Treatment plan for Radiation

Cary and I met today with Dr. Lightsey, the radiologist at the Davis Pavilion. My appointment was for 2:30 p.m., finally saw her at 4:30 p.m. and left the building at almost 5:30 p.m. Have a notion this is common fare for me(and most other patients) with the different clinics I will be going to for chemo, and later for radiation.

The treatment plan prescribed is 6 weeks of radiation (5 days each week = 30 treatments). This seems a bit daunting to think about. I have been assured however, that the radiation is as essential to my longevity as the chemo treatments.

The main problem I have right now is waiting for all these treatments to begin. The dread of them. Once they begin I will at least know fairly soon how difficult a course I will be following. Not knowing is the hardest part.

Isaiah 43:2-3a "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour." This was one of our scriptures last Sunday and surfaced again in my devotional guide yesterday.

Today I received this encouragement from my devotional guide. "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the next year: 'Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.' He replied: 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God, that shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.'" King George VI used this as part of his Christmas radio address at the beginning of WWII. King George VI would be most surprised (and delighted, I hope) to know his words brought comfort to this American lady at the beginning of this new year, a year that for her stretches out into the unknown.

Love to all,
Linda Gail