L is for laser

I had my first radiation treatments today. It was painless but very strange to have lasers pointed at my ankle - kind of felt like a bad sci-fi horror film. My schedule will be 8:50am Mon-Fri, except New Year's Day. This will last about 6 weeks. I also meet with my radiation doctor every Monday so he keeps up with my progress. This week Bud is watching the boys and next week I will drop Jake at Bud's work , but by week 3 I may need drivers and babysitters - I will be making calls or emails soon. Sorry to my loyal fans that I have not posted for a week - very busy with Christmas and then my brother got married on Saturday - both were filled with wonderful moments!

L is for little tattoo

This morning I had my simulation appointment for radiation. They did a CAT scan of my ankle and created a foam impression that will hold my foot in the same position for each treatment. They also gave me 3 tattoos. Pictures of my right ankle - the tattoos are the tiny dots - the marks are permanent marker to help them find the dots. If you ever wondered if a tattoo on the ankle is painful - I can say yes! The other picture is of the henna I had done on my left ankle when I turned 40 - much less painful and fun! I also braved driving in the snow and ice - I have done this many times in Wisconsin so it does not make me nervous - it is the other drivers I worry about. Very beautiful to see everything covered in snow - I have been trapped in the house for a week with 3 boys so I was a little giddy to get out and thought it was funny to have my break be at the doctor - I always try to pretend I am at the spa!

L is for List of Songs

I have 72 songs that have been suggested to me or are the ones I like to listen to right now - some of them are from my boys - I am really enjoying the variety. I have not even started to fill my ipod so keep the songs coming! I don't add every song given to me - I don't have an unlimited itunes budget and sometimes it is easier to remember one or two songs that were sent to me - I really like thinking of the person who suggested the song - I am very loved! The following list in in alphabetical order by song with the artist.


Ain't No Sunshine Buddy Guy & Tracy Chapman
All I Ask Of You Lesley Garrett & Chris Corcoran
Always On Your Side Sheryl Crow & Sting
Angel Shaggy & Rayvon
Angels We Have Heard On High VeggieTales
Bad Day Daniel Powter
Brand New Day Sting
Breathe Ross Parsley
Chicago Sufjan Stevens
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) Alvin and the Chipmunks
Count Your Blessings Mark Lowry
Dare Stan Bush
Daydream Believer The Monkees
Don't Worry Be Happy Bobby McFerrin
Dry the Rain The Beta Band
Everybody Needs A Rainbow George Burns
Everyday Is A Winding Road Sheryl Crow
Feeling Good Nina Simone
Free Fallin' Tom Petty
Give a Little Bit The Goo Goo Dolls
Go the Distance Lucas Grabeel
God With Us St Philip Church
Great Is Thy Faithfulness Chris Rice
Healing Rain Michael W. Smith
Here Comes the Sun Beatles Abbey Road
Hungry Like The Wolf Duran Duran
Hyper-Ballad Björk
I'm Letting Go Francesca Battistelli
I'm Not Who I Was Brandon Heath
I'm Ready Angela Michael
I'm Yours Jason Mraz
I am wonderful Pat McCurdy
I Just Wanna See Smash Mouth
I Will Not Be Moved Natalie Grant
I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor
I Won't Back Down Tom Petty
If I Could Turn Back Time Cher
It's A Small World Baha Men
Joyful Sound The String Cheese Incident
Just Can't Get Enough Depeche Mode
Just The Way You Are Billy Joel
Kids In America No Secrets
Lean On Me VeggieTales
Let It Be The Beatles
Love Me Good Michael W. Smith
Make Someone Happy Jimmy Durante
The New Carissa Harry Stamper
Open The Eyes Of My Heart Paul Baloche
Praise You In This Storm Casting Crowns
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Burt Bacharach & B.J. Thomas
Ripple The Grateful Dead
See You Again Kidz Bop Kids
Shout Tears for Fears
Smile Jimmy Durante
Stand Jewel
Stillness - Speak to Me Aaron Shust
Stomping Grounds Béla Fleck & The Flecktones
Streets of Gold Robin Williams & Linda Williams
Strong Tower Kutless
Sunshine On My Shoulders John Denver
The Sweet Escape Gwen Stefani Feat. Akon
Three Little Birds Bob Marley & The Wailers
Top of the World Carpenters
The Touch Stan Bush
Tubthumping Chumbawamba
Walk On U2
What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
Who Am I Casting Crowns
Wild Boys Duran Duran
You Raise Me Up St Philip Church
Young At Heart Jimmy Durante
100 Years Five for Fighting

L is for Radiation???

I met my radiation Doctor in Salem today. He was very nice and very confident in the effectiveness of radiation. They will do the radiation simulation on Dec 22nd and then start radiation on Dec 29th. I will need 33 treatments - about 7 weeks Monday - Friday. They will try schedule for morning appointments. He is not very worried about me being fatigued but said the skin around my ankle will hurt and might want to have a cane to walk about 3 weeks into the treatment. Merry Christmas and happy last minute shopping!

L is for lasting memories

After I found out I had cancer I cried for 3 days and then decided to tell my boys. I did not want them to hear me talking about cancer and be afraid. I have decided if cancer is not a secret then it can not hurt me. I had to stop crying to tell them so they would not worry - they all took it very well and were back to playing like normal in no time. I am always amazed how kids just roll with the punches. I have also been trying to find a moment each day that I can say this was a great day and thank you God for this moment. On Sunday we had snow - this only happens once a year in Dallas, Oregon and then usually not enough to play in - so we made sure we made the most of it and made a snowman. As you can see these are pictures of my boys - my three bright lasting memories everyday! That snow has now melted and been replaced by snow that is too dry and cold to build anything - grab those moments when you can. The boys are on their second snow day off from school and getting bored - time to work on my moment for today.

L is for lagging appointments

I finally got a call from Salem Hospital about my radiation treatments. I have an appointment for next Thursday Dec 18th for a consultation. Of course the appointment is in the morning when Jake's pre-school is having their Christmas party - Bud will cover this for me, but it makes me sad to miss this special time. I will then need to have an appointment for a simulation of my radiation and then they will schedule my radiation appointments. I am discouraged because I made the decision for radiation over a week ago and now I have to wait. I am not worried about the cancer spreading, but anyone who knows me knows I like to plan and this is slowing my planning process. I know that it will go smoother if I just relax and wait for their schedule - I will just listen to my music when I get nervous. Thanks again for all the prayers, songs, offers of help and emails of encouragement.

L is for lovely gingerbread house