Herceptin is NOT chemotherapy

 

 

THAT'S IT? THAT WAS CHEMO?

 

I have to clarify because I can't believe it myself. I was under the impression that I was going to be in "chemo" for a year. But, as Dr. Glaspy informed me yesterday; chemo is over! I went in to have my Herceptin infusion and, afterwards, visit with the doctor. He came into the exam room and after asking how I was doing said "how's it feel to be done with chemo?". I said, "great!, but...Herceptin isn't chemo?" and that's when he told me that it wasn't a chemotherapy drug and that's why my hair is growing back, my skin looks better and I am not having the harsh side-effects that I was having before. Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody. The pill, Tamoxifen, is a hormone drug. Chemo is done. When I left the office and walked to Ralphs I, just, kept saying that was chemo? Chemo is over? If I had understood that when I had had my last infusion I would have made a bigger deal of it being over!! We discussed, briefly, my ankles and feet; they are swollen beyond recognition most of the time. Dr. Glaspy said they were "Taxotere ankles" and that they would return to normal in a few months. He knows that they can be pain painful but assures me it's all expected.

 

I went on my 2nd run (if you can call it that) today. I was able to jog a little farther today than I did the last time. It started out like the first run and I cried a little bit from the pain and sluggishness of my body. But, it passed quickly - thank you, Marshall Mathers. The knee braces that I purchased after the last run work great! My knees did not hurt during or after the run. I snapped a picture of Puppy as she greeted me home.

 

 

My hair is growing back, noticeably, now. I am including a picture of my head and my right breast. The scars are healing nicely - the incision made by Dr. Schmit to remove the tumor has healed to, near, obscurity. As has the incision he made to remove the lymph node. The incision made by Dr. Demanes is not as obscure; the small cut is obvious. But, there were no stitches to close the wound when the SAVI was removed so, the healing has been different. There, also, appears to be tiny poc marks on the skin of the breast around the area of the SAVI. I don't know what that is but, Dr. Schmit didn't take note of it so it must be okay.

 

I am on an abbreviated work schedule, now. Monday and Friday off so I am able to rest. In fact, I'm ready for a nap right now! Whew! I am so tired all the time.

 



 

 

 

Out of the 'wallpaper'

FEELINGS ARE SETTLING IN

 

I don't feel as identified with the character from "The Yellow Wallpaper" these days. That's a good thing. But just in case, I won't be putting up patterned wallpaper any time soon. I can be emotional and cry easily but, I'm not desperate for compassion. Things are settling into a 'normal' of sorts. Like anything we have to live with for longer than a few months, it settles in and becomes a part of our expected day.

 

Joe is out of town with the plane. I'm not sure when he's coming back. I was told this weekend but, it may be next weekend. It's okay. I'm not feeling afraid or vulnerable because he's gone. I'm okay. He texted me earlier to ask if he should go to a school in July. It will take him out of town for 5 weeks. I'm okay with that, too. His life has to go on as it is. I'm glad he isn't around much, really. The less he has to look at me the better. I asked him not to, in fact. He said something in a text that was very sweet. When I told him to go to the school, the more time away the better so he doesn't have to look at my condition he replied, "It's about inner beauty". He didn't tell me I was beautiful on the inside but, I understand what he's saying. I know how difficult it is for him to see the inner beauty beyond the outer beauty. Like his mother said, 'Joe like beautiful things; clothes, cars and women'. I see his comment as something deeper coming from him than I have seen in the past. Just as I am letting myself love him as I did 8 years ago, without fear of rejection, maybe, he's letting himself feel without fear of rejection. I'm comfortable with the place our relationship has taken. It will change and evolve as time passes and I believe it hinges on my words and actions more than Joe's. If that is true, our relationship will only become stronger as time passes. But, if he isn't here, physically, for me to love. then. what will happen? Will I feel rejected and shut down my emotions? That's what I would do a few months ago. I can't afford to shut anything down anymore.

 

I, actually, was propositioned, today, at work! I am stunned. What is that about? Out of the blue by someone 20 years younger who I considered a quasi friend. I would never have considered him as anything other than a work mate - even if I were 20 years younger he would not be someone I would be attracted to. He's a pleasant person but we have never had a conversation beyond general, short, 'how's everything'. What would bring this on? I'm disturbed by this. I am broken, physically, and we never had any kind of deep conversation. We don't work on the same floor and rarely see one another. I am so confused.

