Radiation fatigue has set in.
I know I haven’t written a lot about radiation this time around, but hey, if you ever want to know what it’s like, it’s all here. 25 posts, from start to finish, and into survivorship.
This time around, I’m coping completely differently — by not writing about it, but by finishing projects (an article in Space Policy! grantwriting! planning museum mornings with the children and Moms Club! the book!) and by trying to move beyond it. There’s a lot going on, to be sure, and there’s an upcoming appointment for a second opinion at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center after all (HOORAY!), but I’m just trying not to focus on it.
So there.
It’s worked well to date, but as radiation fatigue set in after treatment on Monday, I’m also slowing down quite a bit. My bed is getting used to me again, and I’ve reacquainted myself with the hammock. Don’t know what I’ll do about the book and all, but the trees are lovely to look at this time of year, and the children have a brand new gravel pit to play construction in (SO cool — thanks, Grandpa!).
I did talk to Lynette Summerhill, who I met at BlogHer last year, about lymphedema and lymphedema therapy with Bretta Fabian for an EmpowHER article that came out today — and I’m starting to think about where I can write for breast cancer awareness month in October. It would be nice to place a piece on the signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, wouldn’t it?
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I’d love a guest post on our site in October.
PICTURES OF THE GRAVEL PIT. PICTURES OF THE FREAKING PIT. You must post some.
Ah, to be a kid again…a gravel pile, a Hot Wheels car, and some Legos were all we needed or wanted. So jealous.
Sending you strength and love. BTW, the book? Is it a question of time at the computer to write? If so, can you use something like DRAGON and continue writing (by voice) when you feel up to it?
Wish I had a clone who could come to your house and do things for you.
You amaze and inspire me. Be good to yourself, enjoy the summer and your boys and the gravel pit. Work when you can, for your own enjoyment. I’m sending lots of (gentle!) hugs your way 🙂
I hope you have a rejuvenating lazy weekend, and a good trip to NY.
My dear sister-in-law just found out she has IBC. Thanks so much for sharing all this info and your experiences.
Michelle
Hang in there, I remember only too well about radiation fatigue. It hit me hard. (I’m two years out and sometimes I feel like I still have it!)
Be gentle with yourself.
Meg (mom to 4 year old twins and 2-year breast cancer survivor (invasive ductal))
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I hope you get some good rest in and lots of snuggles. 🙂
Love the gravel pit idea – would love to see some pictures of the boys playing in it.
Big hugs!
Just take it easy. All those things can wait, and like you said, the trees are lovely to look at at this time of year.
You know, the point of trying to move beyond reminds me a bit of martial arts. You’re not supposed to focus on the attack/er, but on moving on, almost undisturbed by it (I hope this makes sense, I have a hard time doing it, and explaining too, it seems). You’re a fighter, Susan, and a tough one. Hope the hammock and the gravel pit are helping.