One Week of Radiation Done

I made it through the first week of radiation with only minor discomfort. I am experiencing some lethargy and sharp needle like pains in the radiated areas. I was told this would get worse over time - lucky me All I want to do is lay down in the afternoon. However, this is soooo much better than chemotherapy.

All told the experience is not too bad. The staff is very nice at this hospital facility. I do find the machines they use for radiation a bit intimidating. They are very large and make lots of noises. The radiation treatment is over in about 5 minutes, but the drive to and from there and the wait time adds an additional 3 hours.

Now to my nap.

First Radiation is Done

Well I have now completed two radiation treatments. It really is like getting an x-ray. The whole process of undressing and posing me takes much longer than the radiation itself. I do notice some discomfort under my arm due to a large skin flap that the doctor left for reconstruction. Since it rubs against my arm normally, it is more sensitive than before. I bet this will be a problem in the weeks to come. The staff at Greenspring Station (a Johns Hopkins branch) are wonderful. Tomorrow I go in for both radiation and Herceptin. The good news is that at Greenspring they are in the same building.

Day Before Radiation

I really enjoyed the last week sans doctor appointments. That all ends tomorrow when I start radiation and Herceptin again on Friday.

This weekend, Mark and the kids and I managed to get away for a three day weekend to Williamsburg, VA. It was so wonderful leaving the Baltimore area for a while. We had a great time visiting Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg. I even managed to ride a few roller coasters (I checked with the oncologist and was given the go ahead). I did find that I had to take it easier than in the past, but there were plenty of nice benches for me to rest my weary bones. It was so nice to spend some quality family time together before the next set of treatments begins.

Last night a dear friend from work, Laura, came and stayed the evening with us. I got caught up on lots of work progress and updates. I sure miss everyone at SA Technologies.

I will post tomorrow on my first treatment.

Who Would Have Believed It

Today I just completed a 4.1 mile walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. I went with two of my girlfriends (Holly and Stephanie) who both have been a huge support to me through all of this. I do not think this walk would have been possible for me if not for the walking study I participated in at Johns Hopkins and my walking partner (Stephanie). I barely got winded. OK the pace was slow, but still a huge accomplishment for me.

I get to enjoy next week with no doctors visits and then the onslaught begins with every day radiation treatments.

Getting Ready for Radiation

I had my Herceptin treatment on Friday which lasted about 2 hours. Except for a slightly queasy tummy I tolerated the drug well. On Friday I also met with the PA for my oncologist and she reviewed my last three heart scans. Apparently, I lost 17% of my heart functioning between starting chemo and the last of my AC drugs. Is this a concern? It can be as my heart is now functioning at 51% (anything above 50% is normal) capacity. The Herceptin can further damage the heart so I may have to stop treatment sometime this year and let my heart repair itself before resuming. Tomorrow I go in to the hospital to set up my radiation plan. They will see if they can minimize the damage to my lung and heart. On Thursday I go in for my bone scan to see of my bone density has been affected. I really look forward to having a week without going to the doctors. I guess that will have to wait until spring.

Thank you again for all your love and support.

A big thanks to my parents and their friends for participating in the Race for the Cure this weekend (see photo).

Last Chemo Treatment Update

Well I made it through the worst of my last treatment of Taxol. The weekend was hard as it was cold and rainy and I was achy and running a slight fever. I also developed neuropathy in my feet, which is a numbing tingling sensation. The nurses think it will go away in a few months. By Monday (Yom Kippur) I felt better. My mom’s friend, Nancy, and I drove to a restaurant to meet Mark and kids after the High Holiday services. I was unable to attend and fast for the day (Dr’s recommendations), but know God will understand. Yesterday, I went in for a heart scan to see if the Taxol or Herceptin caused any heart damage. I will receive this test every 3 months for the next year. Today, I have an ultrasound to verify there is no cancer in the remaining breast and on Friday I receive my next Taxol treatment.

Last Friday I met with my radiation oncologist to go over my plan for radiation. I will have 7 weeks of treatments (5 days a week). The first three weeks will be easy, but after that I will most likely experience fatigue, blisters and burning at the radiation sites. My oncologist is concerned as the spread of my cancer dictates that she will need to radiate part of my left lung (she expects about a 25% reduction in lung capacity that should heal itself) and part of my heart. I am trying to enroll in as study at Johns Hopkins that may eliminate the need to radiate my heart. I should know if I am accepted and assigned to the experimental group on Friday. Next week I will go through a simulation of the radiation and receive my tattoo dots to help with lining up the radiation equipment. Lastly, I will receive a bone scan next Friday to see if I had any bone loss due to chemo. Whew – so many visits to the hospital.

I look forward to my hair growing back and regaining my sense of taste. This should happen in about a month.

Sorry for the long break between posts. I will try to be better.