 

My face is healing, finally. I still have redness and a few bumps but not covering as much of the surface. It isn't painful, today. It looks like my forehead may, actually, be healing more, too. The red area on  my right breast is peeling. I was told this might happen. The radiation treatment can cause this. It's an area the size of the cavity left after surgery. I keep it covered in Vaseline as often as I can throughout the day and night. The incision from the SAVI is healing, as well. The last remnants of the scab have fallen off.

 

I, continue, to run up the stairs whenever I go up. I've been on the elliptical once. I need to get on there more. I feel well enough most of the time that I can do more exercise. There is, approximately, 5 days after chemo that I, really, can't do any physical activity. Beyond that, it's, sometimes, minute to minute for a few days followed by mostly good days. The week before chemo I begin to feel like my old self (minus taste buds).

 

I have the same amount of hair that I had at my second chemo treatment. I have my third round on Thursday - 6 days away. We'll see if my hair falls out before then.

 

I'm not any more tired than I was before chemo treatment. Today, I was a little more tired than yesterday but, not any more than I ever was. I am told (Dr. Palmer) that the fatigue will increase as I have more treatments. I am going to do my best to not let that happen. I may have no control, we'll see.

 

Joe sent this to me today. He took this the day we went to see Dr.McCann
in Torrance. This was Palos Verde. We were standing on the edge of a little
baseball field overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

This is the 'burn' like mark on my right breast
right over the area where the SAVI was placed
during radiation. It has, since, peeled. The incision
around the nipple is barely noticeable, now. The small
incision for the SAVI is healing (it's on the right around
5:00 from the red mark).
 



Chemo; 4 days and a wake-up

Chemotherapy

4 days and a W.U.

 

 

I was scheduled to start chemo this past Wednesday but my post-op visit with Dr. Demanes changed that.

 

I saw Dr. Demanes last Tuesday and, although, I am healing nicely and show no complications the doctor felt that I needed another week for the wound to heal. It is an open wound that was the entry and exit point to the SAVI. It remains open to heal so the seeping can occur naturally. To my uneducated eye it looks fine; scabbing over, in fact. I didn't notice any redness or swelling, either. But, Dr. Demanes saw slight swelling and some redness. He called my medical oncologist and discussed his concerns with her and recommended another week before chemo. She (my substitute oncologist while Dr. Glaspy is out) agreed. I was a bit disappointed, at first. I don't know if Dr. Demanes could see that in my expression - I did my best to appear unmoved but he said to me "that's what you want from me, right" (or something like that) and I responded, "of course!". As he dressed my wound and told me what my follow-up plan would be I felt myself settle into this minor detour. I watched him move around and tape the gauze in place and I said to myself, trust him, he knows better than you what the consequences could be if chemo is started too soon - internal medicine, pioneer, knows what is best for you. After he hugged me good-bye I accepted God's plan in His time. Without asking what could this delay mean? Why? I said, it is what it is supposed to be and the answers will be revealed eventually. I was able to, completely, let it go and I did not become overwhelmed with worry about the effects of the delay on the progression of cancer. I let it go.

 

I returned to work on Monday. I arrived just as I did everyday before cancer. I wiped my desk and computer and tried to log in using my PIV card. My access code wasn't working and I tried so many time I was locked out. People trickled in and all were warm and welcoming. Seeing those closest to me in the workplace is a beautiful feeling. I have missed a handful of people achingly and others terribly and, still, others mildly. It is good medicine to be around people that care about me and, also, consider me the same employee I was before. Give me the work and trust me with more. Add, add, add and stretch me so thin I may snap. I am still the same person and don't need to be treated as if I can't handle the work I was doing before. My only issue is my stamina. I am extremely exhausted. By 0930 I am numb with exhaustion. I drink water and decaf green tea - Monday, I went for a walk through the park. Tuesday I walked to the Pierce Brothers Westwood cemetery. Wednesday I was too drained of energy to walk anywhere. My lunches have been oranges and Greek yogurt. I took home cooked chicken strips one day. My appetite is returning slowly...just in time for chemo. I have lost approximately 16 - 18 pounds since I first stepped foot in the UCLA Revlon Breast Cancer Center. I looked at food like the enemy. The items that are written up as being cancer fighters or super foods presented their own problems; I couldn't figure out how much I needed to eat to acquire all the benefits. I looked different places on the web and in books and couldn't get a solid answer. This caused a degree of anxiety so I rationalized that the less I put in my body the better. At some point I lost my appetite, altogether.

