Well it’s been 10 days since I last updated my blog. Time flies when you are having fun. Meanwhile….I’ve made great progress…..I’ve checked off the first 7 radiation treatments. Wow! Going every day sure does make a difference. The numbers add up quite a bit faster than with chemo (which was either once every 3 weeks or once a week).
The radiation process is quick and painless. The hardest part is being still. I get a total of seven different treatments from various sides and angles. I have some awesome girls working with me each day and they do a phenomenal job. This past Friday was the most difficult day yet…….they had problems getting my left arm aligned properly. It took us about 30 minutes – but FINALLY they got things all worked out. Fortunately, they have taken many pictures to help them know the exact position that I should be in each time. I told them I had some tightness in my left shoulder the night before – it felt as if my muscle was all knotted up. Ironically enough – they said that could definitely be the culprit. My radiation oncology doctor confirmed it and even said that radiation itself could cause the muscles to constrict.
I’m still in awe of all the wonderful folks at Duke Cancer Center. I seriously think the folks in HR have some way of screening the Cancer Center Employees so that they hire only the cream of the crop. In ALL my trips to Duke I have to say that every time I walk out of that building, I comment on just how wonderful those employees are. They are the sweetest, kindest, most patient and most compassionate folks I’ve ever met. They work with cancer patients day in and out and they do it with a smile on their face and a lot of love in their hearts. It starts in the valet parking line……those folks working there are so sweet and helpful and my buddy that parked my car that very first day now yells out to me every morning as he sees me walking in…….then the folks at the information desk are always so welcoming…..as are the folks in the lab, the breast clinic, radiation – you name it. I’ve truly been blessed by their loving and compassionate personalities. I’m pleased to say that I have NOT had a single unpleasant experience at Duke Cancer Center. Those folks are top notch in my book.
So far I’ve not had any negative reactions to the radiation. No skin rashes or burns……and for that I’m very thankful.
This past week I had some genetic testing done at the request of my doctor. That was easy enough – they just needed a little blood. Even though I had previously had the BRCA1/BRCA2 testing done in 2010 and was negative for any mutations, they felt that it was important for me to have the genetic testing done again because so much had changed over the past 7 years.
We were fortunate enough to sneak in a long weekend at the beach after my treatment on Friday. Ahhh……the beach makes EVERYTHING better. It was a wonderful time to relax, rest and recharge so I can rock out the rest of these treatments…….and as an added bonus…… This view NEVER gets old!
So tomorrow we will get back to reality…….and checking off more radiation treatments. Let’s do this!
Until next time!
Sonja
Psalm 116:7-8 The Message (MSG)
7-8 I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
God has showered you with blessings.
Soul, you’ve been rescued from death;
Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears;
And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”
Temporary Lumps 
Treatments have come so far. Still I hope I never have to go through it. I know lots who have and they say the same about their nurses and Doctors. It takes a special person to do their job, Kindness, patience, encouragement. I’m anxiously awaiting your next post, when you are up to it. I do want to follow your progress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes medicine has made so much progress over the years. I have been very blessed through this whole ordeal! I anxiously await being able to check off more days and slide across the finish line on two wheels!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
absolutely, I wish you all the success in your recovery!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person