Yay! Today was my final day of chemo and radiation. After my appointment today they gave me a "Certificate of Merit & Perfect Attendance" that said: Be it declared that Vicky Short has completed the prescribed course of radiation therapy with the highest degree of courage, determination, and good nature. We appreciate the confidence placed in us and the opportunity to serve you." It was signed by all the docs, nurses, and techs. I thought that was pretty cute and fun that they did that. Here's a pic of me!
Then I saw the nurse who takes my vitals once a week. I noticed my blood pressure has been lower than normal, so now it's actually normal. My weight has come down a little again. Everything else is normal and good. She explained again that I'd start feeling more fatigued now that the treatment was finished due to the accumulation of all the radiation in me now. The fatigue, she said, could last for a few weeks but since I've been so far tolerating everything so well, hopefully I wouldn't have any trouble with my bowels.
She also told me to continue with the Phenazopyridine pills at least another week or so. I'm still having some urinary tract discomfort but I honestly think it's more due to caffeine than the radiation. If I drink water, then the next time I pee it's fine, but when I have diet soda it really hurts to pee.
I then saw my dietitian and she gave me some notes on what to eat or avoid after surgery and said I could call her any time with any questions I had. I'm supposed to avoid raw fruits and veggies, especially anything with a peel. Even grapes. I noticed that the last time I had a salad, which I thought would be fine, I ended up with diarrhea. Not supposed to have too much grains or fiber. And again she reminded me to eat small amounts of food several times a day instead of a meal or meals. I still haven't been doing that. I typically feel pretty good just eating dinner, and I usually eat a normal-sized meal. I know I won't be able to do that after the surgery, but I figure I may as well enjoy eating now while I still can.
My radiation doc was on vacation, but last week he said he'd let the rest of the docs on my cancer team know I had completed the therapy and they'd get me scheduled for my surgery soon. I'm a little nervous thinking about the upcoming surgery, but I'm really relieved to be finished with the chemo pills. They make my mouth so dry and leave a weird taste on my tongue. I wonder how long the effects of the chemo will be in my system. WEIGHT 135.4
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