This is my bus stop..

ooo
ooo Member Posts: 105
..and I'm done too!

I came home yesterday night after the doctor removed my brachytherapy implants. Since it's whining week on the board, here's my contribution.. ;)

The implants were not too painful and the discomfort was manageable, but somehow I got really tired of the whole thing after days of antibiotics destroying my veins and causing infiltrations: every day a new IV line was climbing higher and higher on my arm. I was not allowed to brush my teeth for longer than I want to think about and because of the plastic catheters coming out of my chin I could sleep only in a couple of positions, either sitting, or on the side with my mouth semi-open and half of my face in a puddle of saliva. This, plus having a crazy room mate meant mostly sleepless nights. I know I should be grateful for salivating like a Newfoundland dog.. that indeed helped to keep me in a good mood. :)

The last night was the worst one: I really freaked out about removing the implants with no anesthesia. I thought about the pain and blood dripping on my gown and choking in my own blood and so on.. I was about to ask the nurse for some anti-anxiety drug but stupidly I didn't. Eventually I fell asleep. Fortunately the day after I was full of energy and mentally ready for the procedure, which turned out to be very quick and relatively painless. No blood at all.

I'm 24 hours out and I'm already laughing about it. In a few minutes I'll update my csn status to "no longer in treatment for cancer". I feel like a million bucks. I just want to share this moment of joy with you, especially with all my bus mates and with the friends who are still fighting, either to win it or to let go with dignity.

Dre.

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    I'm not off the bus yet.....
    but we did finish our radiation therapy at the same time, Dre....

    I had to laugh at what a vivid imagination you have....my gawd, massive pain....dripping blood, and then choking on it...OMG, do you watch too many horror flicks? LOLOLOL

    Congratulations, Dre...on a bus well rode......I am SO excited for you, my friend, my little bus mate...don't drop out of site now, I would miss updates, and I'd most certainly miss your sense of humor.

    p

    PS...there is no such thing as whining....I'm seriuos about this. Whining is whimpering because you wanted to go to the beach, and it's raining.....THAT is whining...:)
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    WTG DRE...
    Congrats....

    Just in time for the week-end.

    Best,
    John
  • Tonsil Dad
    Tonsil Dad Member Posts: 488
    Skiffin16 said:

    WTG DRE...
    Congrats....

    Just in time for the week-end.

    Best,
    John

    Congrats!!
    Well done Dre, congratulations on finishing treatment.
    My you have NED the rest of the way.

    God bless
    Tonsi dad,

    Dan.
  • Mrs. Sarge
    Mrs. Sarge Member Posts: 206 Member

    Congrats!!
    Well done Dre, congratulations on finishing treatment.
    My you have NED the rest of the way.

    God bless
    Tonsi dad,

    Dan.

    Whoo Hoo
    Dre!!! Way to go and what a memorial end to the bus ride, huh? Being done is wonderful!!!! NED is absolutely next!!!
  • Jahnsart
    Jahnsart Member Posts: 41
    It is great to hear good news
    Congrats and thanks for sharing, even when we, personally, don't have great news. It is great to be able to celebrate yours..
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    Jahnsart said:

    It is great to hear good news
    Congrats and thanks for sharing, even when we, personally, don't have great news. It is great to be able to celebrate yours..

    Dre, congrates on getting
    Dre, congrates on getting the tx done. I am happy for you. When we hear people getting done...it kinda ensures the fact that there is a end of this tunnel.

    Everyday i hear of new things, brachytherapy sounds better than imrt. Since you did not lost taste buds, it is a huge plus for you. I am wondering if by doing brachytherapy, they were able to give you lesser dose of radiation.

    I wish you a very quick post recovery.

    Sam
  • Laralyn
    Laralyn Member Posts: 532
    Good for you!
    It's great to see a wave of people hitting the beach at the same time. :-)
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    Laralyn said:

    Good for you!
    It's great to see a wave of people hitting the beach at the same time. :-)

    good for you !
    CONGRATS on getting your treatments done. Usually what we visualize in our heads is far worse than the reality of it, and you have a vivid imagination--I can see where you couldn't get any sleep.

    So now you can rest your body and start to recover. As I have said before, take naps, don't feel guilty about it and heal.
    I wish you the best.
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    i use to be a wet mouth
    Hi Dre,

    Sounds like I can ring my bell for you too, today. Mr. completed a round of radiation (seeds), very intense method of treatment. Brings up a vivid imagination, where I felt like a first responder.

    One thing did catch my eye and interest, salivating like a Newfoundland dog. You see, before radiation I was know as a wet mouth and I (inadvertently) drooled on my pillows, ruining them and the pillow cases. I was keeping the new me, dry mouth me, in my back pocket so I could ask for some new pillows and pillow cases, but if my no drool is going to be short lived, I might as well stick with what I have.

    Anyway, congratulations and try to get some much needed rest

    Matt
  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    Good on all of ya!
    I remember getting down a bit when so many newbies came on board at one time--it really made me sad and I stayed away for quite a few days to regroup mentally. But now when I read that so many of you have finished, or are close to finishing, your treatments it makes me very happy. And to hear that so many of you have come through with your sense of humor intact just adds to that happiness.

    Mike
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    Great news...
    Dre,
    you are very brave and made it ! I am so scared of more treatments...but you all give me the strenghth...besides humor to keep this newbee heading forward. Please for the survivors that have been here, for awhile keep posting, we need your encouragement and advice. Again Dre, fantastic news....warmest regards, Katie
  • NitaNita
    NitaNita Member Posts: 56

    Great news...
    Dre,
    you are very brave and made it ! I am so scared of more treatments...but you all give me the strenghth...besides humor to keep this newbee heading forward. Please for the survivors that have been here, for awhile keep posting, we need your encouragement and advice. Again Dre, fantastic news....warmest regards, Katie

    Congrats and Thank you!
    I just wanted to say Thank you for all the help you have given me through your process. I have surgery next week and honestly your kind words have helped me out a lot! I am so happy to hear you are done and ready to move on..Wishing you nothing but the best!
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    NitaNita said:

    Congrats and Thank you!
    I just wanted to say Thank you for all the help you have given me through your process. I have surgery next week and honestly your kind words have helped me out a lot! I am so happy to hear you are done and ready to move on..Wishing you nothing but the best!

    Dre
    Congratulations to you, and very happy that it's all moving forward for you, well.

    kcass
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    Kent Cass said:

    Dre
    Congratulations to you, and very happy that it's all moving forward for you, well.

    kcass

    Yay for you! Here's to a
    Yay for you! Here's to a speedy recovery!!
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    meaganb said:

    Yay for you! Here's to a
    Yay for you! Here's to a speedy recovery!!

    yeah!!!!!
    Congrats Dre!!!

    You sound great.....

    Best,

    Tim
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Dre
    Glad to hear the good news, keep doing well

    Hondo
  • dsantor
    dsantor Member Posts: 19
    Congratulations and a very
    Congratulations and a very speedy recovery to you.
  • LeoS2323
    LeoS2323 Member Posts: 160
    dsantor said:

    Congratulations and a very
    Congratulations and a very speedy recovery to you.

    Great News
    So pleased for you Dre, keep that positive attitude up!

    All the best

    Leo
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    LeoS2323 said:

    Great News
    So pleased for you Dre, keep that positive attitude up!

    All the best

    Leo

    Always glad
    To read good news, especially in such a descriptive way. Great pic, too! Take care.
  • ooo
    ooo Member Posts: 105
    Thank you all for your
    Thank you all for your messages! They really mean a lot to me.

    Still "cooking",

    Dre.