Yes, I'm sure you have heard enough of my constant babble of Breast Cancer and Radiation Therapy, I know I have! The day has finally arrived where I would be taking the last of my 30 treatments, ring the bell and carry on with my life. The majority of my visits were alone which was my choice.
As I mentioned before, an awesome local band named Goldwing made a sweet video for me ... Just to make me smile on those days I didn't feel like smiling. Well it worked, I watched that video before I drove into town for my "zapping" and that song replayed in my head everyday on that radiation bed. Music is a life line for me ... It makes everything good when life can be so cruel. Thank you Ryan, Matt, Nick and crew for that special gift! I will never forget it!
My day started by picking up my co-pilot Colleen, who was kind enough to assist me in finishing off my pack of Popeye cigarettes. We chatted like school girls as I successfully maneuvered Malibu Molly through the crazy Christmas-shopping-traffic and found a parking spot beside the cancer centre. How nice that we didn't have to walk half a mile in the rain to my parking spot on Bagot street. We were only there a few minutes and my friend Shayne appeared. Then they called me in for my last treatment. Once I was done, we set it up to take video and pictures of me ringing the bell. I walked out of the radiation room and standing by the bell is a lovely young lady named Ali, who I befriended in the waiting room a few weeks ago. I was so shocked to see her there, I started to cry...which I never factored into the equation. We hugged and cried and hugged and cried and then the pictures started. Well, maybe they started before that, I wasn't paying attention.
I had previously asked my radiologist's to take a picture with me after ringing that bell and they all agreed. There was one girl named Yvonne who was off today but said she would be there. After rounding up everyone, Yvonne appeared with a beautiful long fairy gown on with diamond earrings, necklace and a tiara on! We all had a great laugh as she explained that she was late as she had to find the perfect dress for the occasion! So I rang the bell, we took pictures and video as we totally disrupted the calm that once was the radiation therapy waiting room! I spent a lot of time with these fine people, and although I will miss them, I really do not wish to see them again. (Although I will be returning tomorrow morning at 8:30 to see Ali take her turn ringing the bell)
Due to the importance of the event, we decided to travel over to the Toucan for a celebratory beer. Shayne had to pick up his lovely bride, so Col and I headed over to my parking spot on Bagot street. What a treat to run into my cousins wife Melissa and their wee babe Paxton. The babe had the biggest smile on his face which brightened my day even more! Thanks Pax and Melissa;) As we travelled down the street, we ran into an old friend named Claire. She knew what day it was for me and gave me a big hug, which I believe Col managed to capture. Even though it was raining, this certainly was turning out to be a perfect day.
We hit princess street and started travelling the wrong way, Col was bright enough to inform me that we need to travel down princess and not up;) It was at that point where I ran smack dab into a young man who I have had the pleasure of working with not once but twice. His name is Colby and he was just visiting from Alberta for the holidays with his sweet girlfriend Amber. We told them where we were heading and they followed us shortly thereafter. It seemed very strange to be in the Toucan in the middle of the afternoon; I almost felt like I was doing something wrong.
So the day went very well. Unfortunately the side effects of the treatments are just now starting to appear. With time they will vanish I am sure, but I think it's time for this cat to hit the hay.
Have a safe and glorious holiday everyone.
I love you all;)
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Fast forward - mid December and the weather is delightful
It's hard to believe that this is December, as the weather feels like April. Hanging clothes out on the line on December 12th 2015 makes me very happy! Add to that, I only have 8 radiation treatments until I am done. For the first 5 treatments, I was fortunate enough to get a ride to the cancer centre with two lovely ladies from work. Now that I am off work, I am very proud to say that I have made it to every one of my treatments under my own steam. There have been offers of a lift into town, but it really makes no sense when it takes someone 45 minutes to drive me to the cancer centre and then wait 30 minutes for my treatment then drive me home. This is my battle therefore it is my duty to get myself to treatment without putting anyone out.
As mentioned on Facebook, we came upon a man laying on the grass in the park yesterday, called an ambulance and waited till they got there to help him. That was 24 hours ago and I can't get the man out of my head. Who was he? What does he do for a living? Does he have a partner and/or children? Are his family with him now? What would have happened to him if we just kept walking? I was scared for him at the time and even more so now. Why is that?
I ran into an old friend yesterday who I havnt seen since the summer. She knew of my diagnosis but was uncomfortable when she saw me as she tried to turn the other way. I get it. But I really apologize to any of you who feel awkward around me; it wasn't my intention. I tell people so that they know the truth and not have to rely on rumours.
Today marks 13 years since my Mom left us. I can't believe how it has gone so quickly! Time does tend to heal somehow, but many times during this current journey, I wish she was here. I'd love to be able to sit down with a hot cup of tea and talk about my anxiety concerning my future. A positive attitude is what gets me through the days, but once the sun goes down, my mind seems to go into overdrive when it comes to "what's next?"
As mentioned on Facebook, we came upon a man laying on the grass in the park yesterday, called an ambulance and waited till they got there to help him. That was 24 hours ago and I can't get the man out of my head. Who was he? What does he do for a living? Does he have a partner and/or children? Are his family with him now? What would have happened to him if we just kept walking? I was scared for him at the time and even more so now. Why is that?
I ran into an old friend yesterday who I havnt seen since the summer. She knew of my diagnosis but was uncomfortable when she saw me as she tried to turn the other way. I get it. But I really apologize to any of you who feel awkward around me; it wasn't my intention. I tell people so that they know the truth and not have to rely on rumours.
