Catching rays...

Whew - time is flying! I have been so busy attending radiation sessions daily and keeping up with work and playing with family, that I have not updated things in a while...

Radiation has gone pretty well so far. The first four weeks seemed to fly by. I had some itching on the skin and a few mild expected rashes. It was all very bearable.

Things got rough about 10 days ago when I had my first burn from the treatment. They did not seem too worried and told me that it does happen (and everything I read said it could happen also) - but it still hurt a bit. After two more tretments, the area was very painful. I thought over the weekend, it would heal, but that was not the case. Last saturday, I was so miserable that I used my aloe vera gel five times and was having to sleep with a 1/4 inch thick layer of it on and nothing touching the skin. I was bummed because I missed sledding with the kids and a few other fun activities.

This week, I discovered why the pain had worsened. I had gone from first degree to significant second degree burns over about a 8x10 cm area (ouch!!!). My regular oncologist was a bit too backed up so they had me see his partner who seemed unconcerned and told me to try some burn cream and basically tough it out.

The pain had somewhat eased throughout the week - as the skin sloughed and the virgin red skin became evident. I was doing pretty well - even though a bit concerned until last night. On the way home from a holiday party, I rubbed the front of my chest (different area) and noticed my skin sloughing in that area also. I now have about 25x20 cm areas of second degree burns on my chest and am not too excited at anybody getting too close to me. I decided to forego the final two treatments - since this is a very minor part of my overall treatment regimen and it is even debatable if I should do radiation at all. Steve has kind of brought up the fact that it seems pretty counter-intuitive to continue radiating very burnt skin especially when it is trying to repair. I have a feeling I may have just increased my risk of skin cancer by about 20-fold in the area. I guess I cannot sunbathe in a bikini anymore - bummer!! No nude beaches either!

Otherwise,I am doing well and keeping in good spirits. This has just been a drag on an already very stressful two weeks. The good news is that I feel pretty well otherwise. The radiation does make me a bit more tired - but my immune system is in good shape. I have not taken anything for pain other than a few ibuprofen since the pain is severe only when I get the bright idea to put lotion, aloe vera or burn cream on the area. I get about two minutes of severe stabbing pain as my virgin skin gets used to having something penetrate it - then it dulls to an annoying ache.

I have found that a warm bath with baby oil is awesome! I have also found thinking and fantasizing about my upcoming visit to family and friends is therapeutic also. The beach is a very welcoming thought at about this point (just not in a bikini!).