Met with radiation oncologist

Yesterday, we met with Dr Ping Zhou, the radiation oncologist, in Nashua. Dr Zhou had worked with my surgeon at Dana Farber for a while and thinks she is very good. She described what would happen in my treatments, how long it would take, and what side effects to expect.

They will have a second meeting with me next week to take a CT scan, review the particulars of my body and the tumor location, have me get in the position that I'll be in for the actual treatments, then mark me with two tiny dot tattoos to help them align everything each time.

After that, it will take about 10 days before we start the treatments while they plan the treatments. When they start, I will go every weekday for about 20 visits (that may change somewhat during the planning), and each treatment takes about 15 minutes. Once a week, they will meet with me afterwards to discuss any side effects or questions we have.

The expected side effects are tiredness, red skin, and dry skin. These tend to go away within a couple of months after finishing radiation. Another side effect is that the skin is more sensitive to sun damage, so I'll have to put sunscreen on the area, even when it's underneath clothes - for 2 years! There are unlikely and rare side effects that we'll address if they happen.

I'm supposed to put lotion on right after each treatment and before I go to bed, but none for 4 hours before the treatment. I'm supposed to use unscented gentle natural soaps and deodorants, particularly watching that there is no aluminum in them.

I signed all the paperwork to get started, and will meet with them again on Tuesday, 7/5 to have the planning appointment.

I helped tie balloons for our UU Church to carry in the Nashua PRIDE parade last Friday, and Frank and I walked in the parade on Saturday. I stopped at the end and immediately bought a snow cone, which helped since it was so hot! 

Sunday, we drove up to our friend Jenn's dad's house on a lake in Maine and hung out with them there through Wednesday. It was so relaxing! I healed enough that I could swim each day starting on Tuesday, and could move my arms through each stroke that I know. I got very tired swimming out to the dock and back, but it felt good to be out there!

We had a fun adventure on their pontoon boat. We went under a bridge to get to the next lake, and while over there, the boat stopped working. Faulty alternator, I think. Frank and Jenn paddled back quite a ways towards the bridge, then we got a stranger to help pull us with his boat three rest of the way to the bridge. We let off Jenn's dad Doug, Jenn's cousin, and the cousin's boyfriend, who all got a ride home with a friend we called, and the rest of us waited for Doug to come back in a smaller boat. We paddled and pulled the boat under the bridge to meet him, then hooked us up to be towed. Quite exciting!

Yesterday, I walked nearly 4 miles in the morning and played over an hour of Frisbee in the evening! I could feel some swelling after a while, so I sat in a chair and watched the rest of the time. I felt good today, so I went on a 3 mile walk, and swam for a bit at our neighbor's house. Oh, and also got my second booster shot Friday.

My biggest complaint is that I have poison ivy on my arms, chest and neck. Not sure how I got it, as I didn't really go near weeds this week, but I bought some stuff at the pharmacy to stop the itching, so it's not too bad. Other than that, I'm feeling stronger and more capable. My arm started feeling much better around Tuesday, and now I'm able to walk fast without a pillow. Still wearing two bras when walking or playing sports, as it still gets sore if I don't.

Some loons right near the dock.

A house on its own island!

Paddling the boat back toward the bridge.

Paddling to the bridge, then pulling ourselves under the bridge using the bridge struts.

Doug towing us back to the dock.

Good time with good friends in Maine!