Whew!

It’s been a crazy busy month so far and it’s only March 21st!  Where does the time go?  Thankfully, it’s passed along quickly and hopefully it will continue to do so.  I’ve begun my radiation treatments!  Yahoo!  Two down and 31 to go!  I’ve only had two, but so far so good.  I’ve felt great both days!  I’ve been tired, but I think that has more to do with having a bit of jet lag and exhaustion from a fabulous trip to Chicago this past weekend.  Plus two girls that insist we play outside in this warm Spring and keep busy until dark everyday, which is just fine with me.

Here’s how the past two treatments have gone…

7:30 AM Drive to SCOA-1 hour and 15 minutes (depending on traffic)

9:00  AM Walk in/Check-in-Receptionist waves me back to Women’s Waiting Area and says, “Good Morning”

9:01 AM  Undress and put on lovely mauve hospital wrap and take a seat in waiting area.

9:05 AM  “Pennington” is called on the over head speaker just as I get settled and pull out my Kindle.

9:06 AM  I sign my initials after seeing my mug shot on the computer verifying that it is indeed me getting ready to be zapped-although I’d love to deny that awful photo.

9:07 AM  The ladies in my RAD room ask me to lie on the table, line me up and chat with me briefly before they exit the room.  I am exposed waist up.

9:09  AM The ladies take two X-Rays to verify placement.  They exit the room again.

9:10 AM  I lie on the sheet-covered metal table in the cold room as the machine circles me and makes zapping noises.  Every few seconds I see red beams on the ceiling or on my chest.  (These are the beams that help alignment.)  I see a computer overhead.  Every second and for every movement of the machines, numbers constantly change.  I feel nothing but the cold room.

9:20 AM  The girls come back in and tell me, “all’s well, see you tomorrow.”

9:21 AM  I head back to my dressing stall, dress and head out being sure to speak to everyone on the way out.

9:25 AM  Head back to Hartsville

Repeat 31 times.

Today, as I walked out of the Radiation Area of SCOA, and as I passed by patients and caregivers waiting on treatments, I held my head high, walking quickly and confidently.  I was so proud. Proud that I am where I am.  Proud of my super short hair, and proud to say that I am near the end of my treatment.  For the first time I wanted to tell everyone that I passed by, “I had cancer.  Look at me now, I’m healthy and strong.”

It’s an amazing feeling.

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