Radiation plans

 

Here's a picture of my Fairy Garden...

So today I met with the radiation oncologist. 

With the type of surgery I did, I knew up front that I would have to have radiation treatment.

I will need 18 radiation treatments, every day (M-F) for 3 1/2 weeks. 

Before I start the actual radiation, I have to have an extra long planning session where they do CT and figure out where they are going to zap you. I also will have to get 3 small tattoos (the size of a "freckle"). Frank was very sweet bc he said if they bother me I could get them lasered away later. There is the option to use a sharpie, but it's not as accurate. 

Apparently, the radiation will make my breast red and peeling, like a sunburn. (And that's the best-case scenario). 

I knew this was coming but I feel really overwhelmed. I am pretty much crying every day, tho work is a good distraction, and it's only really bad at night. 

Physically I am also finally feeling better, however, I feel like as soon as I start to feel like myself, that's when the radiation will start, and I'll feel bad again.  

It's really hard for me to think ahead, and think down the road. I know I will have to go on hormone-blocking drugs after the radiation. I am also dreading those. 

It's so challenging bc obviously there is a spectrum of responses to everything. Some people say the radiation was no big deal and they didn't have many side effects. Other people have terrible side effects, even years down the road. I, of course, can't know how I will react until I'm in the thick of it.

I have one last getaway coming up this weekend, we are going to an Atlanta suburb for the wedding of my cousin's daughter. I'm really looking forward to the happy occasion. We did have to cancel the trip we had planned in May with our foodie group bc it's likely the radiation will start right around May 1, and continue through most of May. 

The next possible work trip is July 20-21, and I'm hoping I'll be energetic enough to go (I don't know where yet).

I don't know what else to say- give me a call if you want to chat live

Thanks for reading