December 21, 2017 – Thursday
I just finished my last radiation treatment and we had a party – sort of. As Sue and I walked into the building we could hear an alarm or something. Sue said it sounded like a large piece of equipment backing up and it did. As soon as we walked in, we were shocked at the loudness of the fire alarm and the brightness of the flashing lights!! They told us someone had evidently burned popcorn in the staff room and they were waiting on the fire truck men to turn off the alarm. They had followed procedures and checked all the rooms and put towels on the floor in front of the doors of the cleared rooms. It was sort of strange looking to say the least. However, business was carrying on pretty much as normal. So I put on my hospital gown and away we went.
The treatment was like the other “boost” treatments and then it was over. They gave me a certificate for finishing the treatment and let me ring the bell. I heard shouts from other rooms in the building signifying they were happy I had finished also. Then of course, we made photos. It was a very nice finish.
The area around and under my breast should continue to worsen for about a week and then the improvement should start. She said most of the dead skin will be gone in about a month and in about a year the skin should no longer be discolored much at all. Here is a photo of my underboob that shows how the skin is dying and discolored but it should be improving soon.
My hair has really been growing – it looks almost normal now. I actually went and had a haircut the other day – it was actually just a neck trim because it had become like a little duck tail in the back!! I do like the way it is looking so I may be keeping it quite short next summer, but I’ll let it grow some before then!!
Both of my biggest toenails are still in the process of coming off. I just hope they last a while longer so they don’t rip skin or tissue off when they come off!! Yikes!
My fingernails are growing out nicely and no more of those little white lines have formed so I expect they will grow out in time as my body returns to normal.
I have future appointments with all the doctors and I will be getting my port flushed out monthly – I really look forward to having that removed but they want to wait until June. I wish they’d do it soon.
Other than those appointments, it looks like my life can now be a regular life again. The process was rather intense, but overall it went much better and easier than I expected. It did make me appreciate health in a whole new way!!!
Melanie's Journey Through Cancer 
Congratulations on your bravery, optimism, and journaling straight through to the end of all your treatments!!!!! Hallelujah! You did it! We are all rejoicing with you. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
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