Note to self

Note to self: do not put dinner in the oven after you have radiation treatment. 

Hot boobs.

Braless

No bra for the duration of treatment. And probably sometime after so that my skin can heal.

I wear a 36DDD. Or at least I did before my lime-sized tumor was removed on March 20, 2015 (same date as my parent's 33rd wedding anniversary). I've also lost about 20 pounds, so I'm probably down to a DD. Maybe a D. Not a C. Sometimes, I wish for a B or even an A cup. Because, it's gonna be a lot of work keeping the girls under control with no bra until, like, the end of this year.

Actually in looking at them in the mirror, I'd say L is a D-cup and R is a C-cup. That explains why I have a slight limp in my walk! 

My radiation oncologist told me to wear Men's Mitchum Deodorant (solid, not gel, mind you) under and between my boobs to prevent nastiness. "Nastiness" is defined as stuff that can include, but is not limited to, chafing, fungal infections, yeast infections, and smelling like a nasty piece of....well, I think you see where I'm going. Nastiness. I think that sums it up nicely.

Men's Mitchum Deodorant. Yeah. My husband occasionally calls me Mitch. It's kinda funny. But kinda not. Bc, really, it's not sexy to smell like an old man when you're trying to make it with your husband.

Fortunately, in our community, we have two--TWO--Super Walmarts, and it was at one of those that I found Women's Mitchum Deodorant to put under and between the girls. At least now I smell like a lady.

Not that I'll behave like a lady. Where's the fun in that?

Radiation

Radiation treatment started yesterday. I have to go 20 more times. Each weekday that the Sequim Cancer Center is open, I'll be there. I get to go. Not "I have to go." Gotta reframe that shit.

The science and technology behind what goes into this machine amazes me. Mathematics. Physics. It's fascinating. The machine is huge. It moves. It puts green laser beams on me and they zap my breast. I don't feel anything, but I'm a little sensitive today. And my breast is sensitive, too.

When this is all over, I'm going to have the ability to shoot green laser beams out of my boob. It'll be one of my super powers. Because you don't get zapped 21 times with radiation and not get a super power.
 
It's supposed to be a couple of weeks before I see any changes on my skin. They said it's like a sunburn. I grew up in Tucson, AZ, so I'm picturing every single sunburn I've ever had in my entire life, then putting them all together and putting that on my breast. And then setting my boob on fire. Drama. But RIGHT? Jesus. Goddamnedsunburns. They suck.

They tell me that radiation is easier than chemo. And chemo sucked big time. Oh--"They" is my radiation oncologist, her nurse, the man who is in charge of the radiation machine, and the three techs that helped me.


When I was on the table, the techs said to focus on my breathing. I chewed my gum. I asked permission (I even surprised myself by asking permission!). They said ok.

But today I'm not going to chew gum bc I don't want to swallow that shit on accident and then end up choking and they end up zapping some other part of my body that doesn't need treatment. But maybe they'll zap the other boob on accident and I'll be able to shoot green laser beams out of both boobs. That would be even better.

catepillars

We've been out and about seeing what we can spot...and we recently spotted these caterpillars. After doing some research, we discovered they are called "tent caterpillars" and are apparently quite destructive to the trees. We make a game out of spotting the caterpillars for the boys in the car.

awesome day

Nathan and I went for a visit to the pediatric ophthalmologist today--it was a long day (the closest one is about an hour and 20 minute drive southeast of us). We went to a walking park along the water--we found some cool seashells and rocks. The tide was out, so we turned some of the larger rocks over and saw some small crabs.

The most awesome thing happened while we were waiting for Nathan's pupils to dilate (about 20 minutes--back to the waiting room for us!). Nathan was sitting playing with his iPad in the "kids' waiting room", and there was a boy about Nathan's size (so I'm guessing he was about 7 or 8) came in, and squeezed in between the wall and Nathan--clearly he'd been there before and that was "his spot". He didn't say a word to Nathan--and Nathan didn't bat an eye. So this kiddo took out his Leapster gadget and started playing with it--Nathan was playing with his iPad--and they were kind of comparing their gadgets. Nathan did point to the boy's Leapster and said "try that one" but I couldn't see if the boy "tried that one".  For the most part, their exchange was wordless.

I leaned out of the kids' waiting room, looked at the kid's dad and he said, "are they ok?" and I said, "yeah--they're comparing gadgets without saying much of anything. I think they've each made a new friend." And the dad said, "if only we grown-ups could do that, the world would probably be a nicer place." I said I agreed, and then the kid was called back for his eye check.

It was a pretty cool--although brief--experience to witness.


Nathan's eyes checked out ok--we see the doc again for another check in 2 to 3 years--just to keep an eye on his eyes.


And the Olympic Mountains were absolutely amazing on our way home.

It's been a busy week here at the Anderson Family Circus. Today is Mother's Day--I got to do exactly what I wanted to do--cook waffles on my new waffle iron, play outside with the boys, grill ribs, hot dogs, and homemade French fries, then make homemade vanilla ice cream. I'm not sure if it was a good food day or a bad food day, but it was a great day!

Spiderman

Yesterday was Isaac's well child check--he wore his Spiderman Costume to the Doc's office, to Safeway, and to a play date. (Just the costume--not the mask or gloves). People were really quite excited to see Spiderman around town. He even shot some webs to help me get stuff down off the tall shelves at the grocery store--he's so thoughtful!