Radiation Consideration

The difficult decision to do radiation came after many hours of consideration, research (by me and my amigos), second/third/forth/fifth opinions, and a losing coin toss. 

Just kidding……….it was only 3 opinions.   

I visited a new radiation oncologist a few weeks ago on the recommendation of my traditional oncologist. While I was not impressed with his personality or demeanor, it was this visit that finally convinced me to have radiation treatment. This new doctor is a bit car-salesman-y and gives off an ‘oh, don’t you worry yourself about details; trust me, I’m the doctor’ vibe that I detest. But it’s not his personality I need, it’s his expertise and after all, I do trust him.

Dr. Pushy made me realize that the risks of cancer from the radiation (yeah—aint that a bitch?!) and damage to my heart are minor in comparison to the high risk of the live cancer cells left in my breast tissue forming a tumor again à recurrence. So, radiation it is. 

Here’s a glimpse at my pros & cons list of doing radiation.

Acceptable benefits:

·         Kill remaining cancer cells in my breast tissue and lymph nodes (kill or be killed, right?)

·         Will get everyone off my back about doing more (here’s the real reason, just being honest)

·         Nothing is injected into me (that’s what she said)

·         Treatments are painless (much more than I can say for the animals who were tested on to develop these treatments)

·         Each visit is relatively quick (except when they’re not)

·         I have time to reconnect with the old CD collection in my car (and perfect my in-car solo singing skillz)

·         Yeah, I still have CD’s in my car, whatever (which CD’s however, is likely quite embarrassing and top secret……but those who know me well, know it includes everything put out by Concrete Blonde, Neil Diamond, and Cyndi Lauper)

·         I can work—from home—because I won’t be sick and I have the best manager a girl could ask for in a time like this (seriously, I have an amazing support system at work) 

·         This treatment center—as opposed to a hospital—only does radiation for cancer patients (no fighting for parking in a garage or sharing the waiting area with virus-filled kids)

·         Only mild side effects: fatigue and sun burn-like burns to my skin (yes, there’s parenthetical commentary for each one, so what)

Barely acceptable negatives:

·         The rays will hit 5% of my left lung (not might or could, but will)

·         Damaging ½ my thyroid because Dr. Aggressive is radiating my supraclavicular area that extends to my neck (what the fuck!?)

·         Treatments are daily, Monday through Friday for 6.5 weeks (that’s a lot of time for belting out Forever in Blue Jeans  at the top of my lungs)

·         The radiation center is way south of my house so it’s an hour of just driving each day (and not during a time that my east coast friends can chat)

·         Meeting new people—the center’s staff and other patients (notice which list this is under)

I have had the pre-treatment CT scans, alignment with marks (including 5 tattooed dots—not quite sure how the techs distinguish them from my field of freckles), and a few consultations. I have completed the first of 6 ½ weeks of radiation treatment and so far so good. Only one issue that I need to address tomorrow with the doctor during our standing weekly meet—adjusting his target field to avoid my thyroid—which I’m nervous about. No symptoms from radiation yet. 

This is the machine that delivers the radiation doses. Obviously this isn't me because this person isn't topless. 

There’s so much to share with you all regarding treatment, but that will have to wait for my next post. Thanks for reading!