A First

I said the opening prayer for Stake Conference today.  I wore my black, fuzzy hat.

Two Thirds of the Way Done with Radiation!

..... BUT, who's counting? ;)

Quick Up-Date

I shaved this week for the first time in months.  Bitter sweet.  I have to admit it has been kind of nice not to have to shave.  HOWEVER, I will GLADLY take having to shave over being on chemotherapy ANY DAY!  I'm so happy it's all coming back :)  My hair is now probably 1cm long.... and dark!  It will be interesting to see what it looks like in a couple of months.

I am half way done with radiation... only 3 more weeks!  I can't wait!  All in all I feel pretty good.  A little tender where I get treated and I do get pretty tired by the end of the day, but I think a lot of that has to do with getting up with Emma a few times during the night.  She is currently addicted to her binki and when it falls out, she cries.  I'm trying to decide if I should wean her from it now or tough it out until she can put it back in by herself.  She is one cute little girl.

Does she look like her daddy or what??  SO CUTE!

The Zapper

I just finished my second week of radiation.  My total treatment consists of going five days a week for 6 weeks.  It makes for a very busy morning getting Emma to one neighbor, Caleb to another neighbor, the kids to school and then a race up to the hospital by 9:00am.  Thankfully, I have the energy to do it and it feels so good to be the Mom again.  My neighbors and friends have been so selfless in their service and help to our family.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by such good people.

The first time I was treated was somewhat like an "I've been abducted by aliens/Star Wars" experience. This huge machine floats all around you until it finds its perfect location.  Talmage was there for support and he was able to get the low down on all of the equipment and procedures.  We feel really good about who is treating me and the techs are great, too.  Once I am there it is only a matter of changing into that gorgeous robe, being adjusted on the machine (they do this by lining up lasers from the machine to the tattoos on my body), and getting radiated.  Once a week I do get extra films taken to make sure I am still being treated in the exact locations and I also meet with the doctor for a quick exam once a week.  Other than those couple of extra appointments, it only take about 5 minutes!   It is a walk in the park compared to chemotherapy!  Four more weeks...

On a happy note, my hair is growing back!  It is about 1/8" long :)  I have also been having dreams of waking up with hair.  It has been so great compared to having dreams of losing my hair.  As soon as I have enough hair to cover my head, I am burning these hats! 

When the male tech (in the picture above) was getting my chart ready, he took a portrait picture so they could make sure they were always treating the right person.  When he looked at the picture he said, "I don't know what color your hair was before (I had my black hat on), but if you had long, blonde hair, you would look just like Taylor Swift"  Needless to say, he's my favorite tech ;)

"Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all they doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever"  Alma 37: 36  Book of Mormon

PHEW!

Last Wednesday I had my MRI and biopsy on the second lump I found.  Thankfully, Talmage had the day off and was able to go with me.  First we went to the MRI.  That was interesting.  We will get the final results from that probably sometime this week when I meet with my Oncologist.  After the MRI, we went to breakfast and then over to the biopsy.  I was nervous this time around.  Everything went smoothly and I am amazed at how almost painless the whole thing is.  When they got the two specimens and put it in the jar of solution, they floated!  That is a good thing.  When I had my first biopsy, the specimens sank and I now know the doctor had a suspicion that it was cancer because of that.  I had no idea of this at the time.  Ewwww.  I really dislike even thinking about that day.  Anyway... they called with the results and it IS BENIGN!  PHEW!  I am so grateful.  This had been weighing heavily on my mind for weeks and it feels so good to let it go.  That morning I got such a sweet phone call from a dear lady who wished me well.  I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.  There are just so many good people!

Tomorrow I start my radiation treatments.  I think I am actually looking forward to it so that I can just get it over with and move on!  Just praying hard that they are very skillful and exact in their treatment so I don't get zapped where I shouldn't be.  I know it will be alright.  I feel so happy right now.

"Behold, we count them happy which endure.  Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."   James 5:11