More (than you ever wanted to know) on Radiation

I will go daily, Monday through Friday, minus weekends and holidays for 31 more radiation sessions. I can get there and home in about an hour. Actually, Don is driving me. I can drive myself but it's nice to have a chauffeur. It's a 12:45 pm appointment. There was less traffic at that time than the 11 am appointment I had the day before.

Do they cover other parts of my body with lead aprons during my radiation? No. It's a very localized treatment. The radiation therapist said there isn't "scatter" like in other kinds of x-rays (dental, etc.) She also said it was a high power something or other kind of machine.

Along with skin changes (sunburn-like rash, dryness, itching) that start to occur at about weeks 2 to 3 with dryness possibly lingering 3 months after treatment, there are several long term side effects like brittle ribs and a couple of others that may affect 5 out of 10,000 people. It will not affect my heart or lungs. They re-measure the treatment area every 5 treatments. I don't feel or see anything during a treatment. One last thing: the room is cold because of the equipment. And there I am lying on a narrow, sliding, metal table, practically naked. The table moves as the eqipment moves around me. It's not like an MRI or PET/CT scan equipment. I don't go into a tube. Here's a picture and more info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you/page3 That's the huge machine that moves around me.

There was more to tell. I'm glad I checked my notes. Oh, and did you make that mammogram appointment? For those of you who are keeping up with them, good for you! For those of you who are avoiding it--don't! I am glad that you're working on it Lori! Love you! nancy

Radiation

I had the first of 33 treatments. Not much to tell. It is a larger area than they mapped out in the tattoo session. It's like getting two long x-rays. Then I'm done.

See you later-

Wednesday; July 25

Here's a little soap boxing: Did you (or your girlfriends or your wives) get a mammogram yet? Get it done! It is scary when you don't know what you might find. However, if something is there, it's better to find it sooner than later. Breast cancer is very treatable.

Got the port out last Wednesday. It didn't bruise as much as when it was put in. It was still unpleasant. I don't like lidocaine. It stings and burns going in. Then the doc didn't put enough in so when he was stitching up the incision, I could feel about half of it. It's over.

I'll see my oncologist now in three months. I'll see him every three months for three years. That's alot of appointments. I see the surgeon every three months, too. I'm not sure for how long.

I went to Ohio for a high school friend's wedding reception. Karen and Chip were married July 6 in the mountains. They live in Virginia. Karen's family is in Ohio and all of us high school friends have family there or live there. It was so great to see everyone. How blessed we are to have these friends!

Tattoos are done

I now have three blue dots to add to my freckles. It was quick and not so prickly with the needle. But how do people stand to get the real tattoos? Do you drink alot before you go? I'll start radiation by the end of the month. I have to go for a simulation next Thursday. Then they will set the schedule. I'll have more to tell you then.

Tomorrow, oncologist & arm port removal.

Monday; July 9

Last week, Monday and Tuesday were just teasers. I felt blah the rest of the week. That's not how it went the other times. Usually I would feel blah the first 5 or so days after chemo. Anyway, I got impatient because I was hoping to just feel good and not bad. Better over the weekend and today. Although I did have blood drawn today and one of the numbers was low. That's why I'm not feeling as good. And "blah" is an official term. This is the low point in the chemo timeline and I should be feeling better soon.

Is there any conversation you'd like to start? Any discussions you'd like to have? I could give you an update on the hives. They are mostly gone. Except when my skin is dry, I scratch itchy spots and they come back. About those hairs left on my head: a friend suggested I wax them. Uh, no. But I might shave them with a razor and shaving cream.

It looks like I'll start radiation July 25. I'll find out next Tuesday for sure. I called to find out if I'd start in July. Our health insurance changes Aug. 1. As long as I've started treatment, the new insurance will allow me to keep this doctor and pay it as in-network even if this doctor is in their out-of-network list. I'm already established with this doctor but I wanted to make sure. I found out the insurance is changing the same day I found out I bounced two checks. I was only $19 overdrawn. The bank did pay them but still charged me. The clue I had was when my balance was less than the deposit I had made. Oh well. It's only money. To quote Jay.

Talk to you soon, nancy

Tuesday; July 3

I don't want to say it too loudly, but the hives are gone. And I feel almost normal. I usually don't feel so good for another week. I'm not complaining!

So life is kind of normal. As normal as it gets for me. And I can't think of a thing to tell you! More later...