Halfway

Today I had my fifteenth radiation treatment… the halfway point in the process. Each treatment is short (less than ten minutes); but getting to the clinic and back pretty much takes over my late afternoons.

The biggest challenge of the treatment is getting onto and off the equipment's "table." I sometimes experience vertigo when I lie down…a remnant of the injury to my head when a bicyclist knocked me down in October 2015. And sitting back up to get off the table is quite painful, because the medication I am on suppresses estrogen, which means I've lost some protection from arthritis inflammation.

I met with a new oncologist last week, as well as with my naturopath, and they suggested curcumin and tart cherry juice, which both have anti-inflammatory properties. So, I have two new things on my chart of medications and supplements. I hope they help, because I feel like the tin man in "The Wizard of Oz."

The axillary web syndrome ("cording"), which is a side effect of surgery, also started to flare up and interfere with my left arm's range of motion, despite doing my exercises. So I had another session with the physical therapist last week, and will continue to see her for at least several more weeks.

Honestly, cancer-treatment side effects are like a game of "Whack-a-Mole." I get one under control and another one pops up… and then one I thought was gone rears up again.

What with all the medical stuff, trekking around in hot weather, and a rather demanding schedule of work (both paid and volunteer), I hit a low point last week. By the time Friday night rolled around, I was totally exhausted and depressed.

Fortunately, the weekend was very pleasant. David and I spent time with family members on Saturday and had a really nice dinner on our wedding anniversary on Sunday.

And on the plus side, what with all the travel to medical appointments, I racked up so many trips on my transit card that I earned a monthly pass. I'm also getting a lot of reading done.