Life After Radiation? Prayerfully Hopeful
I finished my last brain and spine radiation on Monday. I think I was so excited about being finished yesterday that I may have overdone it a little, but who cares? I have nothing but time to recover...
The expectation is that radiation continues to work for the next month or so and my doctor feels that I should see more benefit as the swelling from the radiation goes down. That is our prayer around here these days.
I am slowly coming out of the fog that has been my existence over the last 3 weeks - hurray. My doc wants me to continue with 2 steroids per day, then cut to one next week. If I notice pain, then I should go back up to 2 and just deal with 2 per day. Otherwise we will work our way back down to 1, then 1/2, then none (ideally). I am ready to give up my chipmonk cheeks for sure!
Faron shaved my head again. Saturday morning my hair practically jumped off my head and ran away. We knew hair loss was a possibility since they were radiating my brain, but it was hanging in there really well. Then I noticed my scalp starting to hurt, but I just assumed it was the sunburn from Radiation. But when the first clump jumped off my head, and we realized all hair was abandoning ship,we shaved. Instant relief. Now I can put my goop on my head to relieve sunburn as well.
I started back with hospice yesterday and should get a lightweight wheelchair tomorrow. I am comforted by hospice because I know I can pick up the phone and call someone if I have any questions or concerns. I also like that they deliver everything - meds included. And I am glad to see my team again.
Since I have been doing the radiation, I have been feeling so much weaker. Again, the doc thinks it is due to swelling around tumor sites which should decrease and improve my mobility, but I still think I need the wheelchair - too unsteady with walker right now.
That is it for us right now. I have a follow-up next month. We are praying for healing - for my body and the world in general! Love and thanks for everyone's support.
May you be blessed as you bless others!
Kelli
The expectation is that radiation continues to work for the next month or so and my doctor feels that I should see more benefit as the swelling from the radiation goes down. That is our prayer around here these days.
I am slowly coming out of the fog that has been my existence over the last 3 weeks - hurray. My doc wants me to continue with 2 steroids per day, then cut to one next week. If I notice pain, then I should go back up to 2 and just deal with 2 per day. Otherwise we will work our way back down to 1, then 1/2, then none (ideally). I am ready to give up my chipmonk cheeks for sure!
Faron shaved my head again. Saturday morning my hair practically jumped off my head and ran away. We knew hair loss was a possibility since they were radiating my brain, but it was hanging in there really well. Then I noticed my scalp starting to hurt, but I just assumed it was the sunburn from Radiation. But when the first clump jumped off my head, and we realized all hair was abandoning ship,we shaved. Instant relief. Now I can put my goop on my head to relieve sunburn as well.
I started back with hospice yesterday and should get a lightweight wheelchair tomorrow. I am comforted by hospice because I know I can pick up the phone and call someone if I have any questions or concerns. I also like that they deliver everything - meds included. And I am glad to see my team again.
Since I have been doing the radiation, I have been feeling so much weaker. Again, the doc thinks it is due to swelling around tumor sites which should decrease and improve my mobility, but I still think I need the wheelchair - too unsteady with walker right now.
That is it for us right now. I have a follow-up next month. We are praying for healing - for my body and the world in general! Love and thanks for everyone's support.
May you be blessed as you bless others!
Kelli
posted by Kelli @ 4:30 AM
1 Comments:
At 6:55 AM,
Revved Runner said…
Hi, there! Long story short: My Aunt sent me a link to this blog one day as one entry in particular spoke about a situation we had been praying about. That was a bit ago and I've been following Gitz ever since.
Your writing reminds me of hers; her writing reminds me of yours.
I take so much from both of you; I've used your writing in speaking with our youth group. You bring things to mind that I don't believe otherwise would come to it.
Thank you for letting God use you for His purpose.
And, I wanted to share the link. I hope it gives you one more new source of encouragement.
Please know that I pray for you daily and usually multiple times.
In Him,
Nicole Monk Nolen :)
http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/changed.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fgitzengirl+%28Gitz%29
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