I did a slow jog this morning and it felt great!!

I did a slow jog this morning. It felt so good to run even though I kind of plodded. I walked the uphill for a couple of reasons. One, I don't have the air to get up the longer hills since I have not been running. Two, I don't have the strength in my legs right now with the sciatic nerve acting up. I'll know tomorrow if I had any repercussions from it, but so far so good. So, as long as I keep feeling good and it does not hurt my lower back I will be plodding along in the race next weekend.

My breast is a little bit irritated but really not that bad. I can feel it when I run since it causes some rubbing against my skin, but it's ok. Next week will be a little worse but I don't think it is going to be a problem. This makes me very happy. Running is so good for my attitude as well. I feel like I'm on the mend with my neck and back. The neck is still very stiff but better than last week. I get some loud popping noises. In fact I had a dream this morning that someone shot a gun. It was just my neck popping and I could hear it inside my brain, hard to explain. It happened a couple more times after I woke up. Hopefully nothing permanent, but time will tell.

I am a little more fatigued so I try to go to bed a little earlier and also not make very many plans. I did go to lunch with Angie and Cedric today. It was so good to see them. She looks great and Cedric is a cute little toddler now. I was able to sit through lunch but was ready to get up and walk after sitting that long.

It's beautiful here today, a little cool but the sun is out. I will try to get some yard work done today. My neighbors said they would drag around the big bags for me. I have wonderful neighbors.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Do a Dance - I'm past the half way mark!!!!

Do a little dance, I'm past the half way mark for radiation. 17 down and 16 to go. I saw Dr. Dorn today. He checked my skin and said I was doing great. He did remind me the radiation is accumulative and it will get worse but following instructions and applying that lotion every day at least 3 times a day is helping to save my skin. I am a little pink now, pinker than I was last Friday so it will get worse but I'm just mildly irritated today.

My neck feels a little better today. The stretching and strength exercises, physical therapy and slowly increasing my activity level seems to be working. As I increase my activity level my attitude improves as well. I am a little fatigued and unmotivated in the evenings, but nothing major yet. It is helping so much to know that people are bringing me healthy meals twice a week. Otherwise some evenings dinner would probably be crackers and cottage cheese or apple and crackers or something. I just don't have much left after I get home from work.

Thank you, thank you to everyone that is supporting me through all this and DO A DANCE. It'll be over soon.

My weekend went fairly well

I had a pretty good weekend. I didn't do much, but I'm doing ok. I am a little worried though because my headache is coming back. I finished taking all the heavy duty prescription anti-inflammatory pills and I'm back on regular naproxen. I'm worried that is why I'm getting the pain back in my neck and head. You are not supposed to take those pills for very long. I took them for 5 days. I've been good about doing all my exercises. I'll see what the physical therapist says in the morning.

Mama and Janice came over to Boise Saturday. We shopped a little at the mall and had lunch it was good to spend some time with them. I walked with Mel on Saturday morning. Today I played bass at the Easter service and then took a walk with Sehara in the afternoon. I'm just walking, definitely not breaking any speed records. I am so hoping I can run a little by next weekend. I'll be so disappointed if I cannot run by May 7th - race for the cure. Other than that I just took it easy and did chores around the house. I'm still struggling to stay motivated so I make my lists and just keep working through them and take short breaks in-between.

I was starting to feel the effects of the radiation on Friday but since I get a break on Saturday and Sunday my skin feels pretty normal today. I am starting to feel my skin pull under my right arm so I am consciously making sure I stretch my arm to full extension regularly. Some of the exercises I do for my back require me to stretch my arm to full extension as well so that helps. Next week it is supposed to start getting bad and more fatigue will set in. 

The thing that is bothering me the most at the moment (this is kind of vain and may be TMI for some people . . .) is the fact I cannot use deodorant under my right arm and cannot shave. I am already losing some of the hair, but omigosh, the body odor sometimes is embarrassing. I really don't like people to stand close to me on my right side. But I guess if that's all I have to complain about it really isn't that bad is it.

