Last external radiation treatment?

Got my 28th & FINAL round of EXTERNAL radiation yesterday!
One more lap in this crazy journey behind me! The radiation techs gave me a little 'graduation' diploma yesterday, and I gave them all little goodie bags of cookies and little token presents. It was festive and fun and I am so happy now to get this week's break after going for treatments day after day for so long. Only the 3 rounds of internal radiation to go now, with a July 1 'end date' in sight and then I hope for a long (endless!) break from treatment! They told me that my July CT-scan would ordinarily be delayed in order to give the radiation time to finish working, but that they wouldn't delay with me, knowing I was worrying about that tiny lung nodule and I could plan on a mid-July CT-scan. The Physician's Assistant pulled up my scans and looked at them when we met Monday, and he said that Dr. Yuman (my radiation oncologist) was better and more experienced at reading scans than anyone else at the hospital (in his opinion) and had been a chemo oncologist before he became the head of radiation oncology. He said that if Dr. Yuman says it's nothing, I can be 99.9% positive that it IS nothing. That was very reasurring.

I feel somewhat beaten down by all the external radiation, but no specific complaints I can put a finger on, just general mild weariness. I think my red counts must be down from the treatments, but they did no monitoring other than weighing me during the entire 28 rounds, so I don't know that for sure. I have no red skin from the treatments, was never nauseated enough to throw up or to take anything for it. I only took Immodium twice, otherwise able to keep the diarhea "okay" by watching my diet. I lost 9 pounds during the external radiation, even though I REALLY worked at staying hydrated. I never ate in the evenings so that I wouldn't have to get up at night with diahrea, and I kept my servings small when I did eat, so I think the weight loss is real and not dehydration. I had gained 15 pounds over chemo, so maybe I will be back to my pre-cancer weight by the time my internal radiation is over. That would be nice, getting me closer to being "me" faster.

My hair is still very very thin and my scalp still shows through everywhere, but the hair IS coming in (a mix of curly whites and poker-straight blacks!) slow but sure. I can now see how I will look with my 'crew cut' hairdo I'll have in a month, and I think with dramatic eye makeup, big earrings, and a huge smile that I can pull it off. I plucked my eyebrows yesterday; they came in so wide and bushy! I think I'm on the mend!

deanna14 said:

Yea!
I am so glad that you have completed another leg of the journey and the last leg of the journey will be over before you know it. It is a mixture of emotions! I will be interested to hear your thoughts when you finish... you have such a way of putting your thoughts and feelings into words. Like "mild general weariness"... that puts the finger exactly on how I felt with radiation. I was able to do whatever I wanted to do until my body was done and when it was done, it was done and I had to rest.
I believe that you are going to be relieved when you have your next CT scan. Sounds like you have a lot of experienced doctors saying that the teeny tiny shadow on your lung is nothing. I think you are a lot like me at this point, skeptical. All along this journey we have heard the rosy story to find out that our story was the horror story. You told me yourself that most of the time this is not the case. These doctors do have the experience and usually their suspisiongs are correct. I know that my doctor was just as shocked as I was to find out how advanced my diseased was. My family tells me that he was devastated, even angry that he was so wrong when he came out of my surgery to talk to them. Believe, have faith that your doctors are right about this one... it's our time to get the rosy story!!!
I have quite a bit of hair, can still see that scalp a bit. It is also a mix of curly whitish/grey hairs with straight dark brown or black hairs. The eyebrows are very dark and I have super stubby eyelashes! It will be interesting to see if it all begins to fall out in about 14 days?! At least I know that it will start growing pretty quickly in about 4-5 weeks. My hair has always grown quickly and is very very thick. I have been having to shave my legs and underarms.
You were always "you" inside and the outside is just bonus. Keep that positive attitide and that BIG smile... it makes you an amazing lady! Thanks for being a part of this group... it wouldn't be the same without your positive and supportive attitude!

YAY Linda
Almost finished, this is so exciting. I can hear the happy feet dancing!

MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

Hugs.

lindaprocopio said:

Got my 28th & FINAL round of EXTERNAL radiation yesterday!
One more lap in this crazy journey behind me! The radiation techs gave me a little 'graduation' diploma yesterday, and I gave them all little goodie bags of cookies and little token presents. It was festive and fun and I am so happy now to get this week's break after going for treatments day after day for so long. Only the 3 rounds of internal radiation to go now, with a July 1 'end date' in sight and then I hope for a long (endless!) break from treatment! They told me that my July CT-scan would ordinarily be delayed in order to give the radiation time to finish working, but that they wouldn't delay with me, knowing I was worrying about that tiny lung nodule and I could plan on a mid-July CT-scan. The Physician's Assistant pulled up my scans and looked at them when we met Monday, and he said that Dr. Yuman (my radiation oncologist) was better and more experienced at reading scans than anyone else at the hospital (in his opinion) and had been a chemo oncologist before he became the head of radiation oncology. He said that if Dr. Yuman says it's nothing, I can be 99.9% positive that it IS nothing. That was very reasurring.

