Getting Ready for a Marathon

 June 13, 2012

I have a lot of things on my mind today, which means this post will either be long and take a while or I will get tired, and much less information will be posted.

Today Bonita comes to help out.

Yesterday was my first post-op appointment in Omaha. The incision healed well, the staples were taken out and now I can think about doing something with my hair except a braid down the side. Everything seems to be proceeding normally. the forehead part is healing down well and the inside as far as they can see is healing like it is supposed to, also.

I don't get as tired as I did at first, but now I am on a "do a little more activity every day" mode, but carefully.

Several of my friends are going in for fitness these day, running, biking, and signing up for runs and marathons. So I'm going to join in, too. I'm getting ready for a marathon that in six weeks or so is going to do things to my body that I can't even realize right now. I'm not sure I even want to imagine. In some ways getting ready for cancer treatment is like getting ready for a big race. I have to eat well with extra protein. I have to make progress every day with my physical activity. I need to get as well as I can get before treatment starts so I can feel as well as I can going into it. 

So, right now, everything is on track. I will have my chemo and radiation in Kearney after all. What I help that will be for the toll on my body! I see the medical and radiation oncologists next week.  The week after will be follow up appointments again with both surgeons this time. And the next week, I go see the dental oncologist for dental maintenance and protection. Because...they have extended the realm of radiation larger than at first. They plan to irradiate the lymph nodes in my neck. So, they are talking about quite a large area, from my forehead, down to my collar bone, including the neck.

The main side effect, besides the usual ones of radiation, is the frontal lobes of the brain when radiated cause fatigue which could last up to a year since radiation does not stop working when treatment does.

As I understand it now, the radiation and chemo will take place at the same time. We'll know a lot more once we visit with the oncology doctors. 

In about six weeks from surgery. No dragging feet, just keep on marching from step to step.

I really appreciate everyone's confidence in me and my ability to keep positive. You people are going to make it very hard to me to wallow around in self pity and complain. 

Do I worry about what if they don't get it all? What if it comes back? What if is spite of everything that is done and what everybody says, it comes back? I do a little, a very little.  I can't see wasting what energy I have worry ing about things that might never happen And if they, well we'll all cross that bridge when we come to it. I might still be a bit in the 'denial' mode. But, I do know that I can accept most things as they come along. Faith and Trust go a long way in helping me be who I am.

Blogs can get very boring sometimes without any photos, and these were taken by the waiting party in the surgery waiting room during surgery. It looks rather like they were having a party in there. 

It was so nice for Jim and Lynette to have helping watchers. 

They now have electronic boards in the waiting room so family can see the progress. I'm the first one. 

And a nice little note for my room!

11 Comments

Ruth said...

Shelley, I so admire your perspective and your ability to not worry. I a terrible worrier and I hat it! I like some wisdom in a book I'm reading and hope I can learn from it. It says worrying about tomorrow will rob the job of today. And it is arrogant to worry...like thinking God doesn't know how to do His job. So glad you have such great support. That will help you so much. And it OKAY to eel a bit sorry for yourself once in awhile! Take care!

June 13, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Dorothy said...

"Faith and Trust go a long way in helping me be who I am." It's beyond the scope of m imagination (as Anne would say) to think of you without incorporating those two values into my perception. You can be sure you'll have a pack of cheerleaders on the sidelines when you start your marathon.

June 13, 2012 at 12:38 PM

Renee said...

There you go again, Shelleykins, writing a blog post that is inspiring and brave and so very forthright and honest. Just like YOU are....and we love that about you.

I am tickled to pieces to think about Bonita being there. How smart of you to think of this "race" like a marathon..no body gets one those accomplished with t/e one step and then the next step process. I'm joining Dorothy's cheerleading section!!!

June 13, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Renee said...

I liked the pictures you added, too! Pictures always spice up a blog post!!

June 13, 2012 at 1:26 PM

Elaine T. said...

I'm you lost your gold 'headband" of staples and all is healing nicely. Keep jp the great work and gearing up for treatment. Always remember "This, too, shall pass." 

It's nice you can do it in Kearney. Was that gold on your walls the new color? I noticed it, and love it, but wasn't sure if it was something new or I'd just overlooked it before! So glad Bonita can be with you a bit. Take care.

June 13, 2012 at 9:38 PM

The J's said...

So glad Bonita is coming! I'm hoping to get in to see you again, soon.

June 13, 2012 at 11:07 PM

Lanae said...

Glad Bonita can be there, too.

And I have a ton of admiration/respect for your attitude/spirit toward this. I think it's a good idea to think of this liek running a marathon, too...an apt analogy. The preparation, both physical and mental...and then the race where the mental matters every bit as much, if not even a big more, than the physical, to help you endure when the going gets tough and it's hard to keep going. I think you are well-prepared mentally/spiritually, and than will help carry you through!

June 14, 2012 at 5;36 PM

Anita said...

I'm going to be in the cheerleading section, too!:)

Like those pix! It does look like they were having fun!:) And I like that message board they have up - what a great idea!

June 15, 2012 at 3:58 AM

Luanne said...

Hi Shelley!

I am home again. Thought about you everyday, just couldn't read your blog.. (sorry I missed the painting!!) Rod said it was great to see you at Bible study. See you soon, Lu

June 15, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Raimie said...

Dear Aunt Shelley, 

Oh my, dear, dear, lady! You've crafted a very touching post once again. May you have all the strength you need to go thru this.

Love, 

Raimie

June 18, 2012kj at 11:16 PM

gkey said..

Dear Gearing up, 

These days would be full & flying by as you prepare for this leg of the journey. 

I am glad you are writing about it all. It is good for you and helps the rest of your 'team' as well. 

Love 

Faith and Trust are the best 'running-mates'

in 

NE

p.s. This is my 3rd attempt to make this comment post. Hope it doesn't finally appear 3 times!!

June 19, 2012 at 9:18 AM