I've got 2 weeks of radiation treatment completed, just 3 more to go. This is a Monday through Friday daily routine where I have to take an hour off from work (unpaid of course) along with my hour lunch to drive out to the medical center and get zapped by this huge machine. Nothing much has been happening so far, other than being sore on the targeted side. Some of that I believe is left-over from the surgery I had in January. Good news (according to my surgeon) is that it ought to feel much better in 6 months. Gee, thanks for the "good news" Doc.
This whole ordeal has been a whirlwind and a big surprise...still find it hard to believe. Several days after surgery (which I was told was routine and preventative since no cancer was found in the biopsy) the doctor told me that further pathology results on the tissue identified what they label DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) which is a non-invasive cancer. Uh huh. This was the best kind of cancer to have; also it was identified extremely early in my case and was completely removed with negative margins around the surgery area. Uh huh. Nothing further needs to be done surgically since it was removed, definitely do not need chemotherapy, and most likely won't need radiation treatment, either, since it was caught so early and was so small--3mm. But, you do need to see these 2 other doctors.... Oh, and you will probably have to take a pill most of the rest of your life as a future preventative. Uh huh.
Well one of those other "2" doctors got me started on a pill called tamoxifen--bit smaller than an aspirin...no problem, other than the lovely hot flashes which accompanies it as part of the side effects. The 2nd doctor got me started on the radiation treatments. I have the distinction of being his "earliest caught and smallest amount of cancer patient", however he still wanted me to go through the full radiation treatments--5 1/2 weeks. Considering the family history of breast cancer and the fact that I have a long way to go before retirement, I bit my tongue and said ok, (although I did feel obligated to argue about it to him).
I feel like a jerk for not being more grateful and for being so lucky to have this all taken care of before it got out of control. On the other hand, I'm still in disbelief--I mean, how many people are told they have (or had) cancer several days AFTER they've had surgery? Since I've had no problems or pain UNTIL the doctors started messing with me, it sometimes make one suspicious, ya know? Cancer is something that normally makes one stop and think about life, the universe and everything, but I haven't had time to yet. Sigh.
I'm trying to be more laid back with the inconveniences I'm going through. The other patients I see during treatments are in far worse condition than I am so I really need to relax. Is that possible? I'm starting to get darker skin on the zapped side and am told it will get red, will peel, itchy, etc. Oh, and don't forget there will also be some swelling and general fatigue. Uh huh. Granny went through radiation treatment and I remember in the last weeks she had a lot of itchiness. We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, I'm told NOT to wash the area by touching, NOT to disturb the markings they've put on with ink, NOT to use deodorant on that side, NOT to sweat, NOT to let water remain on long, NOT to use lotions, etc.
I am grateful that spring has not yet arrived in Arkansas....I know I will have strong desires to get out and work in the yard but that will also produce sweat which I'm not allowed to wash off too zealously. But, all is good for now. Just 3 more weeks.....3 more.... grrrrrrrr
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