DANGER - HIGH LEVEL OF RADIATION

I am just finishing up my first week of radiation/chemo. I have this bag/pump that has become my permanent travel companion attached to me now. It goes everywhere I do and is sometimes slung over my shoulder, sometimes strapped to my waste and sometimes lying next to me in bed. Cathy is a much better bed companion than my old gray bag. About every 15 minutes I hear a noise kinda like something is briefly being wound up. That is the pump making a chemical injection. Going to the bathroom and taking a shower have become very unique experiences. Fortunately I will only have to do this for six weeks. Others are in similar situations their whole lives. How lucky am I.
I go for radiation every week day. I now have tattoos that mark my target spot for the radiation. They place a sharpie plus sign over the tattoo. I then lay on a table with my head in a custom pillow (seriously it is customized to my head shape). I stretch my arms over my head and grab a bar. Then they line me up by using laser beams to line up with my sharpie signs. Then the fun begins. It really is not to bad. The worst part is not moving cuz I was told not to move. Obviously I do not want to be radiated in the wrong places. But I am definitely one of those people who wants to do exactly the opposite of what I am told. Every place in my body starts itching when the machine cranks up. It only lasts about 15 minutes and I manage to stay still. I always feel odd going into the radiation room. The sign on the door says "DANGER - HIGH LEVEL OF RADIATION. I say in my head "OK cancer cells do you read that sign? It is time for you guys to head for the hills." The most frustrating part of the week has been to begin the daily treatment when there was absolutely no gas to be found.

I have become an expert with the various types of fatigue. Currently I am dealing with the kind that just flat knocks you out. I am sleeping soundly for three hour blocks. I also am losing most of my hair on the top of my head. It has been coming out in clumps lately. I do not think I will be left with even a decent comb over.

The good news in all of this is that Cathy and I may possibly have a new member of the family on Saturday. His name is Bullwinkle and he is a 70 lb Chocolate Labradoodle. It is a long short story to how we met Bullwinkle and his family. I will save it until I know he is going to live with us. I must run now because one of the single most captivating events in my life is about to take place. I, along with millions and millions of you, am going to watch two people who were chosen to be in second place debate. Unfortunately, it seems like this is more of a Nascar race then a vice presidential debate. I say that because most people are watching to see the crash. Anyway I hope neither of them catch on fire.