Time for Healing

Radiation is finally done. It’s time to heal. Unfortunately, you don’t finish one day and then a day or two later be all better. It takes several days up to a week for the cumulative negative effects to end. Then it is another week or two to really heal up. I am five days past my last treatment, and I hope I’ve reached the end of the worst.

The fatigue is much less, but the tender red skin and heat remain. Think bad sunburn. The heat has changed from being all over to being more localized in the treatment area, but much hotter there. I keep thinking that it is a little better today.

To compound all of this, I woke up Thursday night and had to get up. Imagine my surprise when I was swamped with intense pain and my back would not bend. I almost fell down before I could fall back on the bed in shock. Apparently all the getting on and off the treatment table compounded by the stress had caught up with me. The good news, my back has responded nicely to anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers. I am back to being able to move reasonably well, especially after a round with the heating pad with my coffee. Somehow using a heating pad while being already hot doesn’t sound fun, but it is getting the job done.

My back seems to be an indicator of how I’ve approached this, especially the last week or so. My mental state was head down and plow forward, toughing up and getting through it. It works, but there are consequences. I was so focused on keeping going, that I didn't always take the time to rely on God and let Him give me peace. I just wanted to get done, and I took control, losing my focus on Him for a few days.

Even though I failed to fully rely on God, He has forgiven me, and in His mercy is not holding it against me or punishing me. He remained faithful and stayed with me and waited on me. I know you were praying, because right at the end, I realized I needed to look to Him and hold on to Him. Sure enough, that cross on the ceiling was still there, and on that very last day the new (to me) therapist had to mark me with a small “X” one last time.

So, I am now a survivor. I even had a pin and a certificate to prove it. I’m not sure how many more updates there will be. I see my oncologist later this week for long term care and monitoring plans. Thank you for making the journey with me. Your support has meant so very much.

I do plan to return to my normal blog writing soon. I hope you’ll stop by and see what God has taught me.

Again, thank you and

Choose Joy!

The Home Stretch

The end is in sight. I only have five treatments left as I write this. For this I am very grateful. How am I doing? In reality, not too bad, I just tend to lose sight of that fact. I am sore from some minor swelling and my skin is red and tender, but I am not in any real pain. I am tired, and I am hot all the time. The hot probably makes the tired worse, because it is interfering with sleep.

It is easy to get down when I feel this way, and I have to continually remember to count my blessings. I have not had to receive chemo. I am not blistered, peeling, or burnt. I only have to complete sixteen treatments, not over thirty. My surgery was much simpler than many have had. I have been very blessed.

My prayers are that I bear up under whatever discomfort and suffering I am to endure in a way that honors God. I would love to be spared all of this, but if this is part of my times of suffering, I ask for the strength and peace to bear up under it. Believe me, it is very hard to do without the peace of God.

A lot of this has been a mental battle. Surgery was easier than the radiation has been. You wake up from surgery at the bottom of the hill and you work your way back up. You start at the worst point and then improve. With radiation you start at the top and then gradually go down. The problem is you don’t know how far down each step takes you or what the bottom looks like. Each Monday I have been hit with a wave a nerves and anxiety wondering how bad it will get during the week. The unknown can be daunting. I have to push those thoughts aside and know that I will get through this and I will recover.

I know I can do this. I am scheduled to be finished on June 19th. I can get through five more treatments. Thank you for your support. I know I am not alone.

Choose Joy! (Remind me to as well!)

Week One is Done

Week one is complete. The husband likes to track percentages and he reminds me it is also 25% done. That has a nice sound to it. So far everything has gone very well. My appointment times were not very consistent, but that will change this upcoming week. The staff has been excellent, caring, supportive, encouraging, and even a little “firm” when I needed it. My energy level is still pretty good, fatigue usually doesn’t show up until week three. I have only a little swelling, a normal thing for some folks. It is just enough to be noticeable, but doesn’t really hurt.

As I reflect back over the week, I am amazed over the women I have met. We all come in and sit in a woman’s waiting area that is part of our dressing room. Once in our robes (such a fashion statement!), we all become connected, or so it feels to me. All these women are beautiful and courageous. Yes, some are afraid, some get discouraged, and some are undergoing much more challenging treatments than I am. But we come back every day and continue to fight. This is real courage. Kindness also abounds. Someone always has an encouraging smile or gentle word. The new ladies are welcomed with reassurances and warmth. We get excited when someone is getting near the end of their treatment. Once again, I see God caring for us by making sure we are not alone.

God has allowed me to walk by faith and not by sight this week. His presence has been quiet, but there nonetheless. Thursday and Friday my “space glasses” were not functioning, so I was able look around the room a bit more as I lay on the table. Over my head the lasers form a cross on the ceiling. On Friday, I looked up and saw that and thought “Hello Jesus! I am so glad you are here with me today.”

So how can I begin to explain how the goodness, kindness, and love of God? He shows up in the support of therapists, the faces of women, and lasers on the ceiling. He has been with me all the way, He is here today.

Choose Joy!