The Last Treatment

Today was the last radiation treatment. I hadn't planned on making this the topic of my post but the radiology dept really gets into the last treatment and you won't believe what happens!

First, here's my mask with Mardi Gras balloons tied to it!

At the end of the last treatment, the ladies (three of them), radiation techs, came in with the balloons and tied them on the mask (and of course, guess who thinks the balloons are really for her).

They gave me a certificate showing I'd gone through 14 treatments, got hugs from absolutely every one in the back (there are about 10 techs - two men and eight women) and when I finally managed to get to the front desk to leave, a lady from accounting had left a set of earrings she made for me! (Hmmm...can we say "stitch markers?")

What a blow-out day! I was so surprised! I hardly know these people and yet they rallied around me like family and were so supportive for 14 days! Alright, I tried to convert three of them into knitters, tried to talk a guy into getting wife into the guild, I mean, it's not like I don't push knitting worse than a druggie pushes his addiction!

I have only good things to say about the staff at Mercy Hospital. I never felt out of the loop, never felt like piece of meat, never felt anything less than getting the full attention each step in this process required. So if you have to have awful things done, go where the staff understands it's awful.

And with that said, so ends my radiation for the moment. I am still on steroids. Shelly, I look like a moonbaby - My face is so round and shiny! I have to wait a month and then I have another MRI of my head to see what's going on. Steroid tapering starts next week. And with a little luck, a lot of prayer, and the grace of God, in two weeks I'll be feeling like my old self again (or better!)

And I SO appreciate all of the kind support, prayers, and encouragement I've received through my web journal. You have no idea how important you all are to me! And now onward and upward -

Let's look at some knitting:

Here is finished fuzzy foot #1. Does it look large? Does it look normal? Do NOT look at the toe! I have no idea what a grafting stitch is so I just did a three needle bind off. It's going to be felted for pete's sake! But again, does it look the right size?

Here it is next to hubby's arm. Hubby is not a small man! This sock is huge!! I've got the second one started and am up to the purple stripe. Will probably get it finished tonight. Sugar ripped it out once for me. Not exactly the most helpful thing in the world. But I have some orange handspun left over and I'm going to knit and felt a toy for her. She really loves yarn!