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079- Breast Cancer Awareness part 3

Below is what I wrote in a couple of blog posts about my radiation treatment in September and October 2018.


I started radiation on September 19. It will be 30 rounds so every weekday for 6 weeks. I asked the radiation therapist to take a picture so I could share it here. This was before I started the treatment that day so the machine does move closer to my body and I do have to uncover my chest area for actual treatment. They said they don't take naked pictures. ;-)


Don't laugh but... actually, go ahead.  It's kinda funny.  My radiation oncologist, when asked, didn't really have a specific cream recommendation that I should use.  He said just to make sure I use something.  I've tried several different types of moisturizers, body butter, aloe vera, hydrocortisone cream, etc while going through radiation.  They all helped but nothing has worked 100% to deal with the itching, dryness, peeling, and discomfort.  I guess that's expected.  Everyone handles this radiation differently, but for me, the thing that probably has helped the most is Bag Balm... yep, it's actually a product made for cows' utters.  It doesn't smell the best... but it's helping and that's what matters, right.


In a later post.... I've haven't written much about radiation because it's been so repetitive for me.  I currently have 2 treatments left.  I am so ready to be done.  The actual treatments aren't too bad but I am definitely tired of driving to Eureka (1 hour round trip) everyday.  The side effects haven't been too bad.  Some people said I'd get pretty exhausted but I didn't really experience that.


During radiation, I've also had 2 Herceptin/Perjeta infusions (chemo light) so I have 9 left to go.  I should finish up in early May 2019.  The infusions are pretty easy.  I take my laptop and they go pretty quickly.... about 2 hours.


After radiation is complete, I will be on a hormone blocker for 10 years.  I have an appointment at UCSF for a second opinion to make sure I am on the right one for me.

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