We met with the radio-oncologist to discuss my case and were urged to wait no more than 6 months to begin treatment. We chose to begin treatment in early September, it presented the least amount of possible disruption to the family and the kids.
I learned that there are many types of radiation, some better for certain tumors, others for location. Gamma knife, Proton therapy, IMRT...so many ways to administer what the body needs to destroy the invading cells in order to allow the body do what it does best, heal. My treatment consisted of 30 sessions of IMRT radiation, or six weeks of daily treatment Monday thru Friday.
It Takes a Village
I had so much help during this process. Rides to treatment, help with my kids, help with meals (we prepared in advance as much as we could). I was able to use a volunteering site to help track and organize information. People could log in and help where able.
I am so grateful for the small and sometimes not so small ways that people reached out. My family, from out of state came to visit, which was wonderful. I had friends step up on days when my treatment conflicted with times when my kids would get out of school. My husband changed his work schedule to e with me when he could. When he couldn't be there, I had friends step up to help with rides to and from treatment. So much love, so much concern, so much real help.
Treatment
My appointments were about 30 minutes away, and averaged between 10-15 minutes in length. I got to wear a mask fitted to my face that held me in place and bolted to the table. This helped ensure that the beam was placed exactly where it was needed.
I had an amazing team of nurses. They offered support, advice, professionalism and friendship when I needed it most. My treartment team has a tradition of giving flowers to one patient each week. There were days that those flowers brightened my day.
The first two weeks all I noticed was that I didnt want to eat, and that I was tired. I have been working to regain endurance and feeling this level of fatigue was discouraging. I tried to stay focused on the outcome. I was going to heal, fully. My tumor would be broken down my my body and elimintated. My son said that the beam was like a lightsaber, burning the tumor so it would die. His dad and I agreed, that was exactly what it was like.
The last weeks I became more tired. Early bedtime. Naps. Simple tasks. Low stress. Nutritional changes to support healing. Meditation. We used it all. I tried to give my body every advantage to heal and recover.
Coping
I used things like turmeric, garlic, ginger, and even pineapple in my diet to help reduce inflammation and support my immune system. I still puffed up as my lymphatic sytem became more stressed. My skin and hair became dry and brittle, but I was blessed to have no hair loss.
I kept up with low impact movement; short walks helped me to stay connected without placing stress on my system. I read books on healing and recovery. Some people complain that movies like The Secret and authors like Joe Dispenza minimize illness. I disagree, I found their messages to be hopeful. Not as a minimization of illness, but rather an elevation of self. We are stronger than any challenge we will ever face.
That is empowering to me. Some days I hurt. Some days we all hurt. But each day, I can make something better, even if it is not me. I participate in consistent self care. I engage in intentional acts of creation on a daily basis. I focus on learning more about myself and work to find ways to reach beyond normal limits, because we are all capable of working beyond normal limits.
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