I'm not sure that this is a true RE-birthing experience, but maybe it is? Today I feel like the cacoon I have been encapsulated in was finally broken through and out came a newer and hopefully freer Lynn and maybe a better Lynn.
My morning was a very busy one -- I had been on the phone with a friend I have been very concerned with. We spoke a lot longer than I expected -- so my hubby had to remind me that I had to get on the road to my radiation appointment. I hadn't eaten any breakfast yet because I simply was behind all morning -- I slept in till almost 9am which is not my customary time. I'm an early riser, but I guess the radiation is making me really tired. Either way, my day began with a bang. I was ushered to the car and off we went. I still was very excited by the prospect of this day. I'm finally HERE! I'm finally over these treatments -- ALMOST. As long as it has seemed, it still has gone by rather quickly. Time does fly. We are all so busy in our lives, we forget how precious our time truly is.
I let a few of my special friends know I was on my way to final treatment. We had my music on as we jammed on down the road. No issues on the road today. Smooth sailing. I feel like my angels were guiding us through with perfect precision. Awesome feeling.
Got to my radiation center, brought in my gift of a huge platter of cookies for the staff. I got hugs and thanks -- good grief, they are thanking me. I feel I'm the one that should be giving thanks! They are all a part of the team that have helped save my life. I told them all one by one. I think I shocked them. One therapist told me that she has never had a patient tell her this. That was a bit of shock to hear. I feel that they are not only doing their jobs -- they are making differences. They matter and are relevant -- just as I am, but they have helped me. I will forever be grateful.
I waited because my particular radiation machine was having some "issues" so that put us back a bit time-wise. Wouldn't you know it? On my last day, I needed to be there the longest. Ok. I can deal with this. Finally they called me. I skipped down the hallway! Yes, I did! Just like a kid! I skipped. I had to giggle to myself. Who really cares? I was gleeful, so why not skip? That's what I did has a kid when I was happy. I know the obvious -- NO, I'm not a kid, but I felt like one.
My first therapist I had came and got me to escort me to my final treatment. All smiles and hugs. They were congratulating me all the way till they got me onto the table. Then they had to go back into their concentration mode making sure my measurements were lined up perfectly. Each and every treatment is the same. Then they did their final taping of my right breast onto the table. I will NOT miss this part ever again! Oh, yes, and the music was Christmas Themed! My very favorite old time classic singer: Nat King Cole! Oh, my gosh, it was so perfect. As I laid there while the beams were doing their thing, the Nutcracker came on. It was even more perfect. I went to my happy place in my mind for the remainder of my time. Before I knew it -- I WAS FINISHED! Tears of joy. No ugly crying, must the happy smiles and tears of joy. The crew all told me they were so very proud of me and that they didn't want to see me under these circumstances ever again! I said, "No problem!" I don't want to see you either this way! I will; however, see them from time to time as I come back every three (3) months for my follow-up care.
I don't have an appointment with them till the end of January 2012! So excited. It's hard to imagine life now without some sort of treatment. But I'm up for the freedom!
We went out for lunch to a really good rib place in San Marcos. I had a couple little pieces and was thrilled and very satisfied. Then after lunch, off we came back to town. I had a chance to rest for about an hour and a half before my family whisked me off to a surprise dinner. I ate lobster for the first time in a very, very long time. Both my daughter's were there along with my Mom and husband. The only person missing was my son-in-law, but he had to fly back to Italy this evening. He was greatly missed, but we knew this was going to happen so we made sure our final days together were fun and filled with a lot of laughter! We are so blessed that our son-in-law is such a great person.
So far I haven't had any time to think about anything............I plan to sleep in a bit and possibly take a walk tomorrow with my Mom and youngest daughter. Not sure where the road is taking me, but I do have an appointment this Thursday with my oncologist. I imagine we will be starting soon on maintenance drugs to keep cancer away. This is over simplified but I know I have a lot of discussions with my doc about my future; we'll see what happens. I will also be seeing my plastic surgeon in about three (3) weeks. I still have healing time, so I won't be having surgery for maybe a couple more months. But that's just an assumption on my part.
I'm not sure what the road holds for me. All I know is I'm so very grateful to be alive and doing well. I still have a burn to contend with on my upper chest, but I have been assured there won't be scarring. YES!
It does look awful, but it could be worse. In the meantime, I continue to put Silvadene on it and take care of it. And I will continue to take care of myself and begin my true road to complete healing.
