On May 17th I meet with Dr Wynne, my radiation oncologist, for the first time. It was at this appointment he told me I would likely get 7 weeks of radiation treatment, although, the final decision would be made once the PETscan results were in. I accepted his recommended tentative treatment plan and began working with a nurse to get things scheduled.

My scheduling discussion with Nurse Marcy was brief. I told her I wanted to work as long as possible, because of this I preferred to have my treatment at 7:00 am. This would give me time to get cooked and still catch max to be at work by 8:00 am. She smiled and said, “OK” but the look she gave me was more along the lines of…’oh honey, you got quite a journey ahead of you’.

Days later, after a few very frank conversations with Dr L, medical oncologist, I changed my tune. I phoned Marcy to reschedule my standing radiation appointment to begin at 9:00 am since the idea of me working through treatment was crushed.

Here’s why:

Monday the 6th
8:30-9:00 Radiation
9:00-9:30 Oncology Pharmacist
9:30-5:30 Chemotherapy Drip (Med A-6 hours + Med B-2 hours)

Tuesday the 7th
9:00-9:30 Radiation
9:30-1:30 Chemotherapy Drip (Med B-2 hours + Vitamins to counteract Med A- 2 hours)
3:30-4:30 Acupuncture

Wednesday the 8th
9:00-9:30 Radiation
9:30-10:30 Follow-up with Dr W (rad doc)
10:30-12:30 Chemotherapy Drip (Med B-2 hours)

Thursday the 9th

9:00-9:30 Radiation
9:30-11:30 Chemotherapy Drip (Med B-2 hours)
3:30-4:30 Acupuncture

Friday the 10th
9:00-9:30 Radiation
9:30-11:30 Chemotherapy Drip (Med B-2 hours)