Radiation complete!

RADIATION COMPLETE

 

Yesterday was my last day of radiation; treatments 7 & 8. I dressed in a celebratory fashion - I wore my prettiest lace coverlet (below the hips in length and 3/4 length sleeves) with a matching tank top and shimmery blue pants. I felt like I had to dress in honor of my 'graduation' from brachytherapy. It certainly made me feel good to know that I didn't look like I was sick or in treatment of any kind. The morning treatment ran a little late but I fell asleep in the lobby and didn't notice. After my first treatment I went to Aveda for the Heal The Bay event and had my hair trimmed and washed and styled. It was beautiful at the finish! I, then, went up stairs and had a manicure (my polish removed and their polish put on). I loved the young woman that did my polish but, yikes, a 2nd grader would have done a better job. I hate being critical but the sloppy work irked me - I guess because it clashed with everything else. I stopped at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for a Matcha Latte and was stopped at the entrance by a young woman asking "are you a nice person?" and when I hesitated she launched into the sales pitch for Amnesty International. It is odd that the pitch hasn't changed in 10 years. I was approached in a similar fashion that many years ago and it was the same exact pitch. I was asked to fill out a piece of paper with my name, address and credit card information. Really? It's 2014. I listened to her patiently and when she was done I excused myself and apologized that I would not be signing up for a membership. I returned for my last treatment at UCLA. I told Alfred I would miss the conversations we had. I do miss them already. The entire team made the sting of the process completely acceptable. The greetings, the efficiency, the professionalism and the great conversations made the idea of radiation due to cancer completely acceptable! After the final treatment (Alfred piped Bach through the speakers because it had a "celebratory" feel to it - yes, it did!) I was wheeled to an exam room and LeLaine removed the SAVI. OUCH!!! I have to say that has been the most painful of anything I've gone through in regards to cancer. The device was collapsed like the winding of a clock and I was told to take a deep breath in as LeLaine pulled the device out...the pain was such a shock to me that I stopped breathing in and blew air out! The device was half-way out...I had to do it again. Holy smokes! The sting was bad. Brown fluid poured out of the hole. I looked at the device as it laid on my chest - it was bigger than I imagined and it was filled with the brown gunk from inside my breast. LeLaine tried to express as much brown fluid as possible before handing it over to Alison to clean and bandage. When it was done she packed a nice box full of gauze pads, saline, Q-tips, tape and antibiotic ointment. She walked me out to the appointment desk and Dr. Demanes was walking in. He stopped to congratulate me on completing my radiation and hugged me. I hugged him back and thanked him. I was a little choked up and couldn't say any more. It's an odd feeling - I'm done with this treatment and that makes me grateful but I have to say good-bye to something that became a routine, of sorts, and I may never see some of these wonderful people again.

 

I met my church family at the movies and we watched "Heaven is For Real". Very sweet movie! I was feeling the sting of the SAVI removal and I was extremely tired but I am glad to have been with these great people watching a very lovely movie!

 

I slept well last night and I wasn't disturbed or asked to get up and take Natalia to school this morning. The pain was gone by morning. I have had very little drainage, too. I was prepared for 2 to 3 days of changing gauze pads frequently but, the drainage has been very little.

 

I emailed Playtex about donating bras to the brachytherapy department at UCLA and was sent instructions; only a non-profit can request a donation. I contacted the National Breast Cancer Foundation and asked that they request the donation on my behalf. I am waiting on a reply. If they are non-compliant I'll just go buy a bunch and take them in.

 

I am hoping Aveda will follow through and put a booth at UCLA for the brachytherapy patients or send over discounts for them. I will follow-up next week. The bra and daily shampoos were extremely helpful during the radiation process and it is my wish that all patients have these few things available to them during this time.

 

My mood has been a little depleted today but not totally dark. God has heard my prayers and, now, I have to be patient for His reply. I want His reply to agree with my prayer, but, I have to trust and let it go.