Night Before Final Radiation Thoughts

Incredible to believe that it has been 3 weeks that we started this radiation journey and 3 weeks that we have been here in Rochester. When it all started it felt like 3 weeks would be forever, but it went by pretty fast. In the past, this type of sarcoma was treated as a 5 week treatment plan, 5 days a week. I cannot imagine an additional 2 weeks at this time in the process. I was blessed to be part of a study where they are trying to prove that the 3 week treatment plan works just as efficiently as the 5 week plan. Many other hospitals mostly in the eastern US have already adopted this treatment plan.

Yesterday one of the nurses that has been with me on many treatment days wanted to give me a hug as she will be gone today and tomorrow. She also talked about how the 3 weeks went by so quickly. Then today, Michelle, who has been my technologist through most of the treatments said good luck to me and also gave me a hug. I was disappointed that she could not be with us tomorrow as I ring the bell but she is going on a field trip with her daughter up to the “cities” to see the Grinch play. She hugged me and said you got this with the upcoming surgery in December!!

Yesterday when I got home from radiation I noticed that my lower back on Ted’s side was painful. The pain increased through the night and it was actually hard to sleep last night. Since today was my check in day with the radiation oncologist, I first told her nurse Brook about the lower back pain. She said they will see that at times as the tumor swells, it pushes on the Saitic (hope that is the correct spelling…but you know what I mean) nerve which causes the pain. She said as the swelling goes down, the nerve is less pinched and the pain will reduce. Tylenol and ibuprofen on a regular basis will help. 😦 I just hope I can get a good sleep tonight. Plus we have to pack up the car to leave tomorrow so hopefully it subsides even a little tomorrow.

Saw the radiation oncologist and she said that looking at the CT scans that they look at every day they feel what they want from the tumor is happening…which is great to hear. She was glad to hear that my skin had not shown any issues, including peeling like you see after sunburn, but warned me to be sure to keep up with the lotion because often the skin reaction will happen a couple of weeks after radiation is complete.

One guy had the opportunity to ring the bell today. He is being radiated for a brain tumor, looked pretty week, and although radiation is done, his family does not see great progress. So it was almost with mixed emotions that they rang the bell, knowing that there may not be more for them to do. Seeing that and hearing their journey, I know I am so blessed that this radiation is doing what the doctors want. I know the surgery is scary, and I will be limited with movement, most likely using crutches or a walker, but at least it is being addressed….it was found early, and the prognosis is good. The slight leg pain (really kind of annoying more than pain) and even the lower back pain is all part of the plan….journeys are not always easy, but it builds our character and guides the rest of our live with patience and gratitude.

So where is my gratitude today? It reached almost 70 degrees today….tomorrow is the last day of radiation….and our 50th wedding anniversary is tomorrow. Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be 44…more like what it was 50 years ago! 🙂

Listen for the bell sound about 12:45 tomorrow!!! 🙂

Take care!