I leave in about an hour for my first radiation appointment.  This one will take longer since it’s the first time, so I’ve left the afternoon open.  Subsequent treatments should only take 30 min to an hour start to finish.  It is every day (M-F) for 6 weeks.  My precious husband is working hard to finish his day early, so he can meet me there.

Noticeable side effects include “sunburned skin” and fatigue, which sound really doable after chemo and surgery.  The side effects I won’t be able to see are some radiation to my heart and lungs (since mine was a left-sided breast cancer).  I’ll be at a Duke clinic here in Raleigh, and the type of radiation is Deep Inhalation Breath Hold 3D conformal on a breast board with custom bolus (chest molds).

My oncologist (Dr. Mark Graham) recommended the radiation oncologist (Dr. Scott Sailer), who will be directing this next phase of treatment.  He is top-notch.  I know he is extremely skilled at his profession, as Dr. Graham said he will be excellent “for a complex case” like mine.  But in my opinion, one of the hallmarks of superb physician is empathy.  His or her ability to see each patient as a person, not a “case”.  Dr. Sailer certainly is superb in this regard.  Extremely kind and empathtic.

Another day, I’ll have to share more about the different types of radiation: photon vs proton therapy, and how God made it abundantly clear that I should undergo traditional (photon) therapy.  Today, I have one sweet reassurance to share…

A few days ago, I was waking up in the early morning. Still half-way between sleep and awake.  I had a mental image of myself doing the “breath holding” technique during radiation.  Deep breath.  Hold.  Radiate briefly.  Breath normally.  And repeat.  Dr. Sailer told me that when I take a deep breath, and my chest wall moves away from my heart an inch or two,  the heart “hides away” and so radiation is really quite safe.  I had an image of a hand (which I knew was God’s) tucked around my heart, shielding it from the photon (radiation) beams.  That is reassurance.  I am as safe as can be.