What's been going on for the last 5 months

I am still trudging through this new life of mine.  

In November, I started a Fatigue Study.  This is not a SLEEP study. They know radiation fatigues patients, but they don't really have a clear picture of WHY.   I did this through a Colorado University, but at the Denver campus.  I actually participated in two studies, but with the same university.  Both had to do with fatigue.  The first one I had to go through assessments, take my blood, workout twice a week, and cardio 150 minutes of moderate or 75 vigorous a week.  It was definitely in the moderate zone.  TAKE YOUR OWN BLOOD?  It was a super cool thing where I attached it to my arm, pressed a button to poke me, and then it would drain into this tube.  I would then mail it back to them.  Every couple of weeks prior to my assessment, I would have to fill out these surveys.  Statements like Are you tired, Does your fatigue not allow you to do things and then it would be a 1-5 answer of not at all (1) to extremely (5) and 2-4 in between.  At the start of the study, I was in the 4-5 zone.  By the end of the study, I was in the 1-2 zone.  Exercise helps fatigue is what I learned.  For the most part, I've kept up with it.  

The second portion of that study with them was two assessments on a treadmill.  I would fly to Denver the night before and they would put me up in a hotel.  The next morning, I would go over to the campus, right next to the hotel, have my blood taken, walk on a treadmill for 36 minutes, have my blood taken immediately after, and then 30 minutes after.  While walking on the treadmill, every three minutes I would give them my exertion level.  For these two sessions, they paid me $200/each session.  Primarily, it paid for my plan ticket, but honestly anything to further cancer research I am game for.  The last session was at the end of February, and I stayed the rest of the week to visit with my cousins.  

A couple of weeks ago, I thought I felt a lump in my armpit.  I had an immediate doctor's appointment and she didn't feel anything, but just to be certain I went and had an ultrasound yesterday (Wednesday, March 25th).  The rad tech nor the doctor saw anything concerning.  I had been putting all my schedules on Dad's Schedule so my sisters could see them.  I accidentally put the ultrasound on there and tried to delete it, but my sister has notifications for everything and saw it.  I was trying to be sneaky and not worry anyone.  So, all good in that area.  

On Wednesday, I also broke up with my lymphademaologist (which isn't what she is, but that's what I call her).  It was a good breakup because we believed I was at the right spot for treatment.  I might have issues, but I know how to manage it and if super terrible, I can just get an appointment with her.  Radiation really mats scar tissue and well we all know I have a pretty significant scar across my boob as well as where they took the lymph nodes out.  Working out helps keeping the pain and swelling down so I will just keep moving along that route.  

I have been wavering on whether to continue to take this pill for the next 5-10 years or go off it and hope for the best.  I'm kinda sick of the side effects and only about 10 months into it.  I have an appointment coming up and we will see.  My hair isn't growing in fast enough for my liking, but also one of the side effects is hair loss.  UGH.  

I have appointment coming up on April 4th for a chest xray.  I still get winded super easily, so we want to see if there is scarring either from radiation or that wonder respiratory infection I had.  Let's just hope I'm out of shape.  

I think the most uplifting news is that hoping in the next couple of weeks, I will be returning to full duty.  I have been back to work full time since about November but not wearing my extra 27 pounds of vest and gun belt.  I had to pass a medical and complete some training before getting the go ahead.  I have two more things to accomplish before returning.  I gotta say I'm looking forward to returning but not looking forward to putting on the 27 extra pounds.  

That's it for now.  Until next time....