Radiation 18.0 & 19.0

Only one more to go.

As I was flossing my teeth last night, I noticed that I have two red spots on my chest. One big one in the center, and a smaller one by the left armpit. They look like a slight sunburn. That is the cumulative effect of the radiation leaving its mark. I have also been noticing that the skin on my chest is a bit irritated - much like a sunburn. None of it is a big deal, but I have to admit the spot on my chest is bigger than I thought it would be.

I had a meeting with the oncologist again today. It was a different one this time too, and although this guy was very good, I am noticing that each oncologist seems to be interested in something different (except the last one who wasn't particularly interested in anything at all). The doctor today was mostly focused on my lungs (which sound fine and aren't bothering me at all really). He said that in very rare cases radiation treatment can cause what he called "chemical pneumonia" (which sounds like the same problem the hematologist talked about during chemotherapy). He also said that it can occur weeks or months after treatment, so even though I got a clean bill of health today, he scheduled me to come back for another check-up in two weeks.

Also, I have realized that after a week of radiation my energy level is lower than normal. Today, after getting back from the hospital, I was feeling pretty groggy. I lied down on the couch to take a quick 15 minute snooze, and woke up two and a half hours later. I felt guilty about sleeping, but the doctor did tell me to nap if I felt tired (where were those doctors when I was a teenager).