March 19, 2013 1\3 of the Way There With My Radiation Treatments
Chemo Side Affects - A Special Elevator Appointment
Well today is a little celebration for me because I have had 10 radiation
treatments so far. I Have 20 treatments left so I am 1\3 of the way there.
Though I am still dealing with the side effects of the chemo, radiation
treatments seems a lot easier on me. The one thing that I am really excited
about is my nausea seems to have finally passed. Praise The Lord. This chick
was tired of being sick to her stomach. It only took 11/2 months after my last
chemo treat for the nausea to pass. I have neuropathy in my hands and feet from
the chemo. Basically that means I can't feel the bottoms of my feet or hands.
It is a strange tingly feeling in the parts I can't feel. They told me it could
be up to 6 months for this to go away and that sometimes it doesn't go away. My
big news was that this past weekend I got feeling in my right pinky & ring
finger on my left hand. Now that is huge progress that I will take! The other
battle with my feet is that I have had blisters on them and my feet have begun
to peal. All part of the last three chemo treatments from the taxotere. This
too should pass within the next 6 months. Vaseline, Aquaphor & white footies
for these feet until they clears up. I need to count my blessings because my
hands aren't peeling and my fingernails did not fall off!
Honestly I feel blessed to have such a nice place to stay while I am receiving
my radiation treatment. I am really glad that Jamie got to be here with me for
my first two weeks so he could see what a nice place it is and how nice the
people are. He knows now that he has gone back on his two week work shift that
he at least doesn't have to worry about me. Even all my meals are cooked gluten
& dairy free for me and sent up from the hospital cafeteria. I have noticed
that I can taste more and am starting to get a little bit of an appetite. For
this I am grateful, as they weighted me in radiation last week and told me that
I had lost weight. Not that it will hurt me, but they like you to stay the same
weight because the amount of radiation they use depends on your thickness. When
you lose weight they do knew measurements. I told them that losing weight just
seemed to be part of this journey but I really didn't understand while during
radiation why I had lost weight as I am eating my meals and don't have to do
that much when I am staying in the hostel. Last week Jamie measure the walk
that I do twice a day with his pedometer that Lindsay & crew gave him for
Christmas. Come to find out, that the walk I do twice a day is 11\2 miles so
that means I have been walking 3 miles everyday! I never dreamed it was that
much. I was just trying to build up my strength. My legs seem to be weak in
the afternoon. I will get my strength built up in time.
The other day, I was in the elevator and on my way back from my treatment.
There was a sweet little person in the elevator and she had her stuffed animals
in a walker. She had special needs and I immediately said hello. Anyone who
knows me, knows that I just love those with special needs and they always hold a
special place in my heart. Anyway, she told me she was taking her stuffed
animals on a walk because they get cranky if they don't get on one. I smiled
and said that I get cranky if I don't get on my walk too. I listened to her
speak to the woman next to me and tell her that she hoped she had a good
operation etc. When the sweet girl, with special needs got off the elevator at
her floor. I looked over at the girl she had been speaking telling she hoped
she had a good operation and told her how sweet I thought that girl with the
special needs was. She told me that she has cancer and did not have much longer
to live. I had never thought about someone with special needs having cancer
before. It struck a cord deep in my heart. She also told me ,with tears in
her eyes, that the girl with special needs had given her a stuffed bear. And
then said to just imagine that she didn't have long to live and she would give
me a stuffed animal and I am only here for an operation. You never know when
you reach out to someone what is going to happen and what you are going to
learn. I think the depth of both those girls hearts speaks for itself. I have
seen people turn away from a person with special needs instead of talking to
them, how sad. The next time you see someone with special needs reach out to
them and you will learn just how special they really are and how deep and pure
their hearts are. They have that pure unconditional love of Christ and it flows
from them.
Kevin & Elaine are helping transport me back and forth to the hospital while
Jamie is on his two week away work shift. Blake & the Weavers are playing back
up for me. I have started coming up so I will be at the hospital a little bit
before super time on Sundays. I found that doing the long ride up and the
treatment in the same day was just too much. Usually on Monday's, I have my
treatment and my doctor's appointment so it is a longer day. I will have a one
long weekend, as I will have Good Friday and Easter Monday off from treatments.
I appreciate very much everyone's help. This journey would not be possible
without the help of others.
To all of you thank you for your support, encouragement, many kindnesses and
prayers. Thank you to the people who have come to see me at the hospital too.
Mom, Dad & Lindsay for calling me everyday. Bill for all the special things you
cook for me. All of you are helping through this journey. I feel very blessed
to have friends and family to support me in all these ways. God is good.
My love, ((((HUGS))) and prayers,
Paulette
