Hi Ladies,

Hope you all have had a great week.

Last week's physical therapy for the cording went well.....none of them popped but they were stretched a little bit and didnt hurt as much. The therapist gave me 2 more stretches to do at home: use a exercise ball by placing my arms on the ball and rolling it out in front of me & using a pulley to stretch my arms (i used the kids jump rope hung from a basketball hoop hanging in a door lol... ...I sit with my back to the door and use the rope to pull 1 arm up as I bring the other arm down and do it several times, slowly, for 2 minutes at a time.)

I have 1 therapy session scheduled for each week in September. Unfortunately, the cording by my elbow have passes down to my forearm and they still hurt, great news is that the ones under my arm, although still there, don't hurt and don't restrict my range of motion, so I can now raise my arm up....I just can't stretch it out straight for more than a few seconds.

Last week (specifically Monday) was difficult because I was discouraged since I couldn't drive with the drains, had 5 appointments and I couldn't stretch my arm. I felt like such a burden on people to keep my kids and drive me, but praise the Lord, by His Grace, He was faithful to keep us through the week. And considering how "easy" He's made this journey, 1 week of inconvenience is bearable!

My Hubby was great, taking off when he could to take me to appointments or watch the kiddos... 1 day 2 weeks ago, it worked out so nicely: we all drove together and he stayed in the van with the kids... well he took them to the bathroom just as I was finishing my appointment so I got to introduce my kids to my oncologist, the nurses who assisted me during chemo & the receptionists...it was great!

Drain Update:

By Friday morning, my drain was clogged (even though I was stripping it) and it was causing some fluids to come out from the actual hole in my side ("leak"). I called the office and they said I could come in and they would strip it for me..well when I got there, the nurse (this really sweet older woman who has worked in that office for several years, even when she had breast cancer over 10 years ago) she told me that I've had the drain in for too long (2 1/2 weeks at that point) and she confirmed with the doctor that she could remove it....of course I was elated and didnt fight her LOL. So I have been drain free for 5 days now yaaaa & I can drive!!! The site drenched 3 gauze pads for the rest of the day lol, but it has already closed. I believe I now have what's called "seroma" which are pockets of fluid build up (the purpose for having the drain). I just felt the lump or bubble this afternoon, so I'll call the office in the morning (more when I confirm it.)

Next post, I'll let you know how my radiation appointments have gone.

Hope you all have a restful night sleep.

With Love,

Jessica