Re-evaluating the Radiation Plan
When I saw my radiation oncologist today, she immediately told me that the pink hair was a big hit at the fundraising event. There was a young tennis pro at the event, and when the doctor checked in, this woman looked up at her (seeing the wig) and said, "Wow, you just went up 8 points on my hot list!" Hee, hee, hee. I can't wait to see a photo.
The oncologist evaluated how my skin is doing. She wanted me to step up my skin car. My scar under my arm, from the sentinel lymph node biopsy, is looking angry. I have a red stripe under my breast that needs attention.
All things considered, the doctor said that I am doing pretty well given the dose I'm at. The standard plan is to treat the whole breast with radiation for 28 treatments (this is done from two angles). Then they do "boosts," where they focus the radiation on the former site of the tumor, for the last five treatments. However, if my skin keeps breaking down, she may change the plan to 25 whole breast treatments and eight boosts. That should spare my skin a bit.
She said that the reason I'm getting a lot of burning is partly because I'm big breasted. There is more tissue being treated by the radiation and the curve of the breast means that there are more places where the radiation beams want to bounce around.
Personally, knowing my skin as I do, I'm pretty sure that this is just going to accelerate. I know they say you can't predict radiation burning by the fairness of someone's skin, but just knowing how my skin is in general - extremely sensitive, even to harsh looks! - I know I'm in for a bit of a trial. Besides, my mother burned badly, too. We shall see!
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