Stories of Lung Cancer

We tell ourselves stories in order to live.     ~Joan Didion

Glossary of Medical Terms

 

 

April 4, 2021

There is always much to learn at the start of a new journey, particularly into the world of scientific jargon. Sometimes the unknown conjures images the only gesture to the medical realities. Here are some.

Free Radicals

Laryngeal Band

Chest Wall

 

After two radiation treatments, I am exhausted and we all agree my voice is less hoarse. Progress or wishful thinking? I prefer the former.

I will try the bike this afternoon, and some gardening. We’ll see how it all goes.

Tomorrow, radiation at 8 a.m. (Ugh.) Then check in at 8:30 for the first chemo. They said to be prepared to spend much of the day, at least into the early afternoon. They will have warm blankets; I may want to bring a pillow, some lunch. Only infusion patients are allowed into that space; Mark will go home then come to fetch me when all is done.

I’m very anxious about side effects. The radiology nurse tells me that, because of medications they give with the infusion, I am likely to feel fine until about Thursday. Then I will probably feel really really bad. Really. Moral of the story: start taking the meds before Thursday.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for standing with me on the journey.

Free Radicals: Getty Images

Band image by sam99929 from Pixabay

Chest image by Kate Cox from Pixabay

Dictionary image by PDPics from Pixabay

Addendum

Better Living Through Chemistry

9 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Just remember, "Better living through chemistry." Take the meds!

See the addendum, above. 😉

Thank you for sharing your journey–I did a similar blog during my breast cancer treatment. I will hold you in prayer.

Connie forwarded me the link to your blog! You are such a wonderful writer, and manage to write wonderfully about the not-wonderfulness of what you are going through. I am holding you in my thoughts and want you to know that visiting you and having you show us the beauty of the Pacific Northwest has been on my travel list for years now…so that is something wonderful to look forward to…after the C's…Covid and cancer.

Thank you, dear Connie.

I can't wait!

And thanks for your kind words. We writers need to process in our unique way, eh? I'm glad to have you on the journey.

Oh, my dear Kyla, how lovely to hear your voice. Your ass-kicking vibes are exactly the kind of healing this bag of bones needs. True confession: I do not own a Peloton. I opted for a Keiser– better fit for a shortie like me, higher quality machinery than a Peloton, no crazy $40 fee, no need to plug it in, no being tied to a big LED monitor. Sometimes a girl just has to Netflix, know what I mean? I use the app all the way. Hope the new house is falling into place!

We love you Karen!! I am keeping up with all the updates, and so appreciate you keeping us all in the loop. I hope it's not exhausting, keeping your loved ones near and far updated with the blog…I am sending you my most ass-kicking, healing vibes. I hope the first day of chemo went as smoothly as possible. And I hope you are still able to enjoy the Peloton…I have thus far resisted buying one, but am considering getting a cheaper spin bike and buying the app…one can only resist temptation for so long. Love you so much, and I'm thinking of you all every day.

I am realizing that I have no idea how to leave a comment, and maybe have left 3 so far, but also maybe have not left a single one. Sigh.

Scroll to Top