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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Continuing my Journey

Hello! I wanted to continue to share my journey with The Pink Ribbon. I have started my radiation treatments. They are going well, or so they say. Every evening when I get off work , my hubbie and I get into the SUV and drive to the Cancer Center. There I am told to undress from the top only. They walk me down this long hall to the treatment room. There my "cushion" which is personalized just for me is place on the table. I climb up and take my gown off at the top. I then pull my arms above my head and place them into cuffs that are specially molded just for me. Once they have the alignment right , the treatment can proceed. It takes about ten minutes. I get dressed and I drive home. It all sounds so simple, and it really is. The only thing that has complicated matters is that I have the flu. I was getting diarrhea and nausea. I thought it was caused by the radiation treatments. The doctor says no, that I have a flu that is going around. This has been going on for about two weeks now, feeling weak. I am so tired today that I slept most of this day. Yesterday, I went out to do some grocery shopping, and I went to Kirklands. When I got home and walked in the door, my husband stated I was white as a ghost. I was determined to get the things I needed to do done. I did some laundry and did some minor pick yp and cleaning. I finally had to fess up to the fact I could do no more. I don't think I have shared that I have some eye surgery coming soon as well. I have cataracts on both eyes. My right eye is really bad, and my left eye I can still see fairly well. I can not see to drive at night, so that is why hubbie drives me to treatments. In the midst of all this stuff, I am having a lot of dental work done. I have been so stressed that I started grinding my teeth. I ended up breaking a tooth in half. I wish I did not have to work but until I can retire there is not much else I can do. Just having to leave my home every day for an hour is stressful, go figure. I am so sorry I am whining, but I feel that I need to share my total experience so that others who are going through this journey can know what to expect somewhat. Everyone's journey is different, I know reading about other peoples experience with breast cancer and other cancers has helped me to keep things in perspective of how lucky I really am. I continue to praise God and glorify him for his watching over me on a daily basis. God Bless you for you support.

5 comments:

  1. Oh Susan I know this is such a hard journey! Add to it the flu, eye surgery and dental work, well you are just using all your strength! I know God is with you every step of the way!
    hugs, Linda

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  2. Bless your heart Susan. I was terrified that I might would have to do radiation and chemo too. I'm glad to hear that the radiation is going well. Sorry about you getting the flu. I too have been having dental problems a little before I found out but some now too. Just today a filling fell out for the 6th time I believe. I hate going to the dentist! The dentist is scared of me because I don't want to be numbed and ask him to do it without numbing me. He does it but I can tell he doesn't like to do it. lol It doesn't hurt me so why not I say. I don't think I'm grinding my teeth but who knows I may be. Have you ever looked into the natural way of taking care of stress? I am into taking vitamins that help with different problems and I find that they work. I take Vitamin B12, B6 and a sublingual liquid dropper form of B vitamin that the holistic doctor told me to take back when 9-11 happened and I was terrified. I also take echinaecea with goldenseal in the sublingual liquid form from GNC for colds, flu, sore throats and things like that. Do some google searches about it and ask your doctor if you can take it.

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  3. I do take Vitamin B12, will try the B6. I have heard of golden seal before. I am so interested in natural healing. I sometimes think the drugs we take are more harmful than having the disease.

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  4. Keeping you in my prayers...may your strength return soon and I hope this year is a peaceful and joyful one for you.

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  5. If it's not stressful enough, I'm sorry to hear you have the flu too. I've had some pretty bad colds since Kelly passed away and know it's directly related to stress and of course, grief. I take B12 injections, but that's for pernicious anemia. I know Emergen-C helps with preventing some of the bad stuff. I don't grind my teeth, but apparently, during the day, I clench! Which has resulted in cracking some crowns...very costly. If you can afford it, try to do some massage therapy, which helps the stress and soothing lotions helps your skin. Facials are a must too. Please email me your address and when I return from the trade show I am attending this week, I will send you a "Be Kind to Yourself" basket, love you, Susan

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