Radiation Week

This past week was spent in Halifax for radiation.

I headed to the city on Sunday evening all by myself. It’s been awhile since I’ve driven any distance, since the pandemic hit really. It was tiring, thankful for cruise control as my sore joints didn’t enjoy the drive. This was my very first time away from my husband and children for more that a day. Not something I enjoyed at all.

This was my first time staying at The Lodge That Gives. It was a wonderful experience and I would definitely stay again if needed. Not fancy but very clean, comfortable, delicious homemade food, exceptionally friendly helpful staff and such a lovely short walk to treatment each day!

Monday was my marking appointment, more tattoos to add to those I received 10 years ago, my first treatment and rest.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 ESV

I started with some abdominal discomfort later in the day but thought is was food related as I had eaten more carbs, less veggies than my norm at home.

I awoke Tuesday, feeling well. Treatment was later in the day so I spent the morning out in the beautiful sun, enjoying a walk to Public Garden’s, Victoria Park and Pete’s Fruitique to get some of my more normally eaten foods.

Public Garden’s holds a special place in my heart. This park brought peace, joy and a little taste of home during the months I spent in Halifax as a child battling cancer. I grew up on a lake so being able to be near the ponds and feeding the ducks (no longer allowed of course) after being in the middle of a city for months brought a joy I can still feel when I go back to the garden. I was being pushed in a wheelchair then. It was nice to stroll through on my own two feet!

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11 ESV

Tuesday’s treatment brought some unexpected side effects. Back and abdominal pain and extreme nausea along with vomiting. Looking back to Monday I realized my discomfort was not likely food related but treatment related. I hadn’t had any real side effects, aside from some fatigue and skin irritation near the end, from my 25 chest radiation treatments 10 years ago so I wasn’t expecting to have any this week.

This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Job 6:10 ESV

My T10 vertebra was what was being treated this week. Five short blasts (not sure the proper term) are give at each treatment from 5 different angles that all meet at the target spot, my T10. But those rays go through and irritate other tissue on their way to that spot. This included my stomach, other abdominal areas and my middle back. The pain meds I had with me brought little relief but thankfully things improved over night and I felt okay on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday morning brought the lessening of pandemic restrictions! It was like a switch had been flicked on and the city came back to life! It was wonderful! It went from eerily quiet streets and sidewalks to the normal busy city I know.

My Wednesday treatment was late afternoon so I enjoyed the gorgeous sun and had a delicious patio lunch on the waterfront with one of my beautiful sisters!💕 It was such a blessing to catch up!

I shared my side effects with my technicians when I arrived for my Wednesday appointment. Thankfully they are all amazing there. I got right in to see a nurse and my doctor and left with prescriptions for new meds for the inflammation, nausea/vomiting and pain. These side effects hit faster this treatment and a 2 hour wait outside at the pharmacy wasn’t fun but thankful all the meds brought relief. The nausea took another day to get fully under control but the pain was now manageable.

Thursday was better with all the new meds working now but I was very tired and rested lots along with a noon time treatment. I did take a walk along the waterfront to soak up some sun and some fresh air. I later found the energy to visit Costco to pick up some items we haven’t been able to order online since the pandemic started.

Friday was heading home day!!!🎉 My treatment was scheduled for 8am so it was an early morning pack up, treatment and hitting the road! Very thankful my sweet husband and oldest son met me an hour outside the city so I didn’t have to drive the whole way home. My body was too tired for that.

Very very thankful to be home with my family!

Beyond thankful to be blessed with help with meals and the excellent care of our children this week! Having them happy and safe every day made my week so much easier!❤

Another huge praise! The funding approval letter for my next med came this week and will be fully funded, long term with dose adjustments approved as well if my doctor needs too!

My next CT is this Monday, June 7th! Please pray for the results of this and peace in the waiting and whatever the outcome may be! Praying hard for good results so I can have a bit of a break, continue chemo/radiation recovery and give these new meds a chance to do their job.

Thankful for a God who knows the future! Who loves me beyond measure! And an intercesser working for me when the burdens are far to heavy to carry on our own!

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV