Radiation...Not So Much Fun

So, I started radiation yesterday.  I was in the most awkward position for 45 minutes.  Let me give you a visual...I am lying on my back on a slab with both of my arms above my head.  My head is turned turned to the right, which I cannot move for the entire time.  I am in a hospital gown with my left side exposed.  They, a man and a woman, then tape down my right side so that I don't get radiation on it.  They line me up for about 5 minutes with these red lights.  I am not allowed to help them, they move my body how they want to.  They look at my tattoos, which now I have six of.  I got a new one today, I am so wild.  I also get a big rubber band on my feet.  This is so that I don't wiggle them and move my body.  I then start my radiation treatments.  I am getting IMRT radiation.  It is a more in depth than typical radiation.  Because my tumor was on my left side,they have to do this.  I have to protect my heart, lungs and my new implants.  They are aiming my radiation away from these important things.

I get 12 treatments each day.  I haven't been told how many weeks yet.  It is usually between 4-6.  I need to ask them tomorrow.  I have had too many questions, I keep forgetting all of them.  My treatment today was 25 minutes long.  By the time I drive there, change, get treatment, and drive back to work it is about an hour long.  I really hope this goes fast.  I hate this much stress.  I feel like I am running around all of the time.  It really gives me anxiety.  I keep having to practice what my OT taught me.  Breath in through the nose, blow out through the mouth.  Over and over.  This, too, shall pass.  It shall pass.  One day at a time.

IMRT

An advanced radiation delivery system, IMRT allows CTCA radiation oncologists to precisely tailor the shape and intensity of radiation beams to treat difficult-to-reach breast tumors with new levels of accuracy.
A state-of-the-art external radiation delivery system, IMRT uses advanced computer technology to create a three-dimensional model of a breast tumor, and direct multiple, precisely-focused beams of radiation at the tumor with laser accuracy.
By precisely modulating (controlling) the intensity of the radiation beams to conform to the tumor shape, this technology allows CTCA radiation oncologists to use higher radiation doses than traditional methods would allow in these areas, while also limiting exposure to healthy surrounding breast tissue.

Advantages of Breast Cancer IMRT

• IMRT employs an advanced computer program to precisely map your radiation dosage in three dimensions, based on the breast tumor’s size, shape and location.
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy directs radiation at the breast tumor and modulates the intensity of the radiation beams with laser accuracy, helping to spare healthy tissue surrounding the breast tumor.
• The technology allows each dose of radiation to be custom-tailored according to the exact geometrical shape of the breast tumor.

IMRT breast cancer radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. Your CTCA care team will work with you to determine the best treatment plan based on your individual needs. 

Radiation, BLAHHH

Tomorrow I go to start RADIATION.  I am not so excited about this.  I hope that I don't glow at night.  I have been feeling so great.  I have been doing my reconstruction in Salt Lake City, every week.  It has been a lot of traveling but I feel better, like a normal person.  Tomorrow brings a lot of unexpected things.  I don't know what to expect from the radiation.  Will I feel tired?  Will I feel sick?  Will I hurt?  It is a lot of the unknown.  I think I will get some more tattoos (from the dr)...why can't they just tat me with a pink ribbon while they are at it.  I really like some that I have seen.

This is the information I found on radiation therapy...

Radiation therapy — also called radiotherapy — is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery. Radiation can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by about 70%. (That's a lot!!!)  Despite what many people fear, radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate and its side effects are limited to the treated area.
Your radiation treatments will be overseen by a radiation oncologist, a cancer doctor who specializes in radiation therapy.

Here are some side effects:  The most annoying and uncomfortable side effects of radiation therapy involve the skin of the area being treated. In many ways your skin reaction will be like a sunburn, with a mild to moderate pink color or redness, with itching, burning, soreness, and possible peeling. But unlike what happens with a sunburn, your skin will react to radiation very gradually and possibly only in patches.

Yes, We Love Pink

 My SPED co-workers (all in PINK ribbons!)

Our fun office staff, all in PINK ribbons!

 The denim day bulletin board, I love it!

Well, I have been BUSY!  First, I get to report that our school gets to do Denim Day on October 26th!  I am so excited!!!  Our superintendent actually said that we can invite other schools to do it with us as well.  I am so excited to see how much money we will raise!  It is for a great cause.  50% of the money raised goes to national research and 50% stays in our community.  Our school is going to wear denim with pink shirts.  I actually designed a shirt and it is getting printed right now.  We put the names of the four breast cancer survivors who work in our school on the pink ribbon.  I LOVE these ladies.  It was my honor to do this project.  I want to give back and this month has been fun for me.  -->