Actually, that will be a good test of my strength and the timing is perfect since it will be just before I go back to my doctor for a reassessment. If it's too much, then I'll stay on part time work for a while longer.
Now that the main part of the cancer treatment is over, I'm starting to deal with some of the other crap going on with me medically. I've been trying to walk more but I've been challenged with a very sore hip joint. I suspect it's another flare up of bursitis and will be seeing a specialist next Friday morning. Hopefully he'll give me a cortisone shot and I'll be back walking more.
Since going back to work, I've been parking a little farther from my office in the parking lot and I've been getting about 5000 steps in an average day but man, by the end of the day, I can really feel it! Hopefully after cortisone, I'll be able to build back up to the 7,000-8,000 that I used to do (and eventually to 10,000).
I have the same problem (bursitis) in my shoulder, too, so maybe I'll be getting two shots, but I'm less anxious about that since it doesn't affect my movement too badly (yet).
Ah, the trials of getting older!
On a positive note, the added walking has had a direct impact on the scale. My weight goes up and down a few pounds every day so I can't say "I've lost X pounds" but the general trend is going down. Regardless of the number on the scale, I'm feeling stronger and more positive. After all, Spring has arrived here in Canada and I'm back at work. Once I can get out walking more, then life will be even better.
As for the cancer treatment, I've still got to get Herceptin every 3 weeks so I've still got the Port-a-cath in my chest. It's better than a pic-line but sometimes at night it bothers me. When I sleep on my side, it feels like it's moving (it's not) but it's being "squashed". I just have to shift positions and it's okay but I can't wait to get it out in a year or so.
I've also been put on Arimidex, which is an anti-estrogen drug since my cancer was estrogen receptive. Arimidex is similar to Tamoxifen but is only for postmenopausal women; I don't know why but it is. So far, so good - none of the major side effects (like joint pain) have appeared so far. (For those of you connecting the dots...I don't think the pain in my hip and shoulder are from the Arimidex because I've had it before.)
I need to be watchful for one thing (or I should say my doctor needs to be watchful for it). Both the Herceptin and the Arimidex have potential impact on my heart. I'm getting my heart monitored every 3 months. Sometimes we have to take the bad with the good. The important thing is to focus on the good and deal with the bad as it comes.
For my SparkFriends who have been with me throughout this journey, I want to thank you all. Your support has been important to me and will continue to be as my journey continues.