 

I found a daily devotional that was Adam's and I carry it with me every day. I don't always have time to read it but it is a comfort having it with me. I seem to have settled on this one over the others because of the connection to Adam. Ethel gave me one and Darlene gave me one but it is Adam's that means the most. They are all sending messages I need to hear and I keep them all near by but it is Adam's that is forever at my side. I polish my left ring finger with the cross and stone in remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. I chose the left ring finger because the blood line is closest and strongest to the heart. I can pass a finger over the cross and feel the bump of the stone at its center or I can close my hand and hold it in my palm throughout the day. I never want the image of Jesus far from me.

 

Joe and I went to Remedy pharmacy and spoke to Connie Kim about vitamins for me during chemo. She gave me a vitamin made from whole foods on a farm nearby. She also gave me D 5000 IU. Ethel told me to beware the vitamin D and I looked it up online and, sure enough, it is not a good idea to take vitamin D while on chemo. Chemo for breast cancer is prepared with the vitamin D deficiency in mind. It must be common that woman are D deficient when they have breast cancer. I checked for the other vitamins, as well, but all I found was that any supplement may interfere with the chemo. I put a call in to Dr. Glaspy to ask about taking the multi-vitamin and was told by the front desk person that he or his assistant would get back to me - that was Thursday afternoon and it is Friday evening. No phone call. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. If your oncologist isn't going to call you back then who?!

 

Marsue sent a book "Rockin' the Pink" and a coin purse. I need something to put my PIV and building Access card in and this will do nicely! It is wonderful to have my relationship on track with Marsue. Our communication has slowed and was minimal but now it is back to where it was.

 

I don't have an overly positive frame of mind today but I am not overwhelmed and defeated, either. I can't, honestly, say I am in a good place, emotionally, but I am not in a place of desperation. I look for answered prayers - and God knows I have been praying relentlessly for an answer in particular. I have had no indication that this one will be in my  favor. I have to trust and believe and let it go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam's daily devotional.Natalia chose the 'Mint Green' nail polish and

 

                                                                    applied the first coat for me :)

 

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.

Half-way...

HALF-WAY MARK

 

Today was treatments 3 & 4 - 4 more to go. Traffic was horrible both ways but that is the only complaint I have! My early morning treatment went smoothly and Dr. Demanes came in while I was being disconnected and looked at the site and asked how the weekend went. He always pleasant and unassuming but this man has dedicated his entire adult life to fighting cancer. He is a pioneer in his sub-specialty and, yet, he moves and handles business light of feet, if you know what I mean. Alfred did most of the hooking, unhooking and CT scan. Tom was in and out. Alison handled my cleaning and wrapping. The Fellow dropped by and asked how everything went over the weekend and how I was feeling. I'm already missing them.

 

I walked to Starbucks by the Fox theater and drank a hot chocolate while working on an assignment for school. I finished most of the note taking and had an outline of my journal in short order. I texted with Scott - funny, Scott!! I feel like I haven't missed a day of work because he keeps me in the loop as if I was sitting right next to him. I can't thank him enough for that! - And I can't wait to take my seat back and get to work, crazies and all.

 

When it was time I went to Aveda Institute to have my hair washed. Wow! I am so impressed. I have never been there and didn't expect the above par treatment. Daisy was my stylist and she was very sweet and presented a professional image. I can't say that about all the students, though. The red, green, purple, blue hair coupled with face piercings and neck tattoos kind of spoiled the professional appearance on some. It may serve them well depending on what kind of hair they style once they complete school. The booths are cramped and it isn't the prettiest of surroundings but it was clean. Daisy brought me herbal calming tea and we talked about my hair. Included in the 20 dollar package was a scalp, shoulder, neck, hand massage, facial and shampoo/blow dry. My hair looked beautiful and my face was refreshed. I could use a full body massage but for something I wasn't even expecting it was just right. Another moment to be thankful, thankful, thankful.

 

On the way back to the building I stopped at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I haven't been in one of these coffee/tea places in years - I am so glad I stopped. They offer a variety of green teas and, my favorite, Matcha Latte!!! A little more expensive but absolutely delicious.

