Monday, November 03, 2008

Monday, November 03, 2008
On the way!! 11/2/08 Current mood: good
Well, I am on my way with both treatments.I started on the Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago. So far I am tolerating it but I am guessing it takes a while for the side effects to kick in. I am told that the hot flashes and aching joints are a good thing. The studies seem to show it means the drug is working.I started radiation last Thursday. That will be 5 days a week for six weeks. The treatment itself is pretty much a non event. I go in, put on my little hospital gown and they come get me. We go to the table, I lay down, they set up the machine and adjust the way I am laying and then go hide behind the wall and do the zapping. I feel nothing and see nothing. The only way I know anything is happening is the sound of the machine which pretty much just sounds like an xray machine. They adjust the machine a total of 3 times, once for each spot they are zapping. Then I put on my clothes and go home. The side effects of this will be like a sunburn on the zapped areas and the areas that surround that, and eventually fatigue will set in. The fatigue is from the body using so much energy to regenerate the cells that the radiation kills. Everyone reacts differently so only time will tell how severe the fatigue might be. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good. I am grateful that in this messed up economy I still have a job. And of course I am always humbled and grateful for the support I get from all of my awesome friends and family!