OUCH !!!

Almost to the finish line... and... OUCH! On Saturday night I tossed and turned all night long and felt "itchy" and "burning sensations" where I shouldn't be feeling itchy and burning. I got up early, braved the bathroom lights,(those of you who know I hate mornings) and YES I had several RAW skin areas from tape on my "radiation spot". I wanted to cry, and actually did when I got in the shower. It felt like fire instead of cooling water. I called Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and several nursery's and NO ONE had aloe plants yet. I called my cousin and she happen to have one, and Rachel had just bought one the day before. I kept all the "weeping" skin areas covered with aloe all day and night. Today I was seen by the nurse and the doctor and they decided to move forward with the radiation, because I am in an important accumulative phase and I too want to just get this over with. I now have only 4 more treatments. I will go tomorrow and then they will decide if I will skip Wed or continue and finish on Thursday. I think I can see the end of the road...it's just sort of curvy. Look out British Virgin Isle's,.... here I come !!!!

I think I've past 3rd base...and I can see home !

To my friends, family, and supporters:
The road ahead is getting shorter. I can finally see home plate. Today's radiation was the beginning of what they call the "boost". It's a little more intensified and apparently more centralized around the cancer area. Up until now, there is a square area about the size of a large dinner plate that has been the target zone for the radiation. My skin looks like I've been tanning. I haven't had any skin break down, thanks to the cream that's prescribed. That entire area has started itching and I've been told that is to be expected. My last "zap" will be on April 30th. Couldn't ask for a better birthday present than that. The staff at Thompson Cancer Survival Center are TOPS !!! Every single person I have come in contact with has gone above and beyond anything that I expected. I can't say enough about how great they have all been. I actually think I will miss them. They have made my journey thru dealing with "C" a very tolerable experience !
Last week I took Rick to rehab and they discharged him from physical therapy. He is really doing great and they gave him exercises to continue working on. He will continue to go to rehab for speech/cognitive skills. He is working hard to improve his short term and "thinking" skills. He works lots of math problems and cross word puzzles. He has continued to keep a positive outlook on all of this, and knows he has come a long, long way. He hopes that with warmer weather that he is going to be able to get outside and walk, and to work up his endurance. He thanks all of you who have continued to keep him in your thoughts !

A small bump in the road...and hoping that's all !

Radiation has been going smoothly until a small bump... well it's really all how you look at it. This week the "machine" was "down" and I missed a treatment...doesn't sound too bad. Then today they called about an hour before my treatment and said it wasn't working again. I have to have 33 treatments in all. WELL... the problem is that 2 days after my treatments will be over I am "out of here". Jim and I are going with two other couples for a week on a Catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. We had planned this trip before I found out about the "C". SO.... being the sweetheart that my therapist Karen Myers is, she talked with Dr. Meyers (no relation) and he let me go out to the West office. They gave me an hour to get from my house, to Ft. Sanders, to pick up my mold (it's this contraption I have to lie in ), papers and get back out west. Well, I did it in one hour & 10 mins in bumper to bumper traffic. They were able to wedge me in and will also be doing my treatment in the morning. I hope the machine at Ft. Sanders is fixed by Monday. I really like the people who see me there. Let's just say they are "really friendly" and supportive ! I sure am thankful for nice people in this world. Jim and I are going over night tomorrow to Atlanta to meet up with some dear friends. We will be back Saturday and look forward to Easter Sunday at church.

I appreciate everyone's support !

I'm getting over that mid-way hump. I've got 18 more radiation treatments. All the staff at Thomas Cancer Survival Center are great. Jim went with me and he has a lot better understanding of what all is involved. They let him ask all the questions he wanted to and explained everything in detail. I think he had a whole different idea of what it really was. I see the doctor once a week and he is pleased with the progress. So far, no skin burns or irritation. I am feeling the fatigue that I was told would happen. I thought I could outdo it but I have had a rough week. I think sleeping 13 hours says that I am more tired than usual. I also was told I would loose my appetite. They don't want me to loose weight, which I need to, but I don't have much of an appetite right now. Once I sit down to eat, I have no trouble eating. I've never had to be hungry to eat ! Thanks a million to the night Circle at church for the wonderful meal, which we spread out to two nights, and for the second meal we were able to freeze and can use this week. "Comfort food at it's best". You need to know that you brought it on the hardest day I have had !!! Thanks and I love each and every one of you. I have had so many sweet cards with wonderful Bible verses of inspiration, which helps me keep my head up and thank God every day for the life he has given me.

We went out Friday night to Jimbo's play at Powell High School with Rick and Vikie. He is doing great. He was using his cane, but just for security mainly. He has decreased from 3 days a week to 2, for therapy. He is staying positive and knows that he is progressing. He is so very thankful that God has been by his side and keep him strong.

Thank you for keeping me and my family in your prayers.