#109 - I Don't Like Colds

No Delays Please

Luckily I rarely get colds and they're usually mild head colds.  But the timing of this cold was frustrating.  I woke up with a slight sore throat, on Tuesday, the day after we returned from our trip. First thought, "Oh no, what if they don't let me do radiation. What are the rules?"  I've already highlighted December 14, as my LAST DAY!

Special Day
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​Even though I had two medical appointments on Tuesday, I was excited about the day. It was the day I would have gone in for chemo, had I not been so lucky to only need 4 rounds.  I was looking forward to this day and the following days. I was eager to see if I would begin to feel more normal, as I moved further from those treatments. But as the day progressed my nose began to run, my mouth grew numb and my head was fuzzy and tired.  Shoot! It felt pretty much like I'd had chemo!

That afternoon, I went in for my "dry run" for radiation.  By Thursday I had a full cold, when I went in for my first radiation. But I tried to hide my Kleenex and not breath on anyone. I went with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" approach... determined to get my first treatment behind me.  

5 Minutes
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​After waiting a while with a few others in gowns, I got my turn. My technicians were wonderful and they knew it was my first time.  I must have looked scared as I laid on the white sheet, because they were so reassuring. I was scared, but not about the powerful machine moving above my head, making strange sounds.  I was so darn scared I was going to sneeze.  It was done in 5 minutes and I was down right giggling with relief. 

 

"Whew!" I laughed. "I was afraid I was going to sneeze!"  They assured me that I could sneeze, if I didn't move anything else.  Or I could just holler "Stop!" if I felt it coming on. What good news to know... it was nothing like being in a knife throwing act where a "Wait!!" could get you a knife in the ear.  

​Yay!  One down and 32 more to go!
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