krista colvin's [putting on my big girl panties + kicking breast cancer in the ass]

rock 'em sock e'm

 

I picture my radiation oncologist and my plastic surgeon doing a lil' rock em sock em as they discuss when to re-inflate my expanders. Both Dr. G's have valid points and want the best for me. After a couple of phone calls with one being from the doc's Hawaiian vacation [apparently my girls are that important] I waited one week to get the process started instead of three.

Factors included: skin readiness v. skin 'cementing' down and making expansion difficult.

I love that my doctors work together... I don't think they are this close though #arethosetoysmakingout

last day of radiation... through the eyes of my children

The night before my last radiation treatment, my daughter asked if she could go with me... "you know mom, to be there for this important moment". I immediately said 'sure!' then asked if my son wanted to go as well. I had already asked my husband, so now my LAST radiation treatment followed by the 'bell ringing' was to be a family moment forever etched in 'Flip' time.

I handed over the camera to the kids...

day 30... the homestretch

3 more to go...

My last five radiation treatments are a bit different. They call them 'booster shots'. Which means they target my mastectomy scars... apparently cancer cells find this to be a good hiding spot. Well Olly Olly Oxen Free- come out, come out, wherever you are. #takethatbiotchcancercells

My skin is tight... and burnt and peeling. Take a looky.

It hurts under my arm pit... and where my cleavage is. #yesIhavealittlecleaveaction

My cold hands tend to be helpful along with aloe vera gel and the prescription silvadene. I'm thankful my skin isn't cracking- I've heard stories, thus in the cancer world, I'm one of the lucky ones. 

I haven't experienced any fatigue- thank God, because I've been there done that and I'm SO done with that. In fact... I'm feeling great. I'm not napping. I'm not popping sleeping pills, and I can actually stay up til 11pm without completely falling asleep on the couch.

I am however gaining weight. I'm sure the 10 o'clock bowl of cereal and the hoards of holiday + birthday treats haven't helped. #gofigure

30 down. 3 to go. Then I get to ring the bell marking the end of radiation treatment #ringitloud

day 21, 22,and 23 [radiation]

Day 21 was a turning point. I didn't lay on the table listening to the buzz of the big-honken equipment as it dosed out my daily treatment. I didn't count out the seconds of the buzzing noise. I didn't think about holding absolutely still. I didn't notice when the machine moved from left to right and began it's second dose of radiation. I merely thought about the episode of Californication I watched the night before.

On Day 22 I lay on the table and thought about how the day before I didn't focus on the noise or my inherent need to breath deeply once the buzzing noise begins. I thought about how Day 21 was a turning point... the day habits are formed, things become your new norm.

On Day 23  I was surprised to find a new puzzle on the table in the waiting area. I feverishly began putting the edges together. I stayed after my appointment to work on it. I realized I looked a bit like a fanatic, gathered my belongings and headed home a lil' worried about my new puzzle habit.

 

radiation treament... what it looks like

Radiation isn't scary. It's very detailed + scientific and you have to hold really, really still, but it's not scary. Take a peek at the video my girl Brandie + I took today of my treatment. You'll see what it looks like, how long it takes, and you'll get a peek at my gold lame disco top they let me wear. #don'tbejealous

Today was Day 19 of 33 treatments. My treated skin is noticeably darker... as in I have 'tan' lines. My right breast and under my arm pit are beginning to feel the tightness along with minor irritation.... so I let the nurse know that I'd no longer be shaving my right pit for her.

My energy is great, for now, and I'm hoping that doesn't take a major dive. #cuzI'mLOVIN'it+Ifeelnormal

 

  

 

My radiation treatment screen... the details. 
My right breast + lymph nodes are in 'the treatment zone'
 

Side notes

What to wear to Radiation:I'm a quick changer so I skip using the lockers. I wear a cardigan that can be quickly pulled off + on along with my tank that easily pulls down when I get on the treatment table. [the video was taken during a particular cold week and I needed the extra clothes layer] Oh, and don't wear deodorant in the pit they are treating.

