I thought I was visualizing Belize!

In the radiation room, there is a back-lit panel on the ceiling with a beach scene. When I look at it during radiation treatments, I imagine being on that beach with no cares at all. I thought I was visualizing Belize. I guess I need to spell my visualizations out because I am getting Bellisse instead. Let me explain.

Last week I went to the lymphedema specialist, Tiffany. After a quick examination, she gave me an hour-long breast massage. She worked on the scar tissue from all the incisions and also worked on the lymphatic fluids that are causing swelling. During the course of the treatment, she explained that she wanted me to start wearing a compression bra to help with the swelling. The bra is a Bellisse bra (http://www.bellisse.com/comfort_bra/index.shtml). BTW, this site has great information about truncal lymphedema, which is what my symptoms seem to indicate.

The Bellisse bra will provide compression that will keep me from swelling further. It has about 14 hooks and eyes down the back and a separating zipper in the front to make it easy to put on.

The day after the massage I was very sore. But by Saturday the pain was going away. I am still swollen and sore, but the pain is tolerable.

Tomorrow I will pick up my bra and will start wearing it during the day. Hopefully it will help keep the swelling down as I continue radiation.

Speaking of radiation, I have 8 more sessions. My skin is very red all over my breast, and I am developing a few blisters near the lumpectomy scar. These are common side effects of radiation, so I am not concerned. The doctor gave me some Aquaphor ointment samples, and that seems to help my skin feel better.

I'm still on the Clindamycin antibiotics for the infection. I have 6 more days of pills to take. My stomach and I are looking forward to being off antibiotics! Thank heaven for probiotics! They really do help.

I continue to limit my physical activities so my body can have extra energy to recover from the radiation and infection. Dear friends have been bringing delicious food for us and have been cleaning our house. I feel quite pampered and unworthy of so much generosity.

Oh, let me share a bit more about the lymphedema therapist. I saw Tiffany again this morning and will see her on Thursday as well. During our appointments, she massages the scars and does a manual lymphatic drain massage to move the extra lymphatic fluids out of my swollen breast and into other areas that can process and dispose of the fluids. Unlike a typical Swedish massage (my favorite), this massage is gentle and focuses on the area just below the skin. It's quite relaxing. (OK, except for when she's digging into the scar tissue to break it up--ouch!)

That's about it for now. Thanks for all your prayers and supports, my friends. I'm living for May 23rd at 11:30. I will officially be finished with radiation at that time. So close!!!!