So that's radiation done! This week was much like last week (no surprises, there,) except they were perpetually running late because of some changes to an earlier patient's treatment. I did have to use a couple of hours of sick time to make up the difference. But overall, not too bad. As promised by my RadOnc, Dr. W, I did start to notice a few changes during the second week that weren't there during the first. I finally developed a little "pinking" of the skin, although for the most part it would disappear by the next morning. I've been putting the Eucerin on about three times a day (occasionally with Daniel behind me chanting, "It puts the lotion on its skin" in his creepiest voice,) and I've not experienced any pain or discomfort. Yet. They gave me my discharge instructions during my Wednesday appointment with Dr. W, and told me that it was normal to continue to see skin reactions develop and then fade anywhere from 1-2 weeks after treatment finishes. It might continue to get pinker, even red, could start to flake or peel (like a sunburn,) might be a bit tender to the touch. All of these things are completely normal, so I'll just keep using my lotion (maybe when D's not around,) and in a couple of weeks be back to rights.

I also had a weird loss-of-appetite thing going on, starting last weekend. I know that can happen with the longer radiation treatment, but it doesn't seem to be common with the 10-day regimen. It went beyond just "not being hungry" to being actively opposed to eating. It seems the more I had to chew the food, the more difficult it was to want to keep down. (I didn't throw up any, just had an uneasy stomach.) I knocked back a lot of protein shakes, which Dr. W said was a good choice, because my body needs the protein to heal. He said I could even--once in a while--consider a smoothie with vitamins in it. I don't even know how long it's been since I've had a smoothie, but the moment he said that, it was like the best idea anyone had ever had. I needed a smoothie. I saw a funny little thing someone had posted online a few days ago that read, "You ever had cravings that are like, 'You WILL eat a Rice Krispie treat or there will be consequences. You have 24 hours.'" My smoothie craving was like that, so I swung by Smoothie King on the way back to work. Did you know a smoothie in 2019 will set you back EIGHT BUCKS?!? That hurt my feelings. But the smoothie was very satisfying, and it had protein and vitamins (and pineapple and other stuff) in it, so at least I got some calories in. 

My ladies at the Radiation center all celebrated my last day for me, and gave me a sweet little card congratulating me on finishing radiation, and telling me they were glad to have been there to go through it with me. Honestly, they made it fast and fun, so I'm glad they were there, too.

There's a wall right outside the radiation room with the 'definition' of hope-ology, and a bell. The bell has an engraved plate that reads, "Ring this bell three times well, its toll to clearly say, My treatment's done, This course is run, and I am on my way!" My ladies asked if I'd like to ring the bell, but I had no desire to do so. Maybe if I'd had to do the seven weeks of treatment instead of just ten days, it would feel more like an accomplishment that deserves a racket, but this one didn't. Not that it wasn't an important or necessary step in my care, but in perspective, I've had it remarkably easy. There was a lady who received radiation treatments after me each day. She comes in well-dressed, eyes tired, skin drawn, and wearing a chemo cap. The first time I saw her, I was flipping my hair out of my eyes, breezing out the door on the way back to work, and my hand just froze there in my hair. I thought, "There's a lady who's had to fight every single day since someone said the word 'cancer' to her." In comparison, I've been on a Cancer Cakewalk.

Yes, yes, I know, another lady's greater experience doesn't lessen mine. But neither will I attach far more weight to my experience than it deserves. Was this a medical crisis? No, of course not. It was a small cancer, non-aggressive, and found early. We did what was necessary to fix it. (Well, they did; I just showed up and laid where they told me to.) I'm not going to over-state or dramatize the reality of what it was. Of course, the flip-side to that is the potential to under-state the situation. I'm not ignoring the issue, either. Cancer has an enormous amount of evil potential, and I am fortunate that The Little Bugger was more 'cranky' than 'straight-up evil'. I am fortunate that we have easy access to the technology of a mammogram that could find it. For reasons of His own choosing, God has allowed me to slide right on through this process with a minimum of fuss. I am grateful. But I am also clear-eyed about its import.

I have my follow-up with the Medical Oncologist next week for a check-up and to finalize decisions on the estrogen-blocking pill (which I will refuse,) another appointment or two with Kathy the PT, a three-month follow-up in early May with my excellent breast surgeon, Dr. M, and then a RadOnc follow-up in late June. There will be another scan of some sort (mammogram? CT?) in about six months, and ... I don't know what comes after that. Maybe a vacation.

At this point, posts will certainly become more sparse (unless something truly outrageous happens, or I develop appendicitis or something else that requires medical updates.) I am so thankful to each of you who have come to see what's going on. I don't doubt that much of the ease of this experience came as an answer to your prayers. Thanks for being my prayer warriors!

Have a beautiful weekend, loved ones!