Radiation continues to continue...

And I’m ½ way through… yahooooo!!!

15 down, 15 to go!

It’s going well, considering it’s a daily thing. It actually takes longer to make sure I’m in the correct position than it does to actually get zapped.

But even with that being said, that only takes like 2 minutes… machine repositioning about 4 minutes... and total zapping time is less than a minute!

The CoH Radiation Department is soooo very busy… from what I understand, they’ve recently contracted to take on additional patients which requires them to be open approximately 12 hours/day to get everyone in... which is every 15 minutes!

It’s a busy place!

The sad part of this... is that it's a busy place! There’s so many people needing this service.

Again… we need a cure dammit! The sooner the better!!

Last week was my follow-up OT appointment, which was in Duarte.

About my appointment… it went well! I’ve made tremendous progress these last few weeks on the strength and mobility of my left arm. I still have some ‘cording’, but it’s slight. I graduated from level 2 exercises to strength training exercises. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… what amazing staff! Both of my OT’s were awesome… Kayla from my first appointment, and Simone from my appointment last week. Both were so incredibly knowledgeable, personable, kind, and helpful.

L to R... Helford Hospital, my OT room, zoom in on the large window!

A little bit about City of Hope… they are a private, not-for-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school. They are ranked as one of the nation's Best Cancer Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for over ten years and is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Duarte is their main facility and it’s a huge campus… over 100 acres, located just off the 210! Anyway, that place is hoppin’… not only with amazing staff, but also with incredible renovations. They’re expanding, improving and growing. I hope you, a family member, or any of your friends never have to deal with what they deal with… but if it should ever happen, this is the place to go!

"Super Heroes Work Here"

Last Friday we celebrated our 38th anniversary… woo hoo!!

For those of you who were there with us that very hot day, July 1983… at the original Central Christian Church on Pillsbury Street in Lancaster… thank you!

This bag came full of amazing gifts and treats… thank you to the wonderful staff at Rancho Vista Elementary for the beautiful book, generous gift cards and other special gifts! The book is amazing and so very thoughtful! And thank you to everyone else who contributed… I’m touched once again by your generous, kind hearts.

I just had to share!

This picture is recent… today actually, and it’s just plain ole me…

No filters, no touch-up, no makeup, and my hair is sorta crazy. But I am wearing my cute new earrings from my friends at Rancho Vista!

Anyway, you’ll see some reddish burns near my collarbone on my left… that’s from the radiation. It can darken/burn the skin as it penetrates through. It will go away in time after I’m done with my appointments.

The blue target is one of 5 markers, which helps them align me so I get zapped where I’m supposed to get zapped. I also have 3 small tattoos (not sharing those) which also helps with alignment.

The scar on my right side is where my port used to be.

Just a few of my warrior scars!

strength

courage

attitude

resilience

what’s next?

more radiation, and lots of lotion and radiation cream!!