Radiation Is Over But Boy It Hurts

I am finally done with radiation. But before I say 'Yipee' I need to say 'Ow it hurts.' Over my nice four day break from treatment (during Thanksgiving), the skin started to peel and blister. Then it starting oozing and then it got infected. I basically have second and third degree burns on 1/4 of my chest. They have given me lots of smelly stuff to put on and a constrictive garment to wear until it heals. I was told the first week it will get worse and then it will get better. Currently, the pain is pretty bad so I am back on very strong narcotics to sleep. My house is like a mini pharmacy these days. The good thing is the worse for now is over.

What now? Well I will start Tamoxifin next week and will take that drug until my ovaries are removed. Then I will take aramotase inhibitors for 5 years. Studies have shown that there is no benefit to taking the drugs any longer. Plus, the reoccurrence rate of cancer is highest in the first 2 years and goes down dramatically after that. I met with my OBGYN this week and we are scheduling my oopharectomy in early March (as soon as he is available). That should only lay me up for a week. After that, I get to recover and heal until the big surgery in August.

Overall, all my doctors are so impressed with how well I am holding up. My OBGYN was very surprised that I have not needed antidepressants through any of this. I think my love of live, my wonderful friends and my incredible family have made this journey a lot more bearable. Thank you to each and every one of you for caring.