Last Week of Radiation Treatments

Friends, if you need anything from the Radiation Oncology Department, now is the time to ask me to get it for you.  I can offer you various ancient magazines, salves and ointments, or perhaps you would like a stack of folded hospital gowns?  One size fits all, and they are cool and breathable.

Friday is my last radiation treatment.  Praisallujah!  Can I get a what what?  It's number 28, at long last.  That means 28 times of:  making that forty-minute commute; writing my name on the slip of paper at check-in; putting my clothes in a metal locker; remembering to put on my little patient bracelet; bounding into the treatment room so as not to appear frail; being scooched into place on the table by the therapists (Omega once told me, "You line up good"); watching the machine move into position; holding still, or breathing, or zoning out; hopping up again; remembering to be friendly; getting my clothes; stuffing my gown in a hamper in the dressing room; and scrubbing my hands on the way out. 

Today I actually paused and looked around the dressing room and took in all the artwork and the inspirational/motivational posters.  I thought, "I really hope that after this week I never see this room again."  It's a good place, though, and they are good people.

What am I going to do with all my free time next week?

The really tricky part of this whole course of radiation was to not shop my way up and down the boulevard as I went to and from treatment.  As I mentioned before, because of Hank's school schedule, I have had time to kill on both ends, and my route takes me through some prime shopping.  It would have been easy to lose myself in retail therapy.  And there was some of that.  As a direct result of my radiation commute, I acquired:

• seven pairs of Victoria's Secret panties.  They don't work for me so they're going to my sister.  "Cheekster" style, wha?
• Two J.Crew tees and two tanks
• A salad set from Pottery Barn (but it was a wedding gift!)
• A sunbrella bolster pillow from Pottery Barn (yes, known issue, the pillows are a problem)
• Several old Cake songs (from iTunes)
• Unabridged audio Pride And Prejudice (also iTunes)
• Gazillion Old Navy tank tops when they went down to like a dollar
• Two-buck Chuck from Trader Joes
• Two Scarpetta books from bargain table at B&N
• Numerous little-girl gift closet (Christmas?) items from B&N clearance
• Coffees too numerous to count 
• I might be forgetting some TJ Maxx flotsam in here somewhere

Now, stuff I bought myself not on my route but nonetheless as a direct result of feeling like I'm undergoing radiation and therefore "need a present":

• Frye "Jane" boots in vintage brown

So that's not too bad.  I was prevented from shopping more by all the reading I did in the mornings at coffee shops.  Nice times.  And let's talk about what I didn't buy, you know?  Namely:

• The black leather and embroidery Isabella Fiore hobo at TJ Maxx last week.  It was $250, instead of $500.  Which is still $250.  It was gorgeous, beautifully finished, and not too much hardware.  I carried it around for a while (I practice catch-and-release shopping sometimes).  Then I put it back.  Then I picked it up.  Then I thought of two things: 1) that is the amount of money it is going to cost to get our broken shingles fixed; and 2) I could start carrying the Isabella Fiore purse that I ALREADY HAVE.  Then I put it back.  Since I left it there I've only thought about it a dozen times or so.   

Okay, most bullet-pointed post ever?  Bottom line is, last week of radiation.  And I hope you are all feeling fine too.
xoxo