Always something new

So, the full breast radiation is over and just four more days of short bursts of 'top up' for the area of the tumour. You'd think that would be it, but I fear not.

Had a bad night yesterday. My joke about being fried to crackling turns out to be no joke at all. My whole right breast is the colour of dark chocholate, as is a large area under the armpit and a small 'hickie' on my neck. It hasn't peeled yet, and hopefully it won't because of the treatment I give it, but last night it was really burning and actually started to hurt. I have great admiration for all burn victims.

In any case, I am constantly confronted by the good, bad and stupid in modern medicine. Yesterday was the stupid's turn. A new nurse was helping me with the dressing. She looks at me and takes pity and tells me there's a fabulous hydrocortisone cream she can give me to make me more comfortable. I immediately tell her that I can't have that, because I have an adrenal problem.

A tug of 'take it, no I can't' ensues, until I get bored and take the bloody things (two versions - cream and ointment).

At home, I look up the side effects of the medication and sure enough, it shouldn't be used on large surfaces (I don't think my breast can be described as small, even in its truncated form) and it can affect adrenal function. I wish people would listen to me! Now I have to remember to take it back (we have socialised medicine, after all).

This morning I woke to the sound of the jackhammer the builders were using next door. My neighbour is rebuilding his house. The noise stopped for now, hopefully I can just spend the day wallowing in my misery. The only good thing is that the radiation machine (whatever it's called besides Botanical Gardens) is being serviced today, so I get three days rest from the frier. All I can think of is next Thursday, when it's all over - for now, that is. (I hope)