I had my final radiation treatment today and got to
officially ring the bell! I am so relieved to be done with all my cancer
treatments. God has been so good to me and I truly have not suffered much
through it all. The worst of radiation is probably not quite done as they have
explained to me that the effects continue for approximately 4-7 days following
the final treatment, but I am confident it will not be too bad and I will be on
the mend and healed before you know it!
When they told me I would have to have radiation to ensure any stray cancer cells would be killed, I remember
thinking, “What will they radiate?" There are no tumors left, since they got it
all during surgery. They told me they would radiate the chest wall and lymph
nodes. I still didn’t understand what that meant.
At my first treatment, when they were setting everything up,
they used a marker and drew a line from the middle of my throat, down my chest
to about an inch or two below my breast. From there they drew a line under my
breast to my right side and up to my armpit. The line
turned toward my back and up behind my arm. The line then continued around
my back, about 4-5 inches below my shoulder until it reached just below the
middle of my neck. They drew the line up to the middle of my neck in the back
and around the right side of my neck to join up with where it started in the
center of my throat. I thought, “Why in the heck did they draw such a big
area?” Well…that is exactly what got radiated! All of that area is red, but
there are about four places where it is particularly irritated. Mostly it is
rashy and itchy and the aloe vera gel, steroid cream and Aquaphor cream keep it
tolerable. The only area which really feels “burned” is in my armpit and that
area wasn’t even pink two weeks ago. It is not particularly comfortable, but no worse
than a bad sunburn. This too shall pass!!!
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| Bingo! |
My doctor asked me if I wanted to take the week off after
the Labor Day holiday, but I told him I wanted to continue. I felt fine and I
wanted to get it done. The technicians told me today that most people who have
the type of radiation I did do have to take a break for a while. I told them I
hope I don’t regret it and they told me my skin looks good compared to some and
I’ve taken good care of it during the process. I have been very faithful
applying the creams and medications, so if you ever need go through this, God
forbid, follow their instructions! 😊
I credit all of you who have been praying me through all of
this and thank God for His grace and mercy. There is no way I could have made
it through as well as I have without it! God bless you all!!!
I will have surgery on September 22 to have my port removed
(YAY!) and will see my plastic surgeon the first part of October to discuss
when I will have my reconstruction surgery. Based on what he told me
previously, I am guessing it will be next January. I’m not completely done, but
I have to believe the worst is over!
I couldn’t close without sharing a few pictures from last
weekend. Kellen and Angela had a wedding in Chicago, so we kept Emma and
Killian for four nights. Oh my goodness, did we have fun! It definitely took my
mind off my discomfort. I am so looking forward to the day I have all my energy
and flexibility back (as if I was ever that flexible) and I can actually play in
the sun with them (a definite no-no during chemo and radiation)!
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| She decorated her fort with some of Grammy's flowers! |
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| You can't beat a chocolate moustache! |
Although Kinley wasn’t here, Caitlin sent pictures to keep
me cheered up too. I am so blessed!!!
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| Sporting her Grammy support shirt! |
Love you all!
