Radiation

I met with the Radiation Oncologist again on June 22. She reviewed what to expect during radiation and was making sure I was healthy enough after chemo to withstand radiation. Everything looked good so they scheduled my “Mapping” Appointment for the 24th. If you remember from last post, we moved on June 23rd. So yes – that was another crazy week.

The mapping appointment lasted about 45 minutes. I had to put on a gown and go into a really cold room with the large circular machine. The gown came down and I had to hold my breath several times while they marked my chest with a pen and added clear tape on top. These marks have to stay until radiation is finished. They also had me lay on this pillow form to create a cast of the way I am supposed to lay at each appointment. The pillow will harden and I will use it each time to ensure I am in the same position each time. They called me on June 28th and set up my first radiation appointment for Tuesday, July 5 at 1:20. I have to have a total of 20 rounds.

When I arrived for my first radiation they gave me a kimono style gown that I will bring and wear to every radiation appointment. They took me to a different cold room with a large machine. I had to lay on the table on top of the cast they created for me last week. The gown came down again and then the crazy lights started. Red and green and squiggly. I had to close me eyes most of the time but I tried to peek to see what was happening. I had to hold my breath several times for about 20 seconds each time. The technicians were outside the room and were talking to me through a microphone. At the end of the treatment they had to add another mark right beside my nipple so that was fun. Of course if was a male technician that had to do that.

I met with the nurse and then the Dr. when I finished. She explained how to take care of the skin which is basically moisturizing 3 times a day with coconut oil or calendula ointment. I will go each weekday at 3:30 until the 20 rounds are complete. The main side effect with radiation is skin irritation and fatigue. I am pretty used to the fatigue at this point.

I haven’t mentioned my hair in a while. My hair continued to fall out during the Taxol treatment. I had several spots that were completely bald on my crown and on the back. I wear my wig when I go to work and the rest of the time I wear a scarf or a hat. At home I am just bald because it has been so hot! Wearing a wig in the summer is the worst. I guess my family is used to seeing me this way. This weekend we noticed that I have some fuzzy hair growing in! I am so happy to see it. However, my eyelashes and eyebrows have gone away in the past week. I went to Ulta today to get some fake eyelashes and eyebrow tattoos so we will see how that goes. Hopefully they will grow back soon.

I think I have been so busy with the move and everything else going on I haven’t really had time to focus on what I have gone through. I have just taken it one day at a time. It has gotten me this far so I guess I will continue this practice through radiation as well. I know all of this will hit me at some point and I will have to deal with the emotions of having and beating cancer, how my appearance has changed and how my life has changed. For now I will focus on the positive which is my wonderful family and friends who have prayed for me and loved me through this.