I feel somewhat beaten down by all the external radiation, but no specific complaints I can put a finger on, just general mild weariness. I think my red counts must be down from the treatments, but they did no monitoring other than weighing me during the entire 28 rounds, so I don't know that for sure. I have no red skin from the treatments, was never nauseated enough to throw up or to take anything for it. I only took Immodium twice, otherwise able to keep the diarhea "okay" by watching my diet. I lost 9 pounds during the external radiation, even though I REALLY worked at staying hydrated. I never ate in the evenings so that I wouldn't have to get up at night with diahrea, and I kept my servings small when I did eat, so I think the weight loss is real and not dehydration. I had gained 15 pounds over chemo, so maybe I will be back to my pre-cancer weight by the time my internal radiation is over. That would be nice, getting me closer to being "me" faster.

My hair is still very very thin and my scalp still shows through everywhere, but the hair IS coming in (a mix of curly whites and poker-straight blacks!) slow but sure. I can now see how I will look with my 'crew cut' hairdo I'll have in a month, and I think with dramatic eye makeup, big earrings, and a huge smile that I can pull it off. I plucked my eyebrows yesterday; they came in so wide and bushy! I think I'm on the mend!

woooHOOO!!!
Gee this site is FULL of good news tonight!
Another step completed toward a total recovery.
You're an absolute angel, your positive attitude, beautiful smile and many words of encouragment! You're an inspiration to all.
Enjoy that new hair -- my is totally different texture than pre-chemo. I love the little curls - all I have to do is wash, towel dry, a dab of gel and out I GO!!! It's wonderful.
May God continue to bless you with good health.
Hugs, hugs and more Hugs!
Joannem65

lindaprocopio said:

Got my 28th & FINAL round of EXTERNAL radiation yesterday!
One more lap in this crazy journey behind me! The radiation techs gave me a little 'graduation' diploma yesterday, and I gave them all little goodie bags of cookies and little token presents. It was festive and fun and I am so happy now to get this week's break after going for treatments day after day for so long. Only the 3 rounds of internal radiation to go now, with a July 1 'end date' in sight and then I hope for a long (endless!) break from treatment! They told me that my July CT-scan would ordinarily be delayed in order to give the radiation time to finish working, but that they wouldn't delay with me, knowing I was worrying about that tiny lung nodule and I could plan on a mid-July CT-scan. The Physician's Assistant pulled up my scans and looked at them when we met Monday, and he said that Dr. Yuman (my radiation oncologist) was better and more experienced at reading scans than anyone else at the hospital (in his opinion) and had been a chemo oncologist before he became the head of radiation oncology. He said that if Dr. Yuman says it's nothing, I can be 99.9% positive that it IS nothing. That was very reasurring.

I feel somewhat beaten down by all the external radiation, but no specific complaints I can put a finger on, just general mild weariness. I think my red counts must be down from the treatments, but they did no monitoring other than weighing me during the entire 28 rounds, so I don't know that for sure. I have no red skin from the treatments, was never nauseated enough to throw up or to take anything for it. I only took Immodium twice, otherwise able to keep the diarhea "okay" by watching my diet. I lost 9 pounds during the external radiation, even though I REALLY worked at staying hydrated. I never ate in the evenings so that I wouldn't have to get up at night with diahrea, and I kept my servings small when I did eat, so I think the weight loss is real and not dehydration. I had gained 15 pounds over chemo, so maybe I will be back to my pre-cancer weight by the time my internal radiation is over. That would be nice, getting me closer to being "me" faster.

My hair is still very very thin and my scalp still shows through everywhere, but the hair IS coming in (a mix of curly whites and poker-straight blacks!) slow but sure. I can now see how I will look with my 'crew cut' hairdo I'll have in a month, and I think with dramatic eye makeup, big earrings, and a huge smile that I can pull it off. I plucked my eyebrows yesterday; they came in so wide and bushy! I think I'm on the mend!

done(linda)
YAY, congrats and I know you will feel better soon and all side affect will be a vague memory. Thanks also for all your great feedback and positivity.