Day #3 3 Down 32 to go

Day 3 was by for my easiest day so for. We left home at 5pm to beat the traffice and to our surprize, there was no traffic. We arrived at OHSU in 26 minutes. I figure that I would be early everyday so that if they are running fast, I could get it done and get out of there quick. Well, no such luck today. They came out at 5:45 and said they would take me in 15 minutes. Well, in 20 minutes they came to get me. Not bad timing when you think about how long all of you have waited in the waiting room for a doctor's appointment.
The technicians set up my table and I proceeded to get undressed. No, not naked, just undressed a little. They like me to just keep my t-shirt on when having the treatment. Of course, my pants and shoes also stay on. Remember, they are aiming the radiation at my tongue and neck.
Once I was on the table and ready , they were ready for the dreaded mask. I asked them to let me take a couple of deep breaths and I was ready. They put the mask on and locked it down. Today I seemed to have lined up perfectly because the didn't have to move me at all. The tech said we were ready to get started. I asked them about my ESPN and they said the were having troubles with it today. It was fading in and out. I said that is better than nothing so, I began to listen to a play by play of a football game with the sound fading in and out. If you have never experienced this ...... you are not missing a thing. The one thing it did was help me keep my mind if of the treatment and the mask.
After, what seemed like 15 minutes, the tech said "Okay, that's it". I was like- what? I didn't hear her come into the room so at first I was a little startled. She removed the mask, I got dressed and said, "see you guys tomorrow at 1 p.m." That's right folks, treatment on Christmas Eve. However, there will be no treatment on Christmas Day.
When I went to the waiting room, Kari was there waiting for me. The time was 6:34 pm. We couldnt believe how quick the treatment was. We got into the elevator, went to the parking garage and then headed home.

So for, I am not having any of the side effects that will come with the treatment. I have recieved some special mouth rinsing formula that I will begin to use in a few days. It helps break down the mucus that will form in my mouth and throat.

3 down and 32 to go.

I will add a little info from time to time about when and how I discovered I had cancer and some of the stories that have taken place before this blog started. Some will make you laugh and some my bring a little tear but allof the stories will be honest and true. I may even add a few stories from my 2 sisters trip to Vancouver to help us when I was having these surgeries.

Back at the end of August 2009 I was on a trip to New York. For those of you who don't know me, I travel the United States from sea to shining sea , as part of my work. I work for the most unblievable people in the world. I am so lucky to work for this company.
On my last night of the trip, I was sitting in my hotel room watching TV and getting ready for bed. I had a very early flight the next morning. Thank God the flight was headed to Portland, Oregon and not to another city to see customers. I started to take my medicine and it felt like on of the pills had become stuck to my tongue. I thought this was really weird. I tried to get it off with my finger but, I had not luck. I went into the bathroom, turned on the bright heat lamp and looked into the mirror. WOW!!! I looked at my tongue and could not beleive what I was seeing!!
It looked like to button mushrooms growing on the back middle of my tongue! Needless to say, I was scared. I begin to panic and cry. The next thing I did was call Kari at home. I told her the story, which was tough while I was crying. She calmed me down and made me understand that things would be alright. I don't know what I would have done without her at that point. She has shown everyday why I will be spending the rest of my life with her. She is my angel.
I was able to calm down and get a couple of hours of sleep that night. I caught my flight and headed back home.
Kari had already arranged an appointment with a Ear, Nose and Throat doctor when I arrived home. We went directly to OHSU and my appointment was with a well repected ENT surgeon.
At first he looked at my tongue and he said, " I am not sure what that is, I have never seen anything like that before" Now if you what to hear something from a doctor, it is not the words , "I have never seen anything like that before."

I will continue that story on the next blog.
I still have not bought 1 present as of yet. I hope to go shopping after my treatment today. the weather here in Vancouver is 39 ,foggy and no rain expected.
Also, rememeber this. I live in Vancouver,Washington not Vancouver, B.C. which is in Canada. Vancouver, Washington is located in southern Washington , on the border of Oregon. I live 5 miles from the border, which is the Columbia River.

once again
3 down 32 to go.