Surgery is two weeks from today. I’m still waiting to find out when my seed insertion will be. I also need an ultrasound of my lymph nodes because the tech at the last ultrasound skipped that (probably assuming wrongly that I would be getting an MRI). Of course the only opening is at a UPMC hospital I haven’t visited yet because there’s no room at my normal hospitals.

And this morning I had my pre-op testing. I went to UPMC Montefiore, yet another hospital in the system, where it was a one-stop shop. It felt like I was in the Twilight Zone because the TV had on Fox “News” and all the clocks hadn’t been changed after Daylight Savings!

First my vitals were taken, and then I had an EKG. It literally took only two seconds! Then while I waited in the room for the doctor to come in, someone else entered. I explained I was deaf and needed to read her lips, so she pulled down her mask and said she was there to do a hearing screening. If I failed, they’d give me an amplifier. Obviously I didn’t need that! Why don’t they look at my chart, or is it even mentioned in there!?

When the resident came in, he had a clear mask – so at least they learned. He asked me screening questions and went over my medical history. He came back a little later with the doctor on duty, who told me that I’m a bit anemic. Could that possibly be contributing to my fatigue? COULD IT POSSIBLY???? I’m annoyed that when I brought up my fatigue last week, no one mentioned checking my iron levels or giving me some iron!

I got some iron tablets at the store after, and if my levels aren’t where they want them to be after checking my bloodwork, I might have to get iron via IV, which would get it in me faster.

The last stop was bloodwork. I then went home with a bag that has special body and face wash that I’m supposed to start using four days prior to surgery. I asked if it smelled, and the resident said he’s never used it. Well, I really hope it doesn’t smell!!!

This afternoon we met with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Torok. Before we actually met him, one of the nurses got my vitals (again) and took some history (again). I got a folder with key information and a bottle of aloe vera gel. She explained some of the radiation process and answered my questions and then had us watch several short, captioned videos about how it all goes down.

By the time the doctor came in, I only had a couple questions left. I like him and can tell I’ll be in good hands.

Assuming no evidence of cancer in the lymph nodes, the expected number of daily radiation sessions is about 20; this will be adapted based on the surgery. Radiation likely won’t start until 4-6 weeks after my surgery, unless my healing is going well and I’m ready earlier. Unfortunately, this means I’ll still be undergoing treatment on my 50th birthday! Wah!

When it gets closer to the start of this third phase, I’ll have a treatment planning CT where they’ll mark me up and create a plan based on this imaging. It’ll impact how I lay (lie?) on the table. It takes a week to get this plan ready. Then there’s a simulation or dry run visit, where I’ll be marked with a temporary tattoo and have x-rays done. They do everything but give me the radiation. If it goes well, then the next visit would be the start of treatment.

During treatment, each session will take roughly 10-15 minutes, not including the time to get ready and positioned, etc. I think the total visit length is 30-45 minutes. Every Thursday I’ll see the doctor for a skin check; the topical treatment will adjust accordingly.

There are side effects, of course, like fatigue. But the doctor confirmed that radiation fatigue isn’t as bad as chemo fatigue. The skin might become irritated and/or burned. Everyone is different, but given my proclivity to weird/all side effects, I’m expecting ‘em all.

I won’t be able to read my Kindle during sessions, but I’ll be in the same boat as everyone else – no music is played like they do for MRIs. So it’ll just be 10-15 minutes alone with my thoughts every day!

They’ll try to schedule me for the same time every day. Parking is so easy and is super close to the building, so at least something will go smoothly.

As I was writing this up, my bloodwork from this morning came in. I do have anemia, but don’t know what threshold is used for the iron infusion. My liver numbers are still high, but have come down a lot since they were last checked, so the downward trend is good.

In general, my fatigue miiiight be getting a bit better, though it’s hard to tell because of Daylight Savings, and now this anemia! No change in taste buds; it can take up to two months! I’ve also been nauseous almost every day. Someone posted in one of my online breast cancer groups that they’re experiencing these same symptoms and their last chemo was four days before me. So I’m not an outlier…

After six+ months of inactivity, I did finally take a slow walk on the treadmill this past Saturday. And Sunday. And Monday. I’m going to try to do it every day or as often as I can so I can start building up my strength and energy. In just a few days I’ll be in warmer weather and will want to take advantage; here’s hoping I’ll be up for it!