We went to the radiologist yesterday and got the lowdown on the radiation treatments. The good news is that if I have a lumpectomy, the radiation really reduces the chance of cancer coming back. It does this by killing any cancer cells in the treated area. The radiation changes the dna of all cells and only the healthy ones will heal themselves. So chemo kills the cells, but radiation prevents any remaining cells from growing. The bad news is that the treatment last 7 weeks, 5 days a week. The side effects include fatigue and skin irritation. 2008 will go down as the year of Fatigue...and not because we have a baby.
The radiologist was super nice and quite good looking- not a bad thing. We need to wait to get everything started until 4 weeks post surgery. The only reason I wouldn't have radiation is if it is determined that I need a mastectomy and there is no cancer in my lymph nodes. Right now, the cancer fight seems to be stretching out far into the future....I need to remind myself to take things one day at a time- maybe I should read my post about enjoying the little things again.
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4 comments:
That's a cute t-shirt!
Good luck with the radiation. Rock and roll!
I love that shirt! And are you saying that there are cute doctors that aren't on t.v.???
It does sound like you have great doctors that tell you everything upfront, so whatever the next step is, it will be the right one. And take pride in the fact that you have a great husband, a beautiful daughter and lots of friends and family that will take the next step with you.
Rock n roll!
It is OK to enjoy the little things but it is also OK to feel overwhelmed
by this long illness. You have shown enormous capacity of strength, acceptance, growth and love. Even though I am with you all the way I cannot take the pain or worry away from you. We can only be there for you. But you have gone so far already and radiation and surgery will be behind us before we know it. And keeping Alexandra, Wes,Robin and all of us (including the woodchuck) will make the time seem
shorter. Rock y Roll!!!
That IS a super cute t-shirt, even super cuter baby.
I think the radiation has got to be easier with the fatigue than chemo, because its targeted right? And that's why they can do it 5 days a week. Is the 9 months of Herceptin once a month? In any case the tumor is gone, so no surgery.
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