Cardio-Oncology and Chest Irradiation
I highly recommend this recording- Cardio-Oncology for Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors https://youtu.be/lyf6ZtDgkVM?si=84qAfUtTpM5I6-Vz Although the presentation focuses on cardiovascular disease risk in survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma, the information is relevant to anyone who has received radiation to the chest.Breast Cancer Risk in Survivors of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
I discovered this resource from Hodgkin's International titled "Breast Cancer Risks For Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors" https://youtu.be/YRp4NLcS4Os?si=QwtFipIn5q4LGrNW At 15:22 on the video, the surgeon discusses The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical guideline on breast cancer screening for people who have undergone chest irradiation. This has important guidelines on when to start screening for breast cancer as well as methods of screening for breast cancer. At 17:51 on the video, the surgeon talks about The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study breast cancer risk calculator. Unlike mainstream breast cancer risk calculators, The CCSS risk calculator includes questions on previous radiotherapy treatment. I love that the surgeon provides strategies that survivors can use to advocate for themselves should they receive "push back" from medical providers.
Finished at last! Kind of...
I finished Radiation on Monday! I'm clear of active treatment at last!!! I still have six months of Herceptin injections, but my intensive treatment has finished after eight months! I found my lump in April and since then I've survived Lumpectomy, portacath insertion, AC Chemo for 8 weeks, Paclitaxel for 12 weeks, portacath removal and then four weeks radiation! I now have no new doctors appointments until the New Year, 2020! How strange that seems, quite surreal and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it all yet. In fact I'm sort of relieved I still have Herceptin continuing on so I don't feel an abrupt finish to working so hard to rid my body of cancer! How mixed up is that lol. I'm slowly feeling my way into survivorship. Any hints welcome. I feel a bit unsettled and my sleep is bad again! I talked to my doc about some counselling, I think its time. And I'm going to see an Integrative Oncologist in the New Year. Anyway, I wanted to come on here and celebrate because this site and all of you have been a great source or information and empathy and companionship over the 'journey' for me. Thanks everyone <3 To all of you still going through it or just starting, you will get there. I'm feeling well and healthy, a bit vague and tired and pink from rads but probably the best I've felt for months!! You will come out the other side - and you will be braver, stronger and with more empathy and understanding for people in this world!!! Oh, and I'm finally getting some eyebrows growing back, who knew that would be such a great excitement :D