ReachOutGiving

Update coming soon!

GIVE ME BACK MY LIFE!

Its been awhile since the last radiation treatment. Side effects are bothersome. Lack of energy, minimal strength and mental drain go along with the neuropathy. There goes my hope for a quick recovery. Although, my skin has healed from the radiation burns, there is pain in the tissue underneath. And, there's lymphedema to deal with now. My lymphedema therapist is wonderful. She is so caring and helpful. In fact, I have not had one negative experience with any of the folks in the cancer center at St. Anthony's hospital.

The radiation technicians recommend using Aloe Vera lotion on the skin during treatments. (I think it is fading my age spots from my hands.) Also, drinking Aloe Vera juice helps the healing process from inside the body.

Doxorubicin was one of the chemo treatments I received for six months. It can cause severe heart damage. Due to breathing discomfort, my radiation doctor ordered an echocardiography of my heart. I won't learn the results until after the holiday.

Thanks for listening. More later, keep in touch.

Radiation burns are worse than sun burns. I didn't feel the radiation on my skin or go through my tissue.  I didn't feel it come out from my back, either. Its was after a few treatments that I noticed my skin turning pink and then red. Then it became unbelievably painful. The burn is in the shape of the mapped out numbers that are read out loud before each treatment of photon rays. I have gotten a raspy voice because the rays come close to my esophagus. I am told there shouldn't be any squid cells left to care on their scheme to take over my world!

Thank you anonymous's for your gift. You are OOH LA LA!

"What does radiation feel like?" Many folks ask this question and I haven't a good answer for them, until today. Radiation therapy is everyday, in the middle of work or play. I can be sewing, trimming roses, or washing dishes and have to stop and leave for my appointment. My RAD crew (radiation technicians), are special people and treat me with tender care. I see them care for others the same way. My RAD doctor is very accommodating to my questions and concerns. The radiation treatment is painless. It is like an x ray you get at the dentist. Side effects may come later during treatment. I'll tell you about that then. When I get back home it's hard to pick up where I left off. I'm not interested anymore or it's too late to do it. Things are left for another time.  .

To help with adjustment to my involuntary enlistment, there is new music to be discovered. Automatic Theory, their sound is unique and I like them.

OM-Goodness! I would visit longer, but I have to stop and leave for town!

On the wall of the entrance to the radiation room is a warning sign. It lets anyone know not to go in when the light is on. So, throught-out my daily treatment I can see "Beam On" go on and off. I think of Captain Kirk and how easily he would escape danger by the simple command of "Beam me up, Scotty". Radiation doesn't kill cancer cells all in one zap. It takes repeated doses, over many days, to wear down and kill one cell. And, hopefully, at the end of treatment all squid like cells are "Beamed away".

Thank-you for your comments. Your words are encouraging to me.

Please help me get my story out to others by passing on the link to TheLighthouseCommunity.org. Click on my name, Sheila A. to read my profile. I appreciate the support and encouragement.