Shake Rattle n Roll

As we pulled out of Beantown on Friday morning after my 7 a.m. treatment, Kristina and I took a long deep breath…….. one more week to go.  Yeh it finally started to wear on our souls, this routine. The weather was 91 degrees  on Thursday and promising to be the same on Friday, another added attraction to this surreal experience we’ve been enduring. Our nephew Alvar arrived on Tuesday from Sweden giving us a much needed diversion and and a sunny glow, he’s also a great chef : )  Having family visit helps relieve the pressure of this routine and gives some semblance of normality . Friday at home  was a godsend ,  a glass of wine out on our back porch, Alvar making a great meal, and another very deep breath. Of course that night I would be hit by the rare side effects of my treatment. My non stop headache contributing in complete harmony with insomnia . Zero sleep. When this does happen I try as hard  as I can to relax, meditate and somehow get some rest. Not sure if I achieved any of that. Saturday morning was slow going and much to my wife’s well intentioned concern I went off solo on my 14 mile training hike. I needed to shake off the beast. I am acutely aware that without continual diligence , it’s very easy to slip into all that awaits. Exercise and diet are my mantra, without them it’s a downhill slope I do not want to travel. I broke my previous time of 3 ¾ hours for 14 miles to 3 ½. Kristina walked in 2 miles to meet me on the way out, my cheerleader ; )  I felt great and all the moss that built up during the week was washed away. So one more week to go and next Friday I  “ bang the gong “ at the hospital. At the end of treatment all the radiation techs that have been with me the last 2 months come out to the waiting room and wish me the best on this journey, take pictures , a speech , and then I bang the Chinese gong they have as a symbol of ….. the finish. I’ve watched this ceremony many times, it can be very emotional. We  form this strange bond. We see each other everyday and I can say I have looked forward to it. The techs and nurses become your family in a way and I feel they have made this experience bearable if not enjoyable during our time together. That said……………… Countin down the minutes !

As I walk the lonely corridor …. To my morning treatment