Dear Parking Garage Lady

Dear Parking Garage Lady,

Thank you for being the most stressful part of getting radiation every day.  The way that you carry out your cashier duties while simultaneously remaining oblivious to the customer is something that should be taught in every business school.  I can sympathize with the fact the you are forced to sit in 4'x5' box from 3am to 11am with nothing to do but read a book.  We wrote a poem for you today I apologize if does not rhyme sometimes.   It is titled 6 dimes, 2 nickels, and 5 pennies.

Why are you so grouchy?
Did you fall down and get an ouchie?
The sign says $1 and $5 appreciated yet you demand exact change.
 I'm sorry I made you put your book down.
You never smile so I never know if there is a tooth in your parking booth!


Sincerely,
Kim and Russell and sometimes Jacob

ps. Where do you park when you come to work?

Two weeks to go....

First off welcome to my new readers.  Update on my hair it is getting patchy especially on the left side.  I'm 90% sure that I will just cut it all off soon.  I was thinking about going to a beauty school and just walk in ask for a simple hair cut.  Then laugh as the beauty school student tries to figure out why my hair is coming out it clumps.  That's probably too cruel to do though.

UPDATE-I went ahead and did it.  Steven the barber showed up with his clippers and finished what the radiation couldn't.

and then.....

I get my turn with the Wahl's

I do believe I have found my calling.....

14 down, 14 remaining

I don't know what has been happening to my blog posts for the past week.  I blame Google for losing them;)  So here is what has been going on in the last few days at MUSC and beyond.  Suddenly losing hair at rapid pace.  I can pull out clumps of hair and I had to vacuum my pillow and bed.  Had some strange muscle spasms in my right leg and stomach.  Dr. Buddy didn't seem to think it was a seizure.   The weakness and lack of coordination in my right leg and arm hasn't gotten any worse.  So I do not have to go on any steroids for now.    There have been a few tours given of the radiation therapy area while I'm getting my treatments.  I hope the "tourists" have enjoyed their visits.  In my free time I mostly take naps and make strawberry jam.  We are up to 28 jars of strawberry freezer jam.  Made one batch with lots of sugar and one with half sugar and half Splenda  (fyi Splenda is categorized as "crap" according to Paul the Nutritionist at MUSC).


Finally saw this kid in Moes doing his Benny Hill song dance...

Playing catch up with the blog

Sorry, I have been remiss with my blog updates. After seven treatments I still don't have very many side effects. Only some tiredness, (yet I don't sleep well) my scalp itches like crazy sometimes, and my throat itches when I wake up. No hair loss yet. The treatments are exactly the same each day with the exception of the music playing the room where they do the radiation. I look forward to finding out what songs will be playing when I'm getting the treatments. So here is the countdown of the songs for the last week:

Friday, 4/9 - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves

Monday, 4/12 - Only You by The Platters and The Beatles - I Want to Hold Your Hand

Tuesday 4/13 was the worst of John Mayer. Didn't recognize the songs, but I knew it was you John.

Wed. 4/14 - Bob Marley's greatest hits

Thurs. 4/15 - Backfield in Motion by Mel & Tim? I know the song, but I've never heard of Tim or Mel.

Friday 4/16 The Beatles - Let it Be and Taylor Swift - Our Song

Ending of the Cliffhanger

=

Radiation - Day #1

Had my first actual radiation treatment today. Everything went according to plans. The three therapists should run the government or deliver pizzas. Like clockwork, they are right on time with everything. The actual treatment lasted about 10 minutes. The machine is very quiet except for an occasional beep. There was a sizzling sound I heard when they pinpoint the radiation beams in the exact spot. I think the sizzling sounds are for effect, but really what do I know?

Song playing during the treatment= No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley. Does every song they play have "woman" in the title? I want something more manly tomorrow.


The dress code is shirts without collars. I am on a mission to wear each of my Gamecock tshirts only one time, but still wear a Gamecock shirt to every treatment. I think that I will be able to accomplish this, if not I will go with Bridge Run shirts.


Coming tomorrow....the tragic story of when the gummy vitamins fell asleep inside of a hot car.

Undressed rehearsal

Had my radiation treatment practice today. It took longer to get through the road detours at MUSC than the actual treatment lasted. After maybe two minutes in the waiting room and about 30 seconds of chit chat I was masked up and laying under the radiation equipment. This is the kind efficiency I've been looking for in the medical community. The actual equipment did not make any noise and other than the song (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman it was completely quiet. There were some flashes of light and the smell of a Sharpie, but other than that the procedure was painless. After I took my mask off one of the techs said I had a honeycomb face. I looked kind of like some reptile alien from the mask pressing on my face with so much pressure. So every Monday-Friday at 10:15am I get to visit room 165 @ MUSC.

Honeycomb face.....