Got my new tattoos today

Today was my radiation planning session. It was pretty painless. I went in, Dr. Spiegel marked my chest and then the radiology techs put me through the CT scanner to ensure proper alignment for radiation. After they made sure everything was lined up correctly I was given my tattoos. One is right in the middle of my chest and the other is at the other end of my incision, somewhere under my arm. I love how they tell you it's just going to look like a little freckle. It actually looks exactly like what it is, a place where someone poked ink into my skin. The one on my chest is kind of irritated, I'm hoping that goes away quickly. Radiation will start next Monday, the 28th, and end on June 12th.

I also went to see Dr. Beatty (my surgeon) today for further follow up and to get the results from the mammogram and MRI I had last week. Everything is just fine there. I will go in again in six months for a follow-up mammogram and then an MRI in a year.

I like Dr. Beatty so much, he will always tell me just how it is and I appreciate that. Today he told me that because of the fairness of my skin and the fact that I still have a fairly large breast (so a larger area of radiation) that radiation may be harder on me than other people. No sugar coating, that's just the way it is. Now of course I'm hoping I will get lucky like I did with chemo and I won't have the big side effects, but it's good to know what they are and what I can expect so I can attempt to do something about it if I experience them.

Oh and I also started my Tamoxifen today the first day of what will most likely be five years.

Henry has been going to Tae Kwon Do for the past couple months. He's doing very well. He's going to belt test on Friday to move up to a new belt. This evening he attempted to teach me his form, I'm sure I looked hysterical, but it was fun.

Wow, it has been a busy day, no wonder I'm tired...

I hope all is well with each of you.
~K