First of all, catch up: As I posted about four weeks ago, I am in complete remission or CR. This news came after my last PET scan - it came out completely clean. Because of this, I was eligible for either four more treatments of chemo or 12 treatments of radiation. Both had pros and cons: chemo put me more at risk for heart problems, acute leukemia, and lung problems; radiation puts me at risk for thyroid deficiency, second cancers (specifically skin and breast), and radial pneumonia.
I opted for radiation because of the fewer risks because my treatment plan would be much lower. I'm getting about half the amount of radiation that people normally get, so while I am very tired, I'm not even getting a sore throat. I'm very lucky! Chemo would have continued to make me sick, exhausted, gain weight, and immuno-deficient.
Radiation. What's it like? Well, I go down to Manitowoc every day for an appointment at 2:00. I leave campus around 1:00 and am back around 3:30 or 4:00 (depending on if the doctors are on time at the cancer center). When I was getting prepared for radiation, I had to go through what's called a "sim". At the sim, I had a plastic mask fitted tightly to my face which keeps it from moving while I'm getting treated. Normally people are marked with permanent tattoos, but because the mask covered all the targeted areas, I got to bypass this and they just sharpied the targets onto the mask itself.
A Tomo Therapy machine like the one I use for treatment
When I come to a treatment, I have to put on a hospital gown. I then lie on a table (a lot like in a CT machine or PET scan), with a triangle prop under my knees and a warm blanket on top of me. Then the mask is strapped onto my head, and I have to adjust my breathing to keep from getting claustrophobic. If you are currently about to get radiation and have to have a mask: practice deep breathing through your nose. This will keep your blood pressure lower and make the experience a lot easier.
First I get a body scan to make sure I am in the right position. Then I am pulled back out while the doctor checks and gives his approval for me to get treated. Then I go back into the machine (which is shaped like a donut) for about seven minutes. Then I come back out, get unstrapped, and go back home.
Here's how I look after the mask ;)
I can't feel the radiation when I'm getting it, but I know which areas are being zapped because my skin has started to break out there. Otherwise, I haven't had any bad side effects.
Radiation is a lot better now than it was 10 years ago. Mine is called "Tomo Therapy", which has the capability to pinpoint within a millimeter where the cancer is or was. By no means is my whole neck and chest being radiated - only very specific places. This lessens my chances for second cancers by a lot.
The hardest part about radiation is definitely driving back and forth every day. My music is sadly lacking after spending two hours in the car each day. I did discover today that I uploaded an audiobook to my iTunes about a year ago and it came up in my all music shuffle - so I'll listen to that tomorrow :) The book is Anna and the French Kiss and it's amazing, adorable, and completely fluffy. Highly recommend if you want something fun to read.
Thank you again to everyone who's been with me through this whole journey :) I've gotten so many messages congratulating me on remission - this means so much to me.
Current symptoms/side effects/complaints: Only tired and a little bit of acne. Definitely better than before!
