So I sailed through chemo. Did better than my friends, my kids, and even my M.D. expected.
My preparation for radiation therapy, however, is proving to be a challenge. DH has a big time seminar all this week... and continues to apologize profusely for needing to be there.. I had told him last week that I wanted to get the radiation over with and that besides, I could manage this on my own. (I remembered plenty of years going for various "female" tests by myself... I bucked up and made do.) Besides, everyone said that chemo was the hard part. So why was I all emotional and weepy going to the clinic? Sure, I was seeing different nurses and a different MD.... but the receptionist and billing clerk and decor etc etc were all the same.
After two tissues, partial explanations of "the plan," close encounters with lazer beams and x-ray machines, I now have two teensy tattoos on Thelma. This is so they can aim the lazer beam AND radiation at the exact same place for the 33 consecutive treatments.
OH, and they asked me to wear a "sacrificeable" bra to keep Thelma and Louise in line. For a while I had green sharpie marker lines, black marker lines AND India Ink around the tatto dot. (The one on my breast bone (which must be the ONLY bony place on my body) hurt quite a bit. At least as bad as the wasp sting I had a few years back. I've never had a gun shot wound... so I suppose it wasn't THAT bad. But I sure didn't like it.
The nurse tried to make me feel better... or guilty... by saying how much guys complain about the tattoos THEY need for prostate radiation. I'll worry about that when I have a prostate....
And my ankles are swollen. Don't know why. But it doesn't make me confident about getting well.
3 comments:
Sorry to hear that your introduction into radiation was less than wonderful. My prayers and good wishes continue your way. Remember that it's ok to feel whatever you're feeling and there doesn't always have to be a reason. (Like I need to tell you that. :-))
Ouch.
I hope the tat's will feel better quicker..
Good luck with the radiation. May you handle it with the style and grace you've handled everything else.
Good luck with your radiation therapy. I can tell through your writings that you are a strong woman with a strong spirit, and that you have lots of friends and family by your side. Sounds like a win-win situation to me! My aunt is going through her second phase of chemo for her colon right now and she will get the radiation therapy again later, so my family is kind of in a similar situation. I will keep you in my prayers! <3
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