Triathlon Complete!

It's done! I've finished the Breast Cancer Triathlon as of yesterday, April 22nd, 2015! I completed the 33 rounds of radiation, and I am now officially a cancer survivor, not a cancer patient!!

There's so many emotions! Obviously I'm relieved and overjoyed, but I also feel concerned (is it gone? Will it come back?) and a bit disoriented (uh, what do I do now?). The coterie of medical professionals around me has assured me these are all normal feelings, and I believe them. There is of course my tendency towards hypochondria, so I'm really working on not completely losing it every time I have a pain or a headache or a stubbed toe.

In terms of physical side effects, I'm definitely feeling the fatigue from radiation. I noticed about a week or so ago that the tiredness was really getting to me. I'm still exercising, but for the next couple days I'm trying to be mindful of all the damage my body has withstood, and take it easy a little. (Of course "taking it easy a little" still involves getting two kids to separate after-school activities, going to open house at their school, and then going to a little league baseball tournament all weekend but hey, this is me we're talking about.)

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has offered support and good wishes throughout this entire odyssey! I absolutely couldn't have made it through this without the amazing people in my life who encouraged and helped me at every turn. That includes you, readers! These situations remind one how it's people and relationships that really matter in life, and I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful people!

Radiation Update: Halfway Home

Today marked the halfway point of my radiation treatments! 17 down, 16 to go!

Side effects are still manageable. I have to moisturize the skin all the time but it's not too bad. I'm finding it difficult to rest when the weather is nice and I really want to be out doing stuff! But, I'm trying to be mindful of when I feel run down and then take it easy (as best I can). It seems unbelievable that I have three more weeks of cancer treatment and then it's OVER.

And then there's these: hellebores blooming!

Radiation Update

While attempting to photograph the ongoing floral display from my Christmas/Easter cactus this morning, my phone somehow someway changed exposure and I got this...

...a greenish image on St. Patrick's Day. Not even joking. It should be obvious from my photography skills that I couldn't have arranged this if I tried. Leprechauns, I guess.

A brief radiation update: 7 down, 26 to go! So far I'm feeling ok, although I've noticed the tissue is feeling sore and tender. I've also been tired but it's really hard to say if that's directly from radiation treatments, or if it's a chemo hangover, or if it's just because I had a busy weekend. It's probably a combination of all three. Anyway, enjoy St. Paddy's Day, and as Homer Simpson famously said on this day:

To alcohol! The cause of—and solution to—all of life's problems.