Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
A Month at Liberty
How odd: I have 30 days ahead of me with no medical appointments. That hasn't been true in a year.
The Burn is impressed with how quickly I am healing. Frankly, I'm a little shocked by it. So much for two weeks getting worse before I start to get better; there's only a slightly-more-than-toonie sized patch of broken skin left on the tata in question. By the end of the month, I should be back to smooth skin all over. Granted, I'm not yet back to my usual fair tone, but that'll come.
With a date with The Dutchman in a month, and another with The Pusher in September, The Burn doesn't want to see me again until March next year. How on earth will I keep myself entertained without someone with a white coat around to supervise? Guess it's time to find out.
The Burn is impressed with how quickly I am healing. Frankly, I'm a little shocked by it. So much for two weeks getting worse before I start to get better; there's only a slightly-more-than-toonie sized patch of broken skin left on the tata in question. By the end of the month, I should be back to smooth skin all over. Granted, I'm not yet back to my usual fair tone, but that'll come.
With a date with The Dutchman in a month, and another with The Pusher in September, The Burn doesn't want to see me again until March next year. How on earth will I keep myself entertained without someone with a white coat around to supervise? Guess it's time to find out.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wasn't That a Party?
It felt odd to get up, this morning, and not organize myself for a trip to PMH. Not so odd that I couldn't reconcile myself to a 10AM nap, however. Since I've never been able to stay up with the big people, I figured I'd better be as rested as possible for tonight's festivities. So, I added another wee lie-down in the afternoon, for good measure.
The rest was much needed and well worth it. More than 40 of the ass-kickingest people on the planet braved the heat, the lack of air conditioning (who knew?!) and the low-rent venue to wave goodbye to cancer treatment with me. There were drinks and cupcakes and booby prizes and samples from the golden food group, but best of all there was much laughter and many, many hugs.
Except for one brief moment with a much-missed gal pal who called mid-evening, I managed to keep it together 'til I got home. Then I opened the cards and read the personal notes penned on the t-shirt, and removed most of my mascara without using my hands. I really am a lucky, lucky girl.
The rest was much needed and well worth it. More than 40 of the ass-kickingest people on the planet braved the heat, the lack of air conditioning (who knew?!) and the low-rent venue to wave goodbye to cancer treatment with me. There were drinks and cupcakes and booby prizes and samples from the golden food group, but best of all there was much laughter and many, many hugs.
Except for one brief moment with a much-missed gal pal who called mid-evening, I managed to keep it together 'til I got home. Then I opened the cards and read the personal notes penned on the t-shirt, and removed most of my mascara without using my hands. I really am a lucky, lucky girl.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Like Dinner
Two words: I'm done!
It won't make any difference to how I feel for a couple of weeks, but I can sleep in tomorrow, remove the EZ-Pass from my purse, take first aid supplies off the perpetual shopping list, and maybe start to get my life back. One chapter closes; another begins.
I thought they didn't want to let me go, this morning. I think Dr. Murphy took over my case on the last day. The bed set-up was wrong to start with; we righted that after a while, and then one of the computers on my unit froze up halfway through my treatment. Without the technicians' ability to control the accelerator, I was left in motionless limbo until the reboot was done and we could finish my zappage. But, in the end, all was well, and they set me free.
Now, I get to look forward to Boobylicious and many left-handed hugs tomorrow.
It won't make any difference to how I feel for a couple of weeks, but I can sleep in tomorrow, remove the EZ-Pass from my purse, take first aid supplies off the perpetual shopping list, and maybe start to get my life back. One chapter closes; another begins.
I thought they didn't want to let me go, this morning. I think Dr. Murphy took over my case on the last day. The bed set-up was wrong to start with; we righted that after a while, and then one of the computers on my unit froze up halfway through my treatment. Without the technicians' ability to control the accelerator, I was left in motionless limbo until the reboot was done and we could finish my zappage. But, in the end, all was well, and they set me free.
Now, I get to look forward to Boobylicious and many left-handed hugs tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
One Hot Mess
Day one of the boost, and my blisters are weeping for joy that it'll soon be over. There's no longer a comfortable position. Even sleeping isn't restful anymore. And I'm bored stiff with saline soaks and antiobiotic burn cream. Deodorant is out of the question on the right side, and the only comfortable wardrobe choices are soft and loose -- more like pyjamas than anything else. I dare not leave the house without ID; if I'm struck by a car, I don't want to be identified in the news as a homeless person!
The boost treatments actually take longer to deliver than the regular kind. That's 'cause the team comes into the room to spin the bed 90 degrees, halfway through the treatment. It feels a little like being at Canada's Wonderland, if you don't count the fact that no one wants to go on the ride with me. Still, I'm in and out in less than 15 minutes, which means that it'll be all finished in an hour.
The boost treatments actually take longer to deliver than the regular kind. That's 'cause the team comes into the room to spin the bed 90 degrees, halfway through the treatment. It feels a little like being at Canada's Wonderland, if you don't count the fact that no one wants to go on the ride with me. Still, I'm in and out in less than 15 minutes, which means that it'll be all finished in an hour.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot!
42C outside; third degree burns inside. It's summer in the city, alright.
Tomorrow's my last full-breast treatment; only five 'boost' treatments directly to the tumor bed will remain. And the end can't come soon enough. The Burn made the ouchy face when I revealed my brilliant red and blistered skin, this afternoon. And the word is it'll be two weeks after my last appointment 'til my skin even starts to come around.
But, a week from tomorrow it's all over. Time to prep for Boobylicious. I feel a site inspection coming on!
Tomorrow's my last full-breast treatment; only five 'boost' treatments directly to the tumor bed will remain. And the end can't come soon enough. The Burn made the ouchy face when I revealed my brilliant red and blistered skin, this afternoon. And the word is it'll be two weeks after my last appointment 'til my skin even starts to come around.
But, a week from tomorrow it's all over. Time to prep for Boobylicious. I feel a site inspection coming on!
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