Radiation Update: 18 done, 7 to go

(1) See that pink in the photo above?  My radiated skin is a tad darker pink than that now. Ouch. I considered posting a modest phot with a peek at the edge of my radiation burn, but you don’t really need that for me to say it sucks.  I have only run twice in the last 2 weeks, and I may need to stop to avoid the irritation. I may need to work from home or work less soon, just so I don’t have to get dressed!  The worst part is under my arm where shirts and bras rub the most. I’ve found myself digging through drawers for the softest shirts I own and that I’m willing to potentially ruin with all of the calendula cream and aquaphor I’m slathering on my skin. 

(2) A few days ago I thought I wasn’t noticing an uptick in my fatigue, since I was fatigued before starting radiation. But once I got home from church today, I crashed and have mostly moved between my bed and sofa all afternoon. Maybe this is the radiation fatigue 😢

(3) Were you wondering what comes next after radiation?!  The original plan was Tamoxifen for 10 years. New plan - put my ovaries to sleep. I haven’t read up on this yet, but my oncologist prefaced my appointment the other day with, “you’re going to hate me for this, but...” There is new research showing a significant additional reduction in recurrence when premenopausal and hormone responsive breast cancer patients take this approach rather than just Tamoxifen. Essentially this is to ensure I remain menopausal. I can count on hot flashes and joint pain staying around!  I have already told Dan to count on our summer electric bills being high due to my need for AC. 

I think that’s it for now. I’m uncomfortable. I’m sleepy. And my ovaries are done. 😝