Yes, yes – I know I am terrible at updating…I’m sorry. I get so wrapped up in living life that I forget to write about it.
First things first…the important information…I AM DONE WITH RADIATION!!!!! In all caps – just in case you questioned how excited I am. Tuesday, April 27th was my last radiation treatment!!!! I have a follow up appointment with Dr. Milito on June 1st just to see how I am doing off of the radiation. I can not tell you how excited I am to not have to be strapped down to a table by my head and lay there while large amounts of radiation are shot to my neck. Doesn’t sound so appealing does it???
They let me keep my radiation mask…I think it is only fitting that I have a little destroying ceremony. So at the Relay for Life, June 18th-19th everyone on the team will get to help cut up the mask into itty bitty pieces…and each piece destroyed will represent the cancer that was destroyed!!!
On Thursday, May 13th I had a follow up with my hem-onc doctor, Dr. Gareis. They checked my port and took blood. My port is still functioning well; which is good since I will need to keep it for at least another 4 months. Dr. Gareis is very pleased with how my levels are coming up since radiation. I will go back to see her on July 8th and we will schedule my first post treatment PET scan. This scan will be the base scan of which the one following it (3-4 months) will be compared to. It will be at this time they will determine if I am cancer free or if more chemo is necessary. I think we all know what outcome I am praying for!!!! Dr. Gareis told me to not worry about the next couple of months and to live my life as though there is no cancer. That is the plan!!! I wasn’t going to celebrate being cancer free until I got that PET scan, but I don’t think I can wait that long to celebrate the big accomplishment I have already made!!! Party to come soon.
So since radiation is over I am trying to get back to life pre-cancer. Or at least what will be the new normal. As far as work – my doctor wanted me to ease back into full days for the Month of May and by June I will be back to 40 hours a week. The fatigue is the biggest battle right now. I am pretty good at ignoring pain and fatigue…but this type of fatigue only gets ignored for so long. I can’t wait for the days of leaving work, heading to the gym, and then home for dinner and household chores. I have been averaging 1-2 days at the gym per week. Last week I played five innings of softball!! All in good time is what I keep telling myself. This past week I could feel my energy level draining day by day. By Saturday I was beat and still had the weekend to get through. I made it through. And I would like to apologize to Doug for being so cranky…I will admit that when I get that tired – I am not a nice person to be around.
I’m trying really hard to grow the little peach fuzz on the top of my head. I can not wait to not have to wear this wig to work anymore. When I am at home or friends I let the peach fuzz free; out in public I wear a hat; and playing sports or at the gym I wear a bandana. Yesterday I was at Target and was completely stunned by a woman who came up to me and said “I like your hair style. It’s very cool (temperature) for this weather. I am going to get mine done like that.” I was completely stunned – I had no idea what to say. It wasn’t until she walked away that I processed it. I mean really?!?! What should I have said – “thank you” or should I have totally stunned her back and said “yeah you should never let chemo be your hair stylist.” Crazy!!! I was wearing a hat and when I have a hat on it is clear there is no hair there!!! Oh well.
So that’s pretty much it for now – just living life post cancer treatments. And trying really hard not to tick Doug off too much when I am tired and cranky. Just have to find that balance until my stamina returns.
