Last week, I left shortly before lunch and headed to Iowa City. If you’ve been following my cancer saga, you know that last week was treatment week. I had radiation scheduled for Monday through Friday. Originally, I was going to stay at Hope Lodge, but they were full. The hospital ended up putting me in the Heartland Inn Hotel, just a mile from the hospital. This is something they do to help patients who are traveling a distance.
The hotel was basic with no fancy bells or whistles, but it was clean, and the staff was friendly. I very much appreciated their help with lodging. It made things so much easier.
I thought I would give you a little recap of my week…First off, for those of you who haven’t done radiation, let me explain. It takes about 20 minutes. It doesn’t hurt. You can’t really feel anything. Mine was only for five days, so I didn’t get any of the sunburn or other complications people who do it for weeks get. I was more tired, but I can’t pinpoint if that is stress, the chemo drug I take, being in a different bed, or the radiation. Whatever it was…I feel quite a bit better simply by being at home.
So Monday…I had treatment, found a thrift store, found my hotel, and settled in.
Two of my kiddos met me that evening in Solon, and we had supper.
The food was WONDERFUL!! I’ve been taking in as much Mexican food as I can, as I was told that later on, the chemo drug might take away my appreciation for anything spicy, and Mexican food is my favorite.
Tuesday I had treatment…
Then I headed to The Little Red Hen Quilt Shop in Muscatine. I met a blog reader and now a friend, Patty. It was great! Patty was so nice. I can’t thank her and her friend enough for their kindnesses.
A friend stopped at the hotel in the evening. This night I was pooped and went to bed early.
Wednesday I had another round of treatment.
Then I was off to the Woolen Needle. I was still tired from the day before, but I decided that being the Woolen Needle in Williamsburg was only a half hour away, I could do that.
On Wednesday afternoon, I had a little revelation. I was in Iowa City for one more day. Then I’d have to come back again the following Wednesday for a check-up on how I was doing with my chemo drug. What if I could get that moved to Friday, then I wouldn’t have to come back the following Wednesday. It was worth a shot. So I started making some calls….and it happened. I’d have to stay longer on Friday, but it would totally be worth not having to drive back.
I FINALLY slept really well on Wednesday night.
Thursday after treatment, my original plan was to go and see my sister. That didn’t happen. Earlier in the week, she let me know that she had been sick. She was starting to be on the mend, but we decided not to risk my getting sick. That was a disappointment, but I’d be traveling that way again, so we’d catch up then.
So after treatment, and a blood draw, I headed to yet another quilt shop!! This one was suggested by a blog reader. It was Cotton Creek Mill.
I treated myself to Jimmy John’s for lunch. Oh, I like Jimmy John’s.
Friday rolled around, and I was in the clinic for an 8:20 appointment. I checked out of the hotel before I went. I saw my cancer doctor, went to radiation, and then saw my radiologist. I was on the road and headed north by 10:45 am. WOW. Much quicker than anticipated.
The chemo meds make my blood pressure rise, so we added a medication to deal with that. I was to start taking that right away…so once I got home, I had to drive another 30 minutes north to my pharmacy. It was okay. I needed a few groceries anyway.
As I was driving, my daughter Kalissa called me. I thought she was supposed to be working, so I was alarmed. It turns out she was getting out of work early as she had worked extra hours earlier in the week. She happened to need to go to Decorah too…so I pulled into the driveway, went potty, let Rosie out and then she picked me up and we went to town.
That’s an overview of the week. I’ll come back and give you some tours of the quilt shops and other news that happened while I was away during the week. All I can say now is I’m so thankful to be home.
That was quite a week Jo. I’m so glad you stay there and not have to drive back and forth every day. That would have really tired you out. You look great in each of your daily pictures. Fun to be able to go to some quilt/wool shops that you maybe haven’t been to before. And then Home Sweet Home. I hope your Chemo drugs won’t be too much of a drag and that you can keep your spirits up. You have such a positive attitude. Oh and by the way, I love the red top you are wearing in your Tuesday picture. And what fun for you and your blog follower to have a chance to meet.
