First day of treatment.

I took my 3 (morning) chemo pills within 30 minutes of eating breakfast, as instructed by the video we quick watched right before. Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute. It didn't tell us anything we hadn't already been told, except to keep a log, and note the dosage and any side effects that day. Today was FG, "feel good." We arrived on-time for our 11am Radiation appointment, they were running just a bit behind because another patient snuck into the schedule unexpectedly. Ordinarily that shouldn't happen. It took less than 10 minutes, and didn't hurt a bit. I laid in the prone position, the beam hit me in the targeted areas making three 15-second buzz noises, with a minute or two in between. While that's happening, I am visualizing the cancer's destruction.... today I pictured a laser beam zapping the crap out of the tumor. Tomorrow maybe Pac Man chewing it up. Another day, perhaps a fast rushing stream eroding it away. I've got a few more, but if you have any suggestions, send me a Comment.

Afterwards my nurse, Gloria, weighed me, took my blood pressure and oxygen levels. She'll do that every Monday. I've lost 5 lbs. since we started, but I'm sure that's just because of increased salads and decreased dark chocolate malted milk balls. Gloria also reviewed what I might start feeling, such as skin changes, nausea and fatigue. And that it is important for me to know that feeling tired does NOT mean I'm getting sicker, it's just a side effect. And to give myself permission to take naps. I AM just a bit tired this afternoon – but I'm sure it's because I finally got the last of the newsletters to press! I still have a few days of loose ends to tie up, but I should be able to sneak in a nap now and again.