Radiation and Peach Fuzz

I apologize for not providing an update for over a month. Philip started 1^st grade on August 19, I started radiation on August 20, Elizabeth started preschool on September 9 and it has been full-steam ahead since then. We even threw in a mild case of pneumonia the last week of August for Philip that provided added excitement to the beginning of the school year. We have been adjusting to full day school and homework assignments for Philip, 3 mornings a week of preschool for Elizabeth, and 5 mornings a week of radiation for me. All these activities along with Dan’s commute to Chicago make for very long exhausting days.

I’m now more than 2/3 of the way through my radiation treatments; I only have 10 more treatments to go! So far the treatments have gone well. The radiation “sun” burn appeared a week ago Tuesday but hasn’t yet given me any trouble. Due to my skin burning the doctor adjusted my treatment schedule so that today I began the five days of radiation that targets the location of the tumor instead of doing this at the end of the series of treatments. Hopefully this change will give my skin a little bit of time to heal so the burn doesn’t become severe.

My last day of radiation is scheduled for October 8 when I will also meet with the Oncologist to discuss taking Tamoxifen for the next 5 years. Thankfully the hormone therapy treatment requires swallowing a tablet and not having to drive to the hospital every day.

The last week of August my hair started to grow back. At first I thought it was going to be completely white but after a couple of weeks it started looking darker and I am happy to say that most of it is surprisingly dark. The kids call my hair “peach fuzz” and although it is still very short I am thankful that it is growing. I do have about a dozen gray hairs that held on for dear life during chemo which I eventually need to trim. What a journey this has been!

Through all this the Lord has continued to give us strength. We are thankful for all that He has provided. We are thankful for all of you and the way you have encouraged us as we have walked this path. We look forward to what the Lord has planned for us in the days ahead. To Him be the glory!

Love,

Kelly