Friday, July 23, 2010

33 down, 0 to go!

8 rounds of chemo: $87,000

Bi-lateral mastectomy: $85,000

33 rounds of radiation: $65,000

Being done with treatment and cancer free: Priceless!!


My last radiation treatment was today. I know I have a lot left to do still with the reconstruction, but hey - the hard part is over!


To celebrate, I had dinner with a few friends last night. I tried to invite the friends who visited me in the hospital during my surgery, came over and cooked for me or hung out with me when I was sick with chemo, reassured me (for the thousandth time) that I do *not* look like an alien with no eyebrows, and just supported and loved me through the roughest time that I hope none of them will ever have to come close to going through. Having all of these amazing people around me is such a blessing. I don't know how I can ever repay them for everything they've done. Maybe I can work out a 30 year payment plan, that ought to cover it (plus interest).


Today at work, they took down the "Cristal" tree. They decorated our Christmas tree in pink ornaments and kept the tree up this entire time that I've been going through treatment. Since I'm done and cancer free, we had a ceremonial taking down of the tree and BBQ lunch (plus a cake!). My boss said some really nice things and I got all misty eyed. Then I said some dopey things and told them all to go away before I started crying. I'm really lucky to be at a job where I have such great support and understanding.


Ok, enough sentimental ramblings for now.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Extra Innings

Well, the good news is I don't have radiation today. I've completed my 28 treatments. The bad news is, we're going to go ahead with the scar boost so I have treatments all next week. My skin looks really red and rough. There's a spot under my arm that is rubbed raw, and it hurts every time I move my arm.

Just for fun, here's a picture of my radiation "hickey".

Oh my my!

Friday, July 9, 2010

23 out of 28 (or 33)

Call me Crispy Cristal. I'm starting to get very burned and ouchie from radiation. There's a big spot under my arm where all the skin is rubbing off. My Radiation Oncologist informed me yesterday that he might like to do a scar boost, which would mean an additional week of treatment aimed specifically at the scar line. It depends on how my skin holds up. I'm not gonna lie, I was really really (really really really) looking forward to being done next week. I'll just have to do whatever's best and soldier on.