 

I arrived back way ahead of schedule so I finished preparing my assignment and began reading ahead/taking notes. At some point a family arrived and took a couple chairs across from me. An elderly gentleman (probably in his 90s) was in a wheel chair and his wife sat across from him. Accompanying was a young man. The elderly couple talked with a thick accent and the conversation was of previous cancer and back and forth banter - like a methodical discussion of health with no sign of emotion. The voices quieted and after a time the young man asked the gentleman "are you scared?" and quietly the man responded "yes I am scared". My heart broke. I closed my eyes and prayed - layered them in angel cloth. I had to fight, hard, to not cry. I noticed the woman and young man began moving closer to him and words fell from their mouths rapidly as if all the talk and advice to "not be scared" was going to make it go away.

 

I read about the second day of Holy Week and felt the anger of Jesus as he cleared the temple. It is refreshing to read the stories that include all of His emotion - not just the sweet, compassionate, kind but anger. Curse the fig tree and clear the temple. Love stirred his emotion - loyalty and devotion brought about a fierce emotion that moved him to action.

 

My second treatment (Enya piped in)went well and more conversation with Alfred. Interesting book he read recently  - I will have to write the name of it down - Plutonium secrets. The mood became very somber when we started talking about the homeless vet scam and the community of military that includes rapists, murderers, and thieves. Just because a man/woman wears a uniform doesn't mean they are honorable and heroes. The military has its share of worthless crap. Alfred said, " and on that (depressing) note...". Alison and I started laughing.

 

I picked up a bra last night that I wasn't sure was going to work but it is fantastic!! It is made by Playtex and I found it in the sports bra section of Wal-Mart. It is soft with wide straps, razor back and front zipper with extra padding around the zipper. It is perfect!!! It holds everything in place, provides padding and is very comfortable. This is perfect for holding the wires and gauze pads in place. When I walk I feel less discomfort and can walk at a normal pace without hurting. I am taking the tags to Alison so she can recommend it to others (same with Aveda - I will get business cards when I go tomorrow and take them to Alison to recommend for other patients).

 

My mood only dropped once, briefly, while I was preparing a late dinner of chicken breast and mushrooms. The sun returned when Natalia walked in the room! Now we are watching reruns of Kim Possible - feels like old times!

The amazing bra!

Aveda Institute (picture taken from website)

The SAVI

SAVI & RADIATION

 

 

I made it to surgery on Wednesday, April 9th! Another great surgical team at UCLA to see me through.

 

Natalia and Joe went with me and stayed the entire time. The planes were all deployed on Tuesday, so, Joe was able to stay. Natalia stayed in the pre-op room with me until it was time to go into surgery. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Svilik, explained why having any kind of irritation in my lungs might be affected by anesthesia and the other risks, relatively speaking. She was very pleasant and social. The ER nurse was great as well. Everyone involved introduced themselves and explained their part in the procedure. Efficient and comforting.

 

While I was waiting Dr. Schmit dropped by! He said he saw my name on the board and wanted to see what was going on. He checked the incision site and made a joke about my pending procedure and then he was gone. I can't explain why I was so uplifted that he stopped by. Is it because I felt I was not 'out of sight out of mind' - did I feel that I was, genuinely cared for by a professional who isn't required to? I've been to so many doctors that don't remember me from one day to the next. I have been a regular patient to doctor's that who, on every visit, need a run-down of my history! At this time, in my particular situation, to have a doctor that would see my name on the board and pop in to see how I'm doing - it's overwhelmingly appreciated!! I could cry just thinking about it.

 

I didn't know which device I would have implanted but was so pleased to wake and find I had been given the SAVI! This is what we were hoping for (the doctors and me!). Shortly after waking I was taken to the brachytherapy room and met Alfred Jamison - he has been on Dr. Demanes' brachytherapy team for several years - and nurse, James Harkcom (I have to make sure of the spelling). Alfred and James explained everything about the CT process. Dr. Demanes came in to see how everything was going and viewed the CT. Everything was in place and ready to go!! All the while Alfred and James made me feel cared for and cared about. A bedside manner that can't go underappreciated. Every kind word, every smile, and every hand-up heals the spirit a little more.

