Radiation oncology

Mom went with me to the consult with my radiation oncologist yesterday. He consulted with my surgeon and oncologist. The three of them feel like a follow up with radiation reduces my chances of another breast tumor by at least 20%, and the radiation is most effective when there is not an active tumor present. Now is the opportunity to prevent a recurrence of cancer.

I told my family back in 2019 that I’d go down fighting this thing, and I now have a chance to deliver a knock out punch. I can’t pass this up.

There are negatives to this choice though. Radiation burns, more fatigue, skin irritation, time, job concerns, and financial stress. It feels like everything is piling up, and I am utterly unable to keep up because I’m too absorbed in overthinking every choice and consequence. I need a minute, a moment where I can breathe fully.

I do know, however, what Pete Tomes would say to me today. He’s tell me that he didn’t feel a thing, and that I need to be the meanest, toughest s.o.b. On this side of the Mississippi. Then he’d tell me to get in there, work hard, and get it done. Get the job done. Heavens. I miss my daddy.

Dad’s coffee cup. He’d leave this thing everywhere. This week, we retrieved it from under our maple tree.

So…this week I’ll await a call from the radiation oncology scheduler, and I’ll go in to work and get this done. I’m going to be leaning awfully hard on this streak of Tomes stubborn though. It hasn’t let me down yet!