My consultation appointment with Dr. Chester Wilson from Memorial Hospital’s Radiation/Oncology Center went well today.
It consisted of talking about my personal and family health history, a breast exam, watching a short DVD about radiation therapy and then talking to Dr. Wilson.
Short term side effects of radiation therapy are fatigue and skin changes that may include redness (comparable to a sunburn), dry and peeling skin and possibility of swelling in the treated area. I won’t even go into the long term possible side effects.
The next appointment I have with the Radiation/Oncology Center is this coming Monday morning. It is not for the actual radiation therapy but to prepare for it. They will be simulating how to map out and where to focus or target the radiation in my breast. The radiation therapy will start after two such appointments and last for a total of 33 treatments.
I have received “gift bags” from several of the appointments that I have had. One at the Regional Breast Care Center at Memorial Hospital and then today at Radiation/Oncology. The gift bags consist of everything cancer. I understand that a lot of work and care has gone into preparing so much good information for cancer patients but I have to be honest. It is too much information for me and continually focusing on cancer is too depressing. I am weeding through the information and keeping some of it but the rest has to go. Just keeping it r e a l. 
Dr. Wilson gave me the results of the CAT Scan that was done on my neck, chest abdomen and pelvis. All came back negative for cancer being involved in those areas. Thanks a bunch, Lord! Another reason to praise you for your goodness.
I have started exercising by walking daily. It feels good to be able to do so and I am really looking forward to warmer weather so I can walk outside.
Prayer Requests…
~Continued healing for my body and the strength that I will need for radiation therapy. I am praying for little or no adverse reactions. It doesn’t hurt to ask for the best possible results.
~That Curt and I would learn and grow from all of this and our relationship with Jesus would be sweeter.
Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Desiring more of Him.
Love,
Carmel
I really enjoy these updates, Sister and you do them so well. I laugh when I read some of what you have to say. Yes, I think I would do the same with getting rid of most of the information. Sometimes it is just too much. We all have to do what we feel is best for us.