End of Week One of Radiation

Well -- it all began on Thursday last week, and so life goes in cycles! At the end of my first week of brain radiation they took some films of me in my face mask and then, well, radiated me again. I have this imagery going in my head these day during radiation. The big machine buzzes about two minutes on one side of my head and then the electronic behemoth robotically swivels around the front of my face to the other side of the head and buzzes there for about two minutes. I can't feel anything at all -- just a noise. So when they are setting up the machine I imagine one side of my head opening up -- like two trap doors springing open. And then there are all these cute, scrappy cartoon-like figures (kind of Japanese like -- white rabbits, "helllo kitties," I don't know) getting ready like they are going into a boxing ring. The tumors are these little islands of the bad guys (who don't look too different but they are clearly ailing these days -- having trouble breathing and even standing up). The minute the buzzing begins all my cute, scrappy friends go NUTS -- kicking, punching, biting, stomping, shouting yippppeeee, and so on. And then the buzzing stops and they are supposed to stop, but they keep kicking and punching -- the bad ones can't stand up and many of them are ripped to shreds. The the machine moves to the other side the head, one trap door closes and the other opens to a repeat performance. This has been the last two days. Maybe I'm nuts. Believe me, if you tell me something's wrong with my head, I'll believe you.

So my big injury of now is a lovely little burn that I managed to get last night by cradling a hot cup of tea in the crook of my arm. Don't ask. David included an impressive photo of the strangest.... That is NOT a slug on my arm. It is a giant blister. Normally I would't worry about such a thing, but it happens to be on the arm with no lymphnodes (from the breast cancer six years ago) and I am on chemo again so my general infection fighting system is down. Well, anyway -- the doctors are keeping an eye on it and waiting for it to pop. What can I say but dumb, dumb, dumb?

I had my consultation with the acupuncturist and will have my first appointment Saturday after that the basic yoga class that they offer there as well. On Monday I made an appointment with a nutritional and supplements consultant. So lots to look forward to in the next days. Thanks for the tips I have been getting from people about alternative medicine these past days! Very interesting and helpful.

I am definitely feeling more and more tired. Par for the course, I'm sure. I just have no reserves left. The acupuncturist reminded me of that. He suggested that I only try to do half as much as I normally do and then I should be able to make through the day without feeling catatonic at the end. That is so hard for me to do though! Go, go, go. Why can't I stop? David is very patient with my patient status (I think he would like that pun) and encourages me to let him know when I need a rest.

Food today? Lots of yoghurt -- I am terrified about the propect of mold in mouth! We went to the Oyster Bar and Grill in Grand Central Station for lunch. We split a half dozen Glidden Point (yes, Liz -- they rock!) and Kumamoto (for those Oregonians in the know!) oysters. We also split some New England clam chowder and a Maine lobster roll. It was perfect! Lisa -- I will have check your deli recommendation -- but maybe I shouldn't touch chicken soup if it doesn't measure up!

The photos today show me brushing my teeth because David insisted people should not only see me smiling (yes, this is the REAL me), David and me at the daily stop-- Pain Quotidien, me admiring a Calder somewhere on Park Avenue and me exhausted with my friend Roxanne at the end of the day.