Beginning the Last Leg of this Journey

Had my first radiation treatment on May 18, 2017.

The radiation part of my treatment is by far the easiest.  I go in, lie on a hard surface, get positioned and then get zapped a few times.  At most I expect some skin irritation but that probably will not be a problem until after I have had a few treatments.

I felt like an adult going in by myself for my second treatment today...drove and everything!  Came home to a delightful gift from Kaya.  She made me a paper chain that counts down the days to the end of radiation.  I decided rather than cut off each link I will tie a ribbon on it...I could not find any pink ribbon so a made do with pearly pink/white!

Getting Close to the Finish Line!!

More good news from the radiation oncologist, Dr. Koffman

My visit today with Dr. Koffman gave us the view of the finish line and it is closer than we thought!

Instead of 5 weeks of radiation (25 doses), Dr. Koffman believes I will tolerate a higher dose of radiation for only 16 treatments...which means I will be done with radiation on June 9!  I am now sporting 4 tattooed dots...which you need a magnifying glass to see.  These will aid in positioning me and the equipment for precise treatment.  Today I had a CT scan to make an image for the computer.  On next Thursday, for my first radiation treatment, a simulation will be done first to align everything and then it will begin.  After that I will go in every week day for treatment and see the doctor once a week for evaluation.  I will be able to drive myself to and from radiation and each session should take only about 20 minutes total other than on the days I see the doctor.  My chances for recurrence of breast cancer are only about 20% now and with the radiation, hopefully, it will be closer to only 5%!  

Yea!