For one month, or 5 times a week for 4 weeks, I went to the hospital before my work day and laid down in a fancy xray machine for about 10-15 minutes, while a red beam of light aimed at my right shoulder and the machine grunted and squealed. No pain, but what made it difficult was the way they made sure I didn't budge while I was being zapped:
No, I am not fencing... I am being restrained down by a plastic mesh mold that is bolted to the xray table, BEFORE I am rolled into the tunnel. Did I mention that I am claustrophobic? (Ever since my brother trapped me in a toybox/coffin at my cousins' house when I was about 8, for what seemed like a 1/2 a day, but was more likely 5 minutes). The squared-off area is where the radiation beams were fired, and even though it's been done for over a week, I have a second degree burn to the area, front and back. But hey, if if prevents the cancer from growing back, then it was worth it. Best of all, after the last treatment, the friendly RT that I'd bonded with, Lacey, let me keep the mold. And of course I had to take her on a little adventure... I seatbelted her into Daisy, we had coffee at Fido, and then we rode the HOV lane together to work. I plan to make a topiary out of her one day soon- she'll cheer up the garden in my backyard.
See the family resemblance? (And the 1/2 neck burn?)
For now, I have some other serious issues going on which I can't really go into detail here - but just keep me in your prayers... and it's a watch and wait situation with the cancer. I have a PET Scan on September 19, so see if the little spots in my lungs have blossomed, or, hopefully, vanished. I'm having a KICKING METASTATIC CANCER'S ASS Party on September 10, and if you're reading this, you are invited. I have 2 or 3 bands and a DJ playing. MY old friends, the band Starlings, TN, are coming in from Austin for the event. Yay! Work is going ok and my boss has been understanding. I'm going to cancer group therapy at Gilda's Club, and have met a group of amazingly strong women who I am proud to call my friends.
I'm dealing with this as best as I can, and I thank all of you for your love and support.
