Topic: January 2006
Feeling better and better. Went for walk last nite -- then came home and started working on a quilt for a friend who just had a baby boy. She tried and tried to get preggers and then finally gave up and then got pregnant. I'm very happy for her!!!

Didn't have radiation yesterday, seems the machine is broken. um..... what's up with that??

I posted photos of my latest projects over at Kirchner Kreations Over on the sewing projects page, A cranberry jacket, top right, and a wrap top, middle left. Also, on the quilt page I posted a photo of the quilt top I just finished. the lump on the left is my cat who likes to hide under the covers. I won't be quilting this - too big and cumbersome, but will be sending it out for quilting. I met a lady in Indiana who does beautiful work (met her online). Note, the pink ribbon block on the bottom, that was something I added. I signed up for the class to make this quilt several months ago, and was looking forward to it because it would signal the end of my chemo. so I thought the ribbon block was appropriate.

Two Tickets to Paradise
Topic: January 2006
I'm running out of cancer-related topics. The radiation is by far a piece of cake compared to chemo, so I don't have any complaints. I did see the doc last week and had my blood drawn. I understand that due to radiation and that is does come in contact with the bones/ribs that they watch the platlet count. The doc also said that my skin will start getting a little pink/burned in a few weeks and at that time he will talk to me about things I can do.

So, I'm just waiting for my hair to grow back.

Oh, I have planned and booked a trip for DH and I... can't wait! We are going to Kauai! Yipee, one week of tropical paradise. I suppose I can start working on that 10 pounds I gained the past few months.... or not.

Get your Umbrella.
Topic: January 2006
Things are going well. I'm feeling good and my energy is coming back. No more indigestion, heartburn, fatique, depression, blah, blah, blah. I've been sewing a lot more. I'm working on a quilt from a class I took last weekend. It is a sampler and the class was with Eleanor Burns. Here's a photo of the quilt
I just have one more block to do, and then of course the border, backing, and binding, and I think I'm going to put a pink ribbon applique on one of the empty blocks/spaces. I will post it over at my sewing site Kirchner Kreations when I'm done as I will start posting all my sewing projects as they get completed.

I'm also planning my tropical get away, where DH and I will run an experiment. Our research will be trying to determine if you should remove the umbrella from your drink or move it to the side. And if there is time, we may run another experiment, which will be, at what point do you eat the pineapple garnish.

Ah, can't wait.

Uneventful
Topic: January 2006
The radiation treatments have been uneventful. No side affects. It's just a hassel driving out there every day for my lunch hour, not to mention the cost of gas. But hey.. it ain't chemo!

As I sit in the waiting room waiting to be called in I see the same people every day. Everyone is there for their treatments, same time, every day. No one talks or barely looks at each other. But we are all sneaking glances at each other, trying to figure each other out... checking out hair growth, clothing, missing parts, wigs, etc. The technicians are usually running late, so the wait can be at least a 1/2 hour. I am tempted to break the silence, and introduce myself. "Hi, I'm Susan, a breast cancer survivor... what are you in for??" I wonder if the other people would laugh or what. I would think if we all got to know each other and chatted, the time would go by faster.

Radiation
Topic: January 2006
Today I had radiation #2... only 31 more to go.
So, here's what happens.
Last week I was given an ID card so that when I go in, I just swipe my card and they (the radiologist and techs) know I'm there. Then I sit in a small waiting room with several others waiting for their radiation. alot of the people there come with someone. I don't, I go during my lunch hour. I figure work has been good to me and very supportive so I can at least try to accomodate them and not be out every afternoon or morning. Some of the patients there have a full head of hair and others are in various stages of hair growth. My hair is slowly coming back in.

I wait in the waiting room. this week I have a cold/cough so I'm sitting there trying not to cough and hack and look like I'm spreading germs and should go away.

then they call my name over a loud speaker, that is my cue to go down the hall, get a gown, go into the dressing room, take everything off from the waist up, gather my stuff, go down the hall and wait outside the radiation door until the tech calls me in. The wait is only a few seconds.

I go into the room. Take my right arm out of the gown; lay on my back on the table, put my arms up. the techs line me up to the various marks they made on me and then when I'm all set, they leave the room, and press the button. It is about 1 min and I do not feel anything. I hear the machine. when it is done, they do the other side.

Here's a photo of the machine
the machine tilts and moves so as to get the right angle.

Then I leave the room, get dressed, go back to work.

the entire process is not painful; it is just a hassle... only 31 more to go.