I will not be radioactive and other things to know about radiation

Interesting meeting with the nurse to discuss upcoming radiation treatments. First, Todd and I watched a lovely video created circa 1986 covering all the key points of radiation. I think the socks-and-sandals-look of the guy in the video was for dramatic purposes, but I could be wrong.

Then we talked with the nurse and went through some documentation. Two key points from this she was kind enough to emphasize:

1. You will not be radioactive from having the treatment;
2. If you smell something funny during treatment, it is the machine. It is not your flesh burning. 

This really left me with one nagging question - Who are the people that need to be told these two things? 

The primary side effects are skin irritation and fatigue, but both shouldn't start until about two weeks into treatment. The fatigue is from the body trying to heal itself. The radiation creates free radicals that attack the cells being treated. Cancer cells cannot repair themselves, so they die. Normal cells begin to repair themselves between treatments. With the number of treatments, the normal tissue has a tough job.

I start radiation treatments on Wednesday, February 27th. There will be 30 treatments; 5 days per week.  I will be done with treatment on April 9th!

Oh Joy!

I cannot begin to express how relieved I am that I do not need chemotherapy! The Oncotype DX test came back and my cancer was in the low-risk category. I called to make an appointment to have my hair cut and colored on the way home from my appointment with my oncologist. ;-) Emotionally so much better than shopping for a wig!

The next step in treatment is radiation. This is still recommended to ensure that all of the cancer cells in the breast are eradicated. I have an appointment on February 15^th to kick off this process. It includes an appointment with a nurse for some education and then a simulation to find and mark the area to radiate. It could include a CT Scan, an x-ray, or both. The process takes about an hour. I don’t yet know when the treatment will start.

I also need to take a drug named Arimidex for five years. I know – that’s a long time. The prescription arrived today but I don’t have to start taking it until after radiation is finished. Dr. Gitau said that it is easier to identify side effects of the radiation and the medication if not doing them at the same time. And in the grand scheme of things, waiting 5 weeks (+ or -) won’t affect anything.

Time to start thinking about going back to work! This makes me a little nervous because I have so little stamina for sitting. I feel as if I am behind in rebuilding endurance due to having the second surgery and then tearing the sutures. The appointment with my OB/GYN on Monday will hopefully shed some light on the subject.

I have been out and about a little bit this week – ALL BY MYSELF! Target and I were reacquainted yesterday. I think I heard angels singing as I walked in the door…

I am doing well and in good spirits knowing that I am very close to putting this treatment behind me.