Wednesday 1 August 2012: Treatment Day

This morning I awoke feeling pretty sick to my stomach - probably from the thyrogen shots I had received over the past two days, but also probably from anxiety about the radio-active iodine treatment. As I sat in the waiting room of the nuclear research lab at the hospital, I made use of the wifi on my iPod to look at Blipfoto. The kind, supportive comments that you lovely lot left for me on my 31st of July blip brought some smiles and tears. The caring words and knowing how many of you were praying for me really made me feel surrounded by love and not at all alone. Thank you.

After I finished reading your comments, the tech called me and took me into the treatment room. She was very kind, sat down with me, and went over the precautions. She answered the millions of questions I had for her and made me feel so much better about the whole thing. So much of the fear I've had coming up to the treatment is fear of the unknown and of feeling contaminated. She helped calm my fears and helped me to understand how the radiation would affect those around me. Then, I took the pill and she sent me on my way. As I walked back to the car, I started feeling panic, as I thought of what I had just put into my body. However, I stopped myself and asked God to give me the peace for which so many of you were praying, and I immediately calmed down. I then drove home to meet my husband, who drove behind me up to the cabin. He had our dog, Vincent, in the car with him, as it wouldn't be good for a dog or a human to be in the car with me for the 1.5-hour drive. He also wanted to ensure I got settled and I appreciated the company, even if he was in another car on the way up. Once everything was unloaded, he left to go pick up Larkyn from my parents' house and take her home for her nap.

The only side effect I have felt today from the treatment is a headache, and it's not that bad at all. I am so very thankful. I just didn't know what to expect and I had heard horror stories of the reactions some people have to it. I felt good enough to completely unpack everything I had brought with me and settle in. Then, this evening, Vincent (pictured here) and I went for a walk along a path I have followed ever since I was a little girl. It is a deer trail that the deer and elk keep very well-traveled.

Larkyn had a wonderful time with her grandparents today, and this evening, she and my husband called me. I hadn't really had many opportunities to hear her little voice over the phone before now, and it was a little different than in real-life, maybe even sounding a little more grown-up. It was so sweet, and I know she's in good hands with Dada. She knows that Mama is up in the mountains with Vincent, and she seems okay with that.

I feel so much better now. Even though the treatment is not yet complete, the most difficult part of it is over, and I feel that this is just the start of a wonderful new beginning for me - happy days without the dark shadow of thyroid cancer hanging over me. Thanks to all of you for your incredible support as I've gone through the most difficult time of my life. I am so grateful that I found this community. So grateful that I found each of you. Thank you a million times over. And thanks to God for answering your prayers about how my body would react to this treatment. So much thankfulness fills my soul. ?

• NIKON D7000:
• f/2.8:
• 1/320":
• 35.0mm:
• ISO 400

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