Hold Still:Let the team move you into just the right position.If they want you to help they'll ask you to scooch down/up a bit. You can keep you eyes open or closed during the actual zapping.

Meds: I was told to stop taking vitamin C during radiation because the doctor doesn't want me to have any antioxidants.

Rads: That's how my twitter friends refer to radiation.

 

 

 

last in the series...

The local paper has followed my cancer journey for the past 10 months. The last article in the series ran the day after Christmas... "Focusing on a good life beyond cancer" click here. 

The pictures are very telling, very forward, and an honest depiction of my journey. #fairwarning

The photos on my blog are the moments I can capture... the smiles, the hair shots, the friends. Troy, the photo editor for The Columbian, captures the truth. And I whole heartily support that...
even if the photos aren't the most flattering... because cancer isn't flattering. #butyoucanhaveacuteblogheader

This photo (by Troy Wayrynen) really sums up my physical journey. The port and mastectomy scars, the markings, the tattoos, the hair, the radiation laser and the grin and bare it. The precision of care... [Is it weird to say I'm happy Troy captured it]

                       Photo by Troy Wayrynen The Columbian 
Krista Colvin winces in pain as Tami Fuller, a radiation therapist at Northwest Cancer Specialists, makes a permanent tattoo mark that will serve as a target during future radiation treatments

After one of my physical therapy appointments... I turned the camera on them ;)

 

 
Erin Middlewood and Troy Wayrynen

I'm going to miss Erin + Troy... They've walked my journey with me. They've witnessed my ups, they've captured my downs, they've been incredibly professional and caring at the same time. They've made a community aware. They remind me that life is about the journey.

The 7 part series "Coping with Cancer" click here 

 

radiation day 10

 

Radiation is pretty uneventful compared to chemo, surgery, reconstruction...

I don't want to downplay it's importance, nor my newly found skill of laying perfectfully still (as if a monster is under my bed), nor the precise expertise of my doctors + their staff. BUT... so far it's easy peasy. #hopeI'mnotjinxingmyself

I stroll on in... barely have enough time to do a couple of puzzle pieces before it's my turn. I even get the good parking space. #bonus #i'vebeeneyeballingyoufor10months

10 down... 23 to go

p.s. I've been warned of my future skin discomfort... appearing around day 17. I've been reassured there's potions for that. But mentally I'm not being messed with.

 

1 down 32 to go

Today was my first official radiation treatment. I have 32 to go- oy vey. Here's what I know about radiation... I will go daily m-f with the exception of Dec. 24th + 31st because the office is closed, until I reach 33 treatments. January 25th is my Done-Date.

During the next 7 1/2 weeks I'll also have my kidlets home for winter break, celebrate Christmas, celebrate my son's 11th birthday, my husband's 44th, my 44th, call my brother to wish him a happy 46th, and try to conjure up what I can do to celebrate my mama's 80th. I will be thankful and slightly crazed. And from what I hear I'll begin to get tired and feel sun burned on day 17 just in time for my son's birthday- bummer.

Today my appointment took about half an hour, but tomorrow and the rest of the treatments should only take about 10 minutes... thank goodness.  I came home with red sharpie marks outlining my radiation zone... My girlfriend Amy suggested I wipe it off before the kids got home, of course I forgot and Annie asked if I was bleeding. Nope... just getting marked up + zapped little chica. I also thought I smelled a bit fake bakey as I left the radiation room.

I'm tired... I also had my Herceptin treatment this am, followed by radiation, then it was half day which means the kidlets get out early, and I got to do both 5th grade homework and 3rd grade homework... then it was off to get Wes to basketball practice, pick up dry cleaning, grab a dinner with my lil' chica and back to basketball practice.

So... I'll share more about radiation soon ;)