June 15 - My radiation plan

Today I met Dr. Theresa Trotter, my radiation oncologist. She took great pains to explain my cancer stage and situation, prognosis, and the advantage of adding radiation to my 'cure' mix. I have full confidence in her ability to get me the best radiation treatment possible. She has a wonderful warm personality and great experience, credentials and reputation. I am lucky.
So of course, I will start radiation daily from on July 13 for 5 weeks, the maximum recommended. When I was diagnosed, without treatment I would have had a 50% chance of breast cancer recurring. By having surgery, chemo then radiation I have reduced that to 10%. Presumably Herceptin immunology treatment improves those odds too.
This week is side effects week and not fun, but the Taxotere is finished and I have nowhere to go but up. Eating is a challenge but will improve as each day goes by. Scallops go down easily and still taste great. I will plan more social events next week when I feel stronger.

JUNE 11 - Last Chemo - YIPPEE

C-Day for me - and the last. This afternoon I had an uneventful time at the Chemo clinic with my last blast of Taxotere, and third of the immuno drug Herceptin.
In future, I will return every three weeks for a half hour infusion of Herceptin, which has given me no trouble. Reduced from 1.5 hours the first time, to 1 hour the second, the drip only took half an hour today, with no extra time required to observe possible effects. From the Taxotere, I expect the usual side effects for three weeks but after that no more. This is a relief.
After my Jan 8 surgery, it looked so far ahead to this date and now it is here it doesn't seem to have been too bad. This Friday I will meet my radiology oncologist to see what plans she has for my next treatment plan, probably lasting all of July. Meanwhile I plan to enjoy summer with books in the backyard.