I started my radiation treatments about 6 ½ weeks after my lumpectomy, which is standard (my oncologist estimated between 6-8 weeks.) I met with my new radiation oncologist for a consultation – since my treatments would be everyday, I opted to switch to a more convenient location, and because of which changed physicians.

My consultation was pretty straightforward.  I met with a resident first, we went over my cancer history, and although it was tough to have to explain my personal side of the story once again, I got through it with no tears.  And for laughs, I even threw in a, so am I going to be getting super powers, more specifically, am I going to have a super-boob after this?  My physician looked a little surprised for a second.. I guess they don’t get a lot of jokes here?! HA! She unfortunately said no super-boob. Damn!

We went over my treatment plan and possible side effects – none of which sounded too shocking as most were already discussed by my other physicians: Yes, the radiation could cause a secondary cancer that could show up decades from now, but the likelihood is very small; my skin being exposed to the radiation may discolor, darken and look sunburned during the treatments and for some time after; lotion, lotion, lotion!; my entire right breast will be treated for the majority of my treatments, the last few treatments will target just the area where the tumor was; treatments are everyday, Monday thru Friday for 6 weeks – they opted to be equally as aggressive with this part of my treatments as they were with my chemo (which I don’t mind – let’s kill this shit and all the little micro-shits that could still be there!) I left feeling okay with things, just okay.  There was still a lot information to process but I felt ready to take on this final piece and get it over with.

I just had more appointment before starting my radiation treatments.  I needed to get a CT-simulation, where my therapy team determined the exact location and positioning specs of the area to be treated, this in turn would make the day-to-day process a lot quicker.  They had me lay on a hard foam that they molded around my arms, something to help position me in the same spot each day. And then came the dreaded tattooing… with a small needle and a drop of ink, the therapist made 4 little dots, one on each my sides and two in the center of my chest.  She said she saves the two chest dots for last because they usually hurt more and YES, THEY DID!  Fuck, now those little dots that look like black freckles will be with me forever – what a beautiful souvenir?

My first day of treatment

My hubby went with me on my first day, it was nice to have someone there with me.  I was feeling anxious and a little nervous as the day grew closer. I changed into my gowns – two layers and of course, I put it on backwards (see pic above) lol.  We waited for a bit, then they finally took me back to the treatment room. This first treatment was slightly longer than usual since they needed to double-check the positioning before starting.  They asked if I wanted my eyes covered to help block the bright red light of the machine, I of course said yes, so now I have no idea what the machine is doing or how close it is to me, I just hear the whirring sound as it does it thing.  And the treatment itself is literally just for a few short minutes. After going through chemo and sitting in the infusion chair for hours, I couldn’t believe how quick this was! The best part, they play music in the room, which helps me to concentrate on something besides what’s happening at that moment.  It’s just me and Guns N’ Roses… Sweet child o’mine..

It’s been about 2 ½ weeks since I started my treatments and they’ve been going pretty much as expected. There’s usually a backlog when I check in, leaving me in the waiting room dressed in my gowns for an extra 30+ minutes, but it gives me time to decompress or catch up on some YouTube vlogs before my trusty therapists come to get me.  And this is also a great time for locker room selfies… Always trying to make ‘fetch happen’ with this uniform lol.