Final Radiation Stretch

I haven't written lately because fatigue has come knocking on my door again. Thanksgiving was the last energetic day I remember having. It was a wonderful time hanging out with friends and family. The next day Becca and I did brave the mall in our annual tradition of spending Black Friday together. I also had to make a trip to the hospital for treatment that day. When I returned, I took a nap, woke up long enough to eat dinner, and went back to bed and slept all night. Every day since then I've been feeling increasingly more tired.

This is par for the course as I round the bend for my final stretch of radiation treatments. People who haven't had chemo undergo fatigue, but those of us who have get hit much harder, according to my doctor. I was telling the nurse today that I don't have the energy to handle much these days. It sort of feels like my body is fighting off a cold--when in fact my body is working hard at healing and rebuilding healthy cells. Unlike the fatigue I had while I was undergoing chemo, this isn't totally debilitating. I can still do things. In fact, it's best if I am fairly active during the day (I'm keeping up with the walks and other exercise) so my sleep is more restorative at night. It's hard to balance doing enough with doing too much, though, because for the most part I am feeling well.  The kids have been great at recognizing that I can't do much after 7 at night, even if I'm still awake.

As another side effect, I now have a "sunburn" on my skin. It's pink and darker under my arms. I asked the nurse today if I should be increasing the number of times I put lotion on it, and she said that won't prevent it from getting red at this point. It's strictly a comfort level on my part, so if it is feeling sore or itchy, I should put lotion on for relief. My favorite is the pure Aloe Vera, but I also use an ointment called Magic Balm which is made of natural ingredients, like olive oil, organic comfrey and calendula. It was expensive, so I primarily use it right after treatment. The aloe is great for cooling off the skin.

I finished treatment number 22 today. According to my schedule, I only have four more whole-breast treatments. The remaining nine treatments are called boosts and will focus on the area where my tumor was. Because I won't need to hold my breath anymore,  I'm sure the treatments will be much simpler and quicker.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Walt and I just got back from a walk on the trail behind the Mill Creek Towne Center. I haven't completed this walk since my 5th chemo, so it is fun today to feel so strong. I'm a bit stiff and sore, but otherwise feeling well.

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. That Tiffany is cooking the turkey today cannot be appreciated enough! I am so thankful for her!

Since starting on this race, I have been able to see things from a different perspective. Before, I would be almost cavalier in thanking God for health. I've never had a health problem, not even a little one, before this. My kids and husband are healthy. It's easy to take such an important thing for granted.

Even though I am finishing up treatment to rid my body of any potential lingering cancer cells, I am still so grateful for my health. I was strong enough to get through chemo with minimal side effects. Even though the nausea was hard to deal with, it wasn't life threatening. Some people have needed to be hospitalized because of infection or some adverse reaction to the drugs. My heart is strong and not suffering any ill effects from the life-saving Herceptin that I receive. Advancements in technology make side effects of radiation minimal, and my body has been able to manage even those with minimal skin redness and soreness so far.

This scare has also made me more aware of the importance of nutrition and exercise, which will be a long term benefit even beyond cancer. I cannot take for granted the taste of icy cold water or warm tea or a latte, all things that tasted terrible while on chemo.  All food tastes wonderful to me these days, and I'm going to enjoy every mouthful of Thanksgiving dinner today.

I am thankful for the lessons to live in the moment, to enjoy today, to depend fully on God and trust Him through all circumstances, and to not worry about tomorrow. I am thankful for the time spent with God during this journey.

Last, and most definitely not least, I am thankful for my family and friends. Life is lived more abundantly when shared with such amazing people. Thanks to everyone who has touched my life in such incredible ways. I wouldn't have been able to see my blessings so clearly without going on this cancer journey, so yes, today I can say, I'm thankful for everything that I've gone through.

 Happy Thanksgiving!