Step III...Radiation

Arms up and in you go!

Time for another step along this journey. Radiation time! I met with Dr Yashar (my oncology radiation doctor) and we got the ball rolling on all of this. They did a CT scan but this time it was much different. I had to put my hands over my head into a brace that held them there (it is a good thing I have been doing my stretches that OT gave me). Then they moved me back and forth through the donut shaped contraption. After that all the fun started lol. I got tattooed!!!  Yup, Beth that is not a fan of tattoos now has 4 little dots on my chest. These dots will play a big roll in how they align me up for the actual radiation. The tech put black ink on my skin and then poked a needle through it into my skin...yes it hurt/burned but it wasn't bad. Nothing like the nerve block before surgery...yikes!

Got 'inked" up!

It is amazing how scientific this part gets. The scans, measurements and photos (yes, more boobie pictures) are now evaluated and my plan gets designed. I will have 30 treatments 5 days a week. 5 of the treatments are "boosters" that involve something like a mammogram machine. I think they come first so I am dreading having my newly stitched breast compressed but a girl has to do what a girl has to do! ;o) I will go in this Wednesday morning at 6:30 am for more films and set up and the radiation will start the following day on Thursday. I guess I won't see many symptoms right away, they start to add up as time goes on. Tender, sensitive skin is what I hear. A little like a sunburn. My one good friend, that had this done, referred to it as toasting her coconut...I like that and am going to steal it! So I start getting a toasted coconut on Thursday. ;o) I guess fatigue is a common symptom from this but I hope to trudge through like the Ever Ready Bunny that I am! 

WARNING...I have been asked to not wear deodorant under my right arm until the 30 treatments are done so if you are going to stand next to me, I would choose the left side!! LOL

Decisions

After many discussions with Dr Parker and tons of research, I still have the big decision of whether I am going to push for more chemo after my radiation.  There are a lot of pros and cons to this and it is not a black and white situation. I have learned to not do research in the evenings, and I don't allow myself to do it every day. Kendall gave me some great advice that I need to quit demanding that God talk to me and give me the answers. I have laid my worry at his feet and trust in His hands and believe He will give me the right direction when the time is right. It truly helps me calm down about it. I did find a doctor/researcher in Texas that I emailed and he has agreed to a brief conversation over the phone on Monday. He cannot give me "medical advice" but I can certainly pick his brain about more chemo after radiation and what chemo he feels work the best. If I have to, I will fly down and see him for more answers.

Blessings

This time off has been very good for me. I haven't had down time like this in my adult life and it kind of scared me at first. It is a true blessing and I am healing in many more ways than just from the surgery! I humbly ask for your continued prayers for my clear direction with all of this. I certainly do not want to subject my body to more chemo but I want to kick this cancer with all that I can. My hair is starting to grow back (like a VERY short buzz cut) and my eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to make an appearance again. It will be sad to see them all fall out again but my little ray of sunshine, aka Kendall pointed out that it is proof how fast it will all come back again! Gotta love that kid! 

I leave you with a reading from my Jesus Calling book. It was from January 16th:

"As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you-now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way!"