Week 32 has been fairly uneventful, though it included reminders that i am, in fact, still making my way through Cancer Land. on monday, i received a call from the physical therapist's office, and got an appointment scheduled for wednesday morning. when i arrived at the facility, i had my temperature taken at the door, was asked the usual questions (no, i have not left the country in the past 14 days, i have barely left my own house during that time, thank you very much), and was sent on my way. the physical therapist was the same one who had taken my arm circumference and range-of-motion measurements in late february; she took measurements again for lymphedema (none) and range-of-motion (which i am sure were at least half of what they were in The Before Times). she didn't think there was any cording (axillary web syndrome), just very tight muscles. she did some prodding and massaging of my arm, getting a feel for my areas of pain, numbness, and stretchiness (or lack thereof). she showed me a few different exercises to do at home, and i was on my way. of course, these are weird times we are living in, so when i got home, i immediately tossed all of the clothes i was wearing into the laundry room, and took a shower. just, you know... in case.

thursday morning was the appointment with my new-to-me radiation oncologist. no worries about contaminated clothing this time, as it was conducted via telephone (check-in information with the nurse) and facetime (visit with the doctor). dr. d explained that yes, i would need radiation, and that it would be five days a week, for six weeks. this was nothing new to me, and it is what i have expected since the beginning of this long journey. i told her about my range-of-motion issues, and she was happy to hear that i had already had a PT appointment to get that going. dr. d explained the arm positioning i would need to have, which i would sort of envision like putting your hands behind your head while laying down, and looking at your feet. so, i don't need to be 180 degrees above my head, but even with my arm being supported in the position she described, i am not there yet... probably 90 degrees at best, right now. we optimistically set the radiation planning and positioning appointment for wednesday morning, though i can cancel if it's not looking like i'm stretchy enough. we talked shop about my diagnosis, and she agreed with dr. m regarding a clinical diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). it doesn't change anything, as my entire treatment process would have been exactly the same, but having that more or less confirmed helps my brain for whatever reason. overall, dr. d seems lovely, and the whole telehealth appointment worked out just fine.

after the appointment, i left a message with the physical therapist's office, as she had asked me to update her if i set up a radiation appointment. they called back, and i now have an appointment for monday afternoon. so, more medical massage, stretches, and laundry additions in my future.

saturday was clearly gorgeous, and i was tired of looking at the same leaves and branches all over the deck, so we tidied up the backyard in the afternoon. sweeping is a little tricky and very slow when mostly using just one arm, in case you wondered. however, between that and some light pruning, i displaced lots of old leaves and we now have about 10% more patio than before. andy did some yard magic, turning an ad hoc planter box from one part of the deck into support/repair for a slowly deteriorating step on another part of the deck. great success!

this morning, as we prepared to do our now usual Light Exercises While Watching/Listening/Participating In Church, i noticed we were both starting with positions where we laid down on the floor. andy asked why i was chuckling. "well, this looks very jonestown right now." today has been chill. tomorrow i will slowly start working more hours, and will see how my PT is going. updates on the radiation planning will hopefully arrive in the next entry. we're not done yet, but getting verrry close. let's do this.