A Path Through

The most significant side effects of my radiation treatment are fatigue and the burning of the skin.

The fatigue issue started to kick in at the start of the first week, however this was something that I have been dealing with for months so really….it is not like dragging my bottom was new to me. However, the burn…that was.

When I had my first appointment with the Medical Oncologist after starting radiation, he explained to me how the body generally reacts to radiation. Now when I say generally, it comes with the caveat that there is no “typical” situation when it comes to cancer treatment.

As he explained to me, the body is given the first week of treatment “for free”. This means in the first week, the side effects really don’t start showing as your body hasn’t really figured out what is happening. By the second week of treatment, the body is starting to recognize what is happening and side effects start to pop up. By week three, the body is dealing with all that has been done and this will continue for seven to ten days AFTER treatment ends before the recovery starts.

This was a nice visual to have, however it also came with the reality that my body had a different calendar and was a few days ahead of schedule. And go figure, my body had decided it really was not a fan of radiation and with that it was going to make things REALLY red and sore to indicate it’s displeasure.

Yes, one week into treatment as I was lying down for my session and the technician took one look and said “you are looking really red there….time for some treatment approaches”. From there, I was introduced to the world of saline soaks four to five times a day in order to cool the skin and relive swelling and discomfort. The last thing I ever thought I would need to learn in this world was how to soak my breast because it had a sunburn. As I told my husband, I clearly can never be a nudist because my skin is too sensitive. Well that…and let’s just say…I should NEVER be a nudist!

On a side note, for those of you who are looking to make your own saline solution….run…run the other way…..and purchase from the drug store. It is much easier and saline can be purchased relatively inexpensively in large bottles.

So, here I am on the last few steps for this treatment path with a breast constantly wrapped in wet gauze because of a sunburn that I didn’t get from being on a beach somewhere, feeling tired, but still smiling because in the scope of the past eleven months, all of this is still a walk in the park….or should I say a walk on my path.