More Than Half Baked

Today marked my 17th radiation treatment making me officially more than 1/2 baked.  What an accomplishment. The hardest part of last week, my week 3 of treatment, was actually work.  Making it through a turbulent end of month closing mortgage loans, I can chalk it up to one of my most horrible ever.  The sad part is, none of this was related to my chemo/radiation, just to the crappy challenges of closing mortgages these days.  The good news is, it's over now and this week is going better at work.  In fact, I'm actually considering taking some time off so that I can relax.  I think week 6 would be a good one to take off.

I've had so many people tell me that I should take time off to take care of me, but I honestly feel like working is working out even though it's quite stressful.  I'm used to that after 20 years in the mortgage industry.  It is what it is.  Fighting cancer is way easier.  I'm so fortunate that side effects are minimal for me; a bit of diahrrea, sunburned bum, dry mouth (and a few sores), food tastes kind of different, and some tiredness from time to time is about all I can complain about.  It could be so much worse.   I may just be tougher than I thought I was though so that's a good thing.  Up until now, I always thought I was a wimp and a whiner.  But, I'm learning that I'm one tough cookie after all.  I'm eating right, drinking lots of fluids, and resting when I need to.  Things are going exceptionally well and I expect they will continue so.

I was kind of excited to go to radiation today, day 17, because I don't have to get up early and go tomorrow.  They are closed.  I will celebrate the 4th of July in Park City, watching the parade with Willie and Carol at the Star Hotel.  Yippee!  My favorite holiday (yes, even before Halloween).  The only bad part of a day off radiation is that I do have to make up day 30 on Monday, 7/23.  I was hoping to be done the day before my big 50th birthday bash in Bear Lake, "Wiggin' Out".  Oh well, things happen for a reason.  I'm still happy I get tomorrow off.  Willie is off work too so we will enjoy sleeping in and being together on the 4th.

Today, marked another important milestone as well.  Today, 31 years ago, Willie and I got married, outside in the aspens at Audrey Stevens' beautiful home in Pinebrook (just outside of Park City, UT near the summit).  Can you believe it?  Thirty-one years!!  Just like 17 days of radiation, it seems like these 31 years went by fast yet so much has happened all at the same time.   Last year this time we were celebrating our 30th anniversary on the Coral Princess the night before we pulled into Ketchikan, AK for the 4th.  I love that we were married on July 3rd.  It's such an important holiday to me for 3 reasons: 1)  I think it's the best and most important historical holiday in the U.S.  2) I have so many warm memories growing up of spending the day every year at my grandma's house in South Gate lighting off sparklers, picolo pete's to scare Aunt Katie, and all kinds of cool fireworks, 3) my anniversary on the 3rd makes it a triple threat.  I love the 4th of July!!  I'm so grateful for my wonderful, loving husband who supports me more than I can ever thank him for.

Today, I'm glad I'm more than half baked.  I'm even more glad I've had 31+ exciting and fabulous years of marriage.  I'm looking forward to my final 13 days of radiation and my next round of chemo on Monday, July 9th.  Life is so much fun!

July 3, 1981

July 3, 2011

Willie and I getting off the ship in Ketchikan 7/4/11