Page 63 2025 PAINT THE PAPER PINK Lincoln Daily News Oct/Nov 2025 hear that. Cindy said, “my first chemotherapy treatment was on January 17, 2025, but first I needed a port put in for easy vein access. I only had four treatments every 21 days.” For Cindy, the chemo was easy as she could sit in a comfy chair and relax. However, the next day you get a shot, to increase white blood cells. Fortunately, Cindy said her daughter Jodie Merritt gave her the shots so they didn’t need to go back to Springfield. They were able to get the medicine for the shot mailed by CVS pharmacy, but it cost $2000. Cindy said, “my last chemo was March 21st. When your treatment is over your body wants to get rid of that medicine, docetaxel and cytoxin. You smell it on your skin, it makes you tired, you have bone pain to where you don’t want to walk and nothing tastes good. In addition, your head and your body hurt as your hair follicles die and all your hair starts to fall out. Cindy said her arms and legs got achy as the hair follicles were dying and crinkling up like leaves. Radiation treatment began on May 2, 2025, and there were 16 treatments. The treatments are daily with no weekends, so Cindy said she made 16 trips to Springfield. With the radiation treatments, Cindy said, “you are in and out in 30 minutes.” On the downside, Cindy said, “there is burning on the skin that takes a while to heal and didn’t show up until I was almost done with treatment.” The girls in the family shaved my head together. I was impressed by how quickly the process moved. Everyone at the Simmons
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