Radiation update, Lung CT Scan, and Chlorine

Good Morning!

I hope you all have a great Saturday planned!

Today, Im going to a Baby Shower then Im off to make a new Thai Coconut Curry Soup recipe!  This is one of my favorite soups to order out at a restaurant... its about time that I learn how to make it!

I absolutely Love, Love, LOVE Saturdays!  It is one of the days that I have more energy since I don't have Radiation today.  I feel so much more accomplished by the time the day is over.  Although, I will be tired, I won't be exhausted and for that I love Saturdays!

Radiation Check-up

Each Thursday, after my Radiation Therapy, I have a Doctor's appointment with my Radiation Oncologist.  Dr. Dutton reviews my treatment, looks over my leg, and prescribes me any medication that I need.  This week she told me that my skin looks great.  She always compares it to her other patients (most who are older), so for that comparison she always tells me that my skin looks great!  It feels like a really bad sunburn.  The polka-dots are my 'pissed-off' hair folicules.  As expected, my hair is not growing back in the sunburn area!  Im SO excited for that!!  No more shaving my right knee!

Dr. Dutton also explained to me that she is really wanting to see a pink scar.  She told me that their goal is to not only target the 'margins' around the scar but to really target the scar itself!  She explained that when the incision is made during surgery that any Cancer cells that are close to the surface, will get 'dragged' or spread by the scapula down the incision.  Then, the incision heals creating scar tissue.  Scar tissue is naturally thicker.  Therefore, the cancer cells in the thick scar tissue are hard to get to - they really target that scar!  We don't want Cancer cells in thick tissue to start getting any ideas and grow!

Next week is my LAST week of Radiation!  Wahooo!!! Dr. Dutton told me that for my last week of treatment she will 'turn-up' the Radiation to really 'burn' those Cancer cells!! "Burn, baby, BURN"is what I say!!

My Left Lung

Remember in December when my Surgeon told me that they were monitoring the spot in my lung?  Well, on Monday January 20th, I finally have my Chest CT scan!  I would be lying if I told you that it hasn't been on my mind ever since that appointment!  I just can't wait to get it over with and hear the results...whatever they may be.  Its the unknown that eats me up!  Please pray for me.  May appointment is at Noon, right after my Radiation.  I will update you with the results next week, as soon as I get them.

Chlorine

Im my Cancer research I have stumbled upon Chlorine.  Did you know... A study carried out in Hartford Connecticut, the first of it's kind in North America, found that, 

"women with breast cancer have 50% to 60% higher levels of organochlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissue than women without breast cancer."  

You can read more about this study HERE.

When most people hear 'chlorine' they immediately think: pool water.  What's more interesting about my research is that a majority of the chlorine exposure does NOT come from pool water but from Chlorine inhalation.

"One of the most shocking components to all of these studies is that up to 2/3s of our harmful exposure to chlorine is due to inhalation of steam and skin absorption while showering. A warm shower opens up the pores of the skin and allows for accelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in water. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 50 times the level of chemicals than tap water due to the fact that chlorine and most other contaminants vaporize much faster and at a lower temperature than water."

I share this with you today because this is a VERY easy fix!  I purchased a shower water filter for my shower about one month ago!  It was so easy to instal by myself.  Now, I don't worry about getting breast cancer from my hot shower!!  Plus, no chlorine in the water means my skin is a LOT less dry AND I've noticed a huge difference in my hair!  The filter only needs to be changed once per year too!  I bought the Shower Wise filter from Water Wise.  Sometimes they have the filter on sale for $69!  HERE is the link to their website.

Please pray for my Left lung nodule.  Pray that is is NOTHING and that my Chest CT results come back with nothing found.

Have a GREAT weekend!