And with that….

I am more than halfway finished with the radiation treatments.  Somewhere during all the buzzing and clicking today, I hit the 50% mark.  With little or no fanfare, I got off the table, left the room and had my weekly meeting with the nurse and substitute doctor.

Since I have decided to take things day to day, rather than freak out about the sum total of the treatments, life has been much easier.  The nurse noted asked about my apprehension (it was noted I was testing the new time slot and was debating continuing) and when I mentioned that I was just taking it one day at a time, she nodded her head and said, "Good."  I realized at this point that maybe, just maybe, this would be far more anti-climatic (as Dr. R. suspected), than I ever imagined.

The meeting with the nurse was followed up with a brief (as in 30 seconds, possibly a minute) meeting with the doctor.  No skin check, nothing invasive, just two questions about my overall health, the second of which targeted my level of exhaustion.

"So, are you fatigued?" he asked, ever so cheerfully.

"Um, no, actually I have more energy than before," I replied.

"Great!  We often say that when you are tired, you should exercise more and you will feel better!" Thrilled with my answers, he sent me on my semi-merry way and I trotted off to slather, stretch and change.

I really thought by now I would be exhausted, however, I was completely honest.  I am not as tired in the afternoons (and thus not as cranky, a bonus!) and while I am not getting as much sleep as I should, I have more energy than I probably thought possible.  Maybe it's the exercise or maybe, just maybe, it's the attitude.  If I don't see myself becoming exhausted, maybe I won't.  Mind over matter and for a change, in a very, very positive way.  

Now, it could also be that I am taking a day off this week.  A few weeks ago, the Salty Dogs very generously offered to take our kids for a few days over spring break.  An idea brewed in my mind and last week, we looked into a brief stay on St. Michael's Island in MD.  A one night getaway, just enough time to relax and recharge at a local bed & breakfast.  

We had mentioned the possibility to the doctor ages ago and she had no issues with my taking a day off. Given that folks do it for unhappier reasons (skin issues/need a break), there wasn't any problem with me delaying a day's treatment.  I also think she was probably so relieved I was going forward with the treatments that she would have said yes to a week if I had asked (not likely on my part).

It's not the two week R&R to Iceland and Italy that we had originally planned for this time period, but I think, for now, it's just what the doctor ordered.