(Pear tree blossoms in the backyard)
Hello Everyone and thank you to all those who have reached out. I'm sorry I haven't yet responded to everyone individually.
Just wanted to let you know that I have decided not to have any additional lymph node surgery. I feel serene with this decision, which has been reinforced by some horrific stories of people who have lived with lymphedema.
I will have my radiation planning session on May 26th. This will include getting tattoos, so the radiation machine is lined up in the exact same spot each time, plus a review of the "deep inspiration breath hold" technique, which moves the heart out of the way of the radiation and prevents inadvertent damage. I'm not sure yet when the radiation sessions will start. I do know that the radiation will include both the breast and the arm pit.
Next week, I start on Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor which stops the formation of estrogen in the body. This will help prevent a recurrence of the cancer, which is estrogen positive (meaning that estrogen promotes the growth of this kind of cancer). The oncologist said that I would be on it for 10 years, though who knows how the treatments will change over the next decade. Fingers crossed that I don't experience side effects, which can include muscle and joint pain, disrupted sleep, foggy brain, tiredness, and hot flashes. I will also get an IV infusion of another drug every 6 months to help prevent the bone loss that is associated with Letrozole.
I have loved watching the trees and flowers bloom over these past few days, when summer suddenly arrived. If we get adequate rain in June and July, there should be lots of pears on the back yard pear tree in August!
Thank you for reading, and for your ongoing love and support.
