Looking Back at the Last Week of Radiation

It's Monday -- the day I usually make the trek back to Kelowna to endure another week of radiation. Not so today! What a delightful treat to be able to stay home.

The 28 radiation treatments flew by -- particularly the last week of them.  In the company of my dear friend, Julie from Trail, I filled the hours between treatments by planning school work, watching tear-producing movies, and recounting the many blessings bestowed on me during this journey. [This last point will be the topic of several posts in the very near future!!]

Wanting to leave a legacy of lives I've touched that I wouldn't have ordinarily encountered, it was my mission to be extra-friendly, extra-outgoing, and extra-joyful for this last week. On Thursday, I was delighted to be able to see Peter (tongue cancer) on his last treatment day, and give him and his wife huge hugs.  I will miss the sense of camaraderie with all these dear, precious people to whom it is so easy to chat and connect. My "Must Do" list now contains "Connect with a Support Group", even if it means driving to Kamloops once a week to attend. My first weeks and months after diagnosis were spent in relative isolation and, looking back, I do wish I had made more effort to take advantage of counselling groups that exist one short hour away.  Survivors and fellow patients offer a listening ear, common happenings, and success stories that are so important to bolster one's spirits.

As soon as I woke up on Friday, I had butterflies practicing somersaults in my stomach.  This giddy sense of excitement helped me haul numerous loads from trailer to car, and do a quick clean up before saying goodbye to my home-away-from-home.

Saying goodbye to the trailer!

Julie and I literally skipped from the car into the Cancer Agency, and I simply could not wipe the Cheshire Cat grin off my face. Thank you cards in hand, I gowned up and headed to the waiting room for the final time. No sooner was I comfortably settled in, but Chris said I had to report to the front desk for a message.  Off I went back down the hallway, and was handed THE MOST BEAUTIFUL bouquet of a dozen red roses with the sweetest note from David.

What a superb husband, eh??

Once I got over the shock of my "message", I spotted Jenny, my absolute favourite therapist, at "The Orchard" -- the treatment room directly across from mine. I had a card specifically for her, and peeked my head around the corner so I could hand it to her.  She came out to the waiting room to meet Julie, chat for a few minutes, and give me a hug. Jenny always made time to talk, answer questions, and get to know me. I will treasure that about her for a long, long time.

Getting a hug from Jenny

Jenny, I hope I see you again --
just NOT HERE!!

Christ and Carl gave me my final treatment, followed by going over the "Instructions for After Radiation".  I didn't realize that my skin can continue to get worse for about two weeks, and I need to keep up my diligent skin care, adding Vitamin E oil to reduce the life-long tanned-rectangle-look. After handing them a card for all "The Park" therapists, and getting hugs all around (YES -- even from Chris, and delivered with a smile) I walked out of the treatment room for the FINAL TIME!! Waiting for me on the other side of the 10" thick door were Jenny and Leanna (my other favourite therapist).  I was overwhelmed by the thought that they took time out from their work to make sure we got final hugs and goodbyes.

I hooted and hollered and "yahooed" my way down the hallway and out the door.  I didn't care who heard me or what they thought -- well, in fact, several patients in various waiting rooms joined right in with me :)

Roger, a fellow RV park resident whose wife is receiving treatment,
offers me congratulations.

DONE!!! I'M OUTTA HERE!

After an uneventful drive home and a laundry-filled afternoon, my evening was spent celebrating with three of my beautiful daughters and two dear friends. There may have been a wee bit of champagne consumed as well :)

CHEERS!!!