Feeling the Burn

Eleven down, 26 to go. I noticed my skin turning red yesterday and I started to feel the burn today. I went to my radiation treatment in a good rain so the drive wasn't as irritating today. I love rain and love thunderstorms.

Every Wednesday, I am X-Ray-ed to make sure I am getting the radiation treatment to the correct places. My radiation treatment is in a lead room (don't lick the walls) so there is no radio, but they have CD's that they play. For the last week the same Beatles CD has been playing, and since I'm the first treatment of the day it has been the same three songs. I teased the techs that they were going to ruin the Beatles for me so I was serenaded by the the Black Eyed Peas today. I am finally getting in a comfortable place during my treatment and know where to place my behind and how to put my arm up so it lands in the correct place.

If you have lifted up my uncle Ray in prayers I want to thank you. He may get to (finally) go home tomorrow. Stupid cancer.

First Week Report

I have had six radiation treatments, and it has been side effect free so far. I try really hard not to resent the treatments every day when I get up, but I do. I'm now kicking myself for scheduling the first appointment of the day. Only when I'm in direct sunlight, I can see a faint tan on my chest. I can feel something with my neck, and it isn't discomfort or anything, just something different. I have spent way too much money on radiation lotions and creams, but hold faith that they will keep the worst side effects away. Oh, I guess I do have one side effect: I'm very tired. I think I could easily sleep 16 hours a day, and it stinks because I slept away a beautiful and cool day when it was perfect to be outside. Oh, well, this too shall pass.

I Hate Cancer

News 9 Video

Well, because of cancer, I got on tv, and I look horrible, but it is a sweet story. By the time they interviewed me I watched the wife and husband speak to the TV crew and met the beautiful children. I had to hide around the corner so I wouldn't look at them and cry more. It is a beautiful and sweet story, and this family really needs prayers.

My Uncle Raymond needs prayers, too. He went into shock early this morning and is in ICU. He is my Godfather, a loving and proud father, a husband and soul-mate to my Aunt Kim, and so many other things beyond that. Please pray for strength for his family who truly love him and are sick with worry.

I hate this disease. I get sick when I hear about new diagnosis, and it is worse when it is somebody with little kids. May God wrap his loving arms around all of them. I can't write any more...my new medications are making me crybaby plus lately.

3 Down, 34 To Go!

I started the radiation treatments Wednesday morning. I chose the first appointment of the day so I could get it over with instead of scheduling my day around my treatments. The total time including getting undressed, the treatment, and getting dressed takes less than fifteen minutes, and so far I'm doing well. My neck feels like I've been in the sun too long, but it isn't pink, and the rest of my radiation area feels very well. I'm slathering on cream several times daily and I hope it helps to keep the red away as long as possible. Honestly, the only thing I hate about the radiation treatments is the daily drive. I try to put a positive spin on the drive and pray for the people in my life I've come to care about who are also going through trials.

Dry Run

I officially begin the first of 37 radiation treatments tomorrow, well, later today. Today was my dry run, and it was about as much fun as doing laundry. I assumed the position on the radiation machine and got a few more tats and marks while the techs took notes so it can be set up for me when I come in from now on. The machine will be placed in three different positions to radiate the lymph nodes in my neck, arm-pit and sternum areas, as well as my skin and chest wall. I continue to be amazed by modern medicine and wonder how the heck somebody thought to start the radiation treatments in the first place. Please keep prayers in mind tomorrow for my friend Jen E who will have surgery tomorrow for a recurrence in her chest wall.

Finally!

A plan...



I went to the radiation oncologist this morning and got to place my body on a plank twelve inches wide and go through the donut CT machine. It is somewhat a pain in the butt-ox because the position I had the fun of assuming was to turn my face to my right, hold my left arm over my head in a weird dancer position, tuck my thumb into my waistband, and keep my legs and feet uncrossed while breathing normally. I am *not* a back sleeper, and had to be told to stay still and uncross my feet about five times. I finally groaned back that I would stay still, but I didn't have to like it. CT scans are very quick but I had to stay still while the doctor looked at the pictures and determined where the tattoos would go. I had to stay in "the position" during the tattoo process, but that was the easiest part. The tattoo process was a pin-type object poked in my skin a few times and done. I will begin radiation treatment next Wednesday after a "set-up" appointment on Tuesday.



I also had the pleasure of seeing my regular oncologist after lunch. He discussed what chemo I will probably do after the radiation therapy and how long I will take it. He also put my mind at ease because I have been worrying that if the breast tumor came back would the other tumor sights come back with no treatment. Actually, taking the Arimedex is a form of treatment.



I will honestly say that I am *too* young to take the amount of medication that I do...



On a good point, I got a reading gift that is helping me on my goal of reading nothing of intellectual value before school starts. Thanks to the gifters...I love it.

Cyclops

I went to the surgeon yesterday, and instead of placing a drain, she stuck a needle throught he muscle to the fluid pocket and removed almost 200cc of fluid. My skin was numbed, but that didn't stop the ouch factor in the muscle and the gross factor visualizing what she did. Her nurse came in and wrapped me corset style where the remaining boob was trying to pop out in dangerous capacity. I don't know if it was the restriction of oxygen or the visual picture in my head, but I felt very light headed before leaving, and Chris had to come and pick me up with thanks to his dad who just arrived in town. I started feeling bad again during dinner, and Chris thankfully came up with a more humane way to wrap my chest. The only downside is that I truly look like a Pop-eye (if you get to close...hehe) or a Cyclops. The hope in the wrapping is that I won't have to endure multiple needle pokes in my chest and I can start radiation ASAP. I will update as soon as I know anything.