Cancer Treatment: So Far So Good

My first MRI after radiation and chemotherapy showed no signs of
cancer! What a relief! My son, Dave, and I just saw the pictures at
a meeting with Dr. Mitchell, my radiation oncologist, on June 30.
That good news makes it easier to deal with the many lingering
effects of the radiation and chemotherapy. I had heard that many
people feel that they have been run over by a truck after brain
surgery. I began feeling that truck toward the end of my six and one-
half weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. That "run-over," run-down"
feeling has now continued for over a month. However, I have
progressed to feeling I was run over by a volkswagen, and now, by a
loaded wheelbarrow.

I do not think I would have believed that fatigue could be so extreme
if I had not experienced it. Thankfully, I have brief periods of
energy. I can now see one client every few days. I can do some
gardening and I can sometimes walk around the neighborhood for up to
fifteen minutes. I have either stopped or am tapering off all my
prescription drugs, I and am taking healing supplements from my
naturopathic doctor.

It has been a long journey and I am very thankful for help and
prayers and support from so many people. Rather than thinking of all
I can not do, I often focus on my leisurely life with a morning nap,
several rental movies a week, and time to read. Some of this luxury
has to continue! I know I will not be pushing myself, like I did
before my cancer diagnosis in February. It is time to smell the
flowers and, as my energy permits, to have more and more time with
friends and family.