Getting ready for radiation

 No updates because I'm kind of between stuff right now! I met with the radiation oncologist last week and learned a little bit about how radiation works. I've also continued to work with my occupational therapist to make sure that I'm able to get my arm above my head and in the right position for radiation. This week, I go in to get scanned. They take a scan of the part of your body that will be getting radiation, then the doctor uses a program to digitally "paint" the places to target, and this plan is reviewed by a number of different groups before it's approved, and there are a number of safety protocols in place to protect your heart and your lungs and to only treat the areas that need to be treated. I'll get three tattoos which will help them line my body up accurately for treatment. Once they have the plan approved, I'll start treatment! It'll be Monday through Friday, 15 minutes a day, for four to six weeks. I don't know when it'll start, but it'll be in the next few weeks. After that, I'll start hormone therapy, which will consist of a pill (anastrozole) every day for five years. 

Radiation affects everyone differently, so I can't assume that it'll go any particular way. I just have to do it. Some people's bodies react to radiation like it's chemo. Specifically, there is a thing where some bodies get radiation and think it's adriamycin, and then have the reaction they had to adriamycin. Adriamycin is the one they call "the red devil." It's the worst. This is a very silly thing that some bodies do! I am hoping this isn't the case for me, but I have anti-nausea drugs and plenty of practice with that feeling if it does happen. We'll see.

With radiation as with chemo, the best way to combat fatigue is to stay active. We're in January, so it's "real winter" (or "winter plus" as I like to call it). I have a bike trainer set up in the basement and I expect to get some good use out of that, as well as bundling up and going for winter walks. 

I'm ready to get another piece of this process started. 

I remember when I barely thought about my health. I don't think I'll ever have that luxury again, but that's ok. You take your health for granted when you're healthy, and you don't realize how precarious it is. It is very precarious. If you're healthy and able bodied, you're lucky. Appreciate it. It won't last forever, and that's ok! Nothing lasts forever! I'm really enjoying my life. I appreciate it more than ever.