Sunday, June 22, 2008

I know it has been a while since my last posting. Last week was very busy with the in-laws in town. It was great. We celebrated Ashley's (my niece) high school graduation. Then it was time for some adventure as we explored Ape cave with the children. On average, the cave is 42 degrees so we had to dress really warm. In fact there was snow near the entrance. After our cave expedition we played zoolaretto and reminisced and laughed about our childhoods. It was great having the family at the house.

Only 6 more radiation treatments and then I am finished. I am having difficulty swallowing. That is a bummer because I like to eat and now eating is not fun. It is really difficult to swallow meat. It feels like I just had my tonsils out again. I had those taken out when I was 21 and it took a long time to recover from the cauterizing. Well that radiation is burning my throat. However, it will go away once treatment is finished.

I hope all you fathers had a great father's day. Tim got a tracking of his priesthood lineage and of course a tie with some yummy caramel popcorn.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Radiation is going well. There are virtually no side effects (yet, who knows what the future holds). I have 16 treatments left. My hair starting to come back and I have my strength. I feel great. Thanks to everyone for your kind words and encouragement.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The photos I posted are of my markings for radiation. They are not permanent (thank goodness), but I am wondering if it is just me or does anyone feel like wearing a turtle neck? Yesterday was my appointment to make sure the markings were correctly positioned and the prep for radiation. I went home smelling like a huge band-aid because there are clear latex stickers over my markings to prevent them from washing away. I get a good laugh looking at myself in the mirror. Talk about your freak show, I have bluish-purple markings all over my top half along with two red scars (one from my lymphectomy and the other from my port) and then a nice bump protruding out of my skin (that is my port). Regardless of all this weirdness, I am truly thankful to be alive and in good spirits.

I had my first radiation appointment today and it was nothing like chemo. I will take radiation any day over chemo. It took about 20 minutes to position my body and 30 seconds to shoot me with radiation. I am not kidding about the 30 seconds. I counted--15 seconds from the front and 15 seconds from the back. During that time I tasted a burning flavor and noticed the mucous in my nose. It was really wacky. What is even wackier was the music playing on the radio while driving home. It was Doctor Doctor by the Thompson Twins. The line “doctor, doctor, can’t you see I’m burning burning,” made me laugh. I thought it was so appropriate. Only four more weeks and then I can close the chapter on this part of my life. I wonder if I will glow in the dark even more after my treatments. (only kidding)