Going nuclear

Jen started radiotherapy last Thursday (April 31st). The plan is to have 33 sessions at the rate of 5 per week, so that means six and a half weeks, taking until about June 16th. After the initial setup session, it's not a long procedure, usually about 30-40 minutes, of which only about 5 minutes involve any radiation. However it means Jen having small tattoos, and people drawing on her each time. In that sense it's externally more invasive than chemotherapy. Driving to and from the hospital and finding parking is more time-consuming than the treatment - at this stage Jen is driving herself, although we'll have to see that goes later on in the cycle.

The main logistical obstacle is that the time of treatment varies from day to day. They are trying to keep the appointments within school hours, which is helpful. However this week Jen has Wednesday off, but then treatment on Saturday morning at 8:30am.

So far the side effects haven't been too noticeable, other than some swelling in Jen's left breast, which is to be expected. However, like any medical procedure, the list of possible side effects is long and threatening. The most likely one is fatigue, which will get worse as the treatment goes on. Jen is still determined to keep up some exercise, so her current plan is to walk the dog on most days. She's really enjoying being able to walk properly again, as the peripheral neuropathy has largely faded. Of course the walking also makes her tired, but Jen has long experience in managing the limitations of low energy, after her experience with chronic fatigue syndrome.

We're really thankful that after the very rough five months of chemotherapy, Jen is feeling that she's got more of her life back. During chemo she was just managing the basics, whereas now she's able to choose to put energy into something that she enjoys, such as walking the dog.