Journal entry by Crystal DeLong —
It’s been 2.5 months since I posted. Guess that means the chaos has slowed, but definitely hasn’t ended. Let’s see, I ended radiation on March 13th (wahoo)! At that time and about 2 weeks after was when I had some pretty noticeable discoloration of the skin and it did peel in a few spots but all in all not bad. I thought I made it through relatively easy so that’s good.
I’ve also dealt with lots of cording in my arm/armpit in the past few months but that seems to hopefully subsided too. It was so weird…. The things your body does!
NOW though, I’ve developed a weird pain in my armpit/underarm area. I asked Jaimie yesterday and messaged my radiation oncologist today and they all say it’s likely nerve pain. I guess radiation can cause that. It’s not pleasant but it’s bearable I suppose. Just another annoying reminder of the hell I’ve been through!
And the hot flashes!!! They SUCK!!! For any woman that’s lived through that…… god I feel you!!! For any man that has a woman in their life that deals with those….. it’s NOT FAIR and it’s NOT PLEASANT!!!
I’ve been told they may go away and then come back later in life for true menopause. Yay me! Twice I get to go through this stage.
Enough negative… the more I think about this the more I think the cancer was gone after surgery. I believe we did chemo and radiation for “fun”! Insurance policy I suppose….. It just sucks that the chemo and radiation have so many long lasting effects.
I go back to my plastic surgeon Wednesday. Just to check in and chat about “the girls” and what we may do to make them more natural looking. I suppose we’ll chat about nipple tattoos too! TMI…. But hey it’s a thing and it’s pretty crazy how real they look. Insurance covers it so why not! My first tattoos were for radiation, second ones will be nipples and third will be something I PICK!!! Maybe! Lol
Hair is coming in ok. No more bald spots. Just a weird mess of short hairs and VERY thin random long ones. I’ll probably reach out to my cousin soon about cutting the long ones. Could be some interesting hair cuts in my future! My pony tail is thinner than a 2 year olds I think!!
I appreciate the continued messages and check-ins and prayers. Life as I know it will never be the same and the super hard stuff is over but these lingering effects deserved a post. I deal with stuff daily but it is what it is and I’m thankful to be here holding my little man as he sleeps!!!! ❤️
Love and hugs to all!!!
💜Crystal
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