Today was radiation oncologist day.
The results were as expected...6 weeks of radiation 5 days a week, followed by 5 years of Tamoxifen. I've heard nothing but good things about the treatment, so I am optimistic that it will go smoothly and the side effects will be minimal.
By the way, I loved the radiation oncologist. I wish I had seen her first. She sat directly in front of me and talked to me in a level tone never taking her eyes off me. She explained things in very simple to understand terms. She answered any questions I had before I had time to form them. I just got a good 'vibe' from her.
Tomorrow I return for a baseline mammogram. They check for any calcification remnants (which is the thing that tipped off the radiologist...calcification occurs naturally in your body as a result of cell death, but when it shows up in the breast it can mean that there is rapid growth of other cells. Bad cells. I learned something today!) so they will know what the post-surgery tissue looks like. Then on Thursday I go in for a full body CT scan. This is to measure every part of my body and to mark where the radiation will occur. She'll give me 2 'tattoos' to mark the spots. Hopefully a week later I can begin the radiation.
The one part of this whole ordeal that really sucks is that I have to have my miracle IUD removed. IUD risk of blood clots + Tamoxifen risk of blood clots= too much risk. I am bummed out beyond belief. I had more than 4 years left on it, and we payed for it out of pocket. and did I mention it was a miracle worker? My next option is hysterectomy. Grr. Not ready or wanting to deal with that now. One step at a time.
That's all for now!
3 comments:
Sue, I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
So from now on, when people compliment you by saying that you are "positively glowing," don't read anything into that, alright? ;-)
I'm glad you got someone with brains AND a heart as your radiation oncologist. Don't get too stuck on the "unwellness" that's going on at the present moment. Try to open that mental door that will let the wellness flow to you. Does that sound all New Age-y? If it does, just know that I believe in it, and I believe you are going to be well. My husband's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was like 35. She had a mastectomy, because that was what they did back then, and radiation. And she was cancer free for over 35 years after that. Ended up passing away from something altogether different after raising all 7 of her kids, seeing them married, and meeting most of her grandchildren. So don't freak. You are going to be 100% well again. I really believe that.
{{{hugs}}}
Okay, that sucks about the IUD. Maybe you could save it and use it for something else? A Christmas ornament? ;-)
I'm glad that you don't have to go through chemo and hope that the radiation treatments are easy peasy. Can you stop at Starbucks on your way to or from treatment every day? That would be a nice little treat.
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