 

Yesterday, Friday, April 11th, I had my first treatments. I arrived (I drove myself - yes, in my 1994 standard Saturn - I don't even want to go there) around 0630 for my 0715 appointment. Alfred and Tom greeted me and prepped me for the CT scan. Lots of enjoyable conversation and banter helped to keep me distracted from my nervousness. The scan showed the balloon was ready to go and I was moved to another gurney and taken to the radiation room around the corner. The room is relatively small; maybe 8 x 10 feet? It's white and plenty of bright lights; round (like spot lights) embedded in the ceiling and square blocks with tube lighting covered by what looked like the insert of the old ice-cube trays (metal with a latch to pop out the ice cubes). The ceiling tile was like that of a drop ceiling. The double doors are what scared me the most. Alfred told me that they would stay open until it was time to start radiation and they would all be in a remote room that could hear and see me - I could communicate with them, as well. Alfred started the music that piped into the room; Jack Johnson. When everyone cleared out and the thick doors slowly closed I felt my pulse race. I had to close my eyes and not watch them shut completely. I focused on the music (very relaxing, by the way) and ignored the clicks and whirs coming from the robot. I felt my breast become warm towards the end of treatment but otherwise there was nothing. No pain, no discomfort. It was all over in about 10 - 15 minutes. Alfred told me about the Botanical gardens close by and recommended them as a calming and pleasant way to kill time before my next treatment in a few hours.

 

I set my GPS and used MAPS to set my walking path. I felt a little weird in my head...not sure how to explain it - not dizzy, or nauseous...something different. It wasn't anything that I was alarmed about and I didn't feel the need to stop walking so I kept going. The gardens were easy to find. I wound around dirt paths and stopped to read some of the markers. I was a little distracted by the sounds of construction vehicles, etc. going on around the gardens, though, until I got to a lower level and sat in a chair along a moving stream. The chairs were set facing each other with a small table in between. I could imagine a chess game being played there. I sat in one of the chairs for quite a while. One hour? Two? Not sure, but it was a while. When the temperatures started rising, I got up and walked on. Further along the stream I found large turtles. I stopped and watched them for a few minutes and, then, continued on. I was profoundly relaxed and void of anxiousness of any kind. A first - not just since being diagnosed with cancer, but, for years. This space within that was previously filled with worry was, now, allowing me to rest. I found my way out and back to UCLA. I went to the car, in the garage, and fell asleep. I slept for a few hours. When I woke up I went back into the building and waiting for second treatment. Dr. Demanes passed through stopping to shake my hand (with his two hands) and ask how I was doing with a pleasant smile and warm gesture. When I responded that I was doing well, I, actually, meant it. Tom came and got me when it was time. Alfred and Tom set me up and away we went (can't forget the physicists! Their involvement in planning and the process is crucial). Tom asked where I worked and my experience in the Navy...he asked how I was motivated to enter the service and, especially, work as a cryptologist. When I started talking about my Dad's involvement with nuclear power, Tom mentioned Hyman Rickover! I told him, yes, my Dad was connected to Rickover and I told him my Dad was involved in the first 'Mission to Mars' program and Tom said "Nerva" and I said "Yes"! I could not believe how much Tom knew about all of this! Then we talked about code breaking and the rich history of such. He asked how I was able to break the codes, in general, and just then the fellow came in and asked how everything was going. He, too, was very pleasant and professional. Tom left and returned with the physicist and introduced him to me and said to me "are you a cryptologist or cryptographer" and I said "cryptologist"...he turned to the physicist and said "cryptologist". Funny! I felt like part of the team! After the treatment, and after Alison wrapped my cables, Tom showed me the CT scans and printed copies for me! He explained the physicists involvement in planning and showed me the slices of images that were used in the planning. Amazing and I am extremely grateful to Tom for taking the time! LaLaine came in, too! Very pleasant and happy. After saying my goodbyes I took my tired self home. Traffic wasn't as grueling as I expected.

 

I was tired but happy to be home with Natalia and I would have taken her to the moon if she wanted to go. Instead, she chose Target and World Market. :) We picked up the Walking Dead game for PS3 and she played while I lit a fire and lay down on my now familiar bed - the couch. When she realized I was falling asleep she quit playing. She has been so helpful and caring. She will lift things for me and ask me if she can do anything.

 

I may zero-in on things that I feel I am missing but I am so thankful for the things I have been given. This couch is the most comfortable couch in the most wonderful room with a beautiful fireplace and big flat-screen TV. I have a yard and sunshine everyday. I have the best healthcare I could every have hoped for with the most fabulous doctors, nurses and staff that I never could have imagined possible. I have a church and church family that has filled my heart with love and hope. I have a job that fulfills me and makes me feel needed. I have family that loves me! God is everywhere and I am thankful.

 

 The SAVI as seen on the CT Scan

The 'endtrails' (my word) that are connected to cables that are connected to the radiation robot.

 

 

 The Botanical Gardens

 

The Brachythereapy Team!

Alfred is 2nd from the left, LeLaine is 5th from the left beside Dr. Demanes to the right of her and Tom is the last on the right.