An excerpt from a conversation I had with my 27yr old daughter today when she stopped by for lunch.  After I had explained that my breast cancer was hormone-receptor positive, and the hormone therapy that I will be starting in the next couple of weeks will suppress the production of estrogen in my body.

Her: “Estrogen?”

Me: “Yeah estrogen.”

Her: “Um, isn’t that kind a like, like your liquid?”

Me (perplexed): “My liquid?”

Her: “A yeah, so basically you’re a walking orgasm.”

Me (LMFAO!): “Well, I never really thought of it in that way.”

Her: “Aww mom…poor poor you.”

“I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.” 

                                                     – Frank A. Clark  

My last day of radiation treatment was today, it was bittersweet leaving me feeling overwhelmed with many mixed emotions. I’m so relieved this part is over!

As I lay on the table and the cylinder disc scanned over me for one last time the tears began to flow. At this moment I felt so blessed that from this day on a day-by-day basis I will become a breast cancer survivor. But, yet, feeling sad and angry this cold hearted bastard cancer had taken my father and brothers from me, all who fought much longer & harder than myself. Cancer has a way of messing with your brain big time!

On a happier note I don’t have a follow-up appointment with the radiologist to check the healing of my breast until December, and I won’t start hormone therapy until October 29. This gives me a couple of weeks off, so my wonderful husband Mr.B and I will be off too Florida for a much needed break away from all this madness from Oct 2 – 23.

Stay well my friend and I’ll be in touch!

While sitting in the waiting room at the hospital today I glanced over at the magazine rack and took notice of a booklet illustrated in crayon on construction paper prompting my curiosity too take a look.

The cover read: “Today: for women or men with breast cancer or any other cancer.”

               By Keara Duolan

The inside:

 “To: All women and men who have cancer I hope you get better and get up and running again. I know how you feel because my mom has cancer to. Remember if you keep telling yourself you’ll get through it you really will.”

The ten photocopied pages that followed were messages of inspiration in both English and Spanish.

The one passage that stood out and made me smile:

“No one said you had to be quiet about it
scream if you need to
cry if you must
complain if it hurts
good
now get back out there and live!”

Too often we underestimate the power of the smallest act of kindness, and caring, all of which may hold the possibility too turn someone’s day around or put a smile on a strangers face. Especially, the feat of a child who is surely dealing with her own fears; and emotional feelings at such a young age on a daily basis no less.

I applaud this little girls courage and strength.

Thanks for the smile today Keara!

My Radiation treatments are going well no problems as of yet other then leaving me a little tired, sunburned red, and a itchy rash. I have eleven more treatments left too go. The last eight treatments beginning this Thursday on the 11th, will switch over to what the Dr. refers to as ‘THE BOOSTER.’

[Trying to scare me with your big blow torch now Doc? Whatever.]

The booster will concentrate directly on and only on the area where the tumor once was, so the rest of my breast and under arm will get a well deserved break.

All in all, it hasn’t really been a rough ride and I thank God and feel very blessed that it has all gone so smoothly thus far. I honestly don’t feel completely comfortable just yet, but I guess I will always have some doubt and second guess this whole horrific experience. You know like when things go so smoothly you wonder how you got so lucky, but yet, in the back of your mind you prepare and stay on guard for the big kicker? Yeah, that’s me. I have seen it happen too many times before.

Thank you all for your thoughts, and prayers, and may God bless.

Much love to you!

“Ring This Bell Three Times Well

It’s Will Clearly Say

My Treatments Done

This Course Is Run

And I’m on My Way”

Radiation went well this week. I’ve had no side effects and I’m feeling pretty good. I have eight treatments behind me with twenty-five left to go. I met with the nurse on Wednesday and my Radiologist on Thursday they both say treatment is going well with no needed adjustments, which is good to hear.

When I arrive I change into a hospital gown and take a seat in the small dim lit waiting area (on Wednesday we were serenaded by a gal strumming a harp her music was soft and very relaxing) along with a few other women there for treatment, until the radiation technician comes out to greet me. I think I may be the youngest patient there and only one of two with a full head of hair. Clearly you can see these women have been half-way to hell and back, and you can’t help but admire their strong will of courage and their upbeat spirit on a daily basis.

On the wall outside the treatment room hanging from a mounted plaque in the hallway is a large gold bell, when a patient completes their last treatment they ring it. The bell rang twice this past week and you could hear the surrounding staff applauding and extending their well wishes. It’s really a very touching and emotional tribute to these women who each day just want to place one foot in front of the other throughout their journey with God’s will, hope, and prayer of becoming a survivor.

I say: “I gotta have more cowbell”

– Christopher Walken Saturday Night Live sketch