Radiation: Complete

I’m happy to share that radiation is complete after two weeks of treatment.  Every morning at 0830, my Dad and I would arrive.  It was always very quick and typically painless.  My femur would sometime ache afterwards and as time went by – my fatigue level increased until I’ve been sleep almost 12 hours per day.  Sometimes that would even not include a couple hour afternoon nap. 

The first weekend after treatment, Dad and Alan went hunting as they finally drew out for the Elk Hunt after almost 13 years.  My sister came and ‘babysat’ me and it was kind of like a sleep over after 30+ years.  We shared a room throughout our childhood and teenage years – it was kind of fun to do it again.  She made sure I kept my medication schedule through the night and drove me to my radiation appointment.  Nathan (my brother) took me to my last appointment as I still can’t drive (due to medications) and need assistance walking as well as getting in and out of the car. 

Right now, I am making the transition from walker to a cane.  It is a little scary as it doesn’t provide as much balance support but it is very nice to not have the awkward mechanism to get around – especially at night in my bedroom – trying to make it to the bathroom in the dark.  J

It took a while to get my pain medication regulated but we did finally figure it out.  While I don’t love being on the medication as much as I am, it has helped with the bone pain from the cancer as well as the pain from surgery.  I’m slowly starting to wean off the medication but have been advised by my surgeon that it may take up to a month to be completely off of it.  Right now, I take four morphine pills at 8pm and another 4 pills at 4am.  I was able to discontinue the 3 pills at noon about 4 days ago.  I still have the oxycodone for break through pain but that is rare these days.  Can’t wait to get rid of the foggy medication brain and start functioning again but am incredibly grateful to have the pain under control after so many months of having to deal with it night and day. 

This week we have an appointment with Dr Stinnett and I am anticipating an infusion of a medication to make my bones stronger and help stop the spread of the cancer cells in my leg.  We also have two appointments for tests – a bone scan and another CT scan.  I anticipate the maintenance drugs will start the beginning of December after the injection they gave me to ensure menopause has been in me for several weeks.  That was a requirement of qualification for the drug trial.  I’ll also be looking for a physical therapist to assist me with learning how to balance and strengthen my new reinforced leg. 

Otherwise – I’m just resting and taking each day at a time.  I wish the process for healing would go a little faster but again am learning humility and patience.  It must be I need a little extra help in this area – as I keep having to learn this lesson.  I have my good days and my bad days.  The good days typically are those that I focus on today and those things in my control - like getting stronger and exercising.  The bad days are those that I focus too much on the future and those things I can’t control.  Each day is a gift and I’m happy to live it, with my family and friends, to its fullest. 

Thank you all for your love and support.  The cheerful notes, phone calls, flowers and small gifts – they make me smile and feel so loved.