Surviving Step by Step: Three weeks' radiation

This past weekend was a busy time for my family and I. Besides being Father's Day and the first day of summer, it was my husband’s birthday. All on the same day. We gave gifts for Father's Day in the morning and his other gifts in the evening. We went to a great Italian place in Navarre. The whole family enjoyed the food. Finally, we were all able to have a meal together. Doesn't happen often.

I'm still doing good making it to my 8 a.m. appointment. Being a morning person helps out tremendously. Sometimes I'm able to get in a little early and out just as fast. My skin is pinkish and is not itchy at all. Monday morning’s treatment was shortened by one ray of beams. The machine was not working correctly in the morning. I will see the doctor Wednesday morning and he will let me know if it needs to be made up and when.

I'm looking past all the treatments to when I can go out and not worry about my marks getting messed up. The heat itself does not bother me. I will need to always be careful about the sun on my skin. It is a good thing in disguise because I will be taking better care of my skin. I will hopefully look younger than my age for a long time. It doesn't mean I can't be in the sun, just use better precautions while enjoying the outdoors.

This is a life-changing challenge, one that makes me think a lot about my old ways and the new ones that are emerging. I plan to have a good outcome and need to try to stay on track and take better care of myself. I feel and sleep better each night knowing that I did the best I could that day. I'm still very thankful for my family and friendships (old and new) that are helping me through all this. One day in the future after all my treatments are done, we will celebrate.

Surviving Step by Step