Saturday, May 2, 2009

RadiAtion Again

This weekend I was in the hospital for a couple of days dealing with some abdominal issues no one in their right mind would want to hear about. You can ask me about it, but I will think you are not in your right mind.
I did get some good news in that we had thought there might be a new tumor in my abdomen, but the CT scan showed no new cancer. So the issues were resolved pretty quickly and basically I watched TV, threw up a whole bunch, and slept for two days.
I'm getting radiAtion again. There are two good things about this: 1) It should blast away some of my new tum0r on the bottom of my left lung. 2) I get to see my friend Carlie the radiAtion tech who is nice and from MinnesOta and who plays good music on the CD player in the radiAtion room.
There are many bad things about radiAtion, but the worst is that because they are radiAting close to my intestine, I get really nauseated and throw up a lot.
In the hospital, I had to be taken down to radiAtion in a wheelchair so someone could be with me if hurled all over the hallway. I waited a while for the transportation guy. When he showed up, he was pleasant and quiet. He helped me with the foot things and then asked my if I minded holding my chart. He did not say anything on the way down to the Garden Level from the 7th floor except for kind of narrating where we were going even though I already knew -because I go there everyday -and saying "here comes a bump."
I went and got radiAted and held the chart again on the way back up. About halfway up the elevetor, I asked the transportation guy if he had any plans for the weekend. He said he was going to buy a tent. A coleman tent. For 50 dollars. At Big 5. His friend had a coleman tent that he got for 40 dollars, but he was getting his coleman tent for 50 dollars. He was going to his friend's house after he bought the tent so they could set up their tents in his friend's living room. He wanted to see if his cot fit in it. Because he just bought a cot. From REI. Because he liked to go camping, but was getting so that he had to sleep in a cot.
Then we were at my room so I said, "Thanks for the ride." I thought I should say something else, so I said, "Have fun with your tent."
Then I thought about how my friend Kathy had just asked me where to get a cot. "Where can someone get a cot these days?" she had said.
And I thought about how I really didn't want to throw up anymore and how it would be fun to go camping.

4 comments:

  1. Yes camping is way more fun than throwing up. Maybe you can go this summer. I hope you feel better!

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  2. Radiation is such a beast. But it is doing it's job in killing the cancer...but the throwing up and "issues" (I have them so I know exactly what you are talking about) are the worse. I feel your pain and hope you are feeling better. Camping or buying a tent is way better than puking for sure.

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  3. Julie,
    So glad you are back home. I wish I could come over and hold the bowl for you. I know "hate" is a strong word, but I HATE your tumors. I am thinking of you constantly.
    xo Ang

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  4. Julie, when the radiation "blasts" away the unwanted tumors, and your body regains its health, we need to go to New Orleans so you can sit on Great Aunt Ernestines' porch in the porch swing. After that, we'll go to Jazz Fest. It was fun... the best fun! There were lots of people who love you sending prayers, energy and love while we were there. Next year, it's your turn to go. Did you ever see the old Tarzan movies? SIMBA!! UM-GHOW-AH!! In Tarzan language, that means BACK OFF (elephants)!! We'll change that to "BACK OFF TUMORS!" In times like these, anything to get a smile even if it's a smile that says, God! my aunt Nancy is a loser! ANYTHING to get you to smile, my beautiful God child. I'm holding you up in a sphere of healing light with every waking moment. I love you. SIMBA!

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