Marathon training commences!

I have been back to work this week, which has been a very refreshing change for me. I have missed being in the clinic and having a distraction to help me through this process. I was very happy to see all my co-workers, who I have missed very much and even ran into a few former patient's who I had been thinking about during my time off.

Today was also my first day of radiation and my second experience in the mask was much more pleasant (for lack of a better word) than the first. I also received a lot more reassurance from the radiology technicians this treatment which helped ease some of my fears about the potential side effects of treatment. They work with each patient every day so they encounter first hand what each individual goes through and provided a very honest perspective of what most patient's encounter during radiation treatment. I am choosing to look at this like I'm training for a marathon, there will be many miles, many hills, many days where I won't feel like continuing, but in the long run it will all pay off and I will be rewarded for my hard work and effort. I will be crossing another type of finish line at the end.

Monday I will begin my chemotherapy treatments, and I am feeling confident that I will not have as many side effects from this chemo compared to others based on my research. I spoke with the radiation technologist and she mentioned that a patient earlier this morning had reported some very slight nausea from the same chemo medication, but that she had also failed to take her nausea medications as prescribed. I have every intention on taking my medication as prescribed so that I can still function at a higher level without feeling like I'm going to have projectile vomit. My biggest risk will be from working around other people. The chemotherapy and radiation will all but deplete my immune system and so I will need to be extra diligent about making sure I utilize good hand washing technique. I have also left clorox wipes on my work desk so that if people use my phone or the computer, they can wipe down the surfaces they've touched in my work station after. They have prescribed me an antibiotic that I will take 3 times a week to help counter infections, but I will also have to supplement with a probiotic because there are some negative side effects from having to be on an antibiotic so long. Basically I'll be a pill pusher for the next 6 weeks. This will be the most medication I have ever taken in my entire life. One way we will counter this is by having me wear a mask at work so that I am not exposed to potentially harmful bacteria and don't contract the flu from anyone. I'm not allowed to get a flu shot until after the conclusion of my radiation and chemotherapy.

On a positive note, I jogged last night for the first time since before the surgery. It was literally like I loped lightly for 150-300 feet, but it felt really good to pick up my pace and get moving. Small Victories are crucial to healing and I won't forget to pay close attention to those over the course of my 6 week marathon training.

1 day down, 29 to go. Let's do this.