Radiation Care

Twelve treatments down. Four more to go. (at the time I began writing this post)

Everything my oncologists told me regarding the side effects is upon me. I guess they know what they're talking about.

Everything they told me to do to care for myself during the treatments, well I thank God that self-care has been a practice for me for decades so I just needed to expand on a few things.

NUTRITION

With the fatigue I don't cook as much right now, but normally I do prepare nutritious meals for myself. Fast food had been completely out of my life since the early 90s, however, since the pandemic fast food burgers, alas, had indeed crept back into my life from time to time.

In general though, my eating habits are sustainable with the proper amounts of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.

I met with a nutritionist through Cedars Cancer Treatment programs and did some of my own research as well on particular foods to eat and to avoid.

Magnesium seem to be a common factor to have in my diet. Magnesium is suppose to help with the effects of radiation on the skin. But, and that's a big BUT, not through supplements! No supplements!

Two of the items I have incorporated into my eating habits are Brazil Nuts and Wheatgerm, both excellent sources of magnesium.

The nuts are perfect due to my snacking habit and the wheatgerm is a perfect and tasty addition to my regular smoothies.

I am a foodie. Enjoy trying out new restaurants and fine cuisine. Yet, even though I am about escargot and good wine, I am also into a good Carney's dog with sauerkraut, mustard and relish; I will tear that sucker up and hum while I'm eating it!

SKIN CARE

Another decades long practice of mine, skin care is very important to me because I suffer from the now and again flare ups of eczema. I don't wear perfumes or colognes because of the alcohol content. I enjoy pairing lotions or shea butter with essential oils for a more natural scent and easy emollient for my skin.

Radiation is extremely damaging to skin. As a treatment for breast cancer it carries additional reactions to breast skin. And if your buxom like me, it's surprising how much it affects the under carriage.

Because of my buxomness, I have to be on the table in the prone position. It's like being on a massage table, complete with the face cradle. The exception is that there is a cutout where my right breast needs to be, well let's just be real, it needs to hang down, out and away from my body. This helps with irritation under my breast and also very important beam navigation away from my lungs.

My arms are outstretched with my hand lightly grasping the handles. I have mastered the art of climbing up onto the table, lowering myself down, (upper body and arm strength training, especially when pushing myself up), placing my body in such a way that the last 4 times I needed no adjustment to line the beam up with the coordinates that were mapped out for my body. Now if I can only remember to get my gown before I take off my clothes I will have perfected the whole routine.

Right after treatment before I put my clothes back on, I massage Calendula cream on, around, and under my breast. Around the afternoon time I give her another Calendula massage. Before bed, her massage consists of Aquaphor ointment and a nice layer of cocoa butter. She sleeps well.

I see the effects. My breast is darker, like it's been in the sun too long and the skin looks, well, I really don't want to give that visual.

But still she is beautiful. I keep her moisturized and I keep her loved.

EXERCISE

Walking is a combatant of fatigue. I experienced it myself!

One afternoon I could feel the fatigue was setting in, I put on my walking shoes and went outside for a just a quick stroll around the neighborhood. Oh my gosh! When I came back I felt so energized!

Again, this is not anything new to me. I love walking!

Being informed that radiation can affect bone health I've upped my strength training game. Using what I already have at home, my rod and bands, my kettle ball, and my free weights, along with hiring a personal trainer. What a blessing to have Robert in my apartment building and on my floor right down the hall. He owns a Pilates studio in West Hollywood which I will eventually have Pilates sessions there but for right now he has agreed to train me in my apartment with the equipment I already which includes a Pilates ring that I bought a long time ago but never learned how to use it.

So, I pretty much continue what I'm already doing and making sure I get out and walk every day and utilize the strength equipment I already have more regularly.

MY MINDSET

The battlefield of the mind is real. Our thoughts can determine our moods, our attitudes, and our course of being. For me, before the nutrition, before the skin care, before the exercise, is my mindset.

My mindset is faith. My faith is my mindset. Fellowshipping with God through prayer and meditation and yes through conversation. I need Him first and foremost in order to be able to implement good nutrition, in order to provide for me the skin care products that I need, and to strengthen me enough to set out to walk when the fatigue sets in.

Through this cancer battle and through my entire life, He has always and will always be my first line of hope and defense. I am so grateful that He is my care!