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How I'm doing: OUCH! Can we get to the healing part?

What I learned this week is that radiation side effects continue to build for a week after radiation. Wah wuh. 

So the radiated area, which includes my armpit, continues to get more red or brown and sore. The skin is tightening up and no amount of lotion seems to help. This makes it hard to move my arm in some ways. I can understand why physical therapy might be warranted! But we'll see. I'm pushing through the discomfort and am stretching and moving my arm, applying ice packs, going braless, and modifying my exercise. 

The fatigue is also real! I continue to do walk Monty, exercise, and do the occasional social thing, but the rest of the time I'm resting in some capacity, usually on the couch with Monty with a great blanket.

My friend shared the analogy that I'm in the recovery phase after doing several hard workouts in triathlon training, that time where, if you don't recover, you're going to harm your body. Yup. That's it. 

If side effects continue to get worse on Thursday, I'm supposed to see the doctor. Crossing fingers! 

I'm planning to return to work May 13, so I'm glad I have some time to heal. If that could start, that would be great. Thanks.

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