Skip to main content

How I'm doing: Halfway through radiation, and a list of good stuff!

I'm halfway through radiation now! I have a low sunburn to the shape that's being radiated. I get a little sore by my right arm, and it always feels like my pecs need a good stretch, and so I do. My energy level is better than I expected. I need to rest every day, but I'm still working out almost to my normal strength. I continue to pepper my care team with questions like, "Is it OK to go paddle boarding or jet skiing 2 weeks after radiation?" (Answer: Yes, but see how you're doing, and cover up the radiation area when in the sun.)

The first 2 weeks flew by. It's much easier to have an end in sight compared with 3 months chemo, where I needed to focus on a day or a week at a time, one step in front of the other.

I've got the swing of my routine: 

  • Rise and walk Monty
  • Breakfast for both of us
  • Radiation + another appointment
  • Exercise
  • Lunch
  • Write 1,000 words (some days)
  • Nap
  • Walk Monty
  • Dinner
  • Catch up with friends / Volunteer / Watch something / Event 

I also have a list of good stuff! 

  •     I gained muscle mass during chemo!
  •     My stomach is flatter than it's been in my life! (Because of healthy choices.)
  •     But I sure enjoyed that slice of fried apple pie today!
  • My hair is evenly sprouting now, seemingly normal hair.
  •     My hair is evenly sprouting now, seemingly normal hair.
  •     I have sprouted 3 dark hairs! (versus pigment-less "clear")
  •     I can taste normally again, and cooking is fun again!
  •     Monty is 3x more curious about other dogs now! 
  •     Sleeping has been easier the past 2 weeks! (I'll take it while I can get it.)
I'm eagerly awaiting my April 11 check-in with my oncologist.

I have plans at the end of radiation to go to Naples, Fla, courtesy of a longtime friend, and I simply cannot wait to be in the sun (with my burn area covered, of course) and relax (and paddle board and jet ski, ability permitting).

I'm doing great, which I attribute to having the space and time to take care of myself AND work through hard feelings, which are still very much there. I'm emerging stronger than ever. In a sense, I feel like I'm on fire. I guess that makes sense. ;)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sara's playbook for dealing with cancer

My care team has commended my playbook for managing symptoms and dealing with cancer treatment.  I can't compare my cancer experience to others', because everyone's cancer is different. But, I can say that I'm coming out of this feeling like a better version of myself, and I didn't experience the intensity of symptoms that most people experience.  I'm a firm believer in doing what I can to manage what's thrown at me and take control where I can.  Here's my playbook for dealing with cancer in case it's helpful.  Note: If you think it might help to share with someone who has a recent diagnosis, I recommend first asking them if they're open to a perspective on managing life during treatment, sharing only if they say yes.  I treated food as fuel. I learned which ingredients reduce inflammation and which ingredients help the body recover, and I chose foods with them instead of comfort foods as often as possible. These ingredients can be found across c...
1 comment
Read more

How I'm feeling: Warmth from returning to work

I went back to work this week, and the best word I can describe it is dreamy. You read that right.  I had the best welcome back from teammates and others. The best. I truly felt joy seeing them, and I received so much warmth and even love back, it really makes me count my blessings. The only triggers I had were problematic, institutional terms in our work that we haven't solved yet!  I also reviewed final content from a big project I had been working on before I left, getting to see how the team finished the foundation we started and how they applied the content guidelines I drove. I couldn't tell the difference between what I wrote and what they wrote, which is amazing! This is what you want to happen! It was also dreamy because my directive from my new manager and partner lead recognized my leadership and strategy skillset, versus a more tactical starting point of, "Can you write this line of copy?" Like I said, dreamy .  There was a weird part I got through. I re...
1 comment
Read more

How I'm doing: Positive reflections as I head back to work

My Florida trip brought paddle boarding, crystal clear waters, tequila, sunshine, and laughs with friends. My final few days before work are a wonderful balance of downtime, long walks with Monty, rest, and fitness. I was also asked to be one of the speakers at the hospital cancer center's Survivors' Day of Celebration this year. Yes, there's so much to celebrate!  And, it's fitting to share my reply to an e-poll question that I answered in a group of former colleagues. The question was, " If you could relive one year of your life, which would it be? "  Here's what I wrote:  " My first thought was age 26. I just remember it as coming into my own and having so much fun. Then I saw [so-and-so's]  mention of studying abroad, and my 2001 experience changed my life in so many ways. But my final answer, if I were to pick one year, would be this past year, actually!  "A year ago at this time I finally, finally just felt so comfortable in my own skin...
Post a Comment
Read more