Oct 12, 2023
Treatment day 224: 167 days left!
It feels good to be on the downhill side of things! I like that my “days left” are smaller than my days in treatment.
There isn’t much going on except that I’m moving forward. Labs are good as always, echocardiogram came back looking great. The oncologist clarified that if the echo came back with any issues that this particular treatment only causes temporary changes unlike some other ones that could cause permanent damage. We would just wait a couple weeks and take a break. But so far it hasn’t been an issue.
My follow up with my lead surgeon went well, she was just checking on me and didn’t have much to say other than her tangent about the radiation oncologist having an inappropriate sense of humor.
Next follow up is in 6 months.
The radiation oncology office as a whole does have a relaxed inappropriate sense of humor, but it makes things more fun and interesting!
I had a CT scan to start getting ready for my treatment plan. I will do treatments 5 days a week for 5 weeks so they’re scheduling me closer which is only a 30 minute drive instead of over an hour. I’ll do a simulation on the 17th which is basically a dry run in the machine. It’ll simulate my treatment without using radiation to make sure they get positioning and things set up correctly. They’ll do my first actual treatment the same day if there’s time, but might schedule that another day.
Plastic surgeon is on hold for now until this necrosis heals. It’s looking much better but needs to be gone before we proceed. Now it’s in the hands of the radiation oncologist. If it heals completely and I’m still in rad therapy then it’ll be up to him if I should wait until he’s done so it doesn’t throw off what he’s doing.
Overall, I’m doing great. Things are still moving, but it feels so slow sometimes. Other times I can’t believe how much time has passed so fast.
It seems like I was just in clinicals specializing in mammography and spending 2 weeks in radiation therapy exploring career options. Never imagined I’d be on this side of it all. But I’m getting through it! It’s “almost” over!
Oct 17, 2023
Today in radiation therapy turned out to just be simulation. I got my own cubby with my name on it to keep my gown in in-between visits and my things in when I’m in the machine. The real deal starts tomorrow. #1 out of 25! Then my 3 major treatment hurdles are over! Except another surgery eventually but I’m told that’s a 2 week recovery instead of a 6 week recovery.
Yay for getting through this!
Oct 20, 2023
Treatments 1, 2 and 3 done! 22 more to go!
Side effects will be a little longer before I start to feel it. Mostly skin irritation and possibly fatigue. I’m already fatigued! I’ve been fatigued! I beat them to it! Maybe a little more and I can actually sleep at night. This might be doing me a favor.
The techs are awesome! It’s a small office and it’s only 2 men there so first day felt awkward, but they are very friendly and professional! No dogs running around this office so they must know what their doing. haha
When I was in clinicals doing a radiation therapy rotation I remember following a patient through discovering he had cancer, hearing the family’s conversations about treatment options, simulation and first day. I was intrigued and curious to know the patient’s perspective. I should have clarified that I didn’t want to BE the patient!
The universe was like: You really want to know… here see for yourself!
Oct 27, 2023
Radiation Therapy day 8. Conversation laying on the table…
Me: I was almost a radiation therapist but life happened.
Radiation therapist: (way too excited about this) you should get back into school and go for it. What an incredible story you would have to tell. You could speak at the ASTRO conference! Do you like public speaking?
Me: Nope! Not even a little bit. I’d be that person that gets in front of everyone and passes out.
R.T.: Well…… that would be a memorable conference too!
Me: Ummm….
Oct 31, 2023
Breast cancer treatment is when you forget what it feels like to meet new people with your shirt still on! HA!
Treatment day 243, 148 left to go!
Radiation therapy day 10!
Yesterday was labs and oncologist. Labs haven’t come in yet but the dr was sure they would be fine. I have tolerated all my treatment well so far. My echocardiogram came back with no issues. The oncologist is happy with everything and said to just keep chugging along.
Today was radiation therapy day 10 and radiation oncologist day. I have a weekly check in with the radiation oncologist (different from my regular oncologist) while I’m in radiation therapy. So far no side effects yet. The radiation oncologist was a different doc this week, but with no complaints or questions from me he said to just keep chugging along.
Tomorrow I have my next Phesgo injection. This is the one that I get every 3 weeks through March 2024. I’m not noticing many side effects from that either. I’m so greatful to be able to tolerate everything that I’m going through as well as I am! This could be so much worse!
My necrosis is almost completely healed. I was concerned about that, but it looks like with just a little bit more patience it’ll clear up completely. Maybe in the next week.
So, as of right now I’ll just keep chugging along!
10 down, here’s to 15 more!