“You haven’t written much about radiation… is everything okay?”
I’ve gotten this question a few times and so I thought I’d clear the air. I don’t want to talk about radiation.
Just kidding.
There’s just really not much to tell. Every day, I go in, and do the same steps as I outlined in my initial post on radiation. I see Kim and Craig and Vicki and sometimes Angela and Jessi. I see Dr. Wahl on Mondays following my rads. Up until this week, I would get changed by about 9:32 and sit an watch Rachael Ray until they came to call me back. This week, I am going in for early morning sesh’s as to not have to drag all three kids to a friend’s house for a half hour appointment every day.
But for me, knock on wood, so far, radiation has been a dream compared to Chemo or surgery recovery. The main side effects I’ve experienced have been reddening of the skin — like a serious sunburn, and I’ve had a cough most of the way through which they don’t think to be related but it’s been annoying, just the same. The burn is legitimate. But more of a nuisance than anything.
I cannot wear deodorant under the treated arm and so I pretty much just gave that up all together. I also can’t shave that furpit. I am close to being able to braid the hair and add a bead to it. So that’s exciting. But I did get permission yesterday to shave the beard as long as I leave the soul patch {don’t ask}.
I grease up the entire treated area: my right breast and under to the center of my chest, up to my neck, across to my shoulder, my side, and my upper right back, with Aquaphor two-three times a day {so I’ve ruined several shirts} and cannot wash the area with anything but Dove or a very gentle soap.
I have yet to feel more fatigued. Or maybe I am and I just don’t feel it because I keep busy, I’m not certain. Some days, I do try to sneak a nap in. But I am not dog tired by 9 at night anymore.
I started working out most every day and am starting to get some good range of motion back into both shoulders. And I really feel good right now.
The best part is that I only have 5 days left after today. And that feels amazing. And guess what?! Yesterday was my last day with the bolus {remember the pink dental wax mold of my boob?!} because I am officially, “red enough” {that’s not a quote verbatim. It’s just the short story of the longer explanation. That in order to see keep the radiation in as much as possible, they use the bolus and once they see the efficacy, they cease}. So, now, I can start wearing the bolus as a hat for the summer. Assuming my new boob is the side of my Slim Shady head. Which I’m hoping it is.
I have some additional cancer/chemo side effects that are making some noise but those are better saved for a different post because for the most part, radiation isn’t something I can really complain about in terms of my treatment plan and protocols. I’ve been very fortunate.
This summer, I will have to be even more careful {I am already sunscreen-obsessed because I am a mole woman. Not like Kimmy Schmidt but like, eventually, all of my moles will grow into one big mole and I will, in fact, be a mole woman} about the sun, wearing Zinc on my radiated areas and also wearing a wide-brimmed hat or a cap whenever possible as well as a rash guard top most of the time for swimwear. The side effects for radiation will continue about 2-3 weeks post-rads and then, we are off to Florida, y’all!
So, that’s the great radiation update. So far, so good, and crossing my fingers, toes, and legs that it continues without any bumps or hiccups! Can’t say thanks enough to the fantastic crew at VP Radiation. They definitely put the rad in radiation.
