My encounter with Breast Cancer: A list of essays/posts I need to write (an iterative list)

• Information for large-breasted women who have a lumpectomy and are going through radiation: Where do you buy appropriate (especially for work) bras?!
• Information for large breasted women who still are going through breast cancer radiation with breasts: what do we need to know?
• Body positivity and the medical establishment–if I am an overweight person, I am aware that I’m overweight. Why is it on the front of everything you give me? AND, why are you talking about it all the time? I read. I know about optimal weight and recurrence risks. I’m here because of cancer.
• Why do doctors always suggest weight watchers? Why don’t they refer patients to nutritionists/training programs? When are you going to ask me helpful questions? Would you like to know about my dietary issues?

Surgery: Check, Next up? Radiation

Checking in…exactly three weeks after my lumpectomy. Today, I was able to remove the steri strips. The surgical site healed really well. The pathology report was good– There was .9 cm of abnormal cells, they have left the building, margins were clean, and everything was as expected (no invasive cells, further discoveries, etc.)

Now, I can do normal activities without restriction–swimming, yoga, lift more than 10 pounds on the right side. I’ll be throwing myself into as many of those “freedoms” as I can, because I have one week before radiation starts, and my skin begins to burn.

Recovery from surgery was easy. Surgery was on a Friday and I was back at work the next Tuesday. I have been spending lots of time going to doctor’s appointments. I feel like it’s my new hobby. I am very excited, however, to have a week without appointments coming up.

Medical Oncologist Appointment: After radiation, I’m going to start Tamoxifen, which is the anti-hormone medication that pretends to be estrogen and attaches to your cells. I was really nervous about taking this medication (still am), but I’m very pleased that the oncologist agreed to a lower dose. There’s a new study that came out in December which followed patients taking 5 mg, vs. 20 over three years with similar results. Hopefully this will minimize the side effects (all the side effects of menopause, but you’re still supposed to get your period). I went to the gynecologist to learn more about what could happen and what to look for. She was more informative in regards to what can happen to your period, which was helpful.

Radiation Oncologist Appointment: I will be doing 27 sessions of radiation of the whole breast. If I was over 40, I might have been eligible for the accelerated version of radiation. But, I’m not. This is going to be a slog. I’m dreading the next couple of months. Hopefully, I can stay on top of the skin side effects and work to minimize the fatigue through exercise. I’m buying various skincare products that are supposed to help (I’m balancing being prepared with over-buying random expensive creams). I did get a good radiation time that doesn’t interfere with work–7:30 AM. Radiation starts April 3. *

I’m going to try to enjoy my last week of “freedom”!

*You may be wondering how you can help, which I really appreciate. If I’m experiencing significant fatigue, I may reach out for help with daily living tasks (groceries, laundry, cleaning). Otherwise, I am sure I’ll need cheering up because I know I’ll burn pretty bad (fair skin and all). Text me/FB message me funny/cute photos or videos of dogs or other animals (sorry, cats don’t really do it for me) after April 3. Or say hi and tell me about your exciting life (I guarantee it’ll be more interesting than a play by play of my skin burns)