Deb Crowe Schlosser Beats Cancer

Radiation started May 11 & is scheduled to end on June 25th. Steve calls it my daily “zap-patuly”. It’s a very quick treatment. I check in to the front desk, then go back & gown up. They normally call me back pretty quickly, ask me what music I want to play & then I lay down on a table underneath this huge contraption that I think has a face & 2 arms. The 2 radiation techs make sure I am perfectly lined up underneath the monster machine & strap me in by my chin. They then go back & make sure that the machine is lined up properly. There is a box projected in my line of site that shows my breath in this little yellow rectangle. Once everything is perfect, they tell me to hold my breath while the Zap machine moves over me to the right – once it has finished this pass, I take a breath & get ready for it to pass to the left. Then one more time to the right & one more time to the left. That’s it. Takes 15 minutes or less. I’m very proud to say that I can hold my breath for a full pass – guess those swim lessons that Mom put us in when we were little have really paid off. Those lessons plus my yoga/meditation breathing.

Then I walk out very slowly & drive home. Then at least a 2-hour nap/rest. I still have other appointments plus PT that may continue past radiation that pop up from day to day. I’m so grateful that I have a safe comfortable place to lay my head and that the drive there & back is pretty easy, even if it is on I-45.

I did just spend some time in an ER clinic this morning getting checked out for some pain & discomfort in my abdomen, and am happy to report that there was nothing serious noted. But I’m so tired & weak. 12 more radiation treatments to go & I’m wondering what I will feel like by then. My heart rate is elevated, I have mild shortness of breath when I talk & my belly has not been all that happy. Plus sleep – sleep has been problematic. Not helping my fatigue. I wake up several times a night lately with that belly discomfort.

Still sending out big hugs to everyone. I wonder how much gratitude can increase – is there an actual limit? Mine has only gotten bigger & bigger for you all & for the words of support, prayers & care that you all send my way. I love you all immensely.