Just a quick Update

It’s been a while since I wrote about my “troubles”, so here is a quick update for all those readers who have been so supportive over the last few months.  I don’t want to dwell too much on health issues, (it’s more fun to talk about quilting, don’t you think) and it seems I’m on the home stretch now, as far as my treatment for breast cancer goes.

After waiting and waiting – these things take time and there is a due process to go through, I realise, I have now started my radiation treatment.  So off I go each day, with my little hospital bag packed.

All set for another hospital visit

My lovely new bag was a gift from Jean who blogs as All Points of the Compass.  Inside is my hospital gown – I was given one on my first session and was told it is mine for the duration, to launder as required.  It didn’t have a belt, leaving me feeling  rather vulnerable, so I quickly stitched a length of tape on the back.  So much better, I can keep in closed now.  I also have to take my Patient ID Card, to prove that I am who I think I am.  There is also room in my bag for my library book, to help if appointments are running late.

There was heavy frost everywhere when I started my journey today, all over the ground, and on each roof in our village.  As we drove up the the hospital, the paddocks were a swathe of white frost.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and away in the distance I could see the top of Mt Ruapehu  – the conditions have to be crisp and clear to see the mountain that far away.  Too far away to try and take a clear photo, though.

Frost on our roof at home

And for those who don’t know what a  Linear Accelerator looks like, I asked if I could take a photo.  My grand-daughters have no idea what happens and were concerned that I was feeling rather sad about it all – isn’t that sweet?  I’m sad because I got sick, I told them, but I’m really happy with all the health care I’m getting from the hospital. 

Linear Accelerator ready for action

“I’ll take your photo”, one of the very helpful staff told me – there are three Radiation therapists working each machine.  “Do you want to get on the bed?”.  No thanks, just by the machine would be fine.  So here I am in my fetching blue gown.

So that’s where I’m up to at this stage, and I’m travelling up to the hospital every day from Monday to Friday for three weeks.  Luckily they give me the weekends off for good behaviour.

I’m still planning on “rolling the dice” each week, although of course I won’t have the same amount of time available with the several hours taken out of my day with travelling for my treatment.  But I’ll get to check out which UFO is chosen each week, give it a pat or two, and see what I feel like doing in the available time.  Energy levels could well be down during this treatment so I’ll just have to take things one day at a time. 

I realise of course that some readers could well be going through something similar, or have a friend or family member touched by cancer.  So I do hope that I haven’t upset anyone with this post, that certainly wasn’t my intention.  I’m just trying to show how I’m coping, and to thank everyone for their ongoing support and kind messages.