September 8, 2009
Sheila here…
I have completed my first week of radiation and just started my second week today. So far so good! I go in every weekday (weekends and holidays – such as Labor Day – I have off) for the treatment, which lasts only about 10 minutes. Add to that wait time, changing clothes, and getting situated on the table, and it’s just about a half hour total. Not so bad. No skin issues yet – those will apparently start showing up in a week or so. Most people get what they describe as a sunburn. I have some cream and some aloe gel to put on a few times a day. Hopefully that will keep the burn down.
Radiation is much different from chemotherapy. While the chemo was a drug administered intravenously, radiation is the use of a certain type of energy called ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. The radiation is directed at the chest wall where the breast used to be. It comes out of a large machine that circles around me while I lay on a table. It reminds me of getting an x-ray. The techs come in, get me situated, then leave the room while the radiation is administered. Then they come back in, move me around a bit, and do it again. The machine moves around to four different positions to reach the chest wall from all angles.
Like all my caregivers, the radiation folks are very nice. There are usually three women in the room for my treatments. They are very good at short conversations. I’m in there so briefly there’s really only time to discuss a.) the shoes I am wearing; b.) the book I brought in to read in the waiting room; or c.) what I did over the weekend/last evening.
In other news, the 3-Day walk is Friday, and I am ready! The weather is supposed to be in the mid-70s – sounds just about perfect. Hope to see some of you along the route!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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3 comments:
we hope to cheer you on during the walk! have a great time.
Congratulations on completing the walk! What a fantastic accomplishment!
Hi Sheila, Not sure if you remember me?? Tami's friend, Kimmy, who used to come visit at Gonzaga twice a year? I ran into Tami last weekend and was telling her my Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer (HER2 pos) in April and she told me about you and sent me this link to your blog.
Kudos to you for being such an inspiration to so many people...I feel the same way about my Mom. She did her chemo first (3 months of weekly infusions) which ended in July, then surgery, then radiation I guess. She has met with a surgeon but wants to get a second opinion. It's scary stuff for sure!! We're all learning as we go...
I just wanted to say "hi" and let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. (Oliver is adorable!)
So glad to read "CANCER FREE" for you - that's awesome!!
Take care, Kimmy
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