So thankful

I know it has been a while but here we go...

I went to the doctor that Monday after my scan. It was a horribly long wait! But my results came back and I am cancer free. I love hearing those words! I will have to get scans done every four months for the first year. Then after that they get farther apart. I still have the port a cath in my chest, which sucks! The doctor said that we can talk about taking it out after my radiation is over with. I have to get it flushed out every month and it had been exactly one month that day. So after my visit with the doctor, I went downstairs to get it flushed again. Now, the last few times I have had my port accessed I had this numbing cream that I would apply 30 minutes before and I would not feel a thing. I did not have that luxury this time. I felt the needle go in and I yelped in pain! I am glad that I only have to do that once a month...

I started radiation that next week. The first day I was so nervous. I had a general idea of what to expect only because I had seen some pictures online and I had talked to a few people. Well, when I go to the room, I was completely thrown off guard. I was under the impression that I would lay on a table and the machine would be positioned over me. They did not tell me that it was tunnel similar to the Pet scan! My heart was racing, I did not have my pills that I take for the MRI machine that calm me down... I asked how long I was going to be in the tunnel and they said 40 minutes. So not prepared!! I was thinking this was going to take 5-10 minutes. Once I finally calmed down and they got me into position, they blasted music in the tunnel so I couldn't hear the machine. They assured me that there were cameras all over the room and that if I needed anything they would stop the machine and come in. First they put me in for a CT scan to make sure that I am laying in the right position. This lasts about two songs. Then it takes me out but my head is still in but if everything is good, I go back in for 13 minutes of radiation. The doctor said that I am going to have 30 treatments and so far I have had eight. It is getting easier now. Most of the time I hit the mark. I have only had to be repositioned one time. I also bring my iPod so I can hear my play list and not get stuck hearing 13 minutes of Creed like that first day.

The side effects are not that bad. I am tired, but no different than when I was on chemo. I have hyperpigmentation. Basically means I am REALLY tan now, haha. They gave me a cream to use and I was expecting this crazy expensive prescription cream. Nope. They gave me Aquaphor from Eucerin. It isn't hurting yet. My friend was in crazy pain with hers, but hopefully with this type of radiation it won't be that bad...

Thanksgiving was great! I had so much to be thankful for. When I first started my chemo treatments, they told me I may still be on chemo during November. This upset me so much because if I was on chemo during Thanksgiving, I would not get to eat my normal dinner. I was so thankful to be done with chemo and able to enjoy my dinner with my family and friends! I cannot believe what a crazy year I have had. But through it all I am so thankful that I am closer to God and my family.