And Then There Was None

Come on Ring that Bell! 

My biggest fan!

 December 28th- I.Am.Done!

I did not expect to be as emotional as I was that day. I was ready, my family is here joining me to celebrate, let’s do this. 

As I lay on the table one last time with the radiation machine doing its thing, the tears started to flow. The realization that this was it, the months of prayer, the months of pausing, the months of research and really figuring out what was best for me- it was finally done. I didn’t EVER have to come back to this Cancer Center, walk back to this very sterile room, tell them my name, birthday, which breast was getting radiated, and verify that was me on their screen they were about to zap. 

 At this point in treatment, I’m getting a “boost” so it did not require me to hold my breath. The targeted area being zapped was far enough away from my heart. Good thing or it would have taken awhile to finish with me trying not to sob! It did require me to be still though. The tears trickled down my cheeks as the machine hummed, red lights flashed and the equipment circled me.  I’m ready for this part of my journey to be done. 

And just like that, 20 radiation sessions, 20 drives to town, 20 hellos and goodbyes… complete, done, finished! 

The staff retrieved my family from the waiting room to celebrate with me as I ring the bell and commemorate the end of a very big year for all of us. 

Cancer doesn’t just effect the patient, it affects the people closest to you too. We all walk it out, some silently watching, some a part of the driving crew, some supporting from afar with phone calls and flowers. It’s definitely not a one man show. 

Next, T and I went into the room down the hall to see the doc. A nurse I hadn’t seen before was there first to go through the list of questions about how I’m feeling and question the side effects to the radiation. Every 5 treatments requires a check-in with the doctor. 

After saying No, No, No to question after question- he looked at me and said- we usually don’t have patients without any side effects. I smiled. He didn’t know my prayer on day one, now did he? Dr DeCosta came in next.   Dr. DeCosta is a gem. She always hugs me, smiles and celebrates the wins.  We chatted a bit, she looked at my skin, I got my discharge instructions and cried a bit more.

I wanted her to know what I prayed. I wanted her to hear the goodness of the Lord, but I couldn’t tell her yet. I would have sobbed right then and there, so I’ll be sending her this post instead.  

I stopped and prayed at the sliding glass door on day one before I walked into that building- “God let me walk out the same way I walk in” and Glory to God- 

  I walked out the same way I walked in! 

My breast is a bit more tan and I have a small patch of itchy skin, but that’s it! No fatigue, no burning, no other crazy symptoms that are on that long list the nurse read off. 

Thank you Lord for answered prayers! He is merciful and gracious. 

We left the Cancer Center and drove to Fuzzy’s for some of my favorite food, Mexican! Time to celebrate and rejoice! I. Am. Done! 

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones 

10 Down, 10 to Go!

 

Today marks Day 10 of radiation treatment. And I am doing well! No crazy side effects at all. Sometimes when I lay there waiting for them to tell me to take a deep breath and hold, I wonder if they turned the crazy thing on!  I am so thankful for God’s graciousness towards me. I’m thankful for answered prayer! I'm thankful for the insight into living well during treatment. I’m thankful I’m halfway done! I’m thankful for this joyful season! I’m thankful my husband’s support! So much to be truly thankful up for this month. 

Almost done. ✔️ 

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones

One day, then the next, then the next.

 Radiation treatment has begun. Yep. 

20 treatments, 20 days.  

I was soooo hesitant to walk through that door and start radiation treatment. Actually, a bit anxious and a lot scared. I just needed more. More information, more science, more understanding, and more of Jesus. Healing comes in multiple ways. God uses his mighty hand with miracles and he uses the marvels of medicine, he uses food, and he uses people. I’m tapping into all of these this month! 

I did all my homework. And anyone who knows me knows, I am a research queen. I prayed and prayed again. WE prayed and prayed again. This journey isn’t just mine. My sweet man is walking it hand in hand with me. Terrell and I are doing this together. He’s even drinking my veg smoothies! 

Now it’s the last step, radiation. 

Daily I drive down to St. Francis Peregrine Center and get zapped as I lovingly call it, then head home. I’m sure I’ll be a super hero with some special power when I’m done. I have creams I use twice a day to keep my breast protected, I have a calendula topical tea I use after each treatment as well that helps with any inflammation, and so far- all is well! 4 treatments down, 16 to go. I’ll finish up on the 28th of December. I am taking 20 mg of melatonin and a mushroom supplement daily to grab the yuck from radiation and get it out of my body. Actually, I am taking a plethora of supplements right now to strengthen me as I walk this out. Between that, exercise and good nutrition- most of the time😉, I feel really good. 

My desire, my prayer, that you can pray with me is this- Lord, let me walk out of those doors on day 20 as good as I’m walking in on day 1. Let me bring joy to this place and a bit of Jesus every time I come. ( I prayed this as I was just about to walk in for my first treatment)  They see a lot of patients each day. I am sure some of the stories are quite hard. I’m believing God has me here for such a time as this. He is my healer. He can protect my heart, my lung, and my skin and my breast tissue throughout this whole month. They keep preparing me for the fatigue that’s supposed to hit day 14 and beyond. I say- No. My God is bigger than day 14 and beyond. 

Please pray with me, for me. I so appreciate it!

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones