Radiation Oncology Consultation

I met with Dr. Neglia today for the first time.  I liked his demeanor and I learned a lot.  I'm so glad to finally get the show on the road.

What the appointment was like:

• Lots of paperwork before my visit
• Nurse takes vitals
• Nurse shows a 10 minute video - very helpful, thorough - about the main topics related to radiation
• Doctor examines you
• Doctor discusses your history and your upcoming treatment
• Questions answered
• Nurse reviews paperwork/information with you
• Prescription given for gel to help with skin irritation

What I learned:

• I'll have 33 radiation treatments
• The first 27 will treat the whole breast (right side)
• The last 6 will be to the lumpectomy cavity only
• Without radiation, 40-50% of patients would have a recurrence within 15 years.....with it, the chance is  brought down to 8%....I'm not sure if I worded that right....but I like the big drop from 40 down to 8
• The main side effects that are possible are fatigue and skin irritation
• Each treatment will last about 10 minutes
• Every Monday, I'll have a check up visit with Dr. Neglia for him to monitor my reactions
• Every Thursday, I'll have blood drawn to track my levels....of what, I'm not totally clear
• I won't be able to see or feel the radiation beams
• The beams are incredibly precise....I was amazed by the way the video described this precision
• Semi-permanent marks will be placed in the area that I need to be careful not to scrub off
• Next Tuesday,  I'll have my "simulation" appointment where they will measure and mark the area...and do a localized CAT scan to check their precision
• If I understand it correctly, I'll start radiation next Wednesday

On a side note, I happened to catch a story on the news tonight about cancer fighting foods!  I liked all of them...yay!  They were:

• Walnuts
• Avocados
• Black Raspberries
• Raspberries
• Some type of orange juice from a fruit like mango, or something....I missed it

I hope you're having a great day!

Please, please do your montly breast exams...and schedule your mammograms as regularly as recommended!  I promise you, if you're ever in my shoes, the words "early detection" will mean so very much to you!