Biopsies. Check. Chemo. Check. Follow-up appointments. Check. Surgery. Check...You would think that after all of these appointments and procedures (refer back to the timeline post) I would be done with treatment and ready to resume life. Not...quite...yet. Despite hoping and praying that I would not need to do radiation, I was informed that the team of 15 radiation oncologists ALL agree that it is in my best interest to complete 25 rounds of radiation. The doctors told me that radiation would help to prevent recurrence of cancer (if there are any lingering cells in my breast area or lymph nodes after the surgery) but also discussed the risks and side effects of this aggressive treatment. So...ultimately...the decision was up to me. I did my research and decided that I want to do everything in my power to kill the whore ( it is also really difficult to say no to a procedure that so many doctors recommend). Despite feeling exhausted and worn down I am hoping that all of this treatment will pay off in the end and that I will be able to officially bid farewell to the whore who has consumed the past seven months of my life.
Radiation in Los Angeles is almost like having a full time job. I have to travel from Santa Monica to Hollywood Monday through Friday for each daily treatment. Right now my treatment time slot is at 4:30pm which is traffic hell in Los Angeles. Needless to say, I am spending a lot of time in my car and trying to explore parts of Los Angeles that I have avoided due to the commute. Radiation treatment is fairly painless and quick. The side effects should be relatively easy compared to chemo. If all goes well I will be done on July 18!
It has been a month since my surgery and I am feeling pretty good. I am getting used to my "foob" (the term that breast cancer survivors use to refer to their reconstructed breast after a mastectomy) and have some discomfort but minimal pain. My hair is growing back and I have been going out sans scarf! It is nice to have hair again.
