Countdown Complete

May 24, 2013

      When I first moved to Katy, back in January, it was hard to imagine this day actually happening. Everything seemed to be moving at a snail's pace and one thing after another was keeping me from starting my treatments. But today it actually happened. Just like the other 34 times I took off my shoes and hat, laid down on the table, put in my mouth stent, had the form fitted mask put over my face, neck, and upper chest and attached to the table, and had my radiation treatment. The only difference is this was my very last time. After I completed my radiation treatment it was time to ring the bell. This is an experience that every radiation patient longs for from day one of treatment. Ringing the bell lets everyone in the clinic know that another patient has completed their treatments. It's such a special experience. My family, along with my doctor and his nurse, all stood around me as I rang that bell back and forth. My doctor hugged me and told me to always keep smiling because every time I walked into his office I was smiling and that always made him smile too. Of course this made me cry. My doctors here at MD Anderson are just another example of how the Lord has blessed me out here in Texas. I have never been surrounded by such loving, encouraging, and truly caring physicians in my life.
      The past few weeks have been quite a roller coaster, unfortunately with more downs than ups.  The side effects from radiation really began kicking in sometime between the third and fourth week and they were no joke! I experienced everything from a sore throat and tongue, losing my voice, extremely dry skin along with a rash, major fatigue, mucositis, mouth sores, and I also started running a fever due to a kidney infection which landed me in the hospital on Mother's Day evening. Some days were worse than others and some days, thanks to the Lord providing me with comfort and my doctors staying on top of my pain medications, were not too bad at all. Either way I was always tired no matter what, so as soon as treatment was over, around lunchtime each day, I would spend the rest of the day sleeping and relaxing. Surprisingly I didn't get as bored as you might think. I think I was just too worn out to even care and right now rest is the best thing for me. As always my doctors were there for me each step of the way. Every problem I had they were already working on a solution. Such a blessing! Thankfully I began feeling a little better a couple days before I completed my treatments, so I was able to enjoy my bell ringing experience and celebrate with my family.

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11