Last Radiation

Today was my last radiation treatment. My last one. Finally! I am so glad to not have to drive back to the medical center every single day now. I'm feeling very crispy (from the radiation burns). And happy. 

I got to ring the bell and I brought Brian and the kids along with me. 

It was emotional. It's been a long time since treatments started with chemo back in January, staring at that damn bell, hoping to ring it and that it will truly signal the end of cancer in my body and my life. 

I'm happy that treatments are over but the worry has really kicked in too. Worry that it will come back or that it's lurking in there somewhere growing now that I'm not having treatment to fight it off anymore. I just keep praying that I will stay cancer free. And try to not worry. 

I got an end of radiation certificate too. :-)

Now on to heal from the radiation. The doctor told me tonight that my burns will get worse before they start to heal. So hopefully within the next 10-14 days the healing process will begin. The worst burn is in the middle of my chest, but I am also burned under my arm, on my back, neck, chest, and pretty bad on my mastectomy scar. 

Like I said, I'm feeling very crispy these days. 

Thank you for praying with me and for me and my family. We truly appreciate it!

Radiation-halfway done!

So today was treatment #15 out of 30. I've reached the halfway mark! 

This week has me complaining about waiting. Drive 45-50 minutes there, sit and wait for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, get zapped, drive 45-50 minutes home. I've been out LATE all week. I am tired. I hate waiting. But I'm trying to not complain. Happy to be alive. Happy to be alive. Happy to be alive. I just keep saying that to stop myself from complaining. It could be worse. (But really, waiting for 45 minutes on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1.5 hours on Thursday, and 40 minutes on Friday?!? Excessive. Happy to be alive.)

So to celebrate my halfway point, here is a picture journey of radiation. 

Drive there. Pass these fountains. They've been working on them for weeks. Tonight they were on. 

Park and ride the elevator to floor 2. (If you get to Memorial Hermann at 7:45pm, you can park on floor 3. Lots of spots. This is not the case in daylight hours. 

Pass by the gift shop. Radiation is right around the corner. They close at 6. Which is good, because if they were open, I would be in there shopping during my long waits. (I spy knock off Kendra Scott jewelry from the window daily.)

Get your radiation ticket. That's not its official name, but that's basically what it is. 

Ride the secret elevator that is only in the radiation area to floor 1. My mom calls it the bat elevator. From Batman the character. Not the flying mammals. 

No picture, but change into a very flattering hospital gown, that does not tie no matter how hard you try, from the waist up. 

Again, no picture, but wait. Except for last week. They were on their game last week. There was no waiting last week. 

Go into this radiation room (yes, I totally snapped this picture without them knowing) and lie down on the table with your arms over your head and get zapped. It takes about 15 minutes. I hold my breath during the actual zapping. 

(I hold it for 25 seconds at a time. Just a fun fact for you.)

No pictures, but get dressed and run out of that place like its on fire cause you are ready to be home. 

Drive for 45-50 minutes. (Another fun fact, one night this week I saw 4 rats run across the road in front of me while I was sitting at the light at Westheimer and Montrose. That intersection is always a great place to spot something weird.)

Get home, shower, put on burn cream, sleep. 

The end. 

Now I have a 3 day break, and start back on Tuesday for the next 15 treatments. Praying for no burning, no skin break downs, and patience. And that there is not a cancerous cell in my body. Anywhere. Ever. Amen.