Radiation After Effects

So it's now 5 months post-radiation treatment. If you recall, when the treatment ended at the end of December 2008, I experienced a folliculitis of the treated skin area that took nearly 2 months to resolve. The dermatologist tried 3 different approaches to resolve it, including a biopsy (just showed inflammation and nothing else), and finally it went away when all three medications (topical antibiotic, steroid cream, anti-fungal cream) were applied.

Fast forward to this week... My affected breast is very warm to the touch, still pink, and painful at the boost site area as well as under my armpit where it feels swollen at times, particularly in the morning when I swear I can feel the lymph nodes. The pain is becoming more constant, particularly after the breast has been touched. So I called the breast surgeon, whose nurse referred me back to the radiation oncologist, whose office arranged for a visit that day.

The radiation oncologist advised me that it was NOT cancer, but rather a hyperreaction to the radiation treatment which occurs in 1-2% of all people who receive radiation (aren't I the lucky one?). He recommended 2 courses of treatment -heavy steroids (8 weeks) which would provide optimal results or Motrin 800 mg three times a day for 3 weeks. I made no treatment decision at the time of the visit because I think the treatment is a bit harsh to start out the gate with, and will follow up with him again in August since he says there is no harm in waiting it out a bit longer.

The day after that visit, I received a call from the radiation oncologist, who had done a bit more research, and recommended that I should try a short course of antibiotics for 10 days to make sure that the inflammation is not bacterial in nature. He ordered a broad spectrum antibiotic. If it improves the situation, I'm to see him at his office. If not, I'll give him a call to advise.

Now...with my 20/20 hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have done the radiation, but then I wouldn't have done the full battle plan and would have more about the cancer returning. Too late now to speculate about what could have been.

The Beginning

There is always a beginning to every story, a prequel, and multiple epilogues. This is my story, dedicated to my wonderful family, my support and anchor - my dear sweet husband and best friend of 31 years, David, and my two beautiful daughters, Rachel (24) and Carol (27).

On Friday, September 5, 2008, my world was rocked. I received the diagnosis I had been dreading ever since my own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago: DCIS Left Breast, .3 cm, Grade 1, micropapillary.

Should I say I was surprised? Not really. After I saw the mammogram that led to the additional mammograms, ultrasound, and stereotactic biopsy, all in the same week, I saw the "explosion of the microcalcifications". This mammogram seemed to match the mammograms with the same diagnosis on the Internet.

When the radiologist shared the news, very tactfully, and in a kind way, I was numb. My body started to shake, and the tears welled in my eyes. Luckily for me, I was in my work office, and the door was closed. I could be emotional in the privacy I so desperately needed.

My first reaction was to go online and look up everything he said on one of the great breast cancer websites I had found earlier in the week. The pathology was clearly explained (http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/path_report/). Then when I felt I was armed with the answers that I knew my family would seek, I called my husband.

David, as expected, was very sad. He assured me that "we" would do what needed to be done to get well again. He was definitely part of the team. For years, I had asked him what he would do if I lost a breast like my mom. And for years, he replied that nothing was more important than my health, and whatever needed to be done should and would be done. After all, as partners for 31 years, we had made a pact that we would love each other for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He's the kind of guy that would never break a promise, nor reneg on a contract. But, in truth, we are still in love with each other, have a lot of fun together, and after all these years, still "like" each other too. He is the one constant that I know will always be my side no matter where this journey takes me.

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