Cancer and the Tattoos

Well here I am. I am halfway through the treatment part of the journey. First there was surgery and recovery from that; and now I'm moving on to the radiation treatment phase. 

Last week I had four tattoos placed on me that will allow the radiation to pinpoint with accuracy, exactly where we want the treatment. Now it might sound like a lot when you say I had four tattoos in one day however, these are the tiniest little pinpoint tattoos you'll ever see. Check the picture and keep in mind this is a blown up version. Nevertheless, that didn't stop me from boasting to my sister that I got four tattoos in one day. 

She laughed her head off when I showed them to her because she has multiple tattoos and has been after me for years to get one. She asked if I would bite the bullet now and get an actual tattoo. I said of course not. I still hate needles and I had a hard time even with these four pokes.

I'm more than a little bit nervous about the radiation part. I know it doesn't hurt so that's one thing, but I worry about side effects and reactions to those side effects. Not much I can do about it except move forward and deal with it as it comes. Since the treatment takes place in a city that's almost 3 hours drive away from me, I will be staying in a hotel near the hospital for the duration, only coming home on weekends. This hotel is set up with several rooms for cancer related treatment patients, includingg subsidized costs. There are two-bedroom suites and shared bathroom, kitchen, and living room. I just don't really care for the idea of basically living with a complete stranger. I'm sure they're not thrilled with it either. It is what it is. 

I start in 2 days and find myself giving thought to what to bring. Clothes of course, and books of course, but I also plan to bring a crochet project that I have had on the go for over a year. I had planned to finish it long ago, but over the past year I found I could not sit for very long without pain and discomfort.  As my actual treatment is only going to take about an hour out of my day when you add in the short shuttle trip to an from the hospital, I will have many empty hours. To put a positive spin on this, I will be able to focus on this project without worrying about anything else. 

After the radiation series, there is a weeks-long recovery.  The oncologist says I might be able to start a gradual return to work by December.  In the meantime, my passport should be arriving soon.  I plan to take some time for me and hopefully go somewhere next year sometime.