I haven't got Time for the Pain

Life is good without treatments.  All of the side effects have slowly faded away and with that my energy has slowly returned.  I'm getting back to my usual routine with exercise in the morning and plenty to do after work each night.  The weekends are packed with fun things to do as well.  Everything is great, right?  Well, not exactly.

Last week my legs were really painful.  I thought it was just from over doing it with exercise but things just weren't quite right.  Then I had these red spots on my legs.  At first I thought a bug had a feast on me one night while in bed but the spots were getting bigger and bigger.  Finally on Friday, I had enough of the spots and pain and when to see my PCP.  Turns out I'm having some sort of side effect/reaction to a virus, they think.  So, I had some blood work and will have to see if I have caught some crazy virus.  I'm told the achy legs and spots can last anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks.

I was frustrated with this new issue.  After all, I have just a small window to have some fun and build back my strength.  At some point, I realized I still have my window and it will be what I want it to be.  I could lay around and complain or I could take some Motrin and keep going.  I am sure it is no surprise I have selected the latter.  After all, there are only so many more days left to kayak and Halloween comes just once a year!

Eight Weeks of Fun

Well, eight weeks from today, I will have my surgery.  That means 8 weeks of lots of fun.  That is if my swimming coach doesn't kill me first!  Swim practice was more like boot camp than swim practice.  I never really enjoy sprint day but today was just over the top.  We had to get out of the pool and do push ups every so many laps and of course it got progressively harder.  Well, I did say I wanted to get back in shape!

So, what am I going to do with my free time?  Well, I went kayaking yesterday in the rain and I have a couple more weeks to do that.  I plan to do some hiking to check on the fall follage.  I have some more Pitt football games to attend and a couple of basketball games too!  Lots of time with friends doing fun things like a corn maze at night, cookie baking, Turkey Fry, cake baking, and a wedding to name a few!

My surgeon told me a while ago to just "Ride the Wave."  I was a little insulted when he told me this but I heeded his advice and I am glad I did.  I think just rolling with what life throws you and not getting overly upset or stressed makes life a bit more enjoyable.  Sure, I still make my own choices and am the captain of my own ship but the ship sails much better when you ride the waves and don't buck the tide....

Back in the Pool!

Ahhh.  Nothing like swimming!  I had the best time swimming this morning.  Some may call it exercise.  I call it heaven!  I couldn't help but chuckle to myself today while swimming lap after lap.  Six months ago I was grumbling and complaining about each lap and my coach making me swim faster intervals.  Today I was just thrilled to be in the water.  I was singing in my head, "I'm swimming!, I'm swimming!"  My coach could have told me I had to do 20 sprints and I wouldn't have cared.  I was just so happy to be back to one of my most favorite things to do.

I was also happy to see my old swimming buddies.  It was like I never left.  I was a little apprehensive to start swimming.  I thought for sure I would jump in and sink to the bottom and need to be rescued (ignore the fact that I can stand up in the pool).  Anyway, my coach asked me what I wanted to do.  I said I would just tag along in my lane and see what I can do.  Well, I did the whole set my lane did and it felt fantastic! We did 2000 meters today.  Usually we swim 2400 meters on distance day so I'm feeling good about only being 400 meters short on my first day back.  I'm also quite sure I will be sleeping well tonight and will be a little sore tomorrow!

Free At Last

Today was another great day!  I was disconnected from my pump today.  As a good friend of mine called it, Mr. Pump-ectomy!  It's weird to not have to make sure I have my pump with me every time I get up.  Even sitting at my desk, I didn't get up to do something because I didn't feel like dragging the pump around.  Then I realized, there is no pump to drag anymore.  Very exciting!

I was in and out of the infusion center fast this morning.  I couldn't help but smile and be cheerful.  I am free!  Tomorrow morning will be the longest hot shower ever.  I can't wait to wash my hair and condition it and just stand and let the water run.  No Glad Press n' Seal and no being attached to the pump.  I can't wait!  Beyond the shower, I hope to swim on Thursday even if it's just a lap or two.  I can't wait to get back to my normal routine!

Cold, Rainy Weekend - Perfect!

The weather has not been the greatest.  My friends are complaining that summer is over and we won't see the sun again until next May.  Well, the bad weather worked out well for me.  I was able to get plenty of rest this weekend.  Nothing like sleeping in on a cold, rainy morning.  The sun isn't shining to wake you and the sound of rain helps to just fall off to sleep.  Since it was so nasty out, I really didn't go out much this weekend except to treat myself to a pedicure for finishing up radiation treatment.

It's hard for me to believe that I actually enjoyed a weekend with no plans, but I did.  I didn't feel too great all weekend so I'm glad I didn't have much to do.  Curled up on the couch with a blankie watching TV was nice.  I didn't even feel like doing a puzzle or anything.  I guess sometimes it's good just to do nothing.  I am hoping by next weekend I will start to get my energy back as well as my appetite.  Although laying around this weekend felt good, I'm not sure for how much longer I will enjoy it!

I'm Done

Today I finished my radiation treatment!  I made it all the way through with no breaks.  28 treatments done!  No more early morning trips to the hospital.  I can get back to the things I enjoy, especially swimming once the chemo is disconnected.

The staff at the radiation center were amazing, of course.  Everyone there knew it was my last day and wished me luck and was so excited.  I felt like I needed to be wearing a cap and gown!  I cannot put in words the elation I feel to be done.  I knew I was excited to be done, but never thought I would feel like I do now.  I know it will take a couple of weeks to recover but just knowing nothing will be contributing any longer to making me feel worse is an amazing feeling

I celebrated this morning with Dunkin' Donuts hot chocolate and a chocolate kreme filled doughnut.  Hopefully I won't pay for it later!  My big plans for the weekend are to relax and get some rest.  Even though I had my last treatment this morning, the effects will linger on for several days.  More celebration to come when I'm feeling more like myself!

Diagnosis: You're Great!

I am wrapping up my radiation treatments.  Tomorrow is the last day.  I can't believe it!  The 28 treatments actually went very quickly.  As I have mentioned before, the radiation staff has been outstanding.  Everyday they start my day with a smile.  No matter how tired I am or I don't feel well, I can't help but feel better just interacting with the staff.

I wanted to get the team something special for doing such a great job.  As a nurse myself, I knew homemade food was not the way to go.  Flowers are nice but they stay at the hospital and no one gets to enjoy them.  I'm sure they get lots of candy.  I wanted to do something different so I decided to go with a cookie bouquet.  It was so cute with a bunch of bears dressed in hospital clothing and one cookie that said, "Diagnosis: You're Great!" 

When I went for my treatment today, all but 2 cookies were gone.  They were saving one for my doctor and the other one was probably going to be split during their break today.  I'm really glad they enjoyed their surprise.  They definitely deserved it!  Radiation plays a major, but short role in many oncology treatment plans.  They often don't get to see the happy endings and patients feeling their best.  I wanted to make sure they were acknowledged for all their hard work and their great attitude.