Or should I say "burn?" The current way cancer is treated in this country can be summed up by "cut, poison, burn" and I've done "cut," can skip "poison," and now all that's left is "burn."
And since I need to have radiation in both breasts, it's almost like "double burn." The current radiation dose is something like 1.8 "something or others" if you opt for six weeks, 2.8 "something or others" if you opt for three weeks. Now double it. Ouch!
The manager of radiology basically said that no matter what shape I'm in I'll be tired after the treatments. Really really tired. Getting to the gym three times a week isn't going to do it. Great.
Dr Salzman will work with me to detox afterward and build up my anti-oxidants (even though she doesn't agree that I shouldn't take anti-oxidants during my treatment-she feels that it would be better if I did take them, but Dr Tinger disagrees).
So there's that.
I can also consider three weeks in the left breast, six weeks in the right. Remember, we're talking about EVERY DAY for three weeks/six weeks, PLUS the boost, which of course the radiation oncologist doesn't consider as part of the treatment. It's like, oh yeah, 30 treatments plus the boost, so it's really 33, or 34 or 35.
How do I feel about radiation? How do I feel about getting diagnosed with cancer!! Not good. This is not how I expected to spend my retirement. Although it's a good thing I am retired because I'm spending so much time at doctor's offices it's ridiculous. I couldn't do this and work. I can barely do this!
I had my CT scan, and the dosimetrist (who knew) also examined me. Next Monday I go back and they do a "simulation" and I think we discuss my treatment plan, you know, the three week/six week one breast/two breast dance.
Wednesday I see Dr Rosa who I'm sure will clear me to start radiation. I am (finally) healing nicely.
So Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for reading this. It's quite a journey, one that I would gladly miss but hey, "man plans, God laughs!"
And since I need to have radiation in both breasts, it's almost like "double burn." The current radiation dose is something like 1.8 "something or others" if you opt for six weeks, 2.8 "something or others" if you opt for three weeks. Now double it. Ouch!
The manager of radiology basically said that no matter what shape I'm in I'll be tired after the treatments. Really really tired. Getting to the gym three times a week isn't going to do it. Great.
Dr Salzman will work with me to detox afterward and build up my anti-oxidants (even though she doesn't agree that I shouldn't take anti-oxidants during my treatment-she feels that it would be better if I did take them, but Dr Tinger disagrees).
So there's that.
I can also consider three weeks in the left breast, six weeks in the right. Remember, we're talking about EVERY DAY for three weeks/six weeks, PLUS the boost, which of course the radiation oncologist doesn't consider as part of the treatment. It's like, oh yeah, 30 treatments plus the boost, so it's really 33, or 34 or 35.
How do I feel about radiation? How do I feel about getting diagnosed with cancer!! Not good. This is not how I expected to spend my retirement. Although it's a good thing I am retired because I'm spending so much time at doctor's offices it's ridiculous. I couldn't do this and work. I can barely do this!
I had my CT scan, and the dosimetrist (who knew) also examined me. Next Monday I go back and they do a "simulation" and I think we discuss my treatment plan, you know, the three week/six week one breast/two breast dance.
Wednesday I see Dr Rosa who I'm sure will clear me to start radiation. I am (finally) healing nicely.
So Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for reading this. It's quite a journey, one that I would gladly miss but hey, "man plans, God laughs!"
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