I started my radiation therapy for breast cancer last week. I have 6 of 20 treatments under my belt. So far, so good–the only side effects I have noticed has been slight redness of my skin in the zone receiving radiation. I actually think I have become MORE productive since I have to stick to a set schedule! My only complaint is the 40 minute drive each way, but I have been catching up on my podcasts, so it is time well-spent.
I really like my radiation therapy techs! One of them is very pregnant and will soon be gone; I will miss her. My radiation will be over by the time she would come back from maternity leave. I mostly see the same patients/family members in the waiting room each morning. The staff is very efficient, so we don’t have much time to talk, but we smile and greet each other every day. I do my best to smile and say, “good morning” to as many people as I can each day–it makes ME feel better and hope it helps them, too!
For anyone who has never seen the machine used for radiation therapy, I am including a picture. This shows the machine and the position one needs to be in for the treatment. Fortunately, each treatment only lasts about 3-4 minutes. It takes longer for the techs to line you up properly than it does for the dose of radiation!
I will probably wait to post this until I have more treatments under my belt. It is hard to give an accurate depiction of radiation therapy after only a few sessions. I can say that the radiation therapy department at UPMC-Passavant’s Hillman Cancer Center is very efficient. and all of the staff I have encountered have been extremely pleasant. No complaints here!
Update After 2 Weeks
I am now 50% done with radiation. Although I have noticed some skin flaking and a small (tiny really) blister in the treatment area, and some tightness when I do my PT exercises, but I consider myself lucky so far!
I have begun exercising again! Dancing has always been my preferred method of fitness, so I found an app that has 10 minute dance workouts (that is my speed for now). Of course, I continue to do my PT daily also.
My step-daughter, Haley, sent me the most thoughtful and appropriate gifts. She sent a coloring book entitled, “Boobies Gone but I Rock On!” I enjoy coloring and find it very relaxing, so this was perfect. Also included was a mug for coffee or tea that says, “Dear Cancer, You Picked the Wrong BITCH.” I love both gifts!!
The end is in sight!
I am finally feeling as if I am in the home stretch of this journey! After 10 more radiation therapy treatments, I then will see the Medical Oncologist on 8/23. I still need to schedule my genetic testing, and have the cardiac procedure done, but I feel that the majority of my fight is almost over! The profound sense of relief I feel is palpable!
I am also starting to look ahead and think about trips for 2024! This year was supposed to involve a lot of travel, but those things got waylaid by my diagnosis. Therefore, I would like to rebook my trip to the UK for next spring, and I’m looking at Airbnb’s for Tina and I to go on our annual girls’ trip. Right now I am looking at Baltimore (Inner Harbor), New Orleans (on both of our wish lists) and Las Vegas. I’m leaning toward Baltimore–we could even invite Sherry (Tina’s childhood best friend) , Nancy (my childhood bestie) and/or Haley to visit us while we are there since they all live in Virginia!
I feel truly blessed at this moment in time!