SETTING UP RADIATION

February 11, 2010 Thursday

I went to the Cancer Center on Tuesday to meet with Dr. Formenti, my Radiology Oncologist. What a long day it turned into. I decided to join a Phase III study on booster radiation. So I had to read the contract which was super long, and initial and sign multiple times. Then we had to wait to speak with the doctor. I love her. She is the kind of doctor that takes her time, she explains completely everything. What to expect, how to deal with issues that may arise, and doesn't balk at the hard questions (that Ed had). She is beautiful and has a lovely Italian accent. She is the kind of doctor that checks and rechecks everything. LOVE THAT!

So..I will be starting my radiation therapy on 2/ 22/10 and it will go for three weeks. I'm not sure which arm of the study I'll be in. Arm A is a booster dose every day to the tumor bed (where Mr. Lumpy was) five days a week for three weeks. Arm B is a booster dose every Friday with a regular dose every day five days a week for three weeks. Both work they just want to see if one is better than the other. So far with this study there really is no big difference. I'm just happy to be a part of it, to get my treatment done in three weeks and that I won't be on my back exposing my lungs and heart to radiation. I'll be laying face down with my boob in a hole. Sounds sexy doesn't it?

I had my set up done. I get specially marked tape put in places and bb markers as well. then I get put in the CT and an image of my breast and chest is taken. Then I got 4 tatoos!! Don't get all excited. I can barely see them. A dot tatoo on my boob, and 3 on my back. They will use these dots to make sure that the machine lines up exactly in the same place every time. I am such a wimp, those tatoos hurt, so I'm pretty certain it's safe to say I won't be getting a full blown tatoo anytime soon. I HATE NEEDLES. So if you see me sporting a tat, it'll most likely be a press on.

I cannot wait to get this started. Eleven days away is too long to wait. Wish I could start tomorrow. It's getting exciting now, because the end is in sight. I'm almost through all of this mess and will be able to move on with my life. The exhaustion is still with me from the chemo, but it is getting less and less. I still have some trouble coming up with words from time to time, but that, too, is getting better. Soon I won't have "Chemo Brain" as an excuse. lol I'm nervous about adding tomatoes and citrus back into my diet. My gut still has moments of queeziness. I guess I'll trust my "gut" to know when I can.

Today, I plan on taking it easy. I have a really bad headache, so perhaps some sleep is in order.

Nite!

Light and Love!

Melissa