I am a little more than half way done with radiation now. That is major for me. I can see the light at the end of this tunnel. I am beginning to have some skin irritation from the radiation treatments, and my doctor says this is what he wants to see, to know that the treatments are doing their job. I already have very sensitive skin, so I am not looking forward to the cumulative effect on my skin...
But I have made an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon to make plans for my first knee replacement surgery. Even though I know this will not be a picnic, I am excited at the prospect of being able to walk once again. The plan is to have both knees done and healed by the end of summer, so I can get back in the driver's seat by fall when school starts up again. I am feeling so much more hopeful again.
Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. It really makes a difference to feel so loved!
Love to All,
Mary
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Long Time, No Post
Oh my! I have been away from my computer for the last few weeks. I thought I would take a few lines to update my progress.
I am nearly halfway done with radiation. So far, I am not having any negative effects, other than tiredness.
This colder weather, and the ice is creating a challenge for me to get to the treatments, however. I am having a lot of pain in my knees again, probably due to the cold. So it is tough getting up and down the steps, and climbing in and out of the car. I am looking forward to getting my knees done in the near future.
Meanwhile, I am getting a few things done around the house, and that is a sign that I am improving. Oh, yeh, and my hair is growing back now! I have 1/4 inch long hair and I will try not to complain that it mostly looks gray!
Love to all,
Mary
I am nearly halfway done with radiation. So far, I am not having any negative effects, other than tiredness.
This colder weather, and the ice is creating a challenge for me to get to the treatments, however. I am having a lot of pain in my knees again, probably due to the cold. So it is tough getting up and down the steps, and climbing in and out of the car. I am looking forward to getting my knees done in the near future.
Meanwhile, I am getting a few things done around the house, and that is a sign that I am improving. Oh, yeh, and my hair is growing back now! I have 1/4 inch long hair and I will try not to complain that it mostly looks gray!
Love to all,
Mary
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Every Bit of Good News is a Plus
When I went for my radiation treatment today, I found out that I will only have a total of 28 treatments, not 30 like I thought. So I am two days closer to done with this!!! I have had five treatments now.
I have had appointments at different times, so I have to keep on my toes about when to show up there, but as of Thursday, my time slot will be at 11:00 am and pretty much stay at that time each day. This will make it easier to make plans.
I am doing a bit better now, not SO tired as before, although the Dr. warned me that this might become an issue later, but I am enjoying my days a bit more. Not sleeping them away as before.
Tomorrow after the treatment, my friends will come over for lunch and a rousing game of Sequence again! I am looking forward to the company.
Until next time,
Love to all!
Mary
I have had appointments at different times, so I have to keep on my toes about when to show up there, but as of Thursday, my time slot will be at 11:00 am and pretty much stay at that time each day. This will make it easier to make plans.
I am doing a bit better now, not SO tired as before, although the Dr. warned me that this might become an issue later, but I am enjoying my days a bit more. Not sleeping them away as before.
Tomorrow after the treatment, my friends will come over for lunch and a rousing game of Sequence again! I am looking forward to the company.
Until next time,
Love to all!
Mary
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Two days of Radiation
So, I went to my appointment yesterday, even arriving EARLY (which for me is no small feat!) The first red flag was the number of cars parked along the building. The waiting room was packed. I announced my arrival to the receptionist, sat down, and just as I got into a magazine article, my name was called! Wow! I thought, this was speedy!
Well, that was the end of "speedy". I was ushered into an examination room to see the doctor. Shortly, a nurse came in, asked me if I had any questions, to which I answered, "No, the doctor was quite thorough last week." She then left the room after explaining to me that I would not need to see him, then, and that they were "running behind today".
Then the waiting began. As people rushed back and forth past the open door of the exam room, I regretted not bringing a magazine with me, but was sure that the minute I left my room, they would be calling my name and wondering where I was. Nearly an hour later, as I began to nod off, and after waving someone down and asking if I might have been forgotten, I was called over to begin my first treatment.
