Pt.3 Radiation

Pt.3 Radiation

RADIATION: WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH, BUT CANCER DISAGREES

So, surviving a double mastectomy and chemotherapy wasn’t challenging enough, right? Nope. They added 16 rounds of radiation for good measure.

Physically, radiation was probably the easiest of all my treatments. But emotionally and mentally, it drained me. The worst part? Endless meetings with doctors discussing two different types of radiation, and guess who had to pick? That’s right—me. After my first video conference, I felt sick just from all the terms and potential side effects I didn’t understand.

Imagine being told, "Pick door #1, and you might get attacked by piranhas, or door #2, and you could be crushed by an elephant." Like, what on earth do you choose?!

Let’s talk options:

PROTON RADIATION THERAPY

Pros:

  1. Precision: Targets the tumor more accurately, sparing nearby healthy tissues.
  2. Fewer Side Effects: Because it's so precise, patients often experience fewer side effects.
  3. Lower Risk of Secondary Cancer: Reduced exposure to healthy tissues means lower chances of secondary cancer.
  4. Best for Sensitive Areas: Great for tumors near vital spots like the brain, spine, or eyes.
  5. Good for Kids: With less long-term damage, it's a better option for children.

Cons:

  1. Limited Availability: Proton centers are rare, so not everyone has access.
  2. Cost: It's more expensive, and insurance doesn’t always cover it.
  3. Longer Treatment Time: Sessions take longer than traditional radiation.
  4. Unclear Benefits for All Cancers: While it’s effective for some, research is still ongoing for others.

In Short: Proton therapy is the newer option, but since it’s pricier and less available, insurance doesn’t always cover it. While it’s more precise and spares healthy tissues, more sessions are needed, which can mean worse skin burns.

PHOTON RADIATION THERAPY

Pros:

  1. Widely Available: You can find photon therapy at most cancer treatment centers.
  2. Effective for Many Cancers: It’s proven and works well for various cancers.
  3. Cost-Effective: It’s cheaper and more likely to be covered by insurance.
  4. Shorter Treatment Time: Sessions are quicker than proton therapy.

Cons:

  1. Less Precision: Photons go through the body, hitting both cancerous and healthy tissues.
  2. More Side Effects: Since it’s less targeted, more damage to healthy tissues occurs.
  3. Higher Risk of Secondary Cancer: The exposure to surrounding tissues increases the risk of future cancers.

In Short: Photon therapy is the most commonly used. It’s less precise, meaning more risk to surrounding tissues and organs. Fewer sessions, but a higher risk of other cancers developing later.

So, which one did I pick? After endless research and going back and forth (a million times), I chose proton therapy. Why? The area they’d be radiating—my left “breast”—was close to my heart, and proton therapy’s precision gave me peace of mind. I figured I could handle the skin burns.

:::::Cue DJ record scratch:::::

Then my insurance shot down proton therapy after multiple appeals. All that stress for nothing.

So, my plan? Photon therapy. Simple—16 rounds, one treatment a day for 16 days. A few weeks before starting, I had to go in for a scan so they could map out the radiation area. They tattooed little dots on me to line things up perfectly each time.

PHYSICALLY

Midway through, swallowing became torture. Part of my neck was radiated, and the pain was sharp and constant. Eating was hard, and even swallowing saliva felt like scraping raw skin. My armpit and chest darkened for a few weeks, but one positive side effect? No hair grows in my left armpit now! (Score.) The radiation left scar tissue around my implant, creating visible rippling that’s noticeable.

MENTALLY

Radiation was the same every day, and I felt like I was living in Groundhog Day. The monotony started to mess with my head, making each of the 16 days stretch out like an eternity. My techs were great, but everything felt robotic—unlike chemo, where I had different nurses, rooms, and visitors. Radiation was the total opposite, and it wore me down.

RADIATION TIPS:

  • Avoid scented creams. Ask your oncologist for a prescription moisturizer.

THINGS I WISH I KNEW:

  • I thought the burns would show up right away, but the discomfort and darkening happened after my last session.
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