I start Proton Radiation with the Northwestern Proton Center in Warrenville, Illinois tomorrow, Monday, February 7th. I will be going 5 days a week for 6 and a half weeks. Proton Radiation therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a form of radiation treatment used to destroy tumor cells. Instead of using x-rays like regular radiation treatment, it uses protons to send beams of high energy that can target tumors more precisely than X-ray radiation. Traditional radiation delivers x-rays, or beams of photons, to the tumor and beyond it. This can damage nearby healthy tissues and can cause significant side effects. By contrast, proton therapy delivers a beam of proton particles that stops at the tumor, so it’s less likely to damage nearby healthy tissues.
Proton therapy requires planning. I had to undergo a specialized computed tomography (CT) 2 weeks ago. During the radiation planning scan, I had to lie on a table and the medical staff determined the exact places where the radiation therapy will be given on my body. I had permanent tattoos placed in 4 different areas. These permanent tattoos are the size of a pen mark. This helps to make sure that my position is accurate during each proton treatment.
Side effects of Proton Radiation: As I mentioned above, the side effects of Proton Radiation are far less compared to regular Radiation. Fatigue is the most expected side effect. There is a 15 percent chance that I could develop Lymphadema in my right arm. Lymphadema is swelling in the arm caused by a lymphatic system blockage. The condition is caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, part of the immune and circulatory systems. Lymphedema is most commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment. Lymphadema has a higher prevalence in overweight women. Lymphadema can be permanent in some cases. Treatment options include physical therapy, massage to drain lymph nodes, and surgery in severe cases.
Being the proactive person I am, I have started preventative measures with the National Lymphatic Center in Downers Grove, IL. I see a certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist. Once a week, she does a massage technique that moves the lymph node drainage from the arm pit area to other areas of the body. Prior to going in, I can feel a hard nodule in my arm pit area and I will have on and off pain in that area. I also may feel some tingling in my fingers. Once I receive treatment, I feel so much better! The big nodule feels soft and I no longer feel pain. I also am getting regular Chiropractic treatments to help balance my body from the inside out, and to help relieve pain. I am still using the infrared sauna nightly to help detox my body.
Return trip to Chipsa in Mexico: I have postponed my trip back to Chipsa. I was originally supposed to return the end of February, but because of the Proton Radiation treatment, the trip is postponed. I plan on returning back to Chipsa in April, two weeks after finishing Proton Radiation treatment. The doctors from Chipsa are very supportive of the Proton Radiation treatment, and the Northwestern doctors have become supportive of the treatment I have already received from Chipsa. After all, the tumor in the breast showed very little metabolic activity on the PET scan, so the Chipsa treatment worked for that component. I truly believe that the combination of conventional medicine and integrative medicine was the best route for me. As a Veterinarian, I practice both conventional and integrative medicine for my patients; and for myself, I follow the same passion for the combination of these treatments.
I am so blessed that I can still work full time, and enjoy my life as I am undergoing treatment. If I would have followed traditional treatment here, I would not be able to live the life I want. I hope I can help educate other people who have cancer. There are many options out there, you just have to do the research. Hopefully by sharing my journey, I can help others.
God does play a big role in my journey. Keeping faith is so important. Having a good support system is important too. I am blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends. My animals have also helped me with this journey. I have included a picture of my horse Diva in this post. She had a major surgery in December, and is healing right now. We are both undergoing healing journeys. I thank God everyday for all the blessings I have. I have trust in God that the cancer will be gone. I look to God to lift me up, and keep me going through this journey.
“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13