Whenever it's the last radiation appointment for someone everyone gets so excited with well wishes, high fives or just smiles.
For the past three weeks I've seen Bill & his wife off and on (they are a retired couple I'd guess late 60's maybe even early 70's). I never spoke to them in great length but if we saw each other there was either a hi, wink, nod or smile and I looked forward to seeing them each day. Today was Bill's last appointment.
It's almost odd to me to be so saddened to see complete strangers come and go but happy that they touched my life for just a brief moment.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Okay so Maple Ridge didn't actually get any of the snow that fell in other parts of the lower mainland BUT the Haddad's have decorated!!
On Monday night we decided as a Family Home Evening activity we'd decorate the house. Normally we don't do this until December 1st but with me getting more and more tired from the radiation treatments we thought we better do it sooner rather then later!
We learned NEVER put candy canes with the ornaments unless wrapped in a separate bag!! For some reason our candy canes melted and got all over a bunch of the ornaments so I spent most of my time wiping them down and then passing them to Adrianna and Eli to put on the tree. First time that has ever happend and trust me it'll be the last - what a mess!
It was fun and of course we didn't take any pictures until everything was all done (oops!). Now for the outside of the house.....
On Monday night we decided as a Family Home Evening activity we'd decorate the house. Normally we don't do this until December 1st but with me getting more and more tired from the radiation treatments we thought we better do it sooner rather then later!We learned NEVER put candy canes with the ornaments unless wrapped in a separate bag!! For some reason our candy canes melted and got all over a bunch of the ornaments so I spent most of my time wiping them down and then passing them to Adrianna and Eli to put on the tree. First time that has ever happend and trust me it'll be the last - what a mess!
It was fun and of course we didn't take any pictures until everything was all done (oops!). Now for the outside of the house.....
Friday, November 16, 2007
Oh Such Sweet Innocence......
Eli was wanting some of my bottled water and I had warned him that he probably wouldn't want to nor would it be the wisest since I've been sick. Not caring or probably really listening he took a big swig and responded "so I'm going to get cancer now?!" NO!!!! You'll probably end up with my cold!
We do talk very openly to the kids about the cancer, treatments, etc. but once in a while little comments like this one come out, which quickly remind us just how young and innocent they really are.
We do talk very openly to the kids about the cancer, treatments, etc. but once in a while little comments like this one come out, which quickly remind us just how young and innocent they really are.
Friday, November 9, 2007
One Week Down
I've made it through my first week of radiation! It's an interesting experience and totally different from chemotherapy.
It takes me anywhere from 40 to 60+ minutes to get to the hospital and once there I hand in my little yellow card and get changed into the beautiful hospital gowns, which by the way go home with me the whole time I have treatment!
Once in the radiation room I lay on a hard table, lift my legs up to have a block put under my knees, lay down into the form that has been shaped specifically to me, remove 1/2 my gown and then raise my arms above my head. Once I'm settled the radiation therapists work their magic by moving the bed up, down and sideways, call out numbers, mark me up with a felt pen and line up the laser with my tattoos, cover me with a cloth then a flat gel pad and everyone leaves the room making sure the last person that leaves pushes the button, which sounds off beeping sounds (I think to warn that radiation is about to take place). A few minutes later the machine moves into position and I'll hear a beeping sound but don't see anything, don't feel anything and nothing touches me. Again the machine repositions itself and makes the sound, then it moves itself up and over me, positions itself and makes the sound. It positions itself one more time and a radiation therapist comes back in the room and removes the gel pad and leaves the room again for one more radiation blast. Every time the machine sounds off there is an odor but I'm not sure how to describe it, its almost like a very sterile smell I don't know maybe by the 28th day I'll have it figured out. Once that's done I'm done, get changed into my street clothes again and then look forward to the 40 to 60+ minute drive home. Pretty simple really.
I do get tired easily but I think that's still from recovering from chemo and the fact that I'm dealing with another cold. My skin has started going pink which really shouldn't be happening yet but I'm not surprised. It's all about moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
It takes me anywhere from 40 to 60+ minutes to get to the hospital and once there I hand in my little yellow card and get changed into the beautiful hospital gowns, which by the way go home with me the whole time I have treatment!
Once in the radiation room I lay on a hard table, lift my legs up to have a block put under my knees, lay down into the form that has been shaped specifically to me, remove 1/2 my gown and then raise my arms above my head. Once I'm settled the radiation therapists work their magic by moving the bed up, down and sideways, call out numbers, mark me up with a felt pen and line up the laser with my tattoos, cover me with a cloth then a flat gel pad and everyone leaves the room making sure the last person that leaves pushes the button, which sounds off beeping sounds (I think to warn that radiation is about to take place). A few minutes later the machine moves into position and I'll hear a beeping sound but don't see anything, don't feel anything and nothing touches me. Again the machine repositions itself and makes the sound, then it moves itself up and over me, positions itself and makes the sound. It positions itself one more time and a radiation therapist comes back in the room and removes the gel pad and leaves the room again for one more radiation blast. Every time the machine sounds off there is an odor but I'm not sure how to describe it, its almost like a very sterile smell I don't know maybe by the 28th day I'll have it figured out. Once that's done I'm done, get changed into my street clothes again and then look forward to the 40 to 60+ minute drive home. Pretty simple really.
I do get tired easily but I think that's still from recovering from chemo and the fact that I'm dealing with another cold. My skin has started going pink which really shouldn't be happening yet but I'm not surprised. It's all about moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
A Sweet Moment
This morning while the kids and I were getting ready for school Eli leaned over to me and said, "I love you with hair and even when you look like a blob!" He really does know how to make my heart melt.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Family Pictures
For sometime I'd been wanting to get family photos done and Les has wanted us to do them ourselves but between doctors appointments, work schedule, school and most importantly the weather we hadn't done it yet.
Finally on November 1st Les was off, the kids didn't have school, it was sunny out and I did have my first radiation appointment but I was home early enough so we took advantage of the opportunity.
Warning......the biggest thing that got in our way was the sugar high from the night before and grumpiness (won't go into details).......we'll be trying again (probably next year) but here's our first attempt!
Finally on November 1st Les was off, the kids didn't have school, it was sunny out and I did have my first radiation appointment but I was home early enough so we took advantage of the opportunity.
Warning......the biggest thing that got in our way was the sugar high from the night before and grumpiness (won't go into details).......we'll be trying again (probably next year) but here's our first attempt!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)