Thursday, July 7, 2011

It's Over, Now To Start The Healing

Today is Thursday, July 7, 2011. The weather here is wonderful! Yesterday out of the very blue skies came a down pour I haven't seen in a very long time.

Well the radiation treatment is officially over as of last Tuesday. That was the final treatment. The picture above is where I would spend most of my Wednesdays. It is a little park that is across from the treatment facility. It is a beautiful little park, very quiet, clean and well kept. With all of the trees, even on the hottest of days the breeze was very cooling.

I have to say that these weeks of treatment were very challenging. Not just physical but mental as well. I do believe that your mind set in this situation has a lot to do with the outcome. I made my appoints early every morning or as early as I could knowing this was something that I couldn't put off and had to get my butt out of bed to do. No time for the damn this really hurts. No time to play the poor thing me, no had to get up out of that bed and get moving. You have to remember that I had an hour drive each way, so I had to leave home by 6:30 for a 7:30 a.m. appointment. I will now pat myself on the pat that I made every appoint and on time, drove myself all but the last 6 days of treatment, George decided to take 2 weeks off.

I made it through the PT which I owe so much to my PT lady, Vickie. She gave me back the use of my right hand and arm. I will say I was not happy with the fact that I would sit in some very serous pain in my shoulder, with the heating pad. Really weighing what my options were going to be with all of this. She made sure she gave me that well you know, that kick in the butt to be working on things at home. Thank you Vickie!

My radiation team were terrific. I remember the first treatment, I was scared to death, not knowing how well I would handle laying flat on my back. You see after this surgery, laying flat on your back is a real struggle. But, with their help and words of encouragement, I made it through the first session and the other 34!

My radiation doctors both of them are so sweet and so very caring. They really care what is happening to you and they do listen to you! Something you don't see any more. Even with the rest of my doctors, and goodness there are a lot of them, they look at me like a piece of meat. She hugged me and let me know that I could come back at any time to see her, just because I was being discharged doesn't mean I couldn't come see her and if I needed anything to call her.

Well, I didn't know, but George says I did, she told me, the next few weeks were going to be pretty yucky. I felt good, until last Sunday and boy oh boy. I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me. The nausea set back in with everything including water. The stiffness was so bad in my neck I was back to turning my whole body again. Now I know why she put me on Morphine twice a day. However, I quit taking it knowing that was the reason for the nausea. So needless to say I took it less than a week and won't be needing it again. Yesterday was better and today even better.

I will get my butt dressed do my home physical therapy and carry on with the things that have been put on the back burner for so many months. I feel like I am so out of the loop with everything, have so much to catch up on!

I have missed all of you!

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

7 comments:

  1. Oh, my friend, I am so glad that that part of it is over for you. You've been so strong. I admire you so much. You've so much courage. Now, I know you are anxious to catch up, but a little at a time, my friend. Be careful not to overextend. Love you.
    Mary

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  2. OH MY DEAR, I AM SO HAPPY THAT IT IS OVER! Yes, I mean to shout! It's worth shouting about. You have been so brave! So brave.

    So glad the after-part is getting better, too.

    Just don't try to do too much, too soon. Please. Please. Please. Listen to what your doctors have told you. I'm sure they advised you. But also betcha' you want to go, go, go and do, do, do.... Now that you're feeling better. Please, pace yourself.

    Lots and lots and lots of gentle hugs,
    ~♥~

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  3. Glad to hear that that part is behind you....hope you feel more like yourself soon. Take care.

    Cheers!

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  4. Dede - I have said it before, you are AWESOME! Give yourself a big hug from me and a WELL DONE! xox Pam

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  5. So glad you are the path to healing! : 0) You are an inspiration to so many. Your strength and positive attitude are to admired. {{HUGS}}

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  6. so glad you are healing love, i don't know if i could have gone through all this myself. i love you sweetie

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  7. Dede, I give you so much goodwill, I don't think I could go through what you did. my husband went through mega radiation, and I do know it takes strength! Your healing humbles me!
    But I'm glad it's over! I'm so sorry I haven't been by.
    Hugs, to you Dede,
    Lisa

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It was nice of you to take time out of your busy day to stop by. Blessings to you and your family! (((HUGS)))