Ch. 22 - Radiation is OVER!!!

Ch. 22 - Radiatin is OVER!!!

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to read my blog and follow me through my journey!! Life got a little crazy going to radiation everyday and battling the side effects, so... it has been a little while since my last entry. The entire process was different to say the least. About 2-3 weeks into the treatment, my breast became very itchy and red. I tried any cream my doctor recommended for finally got some relief with a prescription pill by mouth and 2% hydrocortisone cream. I did not have any skin breakdown, but just tenderness, like a sunburn and the itching!! There were a couple of delays with my treatment due to a problem with the machine, but it only took a couple of days for the repair. I was not complaining because it gave my skin time to heal.

Since my last entry I have gotten a clean bill of health from my OBGYN. I have also graduated from radiation. I do have to have a mammogram to establish a baseline for post-treatment in about 2 months and also in about 2 weeks I will begin taking the Tamoxifen everyday. The only thing that I have left to do for my cancer is to have my port-a-cathe removed. This should happen this week, YEAH!!!. I may actually feel like a person again instead of a patient.

The odd thing about my current life is my emotional status. Now that treatment has ended, I have had time to reflect on my life and what just happened to me. I do not think reality sat in until just recently. I have cried a lot lately and am currently taking some time from work to take care of myself and treat myself to some time off. Although I would like to claim this idea as my own, it was actually recommended by my surgeon who stated that I needed time to heal and to "mourn" the loss of this period of my life. I guess it really has not been a loss, but a learning experience; however, when I think about things more, it does feel like a loss at times because I do feel cheated of a healthy life. I also feel like having cancer forced me into being a prisoner of my own body and medical care. For me, this has been the hardest of all and I fought it to the end. So now, my body and mind are telling me that it is time to rest a little and give myself a break, physicall and emotionally. I am also making attempts to lessen my work load and taking up a hobby. I have recently began to enjoy photography more and more and recently won a photography contest and was also published in a photography book. Throughout my life, I have always been a planner and lived with great drive and motivation. I still have the same drive, but hopefully with less intensity toward work and my committments and more intensity toward enjoying life more and living each day to the fullest!!

Again, in closing, I love you all and appreciate your support. I will keep you posted as major things occur in my life through the next phase of recovery.