I love Costco

I have finished with the main larger area of radiation. Today I had the first of 6 "boost" radiation exposures which target the incision line specifically.

So good news - the radiation is almost done with (YAY!), the area radiated is smaller, and MOST of it is now behind me.

The not so good news - I broke out in blisters yesterday. Not huge, gigantic blisters, not 100s of blisters, not excruciatingly painful blisters. Blisters, nonetheless.

Fortunately, sweet friend Nell had given me some Mepilex (?) adhesive bandage things. It is Mepilex, I just checked. I wanted to call it Mylar, which I KNOW it is not!

Anyway, it kind of cushions the blisters and should they burst will absorb the liquid and thereby prevent my skin from getting all torn up and painful.

My chest is red and I can feel the heat pouring off of it when I touch it although what it feels like mostly is simply a stinging for the most part. I have areas where it feels stiff inside, if that makes sense to anyone.

I guess the best way I can describe it is this: think of beef jerky. You start with meat that is hydrated and flexible, as was my chest. After time in the smoker or dehydrator, or in my case - after some time of radiation, the product is considerably dryer, still warm from the "oven" and is not so flexible any more. Thus, it feels as if when I raise my arms straight above my head, which I need to do in order to continue to be able to lift them above my head, it is as if the muscles are in need of stretching. Which, of course, is exactly the case. Not because I have not moved my muscles and they have atrophied, but because they have been sort of cooked and are thus stiff and a little tight.

Kind of a gross analogy, but rather accurate.

I generally am feeling quite well. I run out of energy by the end of the day but I have energy in the first place so that is a grand and glorious thing altogether!

My spirits are excellent - Thank you Lord!! I am getting ready to start taking an aromatase inhibitor once I am through with radiation. That would be a hormone regimen to combat a recurrence of my cancer.

Can't say as I am really excited about that but the whole staying alive and healthy thing definitely appeals to me!

When my Dr. told me about the drug he advised me it would cost probably $200 to $300 a month. I checked at my pharmacy of choice. The Doctor's sweet wife works there and she told me she had sent out price comparison requests on a variety of drugs. Yes, at some pharmacies in town two to three HUNDRED is the monthly rate. At my pharmacy of choice it will cost me twenty dollars and some odd cents.

I love Costco.

By the way, if you don't know, one does NOT have to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy. You just tell them at the front when they ask for your member card that you are going to the pharmacy.