This past weekend was the Team Up Montana festivities. We did the parade then tailgate then the Football game. I was interviewed on TV which I really wish I had prepared statements ready. I am really no good at popping cohesive sentences together without some thought. But we had a really good time.

I had radiation treatment number 14 today. Almost half way through. It’s starting to kick my ass. And I think it’s showing since the last few times I’ve gone in the nurses have commented on how tired I look. I’ve been forcing myself to go to the gym after treatment. Usually right after treatment I’m drained and feel sick to my stomach. By the time I get on the elliptical machine it pretty much goes away.  So I’m doing at least 30 minutes of cardio of some type. Right now it’s the elliptical. Then I go do some strength exercises.  I’m doing very light to no weights for my upper body right now.  So I’m either just going through the movement of the exercise or using 3 pound weights. I have to go slow. My body is very good at telling me when to stop. Like today…my mind wanted to keep going but my body told me I was done for the day.  I’m also doing low weight and high reps for lower body. Then I’m doing stretching. Lots of stretching and back strengthening exercises. When I get home I try to walk Cleo up the hill and do my loop on the upper part of the property.

I would like nothing more than to just lay in bed all day and sleep. But I’m convinced that the only way to get through this is to keep my immune system strong and my energy up. The best way to do that is with Exercise and eating right.  It’s similar to what I did to get through Chemo but a higher level.  The eating thing is the same but different. I have no desire to eat any sort of meat.  So I stick to fruit and vegetables and protein drinks. But I’m definitely exercising more.  It’s funny because I still can’t drink anything that is THAT color red! I wonder if that will ever go away.

I’m also taking a high dose of Vitamin D for 8 weeks to help with my bone loss issue.  This is supposed to help with energy levels and depression. (Depression? what the hell would I have to be depressed about??!!!!)  I don’t know if it’s working. But I would have to assume that I would be in worse shape if I wasn’t taking it.

Wednesdays I meet with the Doctor to check how everything is going. So far I only have one spot that is pretty tender and that’s where the tumor was up against the chest wall.  But overall the skin is holding up okay. They stressed how skin care is critical to this whole thing…and they are correct.  So I’ve actually been following directions on this.

On Thursdays they retake pictures and see if they need to make any changes.

But I only have 19 more to go! I’m in the teens! Goooooooo Warrior!