5th Week Radiation & 6th Week Radiation Treatments

Friday, December 4th finished my 5th week radiation at Health Sciences North Sudbury, which also concludes my outside radiation treatments.  25 times to keep the bowel empty and fill the bladder, over and done with!!  Yahoo!!  I was so happy for the last day to come.  I know both Michael and I were glad to be giving up the dorm lifestyle, sleeping on the hard hospital bed, and closing the door to Room 208.  We both said "BYE ROOM!!"  As much as I appreciate having a place to call home while doing these treatments, I know I will leave this memory behind me for more favourable ones to come!  

The one memory that I bring with me from this time period will be the wonderful people I have met here in Sudbury.  The hospital staff, hospital volunteers, doctors, nurses, and radiation therapists - they have all been so awesome!!  Kind, courteous, respectful, and a friendly face to a dark time in someone's life.  I would try to remember their names, and there were many!!  I made sure to let them know how much I appreciated their service, how helpful they were to me as a cancer patient, and why I was so thankful when they took the time to talk to me and help me understand the effects of radiation on the body.  The last couple weeks my symptoms were not pleasant, but with encouragement and persistence... I have made it!!

Ringing of the cancer bell is a personal choice!!  There are some cancer patients who don't want to ring the bell, and bolt out of the hospital faster than they came.  At first, I didn't understand this... why not ring the bell?  Doesn't it signal the end of treatment, and some sense of accomplishment and success for the future.  But for the bone cancer patient on his third round of radiation to dull the pain, there is no sense of joy or accomplishment.  The lady on the second round of radiation for breast cancer, afraid the bell will find her again... they opened my eyes and understanding that first time around doesn't always cure the cancer.   

I still want to ring the cancer bell... because of traditional symbolism of conquering the beast, and also because I want the sound to ring out and vibrate my healing to the universe!!  I have received many blessings, prayers, and positive vibes... so I trust and have faith God willing this round cures me! 

https://youtu.be/GxYnzy6WArs

So even though I rang the bell, my treatments are not finished yet, but I am almost there... so off to London I went to complete my 6th week radiation treatments.  On Sunday, December 5th, I was admitted at the Victoria Health Sciences Hospital to complete my inside radiation treatment.  A couple days hospitalized for the specialized treatment that targets the cervix and vagina area.  As this may sound, yep... it wasn't going to be pleasant.  I would receive three treatments in a 30 hour period while laying flat on my back.  I was put to sleep to have the applicator installed, then at various intervals I would be wheeled down to the brachytherapy suite to receive my treatment, and back up to my room.  My chauffeurs Jessica and Jeremy took excellent care as I got wheeled to and from my treatments.  We actually had some fun between the 7th floor and 1st floor elevator rides.  No bumps and corners on two wheels... heehaw!!  :)

I received good news... my doctor did not find any tumour in the remaining cervix tissue, and was extremely pleased with how good everything looked, and everyone had a good look I was told... since we are in a teaching hospital, I am fine with that, besides I was sleeping.  Who needs modesty in the name of education!  It didn't really hurt or there wasn't any real pain, just discomfort.  However, I could get pain meds and took them moderately.  Coming off the final dose didn't agree with my stomach... but a couple bouts of vomiting and more sleep brought me that much closer to leaving Tuesday night.  Finally by 7pm, I was dressed and released from the hospital.  

Thank you to everyone at London Victoria Hospital.  Again I was blessed with two wonderful nurses, Jacinta on days and Rachel on nights, and all Dr. Velker's staff, especially Danielle and Lisa, who made this part of my treatment go quick and easy.  Before I knew it, we were looking at London in the rearview mirror.  With covid19 chasing us out of the orange zone... we were glad to be heading for home.  I hear bells ringing... but it's Christmas music now..