10 more days of fun & a poem shared...

February 4th, 2009:

This morning marks day 15 of radiation...only 10 to go and then my skin will finally get a chance to start healing. That will be a happy occasion. Oh, and I will get to wear deoderant again =)

I want to share something that my friend, Rhona shared with me yesterday. She came across this and said it reminded her of me. Well, to be honest, it reminds me of me...I could have written the same words myself.

The 3 Million Dollar Tanning Bed
By: Kathy Negro/ Breast Cancer Warrior

I walk into the office with apprehension and fear
The diagnosis of cancer is what we all share

Radiation is needed for 6 weeks and 3 days
Completed my chemo and now itʼs this phase

The entire staff is filled with compassion and care
They make you feel as if theyʼve known you for years

A mold is made from my chest to my head
To prevent me from moving and being misread

The next step seems to be exciting and new
Not one, not two but many small tattoos

The first day of treatment seems so surreal
The patients you meet know how you feel

It is time for radiation from the 3 million dollar tanning bed
You get on the table and gently lay down your head

You look up and the ceiling is filled with flowers galore
Your heart starts to beat and you feel anxiety to the core

The staff aligns you and each exits the room
It feels like youʼre awaiting some impending doom

I lie there alone and start to pray
It is painless, this so called radiation ray

Each visit gets easier and the staff becomes friends
Fear, apprehension and anxiety all begin to end

Yes, the skin can get red, blister and peel
But doctors will take care of anything you feel

These words are my gift of appreciation and gratitude
For encouraging me to always have a positive attitude

Each day I walk in, I smile as I have learned to cope
This office has given me care, kindness, but most of all hope

From the front desk to the doctor to each one of you
I am so grateful and proud of the job that you do.

Wow...this is my life right now...almost! Amazing...

I am having my radiation first and Chemo second so other than flowers on the ceiling, that is about the only difference.

I think that even though I am happy this part is almost over, I am a little sad that the people that I have spent the last several weeks with, bright & early every weekday morning, will be a part of my past. I have met some really nice people in the waiting room...people I would love to get to know better but there is not a whole lot that one can say in the 5 minutes we share together waiting our turn. We are all different, though we are all going through the same things emotionally. Somehow we share a unique bond. This whole "adventure" has been unique...and as strange as this sounds, I am glad I am getting to experience it. I would not change my life right now for anything in the world!* Cancer has "changed me"... but in a good way.


Daniel 2:21 -
And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:


*disclaimer
I have the right to recant that statement at any time after March 5th, 2009 ;)