Feeling Better - On To Radiation

It is amazing to reflect back and recognize how terrible I felt.  Each day now I feel so much better than the day before and with that I am incredibly happy. 

We are officially two weeks past the last chemo treatment.  I am able to walk up the stairs with minimal impact.  My hair is slowly growing in and resembles the hair of an infant.  I've been able to work 8 hours a day in the office.  I am able to walk around a store without panting. 

The only real issue I'm waiting to resolve, but has improved, is the neuropathy in my hands and feet.  After the last treatment - my toes and fingers were numb and cold.  It felt like a hammer had hit each finger and toe nail.  My sensitivity to cold and especially hot was off the charts.  Now - the tips of my fingers and toes are still sensitive and my feet/hands 'buzz' and can be painful but SO MUCH BETTER.  

I've taken to not wearing hats and wigs in public.  They hurt my head, make me sweat and just in general irritate me.  Now that I'm feeling better the surprised, confused looks don't bother me as much.  Children are cute as they try to understand why a girl would not have any hair.  Older adults smile knowingly and will give me 'pep talks'.  There are some younger adults that don't seem to know how to handle the situation or what to think.  Bless them - I'm happy they have not been touched by cancer yet in their lives. 

My check up with Legant went well - my blood counts are slowly returning to normal but my liver continues to struggle.  This is normal with Taxol so we are hoping time will resolve things.  I've had my two radiation simulations - one at Huntsman and the second at Daybreak.  Surprisingly the thing that bothered me the most in both situations is that they drew all over me with marker.  It makes me feel a little 'dehumanized' but in the big scheme of things - I'd rather be drawn on every day for 6 weeks than have another chemo treatment.  It is all about perspective. 

Radiation starts at Daybreak on Monday and I'll have treatment every Monday - Friday with the last session on May 3rd.  The first time period is at 1130 on Monday but luckily they anticipated my need to be at work and they made the rest of next week at 0830 with everything after that starting at 0800.  This will make it so much easier to continue working without interruption. 

Every day I am happier and healthier.  I'm slowly coming back to myself.  Thank you for all your love and support during this journey!!