It has been 2 weeks since my last radiation treatment and although my incision area is still quite red and recovering from blisters and peeling, I am doing well without having any regular appointments for treatments but I learned I am not completely done. My radiation oncologist, Dr. John Wilson had given be a script for a Lymphedema evaluation and treatment which will be 6 weeks from my last radiation and it is twice a week. So starting at the end of June, I will go twice a week at 4:30 pm to a specialist to treat and prevent symptoms of Lymphedema. This will take me to almost the end of July.
At first I was concerned that I would feel a little lost being on my own after so many weeks of being under close supervision, but I am actually relieved. I have follow up appointments with both oncologist- I learned the one that gave me chemo is called a Medical Oncologist (Dr. Gor) and the other, of course, is called the Radiation Oncologist (Dr. Wilson). I see them both in June.
I also feel relieved that I am not a failure because I could not make dietary changes while in treatment. I think I was overwhelmed and holding on tightly to what was familiar. So now, little by little, I will start to eliminate meat and add more grains to my diet. I reached out to Carol and Shari Hennes last evening and Carol will send me some recipes that Shari had given her over the years. This is a family where 3 people have had breast cancer- all 3 different types..... Mother, Father and Daughter. I am going to try. For awhile I was thinking I did not want to try to change because it felt too hard but now I feel ready to set a schedule for exercise and to cook on weekends and pick up on the easy recipes from Carol. I am so afraid of disappointment from failure- it is the hardest courage I have to muster for changing my lifestyle habits. Wish me luck....... and I will take a few prayers on this task as well.
