Powered by WebAds

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I'm Done with Radiation!!! (Medical Update)

I started counting down last Wednesday, when I had just 5 more to go!

Well, I am done!! Today was my last time!!

I started saying my goodbyes yesterday. It is a fascinating thing, meeting the same people every day for several weeks, becoming intertwined in each others' lives, and then parting, perhaps never to meet again.

Anyway, though I am finished with the treatments, the effects keep on going for a while longer. My head/scalp might get redder over the next two weeks. (oh, joy)

The main thing is that the effects of the radiation continue inside my brain for at least another month and a half. We'll do another MRI at that time to see what the radiation accomplished.

Meanwhile, I am still experiencing the side effects: fatigue, loss of appetite (particularly in the evenings), occasional nauseu, itchy scalp (from dryness -- the nurse gave me), and tired eyes (making it difficult to read small print). I think there are other side effects, but I cannot remember them.

My memory has flown out the window over these past few weeks. The doctor said that it is too early for that to be a side effect of the radiation. I am not convinced.

I am having difficulty remember things as simple as street names. This is not my usual forgetfulness.

I just hope the exhaustion goes away soon. It can take a few weeks; but I have stuff to do NOW!!

(Have I mentioned that we STILL have not invited everyone to the Bar Mitzvah, which is now LESS than a week away?!?!)



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

aha! the first comment...
ABH

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your son bar-mitzvah wth all your heart. I hope the side effects soon start to recede.

G6 said...

Mazal tov on these these milestones.
I'm so happy for you that you can go into the final stretch of the bar mitzvah without the treatments in the way.
Feel the moments, feel the moments, feel the moments!

Val said...

Hope you get some strength back and are able to enjoy the bar mitvah.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Val

Staying Afloat said...

Mazal tov. Hatzlacha with your plans. The energy you absolutely need will come from somewhere, and the rest will be covered by someone else or isn't that important.

adena said...

Glad to hear you are done with radiation (that was fast!) and can't wait to hear about the bar mitzvah! Relax, breathe, enjoy...

Batya said...

B"H, Refuah Shleimah!
and Mazal Tov on the Bar Mitzvah!!

faith/emuna said...

refua shlema, mazal tov and im sure youll enjoy the bar mitzva! may the silver lining be that bc you didnt deal with all the details you should be able to see the big picture (and not be caught up in the small things that didnt go as planned)

michele said...

So glad the radiation is behind you, just in time for the bar-mitzvah.

Mazal tov on what promises to be a beautiful weekend.

Anonymous said...

"So glad the radiation is behind you, just in time for the bar-mitzvah.

Mazal tov on what promises to be a beautiful weekend."

Fits my thought entirely

One of your silent admirer's

Aliza (Barnard '63)

Baila said...

Glad that's done with. You will enjoy the bar mitzvah, even if you are tired....Mazal Tov!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you finished the treatment. Now you can concentrate on the fun stuff and enjoy the bar mitzva. We will be thinking of you from (rainy - unfortunately) Toronto

Yosef

rivki said...

May you have a refuah shelaima and lots of nachas from your bar-mitzva boy.