So now I am a radiation veteran! 8:30 am every weekday morning. It is about a 10 mile drive to get there, and most days it only takes 15-20 min on the freeway, but some days there is a traffic pileup, so that is variable. I usually leave at the last possible moment, and I was late a few times. But they seem to be quite flexible with the time.
It is a big robotic contraption, and they place me precisely on the table, lining up the tattoos and the sticky patches properly, and then the radiation itself takes maybe 2-3 minutes.
Anyway, I do think I have noticed some itchy tender skin, so they have given me a cream for that - nothing particularly special about it, I don't think, but it should help.
The incisions are much much better, almost unnoticeable, although there still is some tenderness under the arm, and the upper arm is still numb and irritable, but much much better than before - it will probably take at least another few weeks to completely resolve. Progress everyday but still taking a while.
I saw Dr. Morkas, the oncologist this week. I thought it was almost a formality, since I knew I didn't need chemo, and I was pretty sure he wouldn't prescribe Arimidex until after the radiation. I asked Dr Z's office TWICE to make sure to fax him the records from the surgery - once when I was there for the wound check, and later, when I made the appointment and they said they had no records, I called and asked them again! Imagine my surprise when I got in to see Dr. Morkas (he kept me waiting about an hour!) and he said he had no records, and had to ask me for an update! I was really embarrassed, but anyway. Based on what I had to tell him, he agreed no chemo, and the Arimidex would come after radiation. Instead of calling Dr Z's office and asking them a 3rd time for the records, I dropped off copies of my copies the next day. I will see him again after radiation is over. I do have a few question that either he or Dr. Z can answer - like what about that big area that lit up on the PEM but wasn't mentioned in the pathology, what the heck was that?
Had lunch with a friend this week who has also been diagnosed recently with DCIS but is still in the mode of tests and scans to prepare for surgery, so still no firm diagnosis and all uncertainty and angst that entails! Ah yes, I remember those days!
I feel so fortunate to have such a minor diagnosis, even though it is cancer. However some people are still treating me like a cancer patient! I remember not really being quite aware of the differences between cancer diagnoses - I mean cancer is cancer, and it would always be dangerous. But my cancer is a whole different ballgame from Elizabeth Edwards-type cancer - a whole different disease. And that kind of cancer is what you think of. Anyway - knock wood.
Having a wonderful time knitting the Bee Fields Shawl, from Anne Hanson of Knitspot - I have had the yarn and pattern for over 3 years, and it was on my list to get DONE this year, and it is such a cool pattern! Very well thought out and very interesting to do. I have been feeling guilty about an Estonian shawl I started also probably 3 years ago - which I never finished - and it is beautiful, but the pattern is not so rhythmic, and the border does not fit well onto the body of the shawl. So I am thinking maybe there is a legitimate reason not to finish the Estonian shawl. But then again I don't have so much further to go... I am planning at some point to set aside a day or two to finish all these projects that are on the verge on completion and get them out of my queue.
