28 down, 11 to go

Just over two weeks left! Starting Wednesday of this week and through the rest of radiation treatment, I'm getting booster radiation treatments -- less volume, 7 IMRT fields instead of the previous 9 fields.

I lost 3 pounds this week, but considering I put on 10 pounds before radiation started, the nurses are happy, and I'm happy that I can continue to eat through my mouth instead of my feeding tube, although everything still taste like cardboard.

My nurses and radiation oncologist are pleasantly surprised that my radiation burns are minimal, primary on the front of my neck. I hope, through the next two weeks, it stays that way, and I can also continue to eat by mouth.

I am hoping my medical oncologist will allow me to remove my feeding tube right after the end of treatment and that she will allow me to return to work soon after that assuming my energy level returns to normal. I have heard for some, it takes a couple of weeks or more.

Monday and Tuesdays continue to be my hardest days of the week as I sleep most of the day and night. Fridays, due to the steroid pills they give me before chemo, I have the most energy, usually not falling asleep until 2 or 3 am. My blood count is still below normal due to the weekly chemo infusions. I wonder how long it takes for the counts to return to normal after the end of chemo.

It is always exciting to see all the people cheer at the hospital when patients are done with treatment. The sad part is seeing new people come in, knowing the fear they have because you have been there, and knowing the journey they have ahead.