I am anxious to prep my vegetable boxes with fertilizer etc. My neighbors offered to carry the bags for me so I can do that this week. I am so lucky to have such great neighbors. People will start bringing me meals this week and I'm so looking forward to it. When I come home it's like pulling teeth to get myself to make something that is good for me. I finally got some Lean Cuisine's so I would at least be eating something healthy. Then I add some fruit or a small salad.

Our IT Leadership will be in Boise this week so my plan is to be in the office Mon-Wed unless something changes. Then I'll work at home Thursday and Friday. I will not play bass next Sunday. I need the break on the weekend. It will be nice to have no commitments for an entire weekend. With that, I will sign off and do my normal Sunday evening routine to prepare for my work week AND do my stretching exercises again. Good night all.

Starting to feel the effects of the Radiation

This week is the first week I've started to feel burned. It's not bad. It feels a little like a slight sunburn. I saw Dr. Dorn yesterday. He said all was going well. One of the radiation techs told me today my skin looks really good for my 13th day of radiation. I've been very good about putting my lotion on 3 times a day. That is supposed to help.

I have been very tired due to my neck and back. Dr. Dorn did tell me that about this time is when you also start getting a little tired from the radiation. The radiation is killing all the cells in my breast tissue (the idea is to kill all the cancer cells if there are any left) and my body is working over time to repair the cells. So, I'm getting the double whammy. 

I had physical therapy this morning and it was great. Noah did the electrode thing (can't remember exactly what it is called), also heat and them massage. The electrical current thing is annoying but feels good at the same time. The heat feels fabulous and the massage feels great at the time but can make you sore later.

I finally cried uncle and worked with HR and my boss to reduce my hours to 32 hours a week for at least the next 4 weeks. Radiation was planned and I can easily work a normal week and do radiation. With my neck and back I will be at physical therapy 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks. Physical Therapy is one hour plus getting there and back to work and changing clothes -- about 2 hours 3 times a week. Then I have exercises to complement the physical therapy I am to do at least twice a day that take 30-60 minutes.

Add the fatigue and pain from the accident and soon the effects from radiation - well I'm running out of steam. Sooooooo UNCLE ---- it seems I'm being told to slow down for a few weeks.

So that's what's going on with me. I'm looking forward to people bringing me a couple of meals a week for the next few weeks. That will be a huge relief. With reduced hours at work hopefully I will get to bed on time and sleep at least 8 hours. The sleep is key -- but I can't get 8 hours of sleep if there are not 8 hours left in the day for me to sleep.

It'll all be over soon . . . it might feel like a long time to me, but in the scheme of things it will be over soon.

Quick Update on my Neck and Back

I finally got x-rays today. I do not have any fractures in my spine. That is a huge relief. Hard to explain but due to the injury my spine is being pulled very straight, the natural curve in my neck and lower back is no longer there.

I start physical therapy tomorrow. I learn more about any physical restrictions at that time. My doctor does believe in strength training and physical exercise so I will be able to get back into the gym. I am gaining weight fast even though I've reduced my food intake. Most of you know I rely heavily on my exercise for weight control and to reduce stress. I'm anxious to do more. It became more of a challenge once my thyroid stopped working the way it is supposed to many years ago.

The doctor gave me a heavy duty anti-inflamatory to take for a few days which hopefully will help me heal faster. Also some muscle relaxers if I am miserable at the end of the day, which I have been since the accident.

If I do not improve within a few weeks, then I will need an MRI to check for a herniated disc. I am going to believe that it is only tissue damage and nothing else.

I'll know more after physical therapy tomorrow, just thrilled my spine has no fractures.

Request for Meals starting the week of April 25th

Many of you have offered to cook meals for me when I start getting tired from radiation.The experts at MSTI tell me that will start the week of April 25th. With the combination of radiation and my issues with my back and neck, I will be thrilled if you can help me out. My energy is already low because of the accident so I will be more than ready the week of April 25th to have some help.