Today marks 13 years since my Mom left us. I can't believe how it has gone so quickly! Time does tend to heal somehow, but many times during this current journey, I wish she was here. I'd love to be able to sit down with a hot cup of tea and talk about my anxiety concerning my future. A positive attitude is what gets me through the days, but once the sun goes down, my mind seems to go into overdrive when it comes to "what's next?"
Saturday, December 05, 2015
A lot has happened since last Saturday
To start, I am off work till January 15th, 2016 due to a rotator cuff tear/injury. Apparently I have had this for a long time but was diagnosed as a pinched neck nerve as morphine and massage used to be able to get rid of it. Not this time. The pain is aggravated every time I have radiation treatment (daily) due to the position that they crank my arm into. Unfortunately this is happening on my right arm/shoulder which means no computer work till its 'healed'. Right now I have lost the use of my right arm and have to pick it up and move it around. I must admit it looks kind of silly when trying to eat or cut up food in a public environment. Thursday night is my staff Christmas party so I already have someone who will cut my meat up for me;)
Monday morning I got up early and went to the United Way Touchdown breakfast at the Ambassador. I try not and miss this event, for any reason. It was nice to sit with my co-workers and look around the room and see so many familiar faces. The goal was met and we all cheered as we know that all of that money will be well spent for those in need.
On Tuesday I had an appointment with my family doctor to fill out a form for work. He started out asked me why I had been to emergency twice in one weekend. He frowned when I indicated that I had called his office twice and and left messages but no one called me back. I sure miss my old family doctor! It used to be when you had a doctors appointment, the doc would sit with you, ask you questions and spend time suggesting avenues of treatment. Not now, its in and out as fast as you can. I am surprised that my new doctor even remembers my name. I wonder if OHIP will allow me to look for another one?
On Wednesday, I went and picked up my friend Colleen, who attended my physio appointment as well as my radiation appointment with me. Usually I am the only one in the waiting room who attends their appointments alone. This was because I was going after work and then Billy was picking me up. Now that I am home, I have been driving myself in. There have been people who have offered to drive me in for my treatments and wait for me ... I may be taking them up on this offer now. I hope they dont change their minds. It just seems like a waste when the treatments are only 30 minutes in length and takes loner then that to drive in there.
I started this blog yesterday, and I am so glad I went to my staff Christmas party last night. I was able to cut my own meat, and although i wasn't able to dance, I had a great time; I even won a gift basket full of goodies. Since I started physiotherapy on Wednesday, I am able to cut back on the pills I was prescribed. I am also gaining the use back of my right arm. What a relief as I was seriously thinking that I wasn't going to get better! So even though the rotator cuff is aggravated everyday during treatment, it seems like the exercises that the physiotherapist has given me are what I needed to help eliminate the pain and regain mobility.
I have now completed 12 radiation treatments....only 13 left till I ring the bell. I met with my radiation oncologist today before my rads today and he is very pleased how my skin is reacting to the radiation. It is just getting a bit pink, not even close to looking like a sunburn. Apparently I must be doing something right, or all those years of topless tanning is paying off!
My son called me the other night to see how I was doing; when he mentioned that him and Jacob were playing dress-up, I was almost scared to ask...but of course there were pictures:
Monday morning I got up early and went to the United Way Touchdown breakfast at the Ambassador. I try not and miss this event, for any reason. It was nice to sit with my co-workers and look around the room and see so many familiar faces. The goal was met and we all cheered as we know that all of that money will be well spent for those in need.
On Tuesday I had an appointment with my family doctor to fill out a form for work. He started out asked me why I had been to emergency twice in one weekend. He frowned when I indicated that I had called his office twice and and left messages but no one called me back. I sure miss my old family doctor! It used to be when you had a doctors appointment, the doc would sit with you, ask you questions and spend time suggesting avenues of treatment. Not now, its in and out as fast as you can. I am surprised that my new doctor even remembers my name. I wonder if OHIP will allow me to look for another one?
On Wednesday, I went and picked up my friend Colleen, who attended my physio appointment as well as my radiation appointment with me. Usually I am the only one in the waiting room who attends their appointments alone. This was because I was going after work and then Billy was picking me up. Now that I am home, I have been driving myself in. There have been people who have offered to drive me in for my treatments and wait for me ... I may be taking them up on this offer now. I hope they dont change their minds. It just seems like a waste when the treatments are only 30 minutes in length and takes loner then that to drive in there.
I started this blog yesterday, and I am so glad I went to my staff Christmas party last night. I was able to cut my own meat, and although i wasn't able to dance, I had a great time; I even won a gift basket full of goodies. Since I started physiotherapy on Wednesday, I am able to cut back on the pills I was prescribed. I am also gaining the use back of my right arm. What a relief as I was seriously thinking that I wasn't going to get better! So even though the rotator cuff is aggravated everyday during treatment, it seems like the exercises that the physiotherapist has given me are what I needed to help eliminate the pain and regain mobility.
I have now completed 12 radiation treatments....only 13 left till I ring the bell. I met with my radiation oncologist today before my rads today and he is very pleased how my skin is reacting to the radiation. It is just getting a bit pink, not even close to looking like a sunburn. Apparently I must be doing something right, or all those years of topless tanning is paying off!
My son called me the other night to see how I was doing; when he mentioned that him and Jacob were playing dress-up, I was almost scared to ask...but of course there were pictures:
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