Boosts

At my appointment with the radiologist this week, she commented on how good my skin looked given the number of treatments I've had. So far the skin is a bit pink, kind of like a sunburn, but not too sore. I have learned that the last 5 radiation treatments are radiation boosts to the scar where the tumor was, and not radiation to the entire breast and lymph node area. These radiation boosts have proven to be beneficial for younger women to prevent the cancer from reoccurring in the same spot. Next week I'll have a 'mark up' appointment where they will create a template for the radiation machine so it can zap the scar with electrons ...or was it protons...anyway, it was something that sounded vaguely familiar from high school science.

Have a good weekend.

me

Half Way There

This morning I had radiation treatment number 15; 15 more to go.

My eyebrows are starting to grow back which is amazing because my drawing is pathetic. I'm also getting the feeling back in my fingers too which is a bonus. I guess things are starting to get back to normal, yippee.

me

Waiting, Waiting and More Waiting

Friday turned out to be a very long day. The blood work scheduled for 10:30am didn’t happen until 11am; the doctor’s appointment scheduled for 11am didn’t happen until 1pm (I actually fell asleep in the examining room waiting for the doctor to come in) and the Herceptin infusion scheduled for 12:15 didn’t happen until 3:15pm. Luckily, radiation was able to schedule me in early while I was waiting for the Herceptin. It always amazes me when Colleen tells me that her appointments run on time.

One of the main questions I had for the doctor was when I could expect to go back to work. I was told that we would discuss my return to work at my next appointment with her which will be on December 22. So at this point it looks like I won’t be back to work until the New Year. I guess that will help me avoid putting on those extra pounds over the holidays as every year Finance seems to have a continuous buffet of treats starting on December 1st!

me

Hospital Gowns

Radiation is moving right along. Today I had treatment #12. I’m getting quite comfortable with the radiation area in the Cancer Clinic. I know most of the technicians by first name; I know that the hospital gowns with the plaid pattern are the warmest and I know the magazine with the Sheryl Crow article will be on the first table in the waiting room. I read a page of the article everyday while I'm waiting and I should be finished the article tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be a long day. Blood work at 10:30am. Meet with the oncologist at 11am. Herceptin infusion at 12:15pm then radiation at 3:15pm.

It’s amazing what the body can endure.

me

Halloween

Attending formal events makes me anxious. It’s the hair thing again.

Steve and I went to a wedding on the weekend. I spent the morning of the wedding running around the mall trying to find a plain black scarf to match my outfit; you would think that would be an easy task. The scarves were either too long, too short, too thick, the wrong colour or had fringe or bells at the ends. (I’d look like a gypsy for sure in that one.) I finally found a fairly plain black scarf. As we left the house on the way to the wedding, I still wasn’t convinced that the scarf would work but I shoved it in my purse anyway. On the car ride there, I decided that I would wear the scarf (but I really just wanted my baseball hat).

During the evening when I went to use the washroom, I looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m glad I didn’t wear gold hoop earring because I look like a pirate.” Maybe I’ll use one of the kid’s eye patches and be a pirate for Halloween! Oh, the joys of being bald.

me

Dream

Last night I had a dream that I had long hair again...it was great. It was probably because Colleen told me that she felt the wind in her hair the other day. I too have had the same experience; it's strange how it catches you off guard.

I think being completely bald is easier than having my hair grow in. It doesn't all grow in at the same time; it's patchy. I will never complain about at bad haircut again.

me

More Crazy Numbers

The other day the radiology technician asked me what I was thinking about as I was laying there getting the radiation treatment. I said I found it uncomfortable that all the technicians left the room during treatment and I was laying there with the machine inches away from my head. Was my brain getting fried too? She explained that the machines are very precise and that there is very little scatter of the radiation. Basically, she reassured me that there is no harm to the parts of me that don’t need radiation. The reason why the technicians leave the room is that they treat 40 patients a day and when you multiply that by days, weeks, months and years, the scatter could add up to have harmful effects on the technicians.

It is amazing how many people get radiation at the clinic each day. There are 9 radiation rooms. Multiply that by 40 patients per room and you get 360 people a day getting radiation treatments. More crazy numbers.

me

Appointments

So far I haven't had any problems from the radiation. The radiation has a cummulative effect so I won't likely see any side effects for a week or two.

Today I'm off to the South Street hospital for another Wall Motion Study at 9:45am. This is the test that they perform to see how my heart has been affected by the Herceptin. Then I'm off to the Cancer Clinic for radiation at 12pm. This will mark my 38th doctor's appointment/test since I detected the lump on January 30th. Crazy.

me

1 Down, 29 to Go

Yesterday I had my first radiation appointment. Compared to chemotherapy treatments, it was fairly quick and uneventful. I know I showed you this picture before but, here is the picture of the machine they use to do radiation treatments. http://www.lrcc.on.ca/general/tour-radtreatment.xml Basically I lay down on the table (not very cushy) and have my arm above my head like I’m going to throw a ball. There are 3 people that do all the set-up in the dark using the laser beams that come down from the ceiling. They use the tattoos as guides then play connect the dots with green marker. When I’m all lined up they turn the lights on and leave the room so the radiation can begin. The machine radiates from 4 positions; front, back, 45 degree angle on the right and 45 degree angle on the left. My job is to lay as still as possible praying that I don’t cough, sneeze or get an itch somewhere.

Today I’m back for treatment #2 at 12:30pm then I’ll meet with my radiologist at 1:10pm. They give you a weeks worth of appointments at a time so I’m booked until next Tuesday. Unfortunately the treatments are at a different time everyday so I’m constantly checking the calendar.

Have a good one.

me

I Did It!

I must admit that a mix of emotions was going through me this morning as I prepared for the run. I was excited, nervous and anxious all rolled up into one. (I was also tired from The Who concert the night before.)

When we arrived at the park we quickly found my mom, dad, brother (Happy Birthday) and his family who all came equipped with their signs of encouragement. At the starting line there must have been a few thousand people filling the streets. I’m happy to report that I ran the majority of the 5km run with Steve and his cousin Tyler by my side. As I approached the finish line, my family and their signs stuck out from the crowd. There were a few tears but for the most part I managed to keep it together.

I am also proud to report that I had $4,138.25 in sponsors for the fun. In total over $544,000 was raised at the London run for Breast Cancer research. Amazing.

Thank you to all of you for your support.

me