I will continue to have low energy due to treatment for at least 8 weeks after the radiation is complete. So if there are people that can help, I am asking for help with meals from the week of April 25th through the week of June 13th. That is the plan now, lets just see how I feel. Maybe I won't need them for that long. That would be 8 weeks - I realize that is asking for alot and I am told I am a picky eater. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.


My thought was to ask for a meal 2 times a week to give me a break. Starr Johnson offered to coordinate for me AGAIN - thank you Starr. If you are interested, you may contact her at starr.johnson@supervalu.com.

Many thanks to Starr for helping me out - Suzan 

It's been a challenging week but it's making radiation seem easy

This week's been quite challenging. My back, neck, shoulders and sciatic nerve are quite painful. The first few hours in the day are tolerable, but by early afternoon I have a hard time sitting. Everything just aches. Then the headache starts in the back up my neck and starts crawling up my head towards my eyes. 

I get up and walk whenever I can. I sit with perfect posture, try not to slouch at all. I sometimes just have to stand up in the middle of a meeting or pace in my office.

I've talked to doctors, nurses and physical therapists. I am not going to continue with the original physical therapist for several reasons. I do have an appointment to see a doctor on Monday that specializes in spine/ neck injuries. I will at least have an x-ray, possibly an MRI after he evaluates me on Monday.

I am walking as much as I can which seems to help. I'm also doing my stretching exercises that don't seem to have much of an impact, but I'm doing them.

Radiation is going fine. It is not making me tired yet and not really any pain. I am getting a little irritated on part of my breast and very irritated under my arm. Dr. Dorn said I'm doing great and the irritation I'm feeling is normal for where I am in my treatment. Kristin went with me to my radiation appointment today. It was fun to have her there to visit with while I waited.

I will post in the next few days on setting up meals starting the week of April 25th. The combination of radiation and my back is wearing on me and I just don't feel like fixing a meal in the evening so my nutrition at night has not been the best.

I'm hanging in there  . . . it'll get better.

A wonderfully fabulous thing did happen today. My niece Kristin was accepted into the nursing program at BSU. She will start next fall. It's been quite the journey for her. She's worked very hard to get to this milestone in her life!! I am so very proud.

Physical Therapy & Radiation Update

I met with the physical therapist this morning for the first time. I will be in PT twice a week for at least 4 weeks. If I am progressing/healing then it will be once a week after that, it just depends on how I do.

I can only walk, stationary bike or elliptical (with limited arm movement, depends on pain) for at least 4 weeks.

If I overdo, my headaches get bad . . . mostly working on the computer and sitting all day. I need to remember to get up and walk regularly. She also gave me some stretching exercises to do during the day.

That means I will probably be walking in the race . . . oh I hate that. I don't like all those people around me. I am going to sign up as a runner. If I am released to run that week I think I can manage to jog 3 miles, I can always walk if I need to. Keep those healing thoughts and prayers coming, I need them.

Radiation Update:

Now that I am in a routine with radiation, it only takes about an hour door to door, kind of like a lunch hour every day. They are very fast and efficient, it is amazing. Wednesday's I meet with the doctor so it takes a little longer but not much. Fitting radiation into my work day is very manageable. Adding physical therapy in the mix is another matter. I may have to do a few hours of intermittent FMLA each week due to the PT.  I'll just have to see how it all goes . . the hard part is the headaches, I can only do so much and if I don't rest . . . well lets just say it isn't pretty and then I cannot work anyway because I cannot think.

It will all be over soon . . . 

I am in pain but hanging in there

I am in pain from the accident but hanging in there. The radiation's been the easy part this week. Tuesday I had such a bad headache I thought I was going to get sick. I just went to bed and tried to relax until I fell asleep. It was a little better yesterday and not much of a headache today.

All my neck, head, back and shoulders are very sore . . . it just wears you out. I am anxious to get into therapy. I will meet with them on Monday and hopefully have a plan after that visit.

