Hey, folks,
Not going to bury the lede here, everything is big-picture fine and there’s no recurrence; don’t worry.
I am however still having some post-surgical/post-radiation complications and I wanted to update y’all on those.
Essentially, I have lymphedema in my left breast (“Left shark,” as we have come to less-than-fondly refer to it, is determined to kill me one way or the other) that has led to repeated infections and on three occasions, raging mastitis. Which I do not recommend as a hobby.
Anyway I’m seeing a physical therapist to see if we can retrain my unhappy lymphatic system to drain via a different route (upward to my collarbones rather than into the now-missing lymph nodes in my armpit) and break up some scar tissue so fluid can move in and out of the tissues more freely. Basically what happens is fluid gets stuck in there, causing pitting edema and eventually fibrosis, and creating a breeding ground for bacteria since normally white blood cells would murder them and then my lymph system would cart them off to the kidneys to be flushed out with the trash.
(It’s what kidneys do.)
Aaaanyway that’s a sixty-dollar copay every visit. I need to look into changing insurance come November.
Also getting my official Old Lady Orthotics, having been to see a podiatrist about the crippling foot pain. I have temporary orthotics now, and they are helping a lot—and I’m finally going to see another rheumatologist (third time’s the charm?) at the end of the month.
Getting old isn’t for wimps.
In a better (working, not really a) vacation, I’ll be at 4th Street Fantasy in Minneapolis in 12 days. See some of you there!
Best,
Bear