Starting on my radiation treatments: The journey to recovery

Me and my husband Ronnie

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

My blog on my ongoing journey to survival and recovery took a backseat for a while following my lumpectomy last April 19.

Everything went well with the procedure done by Dr.Ilan D Avin of Novant Medical Center. Maybe it's because I chose to hibernate after the tumor was taken out from my left breast. 

I started radiation therapy a month after the surgery. In this radiation journey I have another doctor and set of nurses and therapist. I met soft-spoken radiation oncologist Dr. Kevin Roof also of Novant Medical Center here at Huntersville, Charlotte, North Carolina. 

It's different when you set foot in the cancer room- there is something somber about the experience. For survivors, it's yet another test on the body and the spirit. 

Survivors maintain their spirit but how easy is it to lose that grasp, to let one's optimism slip to depression. I met Dr. Roof on May 9 after the interview with the radiation therapy nurse. 

The markings done prior to treatments

Like my surgeon, Dr. Roof examined me thoroughly and explained to my husband Ronnie and I what is radiation treatment, how to go about it and how many rounds it would take on me. 

In my case in which I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 111 A, I underwent 33 sessions of radiation for five days a week, six weeks and a half. As I said, I began last May 21 and am scheduled to end the sessions on July 6. 

I was scheduled for the first radiation simulation where blue sticker markings were plastered on my left breast and reached as far as the armpit where the cancer metastasis. However a lymph node that positive with cancer  was taken out during surgery.

The final simulation was done on a Friday, May 18. There were a lot of measurements, maybe to make the radiation treatments more precise.  Among other last minute instructions I received from the staff concerned my bathing.

I was advised to let the water run and not rub the areas with the markings and stickers. They recommended that I use Dove soap for my showers. 

On Saturday and Sunday before May 21st, I was anxious and scared a little bit  despite assurances from cancer survivors that the procedure is a piece of cake and there is no pain. 

Thanks by the way to Lois Dennis, Ronnie's sister-in-law of Ronnie and a fellow breast cancer survivor. 

On Monday, May 21, I laid myself on a bed and I placed my left arm above my head like I was about to swim and I turned my head to the right as instructed during the simulation. 

While laid out on the bed, I noticed the center is marked with beams of lights and there is a big machine with external beams. I am not allowed to move. When the nurses have to adjust me they told me not to move and they would move the sheets themselves. 

For 15 minutes, yes it didn't hurt at all except on days when they would re-mark or place new stickers on me. The only thing I noticed is that I am tired after the session but other than that it is much better than the chemotherapy. 

There are only two downsides to the sessions--the daily drive to the hospital and the sun-burnt skin. For the sunburn I have the Aquaphor to rub on my left breast, armpit and the areas where the stickers were placed.   

Actually I’ve been dying to start radiation treatment for a while after the surgery to finally put cancer behind me once and for all. For those who know me and have followed my blog, maybe you can understand my situation.

It had been almost a year since my first diagnosis of metastatic cancer. Did I tell  you that my hair is growing back? Though the hair changed texture but I love it.

And my nails too are not turning black anymore. I will tell you about this in the next blog. In the meantime I thank everyone for all their prayers and wishes.

To be honest  I am sad at times especially now that I am not allowed to expose myself to too much sunlight due to the radiation treatments. But as I tell myself each and everyday in this journey of recovery, I will be okay.