My Cup'd Half Full and I'm a FREE Woman! FREEDOM! (At least for now!)
Ciao, Ciao!
My morning was a very busy one -- I had been on the phone with a friend I have been very concerned with. We spoke a lot longer than I expected -- so my hubby had to remind me that I had to get on the road to my radiation appointment. I hadn't eaten any breakfast yet because I simply was behind all morning -- I slept in till almost 9am which is not my customary time. I'm an early riser, but I guess the radiation is making me really tired. Either way, my day began with a bang. I was ushered to the car and off we went. I still was very excited by the prospect of this day. I'm finally HERE! I'm finally over these treatments -- ALMOST. As long as it has seemed, it still has gone by rather quickly. Time does fly. We are all so busy in our lives, we forget how precious our time truly is.
I let a few of my special friends know I was on my way to final treatment. We had my music on as we jammed on down the road. No issues on the road today. Smooth sailing. I feel like my angels were guiding us through with perfect precision. Awesome feeling.
Got to my radiation center, brought in my gift of a huge platter of cookies for the staff. I got hugs and thanks -- good grief, they are thanking me. I feel I'm the one that should be giving thanks! They are all a part of the team that have helped save my life. I told them all one by one. I think I shocked them. One therapist told me that she has never had a patient tell her this. That was a bit of shock to hear. I feel that they are not only doing their jobs -- they are making differences. They matter and are relevant -- just as I am, but they have helped me. I will forever be grateful.
I waited because my particular radiation machine was having some "issues" so that put us back a bit time-wise. Wouldn't you know it? On my last day, I needed to be there the longest. Ok. I can deal with this. Finally they called me. I skipped down the hallway! Yes, I did! Just like a kid! I skipped. I had to giggle to myself. Who really cares? I was gleeful, so why not skip? That's what I did has a kid when I was happy. I know the obvious -- NO, I'm not a kid, but I felt like one.
My first therapist I had came and got me to escort me to my final treatment. All smiles and hugs. They were congratulating me all the way till they got me onto the table. Then they had to go back into their concentration mode making sure my measurements were lined up perfectly. Each and every treatment is the same. Then they did their final taping of my right breast onto the table. I will NOT miss this part ever again! Oh, yes, and the music was Christmas Themed! My very favorite old time classic singer: Nat King Cole! Oh, my gosh, it was so perfect. As I laid there while the beams were doing their thing, the Nutcracker came on. It was even more perfect. I went to my happy place in my mind for the remainder of my time. Before I knew it -- I WAS FINISHED! Tears of joy. No ugly crying, must the happy smiles and tears of joy. The crew all told me they were so very proud of me and that they didn't want to see me under these circumstances ever again! I said, "No problem!" I don't want to see you either this way! I will; however, see them from time to time as I come back every three (3) months for my follow-up care.
I don't have an appointment with them till the end of January 2012! So excited. It's hard to imagine life now without some sort of treatment. But I'm up for the freedom!
We went out for lunch to a really good rib place in San Marcos. I had a couple little pieces and was thrilled and very satisfied. Then after lunch, off we came back to town. I had a chance to rest for about an hour and a half before my family whisked me off to a surprise dinner. I ate lobster for the first time in a very, very long time. Both my daughter's were there along with my Mom and husband. The only person missing was my son-in-law, but he had to fly back to Italy this evening. He was greatly missed, but we knew this was going to happen so we made sure our final days together were fun and filled with a lot of laughter! We are so blessed that our son-in-law is such a great person.
So far I haven't had any time to think about anything............I plan to sleep in a bit and possibly take a walk tomorrow with my Mom and youngest daughter. Not sure where the road is taking me, but I do have an appointment this Thursday with my oncologist. I imagine we will be starting soon on maintenance drugs to keep cancer away. This is over simplified but I know I have a lot of discussions with my doc about my future; we'll see what happens. I will also be seeing my plastic surgeon in about three (3) weeks. I still have healing time, so I won't be having surgery for maybe a couple more months. But that's just an assumption on my part.
I'm not sure what the road holds for me. All I know is I'm so very grateful to be alive and doing well. I still have a burn to contend with on my upper chest, but I have been assured there won't be scarring. YES!
It does look awful, but it could be worse. In the meantime, I continue to put Silvadene on it and take care of it. And I will continue to take care of myself and begin my true road to complete healing.
My Cup'd Half Full and I'm a FREE Woman! FREEDOM! (At least for now!)
Ciao, Ciao!
