Monday, May 19, 2008

Radiation All Pau



Well, I’m all done with my radiation…YAY! Thank goodness because my body wasn’t ready for any more. On my last day of radiation I was so sick that I had to close my eyes and repeat “Logan, Mason, Logan, Mason” in my head to have the strength to make it through my last session. As soon as I was able to get off the table I almost ran to the bathroom to throw up. It felt great and horrible at the same time. I didn’t realize that radiation had a delayed effect. Whatever I was feeling at the end of treatment was basically symptoms from two weeks prior. I knew that even though I was going to be done I had another to weeks of nausea and extreme fatigue to go. It was like all of a sudden the fatigue set in. For almost a week I couldn’t get out of bed. I only had the energy to use the bathroom and eat. Then it was back to bed.

I had my follow-up appointment with my oncologist and was happy to hear that there was no trace on my PET scan of any cancer cells. But he was quick to tell me that it doesn’t mean I’m cancer-free. He said the PET scan could only detect cancer cells at a certain amount. So what does that mean for me? Well, for the next 5 years I will go for repeat scan and test to make sure it doesn’t come back. If after 5 years of not being able to detect any cancers cells then we can say I’m cancer-free. Luckily for me Hodgkins Lymphoma has a 90% chance of being cured after a combination of chemo and radiation. I feel like I’m already cured. I feel great! I feel wiser! I feel happy!

I was at the Kalihi Sunset in park and Ilona Irvine was on stage singing. She has a beautiful voice and the last song she sang was "Thank you Lord" originally by Bob Marley. Wow! As she was singing my tears just started rolling down my face. Every line I felt was just for me.

THANK YOU LORD lyrics

Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.

Say I'm in no competition,
But I made my decision.
You can keep your opinion.
I'm just calling on the wise man's communion.

Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.

Sing along, sing along.

I don't fear their humiliation,
Just to prove my determination.
I don't yield to temptation,
I haven't learn't my lesson in Revelation.

Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.

Sing along, sing along.

Say I'm in no competition
But I made my decision,
Lord, in my simple way.
Comin', comin', comin', comin'.
I love to pray.

Thank you, Lord, for what you've done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev'ry little thing.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!!!!!! I KNOW YOU ARE CURED ASH. I AM ON A HAPPY CLOUD. THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER. WE LOVE YOU KIDDO.

EEPS

Reel Services/Hawaii, Inc. said...

I'm doin' the happy dance for you, Ashley. I doubt a lousy cancer cell could manage to penetrate your positive spirit. The body is truly amazing at how it can regroup and regenerate after an assault of illness and toxic treatments. But, the spirit. That's the most amazing part of all. Well done. Congratulations.

Big hugs...Sue

Anonymous said...

Aloha,

May the good lord bless you and your Ohana.

Everytime I sing this song on stage I will think of you and send a pray out to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Princess Ilona