Radiation

I FINALLY got to start my radiation treatment this past week.  It has been 9 weeks since I finished chemo so I was beyond ready to get started.  What took so long?  You may remember the surgery I had on May 18 where the incision was left open to heal?  Yeah, well that crazy thing has just now healed enough to get started.  (HOORAY!) And, my plan seemed to take a little longer to develop than normal because it was difficult due to my heart being in the way of where they needed to radiate.  (Kind of scary, huh?)  But they worked and worked until they figured out the perfect plan to get all of the areas they needed without doing unnecessary damage to other organs. 

I will have 36 treatments total, and I go 5 days a week for treatment, so it totals about 7 weeks.  If all goes well I should finish December 14.  Other than some reconstructive surgery that will take place next year, I should still be mostly finished with all treatments and be Cancer Free by Christmas!  YEA!  That has been my goal. 

I've completed 2 treatments so far.  No side effects yet, thank goodness.  Main side effects will be exhaustion and skin irritation similar to a sunburn.  Of course everyone is different with their symptoms, and we all know that I tend to go with Plan B, so if I can make it through 36 treatments with just those 2 side effects, I'll be a VERY happy girl!

So how are we doing?   I know my post back in September was kind of depressing, but it is the reality of this journey.  Some days are good, some not so good.  Some days are full of positive thoughts and strength, while others are filled with negative thoughts and worries.   The girls were a little upset about me starting more treatments until I explained to them that I wouldn't be sick with these and we should be able to stay on our normal schedule.  Once they understood that, they were fine.  Anderson of course is too young to understand any of this, but he does think it's quite funny that someone has drawn all over me with a Sharpie.  (Yeah, hilarious...)  Jamie is doing pretty good, but I know this is all very difficult on him.  But I couldn't do this without him.  He is so good to help out around the house however he can.  I am blessed to have him so close to my side.  

Thank you for all of your continued prayers.  This journey is not over.  We are still fighting.  I pray that somehow good will come from this experience and it will not be in vain.  I know God has a plan, and he is walking by my side.  Some days I just wish I could skip to the last chapter of this book to find out the ending- but then, that would ruin the path to get there, wouldn't it?

Happy Birthday Sweet Karlie Ryan!

Today is Karlie's 6th Birthday!  As I looked back tonight over pictures from years past, it brought tears to  my eyes to see how quickly she has grown.  I love this girl with all my heart, and I am so proud of the person she is.  She is beautiful both on the inside and out, and I couldn't be more proud of her!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!