Radiation Complete - The Latest News

 Hi Friends and Family!

It's been 12 days since we've written!  Here is the big news - RADIATION IS COMPLETE! 

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of SBRT Radiation is like? haha!  Sure you have! Well...it's a very precise science. Literally, this radiation finds its way around organs and the bladder, bowel, to get right to the tumor site and zap it without damaging my insides along the way. 

Before the SBRT radiation is even scheduled, a 3D model is created using specific software, with the CT Scan and Pet Scan that I did earlier. The radiation therapists - I always had 4 of them align my body precisely—within millimeters—using lasers and real-time imaging called Cone Beam CT Scan.  This is done each and every time. 

There were sheets underneath me the radiation techs would pull to move me, and the the bed itself would move. I laid with my feet in the mold of my legs that I created during the simulation, and let me tell you, that bed I laid on was like glass, and is narrow.....not easy to lay there perfectly still while in pain since I was laying directly on the tumor (that is already painful), but I did it! 

This setup takes more time than the treatment itself—usually about 30 minutes. The Radiation Oncologist checks on the alignment and signs off before the treatment begins. The actual radiation delivery is about 15-20 minutes. You can hear the machine moving and providing a "radiation sound"...kind of grainy sounding and loud'ish.

It doesn't hurt, I didn't feel a thing, but it does make you tired, especially that day.  

Just a reminder about what SBRT is -

SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) is a highly focused form of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to a very precise area of the body—making it especially effective for treating metastatic cancer in the bones and can be very effective alongside Anastrozole (which I'm already taking) and Ibrance (which I will start within the next couple of weeks). 

I got a Certificate of Completion!  Yay me!  Right after this photo was taken....I went and showed a house to buyer clients :) 


I often get asked, "how are you feeling, or how are you doing?" I'm never quite sure how to answer that. Most of the time, I give the standard answer and smile and say "I'm doing ok - I'm hanging in there!" 

Here's the real truth....some days I am actually OK, meaning I feel pretty good physically and I can get through an entire day without taking a nap or just feeling blah. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I always have some level of pain that fluctuates between a level 3-6 - it's jumped to a 7 a couple of times and, I do have a new pain in my femur that just started 3 days ago.  It mayyyy be inflammation from the radiation. My oncologist, Dr. Kritz and my radiation oncologist, Dr. Lim and the team are checking it out...I'll know more about that early next week. I do not take anything except Aleve. I have Tramadol but I've never taken it. I HATE pain pills. I really do. 

I do go up and down mentally.  I will always have a smile on my face in public, but in private, I can feel pretty down sometimes and go through some crying spells and I know I have to get my headspace in a better place in order to live my best life through this. I am so grateful for Chuck and some really wonderful friends have really helped me tremendously with this part especially - many friends are checking in daily or weekly and it does help - my heart is so thankful. For those of you that know me, you know I am mostly a positive and optimistic person and I'm really trying to remember I am built that way and not get so down. 

The main focus I have right now medically is that I am going to add in integrative oncology to treat my whole person, not just the MBC disease.  Here's what I mean....these are some integrative approaches and I'm building a care team for this - but all will be signed off my my conventional medical oncology team: 

  • Nutrition & Supplements - mediterranean diet, tart cherry (for pain), raw calcium (for bone strengthening), and more 
  • Movement & Physical Support - strength training (with a specialized cancer trainer), gentle yoga, and maybe Tai Chi
  • Emotional Wellness - Meditation, prayer, journaling, art
  • Mind-Body Support - Music, reflection, forgiveness, therapy

What I have learned is that those MBC patients that incorporate integrative oncology practices alongside traditional medicine do MUCH BETTER. I need that to be me! 

Here's what's new on silver linings, our home purchase and sale and more about life! --

We close on the sale of our current home in Youngsville on July 17, but we are doing a rent back until July 31. We close on our home we are purchasing on July 22...we'll get a few things done first before moving in. 

Just this weekend we got to keep our grandson for two nights!! It was AMAZING!  I could do that all the time and I think it was really good for my mind-body-spirit. I love him so much! He's like a lightbulb of joy! 

My business at NC Pro Realty continues to be strong. I have had some personal help from colleagues and Lori, an agent on my team - thank goodness!  My work is very important to me and really helps my mental health be strong. It makes me feel vibrant and the one thing I am afraid of losing is my vibrancy. I have built NC Pro Realty from the ground up and I truly love it. I have a team of contractors that are so dedicated to my company and to my clients. So you know....if you need a REALTOR, pick me!!! I'm pretty good at it!  

I cannot say it enough....THANK YOU to so many of you for your amazing true support, friendship, prayers and well wishes. We do truly feel it all and it fuels this journey in ways you cannot imagine.

Hugs and love, 

Chill = Chuck and Jill





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