Lisa's F-Cancer Blog

I have five more days of radiation and then I’m done with my cancer treatment! Today I had some films taken and some simulations done in preparation for the last four days, which will focus on the surgical area of my breast. Instead of laying (lying?) on my back with my arms over my head, I’ll be on my left side.

So far I only have slight fatigue and my nipple area is really tender. The skin looks good, though there’s still time to develop the sunburn side effect (I know people who got it at the end). We’ll see…

I did ask how often the equipment breaks. They tend to have more frequent smaller issues that are fixed within hours. The larger malfunctions happen maybe twice a year. The one I experienced was actually fixed by that afternoon, though too late for me.

It’s been almost 13 weeks since I had chemo. The oncology nurse said it could take up to a year for my taste buds to return to normal. Hopefully it won’t take that long!

I’m in the home stretch!

I posted the following on Facebook today:

I didn’t expect to be spending my 50th birthday in active treatment for breast cancer. Thankfully, I’m halfway done with radiation (having already gone through chemo and surgery). Between this brush with my mortality and having a sister who died just before her 26th birthday, I’m ok with this milestone birthday. It is a privilege to age! Bring it on!

Thank you to everyone who took the time out of your day to wish me a happy birthday, and for all the love and support you’ve given me this difficult year. The next one will undoubtedly be better!

While laying (lying?) on the radiation table yesterday, I had a thought. So much technology and hardware are involved with radiation. How often does something not work?

Cue a phone call I got just now. Today’s session is cancelled because the machine isn’t working. The session will now be added to the end. Any more delays, and my treatment will extend into June.

“I hope it’s fixed by Monday!” I said.

“They have all weekend to work on it,” was the response. I’m glad the technicians are willing to work on it over the weekend!

Speaking of people who don’t have weekends – or any days – off, Happy (early) Mother’s Day! I get to celebrate in person with mine!

P.S. I’m going to ask at my next session how often they’re forced to cancel.

I now have one week of radiation under my belt!

I asked whether there’s a noise during radiation, and was told no. The sessions are so fast! It’s more of a hassle driving to/from the appointment and taking off/putting on my clothes from the waist up. At least the warmer temperatures coming our way will make that easier (no jacket or sweater on top of my shirt and bra!).

I met with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Tokol, on Thursday, as I will every Thursday, to check in and see how my skin is doing. So far so good. He confirmed that around two weeks is when side effects tend to kick in. I told him that’s around my birthday, when I turn the big 5-0. He said they’ll do whatever they can to help, but let’s face it – they really can’t do anything!

I just did some Internet sleuthing about taste bud changes. Obviously everyone is different and it can sometimes take a really long time to return to normal. It does seem, however, that 2-3 months is typical. It’s been 10+ weeks since chemo so maybe in a few weeks, it’ll be better?

My first radiation session was indeed painless and quick. I couldn’t even tell when it was happening. I meant to ask if there’s a noise the machine makes when emitting radiation; I’ll try to remember tomorrow.

I’m to moisturize twice a day and forgot that I shouldn’t do it at least two hours beforehand. Thankfully a friend reminded me, and the nurse mentioned it when I asked about the frequency. I came home and immediately put Aloe Vera gel on, and will do so again before bed.

This afternoon, I met with the benign hematologist about my blood clot. He said it was minor and to stay on the blood thinner for three months. That means I can stop (no ultrasound or tapering needed) at the end of June. There’s a 2% chance it will come back, but he said not to worry about it. If I have surgery in the future, I’m to tell the surgeon I had a blood clot so they can put me on a low dose of blood thinner for a few days.

I asked why it happened, and he matter-of-factly asked me a question in return: “Why did you get breast cancer?”