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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