It's my birthday and I'll fry if I have to

So, radiation started on Wednesday. I wasn't really sure what to expect even though I had gone in for my simulation. The simulation was on a CT machine, where they lined me all up and took a CT scan, but this was the actual radiation machine. I laid on my mold that they made me and we got all situated. They took a few X-rays to make sure I was in the same spot that I was on Friday. Once they knew I was all lined up, they started radiation. They made some custom metal plates that have notches cut out specifically for my treated areas. I get radiated in 8 different spots. 2 in the center of my chest in between my boobs,  2 on top of my boob, 2 on the side of my boob and 2 under my arm.

Here is a picture of the machine and my mold.

 

I found this next part very humorous, but you might not... they play music while you are getting your radiation and one of the songs that came on was "Chariots of fire". You know, the typical marathon, slow motion song. I thought back to a memory of watching "Mr. Mom" years ago. Michael Keaton is running in a race for a family picnic against his wife's boss (who he thinks is out to get him and steal his wife). Slow motion....across the finish line... and I had to hold back my giggles so I wouldn't move. It's a very cheesy song, but it played during my radiation and I thought to myself .... "Self....you are about to cross the finish line". This is the very last part of my marathon. (since reconstruction is optional, this COULD be the VERY end, but I am obviously opting for reconstruction) Anyways, I found it ironic and humorous that it played on my first day of radiation. When I told Chris about it though, he didn't get it...didn't find it humorous, and didn't understand why I thought it was.

Anyways, Friday was my birthday. It usually falls on Spring Break every year. Add to boot that I share my birthday with my baby brother Christopher, who decided to make his grand debut on my 8th birthday. I usually don't do much for my birthday because most people are out of town, so being shot with a laser sounded really fun, right? I know, you're jealous that YOU don't get to be shot with radioactive lasers on your birthday....  Chris took the day off work, unbeknownst to me, so he went with me and waited in the gown waiting area while I got radiation.

This time they played "Happy Birthday to You" on the radio and sang it to me.

My radiation technicians for the day were Koshy and Nissa. They are super sweet, but I scared the crap out of Nissa. When she came in to set the machine for the last 2 sprays of radiation, I thought a spider was crawling on me. I jumped a little bit and brushed it off of me, and then noticed that it was the strap for my gown tickling my chest. She thought I had either dozed off and suddenly jolted awake or that something from the machine had dropped on me. We both laughed about it for a minute and once we calmed down and our hearts stopped beating so hard, we finished the last 2 sprays.

Here is also a picture of my favorite Valet manager Stephen. They have complimentary valet parking at St Luke's and since that's where MD Anderson's satellite branch is, and their parking is always full, I valet every day. Stephen and his fiance are expecting a baby any day now. She may have already delivered, but as of Friday, she had not. We chat a bit every day while he sends his guys out to get our vehicles. (I've learned that he had curly hair down to the middle of his back in high school, and he had a knee replacement that caused him to be immobile for 6 months but he kept a blog and got lots of encouragement from it)

Then, after we left there, Chris took me to lunch at Bucca Di Beppo but I was still stuffed from my breakfast in bed that morning, courtesy of my Mom, who was staying with my kids, and a little help from Chris on my frappe. I had some lasagna, but only ate a few bites and packed up the rest to go.

Then we headed to Kohl's because I wanted some new Shape-Up tennis shoes. I bought a new pair and a few clothing items. I had mostly tee shirts and jeans in my closet, or warm ups, and since it is getting warm out in Texas, those weren't working out for me, not to mention that I barely have anything that fits anymore. (Thank you steroids!) So, I got a few spring outfits that are easy to get on and off, and don't draw attention to my boobs or my markings that stay on me till April 26.

After that, we headed home for a little bit and snuggled the kids and had some cake that Mom and the kids made me before loading up and heading off to the auction. Chris works at an antique auction on some Fridays and since I didn't know he was taking the day off work, I kind of got mad at him (not that it was his fault) because there was an auction on my Birthday, which meant that I would not have seen him at all that day. So, he asked if they could put me to work at the auction in the office so we could be together. Even though we weren't actually together, I was with him and I had fun.  After the auction, we all went to Ihop to have some late night chow before heading home. I can't wait for the day where our dates don't consist of Dr visits, or auctions, or craft shows without kids. I want a REAL date.

It was a busy day for me, but overall, I guess it was pleasant.

This birthday really meant a lot more to me than other birthdays because I was celebrating LIFE instead of just turning another year older. This is my first birthday since becoming a SURVIVOR and I know I will have plenty more of them to spend with my family. But, it's equivalent to a child's first birthday. Because of my busy schedule, spring break, and lack of energy, I didn't celebrate like I would have liked to, but...oh well. I had lots of love surrounding me, so I can't complain.

This week, I got 3 radiation sessions done....only 27 to go!