They got me set up in my uncomfortable position on the [hard, cold] table, and began taking measurements of the area to be radiated. They kept explaining that the first time would take longer than usual, but I was under the impression that this was what last week's three hour session was about. I wondered why this was not told to me prior to the visit...?
The actual time of the radiation itself was minutes long, and then I was done...almost two hours later. I was glad I didn't have any pressing appointments after that. I nervously asked if this amount of time was unusual, because I DID have an appointment right after radiation on Thursday. They assured me that this day was unusually busy, and that it should rarely happen like this.
Thursday went off without a hitch. I arrived a few minutes early, there were NO other cars along the curb, and the waiting room was empty! I went right in, got the treatment and was out in 20 minutes! WHEW!
I got home in time to greet my friends when they arrived a few minutes later. Georgia and Chrystal brought lunch [wild rice soup, broccoli salad, apple spice bread, rolls, and cookies] It was way more than we could eat, but we had a fun visit, and played Sequence and laughed a lot. Chrystal was the Sequence Champion for the day, but Georgia and I have vowed to have a re-match to have a chance to redeem our broken egos.
I do feel some improvement in my health. My cold is finally going away, and I feel less fatigued. So, there is hope.
Love to all,
Mary :-)
Well, that was the end of "speedy". I was ushered into an examination room to see the doctor. Shortly, a nurse came in, asked me if I had any questions, to which I answered, "No, the doctor was quite thorough last week." She then left the room after explaining to me that I would not need to see him, then, and that they were "running behind today".
Then the waiting began. As people rushed back and forth past the open door of the exam room, I regretted not bringing a magazine with me, but was sure that the minute I left my room, they would be calling my name and wondering where I was. Nearly an hour later, as I began to nod off, and after waving someone down and asking if I might have been forgotten, I was called over to begin my first treatment.
They got me set up in my uncomfortable position on the [hard, cold] table, and began taking measurements of the area to be radiated. They kept explaining that the first time would take longer than usual, but I was under the impression that this was what last week's three hour session was about. I wondered why this was not told to me prior to the visit...?
The actual time of the radiation itself was minutes long, and then I was done...almost two hours later. I was glad I didn't have any pressing appointments after that. I nervously asked if this amount of time was unusual, because I DID have an appointment right after radiation on Thursday. They assured me that this day was unusually busy, and that it should rarely happen like this.
Thursday went off without a hitch. I arrived a few minutes early, there were NO other cars along the curb, and the waiting room was empty! I went right in, got the treatment and was out in 20 minutes! WHEW!
I got home in time to greet my friends when they arrived a few minutes later. Georgia and Chrystal brought lunch [wild rice soup, broccoli salad, apple spice bread, rolls, and cookies] It was way more than we could eat, but we had a fun visit, and played Sequence and laughed a lot. Chrystal was the Sequence Champion for the day, but Georgia and I have vowed to have a re-match to have a chance to redeem our broken egos.
I do feel some improvement in my health. My cold is finally going away, and I feel less fatigued. So, there is hope.
Love to all,
Mary :-)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Tomorrow is Another Day...
I will begin my six weeks of radiation tomorrow. It's only supposed to take 20 minutes for the session, and I hope that's accurate. Having to go everyday will seem taxing after months of inactivity. But each day of treatment is one day closer to being DONE!
I have a cold, and this is making me feel extra tired right now. But I am anxious to get this next round of therapy started and ultimately, over with. My Doctor said I can wait about a month after radiation is done and then I can get my knee surgery. (Well, the first knee, anyway). I hope to be done with both of them by the end of summer. My highest hope is that I will be able to return to work next fall.
I want some normal again. Mostly, I would love to be able to walk!
Love to all,
Mary
I have a cold, and this is making me feel extra tired right now. But I am anxious to get this next round of therapy started and ultimately, over with. My Doctor said I can wait about a month after radiation is done and then I can get my knee surgery. (Well, the first knee, anyway). I hope to be done with both of them by the end of summer. My highest hope is that I will be able to return to work next fall.
I want some normal again. Mostly, I would love to be able to walk!
Love to all,
Mary
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