Chapter 8: Radiation Super Powers?

In the last chapter, we celebrated a little, with the results coming back for NO CHEMOTHERAPY!

Now, it's time to settle in, because the next big thing is about to start: Radiation.

A bunch of my friends have asked me what I'm doing next, and I simply tell them "I'm getting super powers!" Because it's a fun way to say I still need radiation therapy.

It's weird to think about. You don't really hear a lot about radiation, apart from the fact that sometimes people have to get a tiny little dot tattooed on them so the beam knows where to hit.

For a little bit there I doubted my choice to take the time off. I was wondering if it was selfish of me to do so, just because I might be a bit tired? For someone who had never done any of this before, it was so hard to decide whether it was something I could get through and work through or not.

I asked on forums, and many people said they just worked through it.

But for me, even being tired, on top of my usual amount of tired and brain fog, could jeopardise my work.

I don't want to stop working for a month. I want to push through, keep going. But the reality is, if I do, even if I don't experience the regular discomfort, the normal tenderness, or any skin irritation, I know that I won't be able to put out my best work.

Not even to mention, starting other treatments at the same time? It's going to be even more of a wild ride. If I can take this time, and squish it all in together, maybe I'll come out the other side ready and RARING to go again.

Maybe.

Today, I went in for my planning appointment with the Radiation Oncology dept, and got my first radiation treatment date. I'll tell you more about that in the next chapter though, once I've actually started.

After finding out that chemo was a no go for me, Dr Quah an dI discussed the effects of hormone blockers. She told me that the side effects were essentially: sudden medical menopause.

C r a z y.

Hearing what the side effects of all this are, and I won't bore you, they're going to make all of my worst ADHD symptoms even worse - made me wonder if I wanted to go through that?

They put the stats in front of you. THey show you survival rates for 5-15 years. They show you recurrence rates. But the problem is that when you look at this, they don't have data past that. No one follows up at 20+ years.

Dr Quah told me that this type of cancer could come back as a stage 4 bone or blood cancer if left untreated. And I face that risk more so as a younger patient. This, by the way, is something everyone has consistently stressed to me: You are young for this type of cancer.

I find myself thinking that as i sit in the waiting rooms. I really am, huh? Just my luck.

But, because I am, it means that I'm fitter, generally healthier, and able to bounce back, right? Lets hope that's right.

If you, or someone you love is going through cancer treatment, and you find yourself in need of, or they are in need of support, the Cancer Council has some incredible resources available. Find them all at https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/

And if you have questions, or you just want to reach out, don't be afraid. I'm an open book, as long as I can help I will.

Next Up: Chapter 9: Holding Your Breath.