Technical K.O to you....take that BC!

Last week was a very emotional one! It marked the final week of active treatment, being radiotherapy and my 50th birhtday!

My final 'date' with Machine Number 1 was Thursday 27th October, 2016....my ACTUAL birthday!

I was greeted with the usual cheery Hello's and I walked into the bunker, the girls sang Happy Birthday! We all did a little 'Happy dance' and then I climbed onto the bed for my last measure up and blast of cancer killing rays....

During my time watching the machine do it's thing around me, I got to learn when I would be receiving my last zap for each session.....as the machine got closer to that spot this time, the tears started to flow.....by the time I had finished, they were pouring......I was soooo relieved, happy and a bit sad that it was over!

The therapists all hugged me and wished me well and then escorted me to the Bell.......The ringing of the bell signifies the end of active treatment, being chemotherapy or radiotherapy.....

The saying on the plaque says;

We gathered around that bell and I rang it three times LOUDLY! ....and then some more! LOL!... to the cheers and applause from the staff....

More tears, farewells and well wishing ensued and the staff presented me with a little cactus plant to remember them by......I gave them chocolates, which are always well recieved! 

I walked down the corridor, with my husband, from the radiation suite into the cancer clinic waiting room and out the front doors...... I MASSIVE wave of relief washed over me....I would not be, hopefully NEVER again walking into that clinic for anything other than follow up appointments.....

The staff in these places are very special men and women, the things they must see and deal with on a daily basis, must effect them but they remain happy and compassionate regardless.....My chemo nurses were amazing too, sometimes my treatments would begin with tears, but they have a way of always making light of treatment time, but being fully understanding and supportive the whole time.......I will never forget them.

I had to visit the radiation nurses after my last treatment to learn more about the burns and how to care for my skin in the months following....My skin had started to break down and I was shown how to apply special dressings and gel.

I was told that the burns would continue to come out over the next two weeks and they weren't wrong! My skin is very red, peeling and swollen....Thank goodness I can't feel the main burn! I have lost feeling completely in that area....but I can feel the burns under my arm and on my side and in my armpit......It's not nice, let me tell you!

I had the most amazing weekend as i held a party for my birhtday AND to celebrate finishing treatments! I can't express enough how great it was to have my family and friends with me to celebrate....I had an amazing time and as a result of dancing a bit too much maybe......is there even such a thing as dancing too much? I think not! LOL!.....the skin in my armpit broke open....... OUCH OUCH OUCH......I can feel this one!......not happy Jan :(

So, this morning I took myself upto to the radiation nurses at the clinic....More boxes of dressings, gel and jel-o-net to take home... My bathroom now looks like  a hospital supply room!......

But there is good news!  I don't have to dress my burns on my foob any more! The skin has healed there nicely and the nurses were happy for me to just apply Moo Goo again from now on! So for the next week or so, I will apply the special gel and dress the burns under my arm and in my armpit....which is a bit awkward! but hopefully they too will be healed by my next appointment with the nurses on Monday!

So, the weekend of celebration has come to an end.......I made it!

I have so much to be thankful for.....so much to look forward to....

Time to heal....rest, restore and get on with my new normal!

Love and light to EVERYONE!

Xx <3 xX