Gettin' Ready to Get My Glow On

And so it begins.....

It has now been 5 weeks since my final chemo session. I have to admit, it was nice to have a break from the Cancer Centre.  As I recovered from chemo, I could almost pretend that I was perfectly fine and that Toby and I had never met (unless I looked in a mirror, of course - I am still bald as a cue ball).  However, it is time to step back into reality and to prepare for phase 4 of my treatment plan:  The Radiation Grind.

On Tuesday of this past week, I had my initial consultation with my radiation oncologist where he presented my radiation treatment plan, timing, side effects, etc.  Today, I had my radiation mapping session - sort of a dry run for the actual treatment.  I had a couple of CT scans with lots of positioning, measurements and breath-holding.  All very science-fictiony and high-tech. I am also now the proud owner of my first tattoos:  a set of four little tiny permanent pin dots that look like freckles.  The radiation technicians use these tattoos to properly position the ray during actual treatment. My treatment plan is six weeks of daily (Monday-Friday) sessions, and I will be hitting the threshold of how much radiation that can safely be given.  By the end of the six weeks, I expect that I will glow in the dark.  I will be starting within two weeks.   

Of course, radiation presents its own set of side effects, albeit they are no where near as detrimental as chemo.  After the first week, I can expect a gradual increase of fatigue - the type that doesn't go away with rest - and a pretty hefty sun burn across my entire left breast and armpit. The radiation ray will also come very close to my esophagus and lungs, so I might also get a sore throat, have difficulty swallowing and a pesky dry cough.  There is a still a slight possibility that I might have some mild nausea.  

In addition, I started phase 3 of my plan just over two weeks ago:  hormone therapy.  It is just a little pill that I will have to take daily for the next five years. The medication blocks the production of estrogen, among a few other things, and basically throws you right into full-on menopause.  Gotta love the hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia.  Good times!  At least my weight is stable and I haven't gained anything, which was my number one concern with hormone therapy.  I can be so vain. 

This is what I envisioned my first tattoo would look like.  The tech who did the pin dots said that his skill wasn't there just yet - LOL!


Comments

  1. Joanne12 March 2022 at 11:53

    You are such an inspiration Pam. Even though you're going through something as devastating as this, your blogs (is that what the kids call them? Lol) , tell us you do it with strength, grace, and even humor! Keep on keeping on! XO

    ReplyDelete

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