My last day of radiation was January 30th. I completed 10 rounds of full spine radiation. It was the most difficult round so far. Thank goodness that it is my last radiation treatment FOREVER. The nerve damage pain in my entire body, especially in my legs was terrible. I have lost the ability to walk or stand on my own. With each radiation dose, my spine became swollen and full of pain. Sometimes the the nerves would blow up that something similar to 'being frozen' would set it, with shooting pain, similar to sciatica. We ended up renting a wheel chair accessible van so that I didn't have to be transferred from the bed, chair, car, back to the chair and then onto the radiation table. Then do the entire thing in reverse...and feel like crap.
So now I have been done with radiation for 21 days, and I have gotten stronger and some use of my left hand. Before I only usage of my right hand/arm and my brain. Today, my left arm works from the elbow to fingertip. Both arms have neuropathy (nerve numbness) from the elbow down, and from my pelvis down to my toes. I have been working to strengthen my left arm and rising to stand by myself. I'm not there yet but working on it everyday.
So on another note, yesterday was our 11th anniversary. Geoff surprised me with a massage therapist who came to the house and understands how to massage someone with bad neuropathy. Then he was able to get me in the car and take me to a fine dining restaurant. It was amazing...but today my spine is not too happy about it. I did not take any pictures because of the shape of my face. The steroids have strange side effects...giving me a large appetite, bloating my belly, raising my sugars to give me diabetes, and making my face very swollen (called moon face). Thank goodness this is my last week of steroids.
Picture of us when we started dating in 1997.
Thank you to Carrie for helping out.
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And thanks to Misty and Tymeka for organizing the
LLS Light the Night.
