Radiation: Half way there!

Short Version: I am now half done with my daily radiation treatments. So far they have gone well, with minimal troublesome effects. I am thankful for this! It appears that I will be done with treatments the week after Christmas.
I have been negligent in posting on this blog. I don’t have any really good reasons, procrastination, and laziness come to mind. I have thought of you all and written several blogs in my head on the way to or from my Radiation treatments, but they just haven’t made it to the keyboard.

Long Version: My daily trips to Walla Walla have been made bearable by listening to a book on tape. At my sister, Lura’s suggestion I have chosen The #1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith. They have been fun.

The treatments themselves are not problematic at all. I was told I wouldn’t feel anything. I beg to differ with them on that. I can feel a warm sensation in the area they are radiating. To my mind this only makes sense. The high intensity “x-rays” are killing cells. That is the whole point right? It is not particularly painful, just a warming up…like you might have with an infected area. I was warned about the radiation “sunburn”. I feel very fortunate that I have not yet seen that affect. I am faithfully using an aloe gel twice a day, once right after treatment, and just before bed. I suppose now that we are on the second half of the treatments I will see more skin irritation.

The treatments are done from two angles, from my left and above me, and then from the right and below me. The fields of treatment from both sides cross at the point where the tumor was. On each side they “radiate for 19 seconds, then change the shape of the field and do 2 seconds more. On the left side they are doing two 2 second fields…. only one on the right. It doesn’t take very long at all. It takes longer to get ready and set up just so, than to do the treatment.

I have noticed some swelling, tenderness, heat etc. in the right breast which is being treated. I have also experienced some aching and soreness in my right hand and arm. My Physical Therapy appointments have been working to keep the swelling down, range of motion up, and muscles relaxed on my right side. I have found this to be pretty helpful. I also have had two sessions of Thai Chi, a form of relaxation and exercise. I am still deciding if that is helpful or something I want to do. Yesterday’s session was better than the first. I guess I need to give it a honest try, because I am the pilot project on this new therapy plan for cancer patients. I find it hard to keep it all straight in my mind. And, frankly I have lots of other fun stuff to do

A couple of days ago, as I was getting ready for bed, I took my wig off and hung it up. Preston said “Does it feel weird to just take your hair off every day?” I looked at him… and laughed. (It must be weird to see me do that!) I replied “My whole life is weird right now, every day I bare my breast to two strange men…” We laughed about it and are thankful this is short term. My hair will grow back, and radiation will end (if all goes well) Dec 28th

Preston and Daniel both told me that they prefer me with hair. While I am not ugly bald, and have a nice shaped head, I just look better with hair. I was glad to hear this. I like myself better with hair, and I don’t buy the story that women are more beautiful bald. (The staff over at the cancer center tries to sell that line.)

I am thankful for my wonderful kids who did most of the work of putting on the Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Kendra also helped me put up my Christmas decorations (nativities), always a big job, it wears we out when I feel good. It was wonderful to have her loving & enthusiastic help.

I am looking forward to having my sister, Lesta, come for a visit next week. Christmas baking, Christmas tree, and shipping presents are on our list of fun things to do together.

I don’t have much stamina, my muscles always feel like I have done a really hard workout (I haven’t). I have aches in odd places. It was explained to me yesterday, by my chiropractor, that the whole body is effected (hmmmm where have we heard that before) even when one area is being radiated, every part of the body is sending energy and resources to rebuild cells and repair damage.

I am grateful for the body of Christ and the energy and resources you have sent my way. You are praying, encouraging and rebuilding me!