Radiation Continues

Radiation continues and so does the skin irritation. I tried to get a shot of it in the bathroom mirror without revealing too much (see below). This is actually looking better than than it was a few weeks ago. I don’t really have much more to say about Radiation at this point except it’s a bitch.

Deep in concerntration trying to get this shot.

 

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14 Responses to Radiation Continues

  1. Al's ever-so-proud Mom says:

    1. Hearing that diagnosis – Check
    2. Tests, tests, tests – Check
    3. Wrapping your whole soul around the implications – Check
    4. Assembling the surgical team – Check
    5. The surgery, the dreaded night after, and the recuperation – Check /Check/Check
    6. Deciding on the Chemo team and protocol – Check
    7. The Fertilization Process – Check
    8. Chemo, IV and PICC issues, folliculitis and hair loss – Check
    9. Radiation and sensitive skin – not yet a check, but getting there…

    There just are no words to describe how blown away I am by the inner strength, intelligence, and grace you continue to demonstrate while tackling this beast, my beautiful Al! Each one of those steps alone is huge – all of them are just plain mind-boggling! And now, you’re back to work too – unbelievable! Love, love, love my wonderful girl and always know that I’ll do whatever…whenever!

    Your Mom

    • Alison Q. says:

      I love you Ma. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful Mom by my side through it all.

    • Sandra Brady says:

      Hello Alison,
      I wanted to write to you as your blog truly touched my and helped me turn from tears and sorrow to taking a more optimistic and brave approach to my own Breast Cancer diagnosis. I hope it is ok I wrote in this section. I couldn’t find another, more appropriate, comment link.

      My name is Sandra and I am 36 years old. I just turned 36 last November and I have a 9 month old daughter names Maxine. 4 weeks after Max’s birth, at around week 4, I noticed a lump in my left breast but was told by my doctor “It cannot be Cancer, it would not have grown that fast” I was breastfeeding and was told the lump was part of the breastfeeding.

      Well guess what, 8 months later I mention it again to my GP and after a referral to the breast clinic, a mammogram and an ultrasound I was diagnosed on January 11th with Stage IIb, grade 3, 3.1 cm Invasive breast cancer with possible Lymph node involvement. ER PR positive.

      My blood, CT and Bone scans are clear, Thanks God.

      Since then I was a mess, I had to stop breastfeeding my little girl and everytime I looked at her I would crumble into tears. My husband is great but all this has been very taxing on everyone as I am sure you know. By the way, I live in Canada. I got my first round of chemo on Jan 20th

      I googled -Chemo Day 7 – a few days ago and your blog popped up. I read it all that night and since then I am trying to emulate your positive outlook. Your blog really helped me and I wanted to thank you for that.

      It doesn’t help that you look gorgeous with a buzz cut and bald head! I hope mine is not too much like that Darth Vader pic. Yikes!

      So here I am, reading your blog and trying to be strong. I have 5 more rounds of Chemo to go, lumpectomy, possible lymph nodes removal, Radiation and Tamoxifen.

      My Oncologist told me we did not have time to harvest eggs so I am hoping my eggs are still viable at the end of all this and we can have more children, we were going to start trying again in April of this year.
      Anyhow, thanks again for your inspiring blog and kudos on your positive vibe. You will get through this and at the end of this difficult road there is a new and better “us”.
      Sandra

      • Alison Q. says:

        Sandra- I am so honored that you read my whole story and found it to be helpful. I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and am sure it’s so emotional and challenging facing this as a new mother. I can say now coming out on the other side, it’s full of challenges and low low points, but there are also gifts that emerge. Things slowed down for me in a nice way and I have started appreciating things more. Wishing you peace, happiness and restored good health, you can do it! I’m overdue to post, but I’ll be writing more soon. Big hugs to you and your family! Alison

        PS. I’ll send you an email so you’ll have my address…

        • Samdra says:

          Thanks Alison, feel free the facebook me as well, i have a lets kick cancer in the boobs group. Right now my husband is in Nashville for for and i am so grateful for my aunt and mom who are pulling all nighters with the baby so i can rest. Infind that things slow down as well amd boy do priorities change!

          Sandra brady

  2. Emily Rice says:

    Al. That looks incredibly painful. Incredibly. But I see power in that face, which makes it clear that you have the strength to get through this as you’ve gotten through each of the hurdles thrown at you with this asshole cancer thing. You continue to be an inspiration. I think about you all the time, and send lots of love, hugs, and kisses to you as you work your way through this one. Luke sends baby love, hugs, and kisses, as well, which are even more healing.

  3. Amy Herrick says:

    All I can say Al is that you are amazing (the more accurate description is unf##”$king believable)!! There you were, beautiful as always, with those gorgeous eyes of yours glowing, dancing us all under the table- and all the time with this “skin irritation” (now there’s an understatement if I ever saw one!) I’m so happy for you that you’re done with this hugely painful phase. I know that the next ones will have their challenges too, but hopefully you feel that the full-on grueling abuse is finally behind you.
    I loved seeing you – even if it was for such a short time.

  4. Bob Russell says:

    Sweetheart:
    Congratulation on completing your final dose of radiation!
    You endured surgery, chemotherapy, and now radiation with such amazing grace and courage. I am so very proud of you.
    Now it is time to rest and recover.
    All my love,

    DOD

  5. Nichole says:

    Hey Alison! THanks for posting some pics of this awful process…have been debating doing the same thing myself….I am just finished w/ rads, chemo, surgery, eggs, & the whole shabang! My skin is getting much worse, so I was looking to see who else may be experiencing this….Red, rashy skin, now it’s peeling & raw in places. How are you managing this skin reaction…lotions? astringents? and what about clothing? Tank tops under clothes? No bras? Cotton loose shirts? They don’t tell you it’s going to be this bad!

    • Alison Q. says:

      Hi Nichole-

      My skin got the worst towards the last month of radiation. It was pealing and raw and beet red, really horrible. I ended up using a prescription cream called Silvadene and taking 3-4 day breaks from treatment and using that cream during the break. Then on treatment days, I used Boiron Calendula Cream during the day and Boiron Calendula Ointment at night, then the Silvadene on the weekends. As for clothing, Target has these maternity shirts from Liz Lange that are kind of loose and really soft that I wore. I definitely couldn’t wear a bra or even a tank top, so I just layered with these shirts: http://www.target.com/p/Liz-Lange-for-Target-Maternity-Long-Sleeve-Basic-Tee-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13738203#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage

      My radiation oncologist was surprised at how bad my skin got, so it sounds like it doesn’t happen to everyone (lucky us!) Now that radiation is over (about a month later) my skin is completely healed, except the effected area is a slightly darker color. Now I am waiting 6-8 months before getting the final reconstruction surgery to let the skin totally settle.

      Hope this info helps! Good luck to you.

      Best,

      Alison

  6. Dede says:

    Why all of this insanity? Skin on fire? Burn Creams. WTF is right. Just know that there is so much love coming toward you, Alison, and that it is filled to the brim with healing, calming, soothing grace. With our love, D. and Co.

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