Endocrine Therapy & Radiation Planning

Today was the first day of school!  Some moms celebrate with a spa day and mimosas, but I celebrated with a gigantic needle in the ass.  It was my first Lupron injection, intended to suppress my ovaries.  It was strange being back in the infusion room.  I sat in one of the chemo chairs until the nurse was available to escort me into the restroom and stab me.  I'll get one of those shots every 28 days until I finally say "Enough is enough!" and have my ovaries removed.  I'm also starting my aromatase inhibitor medication tonight.  The pharmacist warned me that it causes drowsiness.  If I fail to wake up Julia in time to catch the school bus at 6:58am, I can blame my medication.

My oncologist ordered bloodwork as well.  My white blood cell count is still below normal, although it's higher than it was in May or June.  One of the nurses told me that it takes about a year for your body to recover from chemo.  It also takes about a year to have a decent haircut after chemo.  June 2020 is going to be awesome!

After my Lupron shot, I went downstairs and had my radiation simulation, which is the planning session where the radiologist figures out positioning with a custom-shaped mold and maps out exactly where I'll receive treatment.  They use real tattoos to mark the corners of the field, so I got my first tattoo!  Woo-hoo!  Cross that off the bucket list!  I always imagined I would be heavily intoxicated and surrounded by my oldest friends and that I'd end up with a Bel Air Tough tattoo on my wrist or a flaming tricycle on my back (don't ask).  Instead, I was lying on a treatment table, surrounded by medical personnel, and I ended up with three tiny black dots on my chest.  They could've at least offered me a shot of tequila first. 

I have to go back on Monday for X-rays, and then I'll get my first dose of radiation on Tuesday.  I will receive radiation treatment five days a week, Monday through Friday, for six weeks.  That means my last day of radiation should be October 8th.  My appointment will always be at 12:30, so I hope no one was planning to have lunch with me anytime soon.     

Oh, and I don't have pneumonia.  It was just mystery wheezing.  I don't know about you, but I feel reassured.