On to Radiation

Once I had recovered (sort of) from chemo - it was time to start radiation therapy! I started last week - and go each weekday for a total of 30 times. All scheduled out - I should be done September 24th - WAHOO! It is very nice and helpful to see an "end date." 

So far, the treatments aren't too bad. I check in, change clothes, and then they get me "lined up" on the machine. This "line-up" process, which takes about 5-6 minutes, actually takes longer than the radiation treatment itself, which takes about 4 minutes. Then I change again, and I'm on my way. I'm usually there no longer than 20-25 minutes. 

I hear the two noticeable side effects are tiredness and skin burning (kind of like a sunburn).   These effects are usually not so noticeable in the first few weeks - but the radiation effects becomes very "cumulative" and side effects are much more noticeable as you progress through treatment. We'll see how it goes. So far, a little burning (darn fair skin!) - but otherwise not too bad.

As of today, I've completed 7 of 30 treatments (that's 23.333% for those of you who love numbers). 

Otherwise, I am doing well. I try and do some walking each day (a few miles), even though I am kind of slow. I have been able to keep up with most of work (thanks to great staff and understanding directors), participate in a fair amount of choir events, and participate in some fun times with kids and grandkids. I am pretty lucky! 

On a fun note - Blake celebrated the end of chemo by spending some time in St. George. We only had about 48 hrs, but had a marvelous time! I highly recommend "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Tuacahn. I fell in love with the music and the whole experience! We also got to visit Blake's sister, Julie and family, spend some time exploring Pine Valley, and some hiking in Zion's - spectacular! 

Thanks to all the wonderful friends, family, and colleagues who are so incredibly helpful and supportive!

The Final Chemo

I finished chemo #3 on July 3rd and #4 (the caboose) on July 23rd - YAHOO!!! Sounds like I really don't like to celebrate holidays - right? Wrong! It's just how it all lined up. But when I left the HCI Chemo Day Spa on the 23rd - I was so happy! I felt like I had crossed a major milestone - but I also knew that the storm clouds were looming on the horizon because the last "chemo tsunami" would be here soon. Well, it came . . . and then took it's sweet time to leave . . . but I'm feeling like I am now climbing out of the deep, dark hole I fell into. (Each time with chemo, the hole somehow gets deeper and darker.) I'm just grateful that I only 4 rounds were recommended. Others have had to do more and had it worse. I'm just grateful to be DONE! 

Now - I'm hoping in a few weeks my hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes will start to grow back. I don't think I'll ever complain again about doing my hair each morning. While I'm grateful for a wig, hats, and makeup - there's nothing like your OWN!

And what about that horrible metallic taste? Hopefully it will go away sometime soon. One benefit - it has definitely turned me off to chocolate! But it HAS turned me on to lime - lime popscicles, key lime pudding and pie, even key lime Oreo's (thanks, Kammy). I made the mistake of going for crab cakes to celebrate finishing Chemo #4 - UGH! Never have crab cakes tasted so AWFUL. And it wasn't the fault of the crab cakes. It will be a while 'til I try them again.

Today I met with the radiation oncologist and her team to make plans for radiation - including body molds and putting down tattoos in order to accurately  and consistently line up future beams of radiation. Yup - I now have tattoos! We will start next week, and I am scheduled for five days a week for six weeks. That seems like a long time, but I think it will go fast. And, I'm glad to be located so close. I could literally walk to HCI from my office in 20 minutes. They say the side effects of radiation are easier to bear than chemo - mostly skin burning and some fatigue. I'm hoping so. The way I see it - I should be done by the end of September - HOORAY!

Lately, I feel like this cancer thing is a marathon run. I'm only at mile 19 (yeah, at least I have made it this far) with seven more to go, and another hill looming ahead, no finish line in sight, and I've "hit the wall." How will I keep putting one foot in front of another? How will I ever find the energy and strength to finish? What if I don't make it to the finish line? Then I hear someone call out my number to cheer me on - and I get a fresh burst of energy! The "someone" is all of you - family and friends, cheering from the sidelines - telling me I can do it. Thank you so much! I hope I can be your burst of energy and cheerleader sometime when you need it.