Oh, no! I was so involved with my SELF this week, that I forgot my coveted place here in the rotation for The Writers in Residence. So, this is a quickie catch-up.
HOAG Cancer Center is where I’m now spending my days – like, EVERY day – after the breast cancer surgery I had back in March. Now I’m going through 15 days of preventative Radiation, so (hopefully) that nasty cancer stuff doesn’t come back. (At least the chances are lessened.)
Meet ELEKTA.
She’s my partner for about 15 minutes every day. She circles me like a rising and setting sun four times, shooting the “anti” death ray at my left chest area. I hear a high-pitched “zinging” noise and feel a slight warmth, but nothing else. I thought my skin would get “cooked,” but nothing yet, just a feeling of tightness. I thought I would experience fatigue, but also not yet. (Of course, so many people are praying for me!!)
A woman who was scheduled after me yesterday, says she is on Day 12, and the fatigue has hit her. My Radiologist talked to me today, and when I told him I was surprised at the lack of skin burning, he said. “The sunburn will come in week three. Just keep applying that radiation cream two to three times each day.”
Believe me, I do.
That funny crunched white glob under ELEKTA’s eye on the table is a molded pillow they made when I was “mapped” for radiation two weeks ago. It holds my shoulders, head, and left arm stretched above and over my head in the exact same position. So there’s no messing around each time I come in. The molded pillow is situated. I lay back and fit my arm and shoulders in it. They expose my left breast, line up the machine over the markers on my chest, and tell me, “Don’t move.” (Yes, I have weird PLUS and MINUS signs semi-permanently pasted on me for ELEKTA to read.)
About now, you are thinking, “Wait, I thought this was a writing blog. What’s with all this medical stuff.” Hey, have you ever heard of Robin Cook’s books? (Coma, Toxin, Fatal Cure), Michael Palmer (Miracle Cure), Tess Gerritsen (The Surgeon), etc. Yes, so I know I’m not an author like them, but I AM writing about my Cancer Journey, and reviewing books that pertain to it. I’m writing my “Journey” on Substack, and on Friday, I’ll post the next weekly update, titled “RADIATION & ME.” (You guys get a mini-sneak peek here.)
If you want to read last week’s post, here is the link, VULNERABLE & EXPOSED.
If that doesn’t work for you, go on Substack and search for “Jackie’s Musings & Meanderings.” I have about thirty I’ve been writing, but the last seven are on my cancer journey. You can subscribe (but no pressure), and it’s FREE. Don’t get tricked into paying. Not needed.
So, you see, I AM writing. Each day, I quiz the technicians on something I want to know about so I can include it in next week’s Substack post. (And maybe the following week too, as I finish up.)
Do you have any questions or comments? If you click on the title of this post—SLIPPED MY MIND—you can find the spot below to do that.
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The Writers in Residence 
I’m sorry this is late. But better late than never. Thanks for being so loyal to The Writers In Residence!
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Jackie – your courage and good humor just takes my breath away. I have been following your journey and I am just humbled by your strength and determination to keep calm and carry on (British roots perhaps?). Thank you for sharing this with all of us. I know we are all gunning for you. It sounds like the next round is going to be challenging but I know you will come through it, always smiling. You are an inspiration to all of us.
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Haha. Thank you for the encouragement, Hannah! And yes, I come with a “stiff upper lip,” but one that very often cracks into a sly grin.
Frankly, I’m biting my nails about what to write after I’m done with the cancer stuff. Yikes! (Grin)
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Oh, Jackie, it’s so sweet of you to write about all you are going through and in such an informative and light-hearted way. Thanks so much. I hope all the preventive radiation and other means to your cure are totally successful, and thanks again for letting us know about it in such an amusing and interesting way.
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Jackie, you are amazing. I admire your attitude and your writing style is so rich. What a great lesson to all of us with your courage and humor despite the situation you find yourself in. So glad we are friends and colleagues. I often call to mind our train trips together to have lunch with our group of writers. Sure miss all that here in cold Connecticut where we are still waiting for spring which appears reluctant to appear. Blessings.
jill
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Hey, Jaxon! We are all learning things that might pop up in some of our writing, but your information and stuff we learn from other people going through things whether it be health related or just life in general, helps us in so many ways. I have often passed along information I have learned to others going through similar situations. If you hadn’t written it down, none of us would have learned a thing. And isn’t that what writing does? It teaches us stuff. Thanks. And we are all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
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Thanks, Gayle. You are always encouraging. And…. I just checked…. part of the goal of this blog is to “inform.” I think we meant to inform about writing, but, as you said, maybe my experience can be used in a story or book later. I kind of never wanted to learn this stuff, but if it happens…. I’m taking notes.
(Yes, for anyone who wants to contact me with questions/details, I will answer them to the best of my ability, understanding, and experience.)
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Jackie, all experience provides fodder for writing. Granted, none of us want this kind of fodder, but you’re making the best of it. I’m sending lots of prayers and healing energy your way.
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From Miko Johnston – Jackie, you know we’re all rooting for you. Very brave of you to share your experience, one I suspect is familiar to some of our readers. Keep up the good fight – wishing you success and a complete recovery!
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Thank you, Miko. All these procedures are going far better than I expected. I am very thankful for friends, and for answered prayers.
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GB Pool hits it on the nose dear Jackie. Every life is a journey, some a bit more challenging than others. Still, with such an incredibly great universe (multiple great universes?) all around us there’s bound to be a lot more adventure ahead. Sure do appreciate sharing some of it with you.
Jack Egan
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Thanks, Jack. And Gayle has a lot of wisdom, especially about writing. She also is an encourager. Thanks for the comment. And I am one that enjoys adventures.
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