Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Mountain Climbing: Last Day of Radiation Treatment

I had my last radiation treatment, today!  One of my dear friends sent me two photographs, this morning, of a path leading into the distance and of a view from the top of the hill, with words of support.  I received them just before I left for my radiation session and they made me smile.  My friend was right; my path has been long and difficult, sometimes, but I made it to the top!

Afterwards, I was seen by the radiation oncologist, who confirmed that my active treatments have come to an end.  I will be seeing him again in two weeks' time and periodically after that.  He will be sending his reports to my regular oncologist, but, I guess nothing can be said for certain until I have my follow-up mammogram in six months' time.  That will be my real test of knowing if I've reached the top of my mountain or not. 

By the way, the nurse weighed me, today.  Looks like I've lost another 2 lbs.  Which is a good thing because I'm overweight and my doctor has been telling me to lose weight for years.  The downside of losing over 30 lbs?  My 60+ year old skin is beginning to show wrinkles since the fat cells that held it plumped up are shrinking! 

I stopped at the grocery store on my way back home and purchased bread ($1.29), bananas (@$.69/lb; $.95), frozen corn and peas (@$1.00), a box of macaroni and cheese ($1.00) and a can of tuna ($1.00).

August Week 4 Groceries
My total came to $6.24.

August grocery shopping spending to date:  $31.74(Week 1) + $24.41(Week 2) + $12.87(Week 3) + $6.24 = $75.26
Amount left in the August grocery budget: $88.21 - $75.26 = $12.95

After I came home, I boiled two eggs and made egg salad.  Lunch was an egg salad sandwich and a banana.  Dinner was macaroni and cheese (yes, from the boxed mix) with some of the grilled chicken daughter brought home.

It was another warm day (95F in the afternoon, when I came home after grocery shopping), so I spent a quiet afternoon, resting, since it was too hot to do anything much.  Later, however, I cleaned out the fridge, emptied the waste baskets, took the trash cans to the curb, and put water to the back garden.

Monday's To Do List:
- Go for last radiation session! - DONE!
- Clear the family room table - DID SOME
- Paperwork/Filing
- Clean out fridge - DONE
- Empty waste baskets - DONE
- Take trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water back garden - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Clear the family room table
- Paperwork/Filing
- Bring trash cans in
- Do the dishes
- Clean the litter box

Today, I am grateful for:
- Completing my treatments
- My daughter who climbed every step of the mountain with me
- Friends and family who helped me along the way
- The concern, prayers, well wishes, encouragement, and hugs from all of you
- The blessing of this day

Thank you, again, for being there for me on this journey up the mountain.


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14 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS on both completing your active treatment and on losing more weight, dear Bless, and best wishes moving forward! I'll be joining you in the wrinkly department as I hopefully keep on losing weight myself, lol. It's been a long road but you've completed your journey with a positive spirit and a great attitude and I so admire you for it.

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    1. Thank you, Nathalie. :) I'll be glad to have your company in the wrinkly department! :D

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  2. Congratulations on reaching this milestone! It will be so nice for you to have s daily routine that's not focused on treatments. When do you go back to the office? Am over the moon happy for you!!!!! :-)

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. I am thinking of returning to the office after my doctor's appointments that have been scheduled for Sept. 9. That'll give my skin enough time to heal enough to be able to wear a bra, for one thing. ;) And give myself enough time to get back on a regular sleep schedule, for another (couldn't fall asleep until after 4:00 a.m., last night, so slept in till 10:30 a.m. this morning; can't do that when I have to be at the office at 8:00 a.m.!)

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  3. Congratulations, Done! You get control of your life again! Move all that worry stuff behind you and look to the future. What's next? We're all excited to learn about your next project.

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    1. Thank you, Hon. Right now, my "next project" is to rest and recuperate from the past year's journey. Maybe get my house a bit more decluttered and organized. And get an acceptable office wardrobe put together - the majority of my clothes are too big!

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  4. Prayers you've made it to the top of that Mountain and your feet are firmly planted.

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    1. Thank you so much! That's what I am praying for, as well. That I won't backslide. That I haven't made it to the top of this mountain only to find that there's another one to climb. But, if there is, then, I know I will be helped over that one, too.

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  5. You've made it to the top of the mountain! I am so impressed by your courage. Enjoy the view, breathe in the satisfaction that you did it and keep going. hugs x

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    1. Thank you, Lyssa. Thank you for all your encouragement during my climb. :)

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  6. So happy to hear that you have had your last treatment. Did you feel a little weepy afterwards at all that you have gone through?

    I was thinking of a passage in the Bible where it says that God will make up the years that the locust has taken, and praying that He will make up for this difficult year of treatments, side effects and the putting on hold of your life.

    You have learned some hard lessons and grown strong with courage and you have been an example to us all with the ways you have coped and avoided defeat. I pray that you will abound with joy from now on and be able to live your life fully, and I look forward to reading and seeing photos of some happier adventures!

    Bushlady

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. Thank you for envisioning this whole journey as a climb up a mountain and giving me that imagery to hold on to. No, I didn't feel weepy; just very thankful. :)

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  7. BLess, I am so very happy that you have taken your last radiation treatment. Know it has been a long high hill to climb.. Praying for complete healing..
    Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. Hope all is well with you and your family.

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