at least a mile a day.  I usually am able to get 1.5 miles under my belt each day which I think is helping to keep me feeling as good as I am.  I am trying to get as much rest as I can because we all know the body will heal itself if you give it the time and space to do so.  

Like most of you, I am ready for the weekend.  This week alone has been good for me. It’s given me a chance to take care of my mental health and physical health.  It’s nice to only worry about myself for just a couple of days.  I always say that I am an introverted extravert.  I’m sure that I am not the only one!

In closing, here is my prayer request for today.

• Prayers for Scott and Hayden as they learn to navigate their new normal
• Prayers for Mano as he travels to Houston on Sunday to be with me in my last week of radiation
• Prayers for me to finish my radiation strong
• Prayers that God will heal my body from cancer that invades it
• Prayers for my friend who starts chemo tomorrow
• Prayers for all those in need

Thanks again for continuing to support me while I continue marching down this road.  My village is the best! TRULY THE BEST!

Xo,

Tracy