MSTI called today to let me know the radiation machine is down. I will miss today but will add a day at the end. Now my official end date is May 19th. I will adjust the dates on the blog sometime this weekend.

I know I've been quiet, but with the headache I do not have much of a desire to get on the computer after I'm done with work. I don't really want to email either. I just need time to heal.

People have been asking because I'm not posting, I'm doing ok, nothing serious, just worn out from the accident. Back to work

Life Happens

I didn't want to taint my post on my vacation because we had such a wonderful time. The end of our trip home was a different story. I don't have time to get into details, but since I have some people wanting to know how I am, I felt I should post.

The short story:

• On our return trip home we had to overnight in Salt Lake Friday night at the hotel
• Saturday morning we took the hotel shuttle back to the airport
• We were on the freeway and another car did a u-turn (we do not know why) and the van hit the car at a freeway speed
• It was not pretty. We all survived. The 2 drivers were sent to the ER
• Tom and I were sore but no cuts, broken bones so they took us to the airport so we could catch our flight. I really stressed I needed to go home since I was starting treatment in Boise. I did not want to get stuck in Salt Lake.
• By Saturday evening/Sunday morning both Tom and I were getting very, very sore.
• I am not going to get into more detail on a public blog since this is an injury claim.

I did talk to the doctor on call on Sunday. I did see the oncology triage nurse on Monday and my nurse practitioner (GP) as well. I will start physical therapy sometime next week. I was told I can walk as long as it is not painful. I am not lifting or running until I see the physical therapist.

Radiation was a breeze on Monday, it just 1 1/2 to 2 hours out of my day. It can take up to 3 hours on the days (every Wed) I also see Dr. Dorn. Now I am stressed out on how I will fit in physical therapy and radiation. I may have to use FMLA. I just have to wait until I find out what the time commitment is. 


Yes I am in pain even though I am taking an inflammatory. I did sleep fairly well last night but not the best.  I'm sure that's more due to stress than anything else right now.


This is just part of life . . . it will be over soon. Hopefully I'll have an easy breezy summer.

My Vacation was Fabulous and Restful

I had a wonderfully relaxing vacation. I did take some pictures and will post them sometime in the next week or two. The weather and the water were warm. The people were wonderful. We met many locals and also many vacationers (most of them from the UK).

We walked and swam in the ocean almost every day. We did take two sailing trips that I thoroughly enjoyed. The trip home was long. Bequia is not the easiest place to get to but worth the extra traveling days.

I am now unpacking, doing laundry and getting mentally prepared for my 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. It won't make me sick and my hair won't fall out (except under my right arm). It will potentially start wearing on me starting the 4th week. Most people start getting tired due to the radiation and also taking the time out of each work day to have the radiation. I do promise to reach out if I need help, especially when I start getting tired. Starr has graciously agreed to set up meals for me starting in week 4. I will talk to her this week and get more information out to everyone on the meals.

I was told to continue to exercise as much as possible which helps fight the fatigue. I would much appreciate encouraging words to continue to work out  rather than being told I need to slow it down. :) So if you hear me say I have not had time to work out, then maybe I need a reminder to request more meals so I do not have to prepare them which will free me up for a run or time at the gym. Everyone knows I tend to be stubbornly independent and I might need a nudge now and then to remember to ask for help.

Another part of my life that is very important to me, especially during this time,  is my participation in the church band. Being part of the band (the music, the band members and the church) keep my spirits high. I know it takes time for rehearsal and practice to prepare, but being part of this community gives me so much back spiritually - I always leave there feeling loved and happy.

It is also important I stay connected to my friends and family which I do not know how I would get through this without your support. It will all balance out with your help and be over before I know it. I appreciate all of you more than I know how to express.

I need to get back to laundry, unpacking etc but wanted to let you all know I am home and ready for this last phase in my treatment  to eliminate the cancer in my body.