Yesterday I had my appointment for the radiation tattoos and it all went well and fairly easily. I got there and they took some measurements, then did the CT scan to check placement, and did 4 little dot tattoos to mark the area for radiation. They are very small and not that noticeable so I am happy! there is one sort of in my cleavage area but I don't think it will impact me wearing a bathing suit or certain types of clothing.
They said I will be called in 3-5 days and I will be told when my radiation starts, usually a week to two weeks later. I am thinking it will start the week of December 12th, which means I will end closer to late January. The radiation oncologist had said I shouldn't be out in the sun for 4 weeks after the end of treatment, so Jeff and I are thinking of planning our trip to Jamaica (which I can't wait for!) probably in early March.
Tomorrow I go to see my medical oncologist to review the pathology report (my surgeon said he probably just wants to gloat that the chemo worked so well!). She told me he may be leaving, so I want to ask who will take over for him, and if I do regular follow ups with him or not. I also want to ask about the chemo brain. This is the most worrying residual side effect from chemo for me right now. Chemo affects your cognitive ability. My short term memory is crap right now. I think of something I need to do, and if I don't write it down right away or put it on a list, I have trouble recalling even 10 minutes later sometimes. This would be a major problem at work. I have heard that it doesn't last forever but I do want to ask about it and mention my concerns. I also have trouble sometimes thinking of words in the moment. Given before my diagnosis, I was a word warrior, and a strong multi-tasker, I do feel somewhat incompetent in those areas right now.
When we saw the radiation oncologist last week, we asked about end of treatment and returning to work. Jeff expressed concern about me going back right after treatment is over and how the insurance company is already calling us for updates etc. Dr. Conrad said that she recommends patients stay off work for at least 3 months after treatment is over, and that she spends a lot of time dealing with insurance companies so if they are harassing me, to send them her way. She also said that when you return to work, the expectation is you are 100 percent, and that is another great reason not to rush back. I was so relieved to hear her support. It is not like this has been a fucking vacation! My body and my mind have gone through the wringer, and I need time to recover, and feel more like myself again.
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