Radiation Complete - Check!

After 28 LONG days, I've finally completed radiation treatments! Woo hoot! Yahoo! Hallelujah! Friends have asked what it feels like to receive radiation and the simple answer is I feel nothing. The actual treatment lasts no more than 10 minutes. It's just very uncomfortable laying on a very hard table with my arms propped up over my head and having to lay very still the entire time. As luck would have it, I was stricken with a very bad cold the last two weeks and would have coughing spasms during each treatment. Suffice it to say, everything went well and I can finally close this chapter of my cancer journey. My chest is discolored and very tender but the doctor assures me that my skin should heal in a matter of weeks. I have never experienced a bad sunburn but I imagine this is what it would feel like.

Though radiation therapy is over, I have to take very good care of my skin for the rest of my life. Since I had lymph nodes removed from my right arm and have received radiation, I am at greater risk for lymphedema, which causes unusual swelling of the arm. Therefore, I must refrain from a number of things to reduce the risk, such as:
No hot baths/showers
No saunas
No hot tubs
No blood drawn or blood pressure on right arm
No perfumed lotion on right arm
No shaving (yikes)
Must wear compression sleeve when flying
No pulling weeds (darn)
No vacuuming (double darn)
No heavy lifting
No fast repetitive motion (makes food prep difficult)

I've come to accept this as my "new normal" and won't allow myself to feel depressed over all of these new adjustments in my life. God provided me with a new lease on life and I am forever grateful for His grace and mercy upon me. Just need to keep my chin up and continue living and loving the life God has restored. :)