Sounds like your week went well! You got to do some fun shopping and best of all you re home again. It’s too bad you couldn’t get together with your sister but you’ll have other chances and it’s better to be safe. I’m glad the hotel worked out for you also.
Sorry you missed your sister but everything else went swimmingly!;Yay!
Welcome home, it’s always nice to sleep in one’s own bed.
As the saying goes ….what difference a day (week!) makes!!! Look forward to seeing your new goodies!!!
My prayers are with you Jo. It’s good that you are able to do some fun things in the middle of all of this. I pray you continue to heal and have great results.
You had quite the week, but so glad that it is now in the past tense. I did have radiation (30) five days a week and I agree with you, they are simple and go quite fast. I hope and pray you continue to have few side effects from your chemo drug. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing about the quilt shops.
Thank yo for sharing. I’m just a friend you have never met, but you mean so much to me.
You have the best smile, Jo! I applaud you for always having that smile on your face. I’m sure there are times you are not smiling, but you always seem to handle your tough times with that smile.
Take care.
Such a long week for you but it seems it went smoothly. I’m glad to hear that you felt good enough to do the roaming around that you did. I know it helped a lot.
Nice to be back home I’m sure.
Love and prayers
It seems you made the very best of a situation! Glad for you that radiation is over and with minimal side effects, it sounds like. You are inpsiring!
Thanks for your encouraging report, Jo! The daily selfies said it all. I wondered how in the world you were getting all that cross stitch done, and driving all over to the quilt shops, all while undergoing radiation, so thanks for your explanation about your treatment and how it affected you. I lived two states away and was in college while my Mom underwent radiation for her brain and lung cancer, so I never knew the particulars of her treatment. My parents were of the generation where they kept a lot of personal things private from “the kids.” Praying without ceasing for you and your family!
Always good to get home from anywhere!
So glad you got to go to a few quilt shops, can’t wait to see if you got any goodies!
You sure are a trooper Jo, you make the best of any situation, good you didn’t get many side effects! Prayers it stays that way!
Oh what fun w an exhausting medical week mixed all together…. I’m exhausted just reading it. So glad you are done w the radiation. praying for good outcomes
i love how you planned ahead and rewarded yourself each day. healthy choices come in all forms… mental health being the mot important!!
I really admire the way you are keeping with “living” your life! My sister-in-law is almost 4 years into her battle with breast cancer, we are always finding new things to do even during or after her treatments! It does help!! Her and me!! I knew when she came into our lives some 30 plus years ago that I wanted to get to know her and spend time with her. She was finally able to move back closer to me several years ago, and then was diagnosed. I told her this was NOT what I had in mind when I said I wanted to spend time with her! Our sense of humor is a little skewed, which also helps with her journey!! Love you, Jo!
Trust me, a skewed sense of humor gets us through a lot of things here as well. Thank you for running to her and making her life as normal as you can.
Jo, so glad you came through your treatments ok and are home. I’m so happy you were able to get to The Little Red Hen, The Woolen Needle and Cotton Creek Mill. I know a little “retail therapy” always does a body and spirit good! Wishing you strength and peace in the days ahead. You are such an inspiration to us all. Take care!!
I’m so glad your week is over but I’m glad you were able to get around to a few fun places! Hugs,
I am amazed that your doctors have been so accommodating for appointments for you. I am looking forward to seeing photos of your retail therapy sessions. You have such a wonderful positive attitude. Love that big smile!
Thank you for continuing to share your story with us. It’s good to hear that the treatment week went smoothly. I have to ask: Did your friend Patty make her quilted hoodie? It’s beautiful and I love it! If she did make it, maybe you could ask if she’d be willing to share some pointers or ideas with us about that.
She didn’t. She bought it online. I asked her the same thing.