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RADIATION DAY 30 of 45 67% done

LET’S TALK ABOUT MY CANCER JOURNEY
I’M two thirds of the way done with the radiation treatments for prostate cancer. That is, if things continue being on track. I have no reason to think that there will be any surprises over the next few weeks.
PEOPLE from the very beginning of the announcement that I have prostate cancer have asked me how I’m doing. Usually with a certain tone of voice that I’m unable to demonstrate in writing. It is a voice of concern and sadness that you might use on someone who just lost a family member or a close friend.
THE fact is, I’m not feeling any great loss. Nor am I feeling fearful. I’m in no pain. I had no symptoms before being diagnosed and I have no symptoms now.
ALLOW me clarify that a little. I have no symptoms of the cancer. I have no symptoms from the radiation treatments. I do have symptoms from the medication used to shrink the prostate. My testosterone levels are low to nonexistent and I’ve been having hot flashes since I started on the medication.
THE other symptom (if it can be called that) is general tiredness. I’m on a daily laxative to keep the large intestine clear during the radiation. Taking the laxative means I only get a couple of hours of sleep at a time. I don’t have enough time to fall into deep sleep before I’m awakened with the need to go to the bathroom.
ANOTHER consequence of the cancer treatment is that I’m missing a lot of the social events that I truly enjoy going to. Because my treatments take a couple of hours (mostly driving time) right in the middle of the day, I’m unable to attend some of the morning events that I previously did. Nor am I able to attend some of the afternoon events that I’m used to doing.
GOD willing, I’ll be able to mostly resume a normal routine after April eighteenth, my last day of radiation.

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DAY 72°. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

ELLA had lunch ready and on the table when I arrived home from the doctor’s. She warmed the leftover goulash and added some cheese. There were sides of green beans, sliced peaches, and tapioca pudding.

BECAUSE I’m not eating breakfast on radiation days (Monday-Friday) the pills I normal take with food in the morning I am now taking around 1:00 to 1:30. I’m also eating a light supper or skipping it alright for the same reason I don’t eat breakfast.

TOMORROW morning Ella has a doctor’s appointment. Wednesday morning we both have appointments for our annual Wellness Checkups.

NIGHT 55°. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

©2023 Thomas E Williams