The side effects of radiation are building steadily now. I feel like I have a golf ball in my throat and every time I swallow it hurts. Even drinking water is difficult. I take liquid paracetamol which tastes like shit and seems to have no effect at all. Dr MP mentioned that the treatment may cause my oesophagus to become swollen. I guess that’s what has happened. I’ll mention it at treatment tomorrow. Then there’s the itching – it’s driving me insane! My skin has become quite red and continuously itches. I am using the Strata Gel 3-4 times a day and am also applying hydrocortisone cream underneath it to try to calm things down.

On the flip side I don’t seem to be having any major negative effects from the Zometa or the Letrozole and the after effects of chemo and surgery have improved. My headaches and hot flashes are still there but have calmed down a bit. I’m getting a bit of joint pain and some muscle aches, especially in my left arm, my knees, and my right big toe (of all places). Although the horrible metallic taste in my mouth has gone, I still can’t taste things properly and I can’t stand the taste or smell of onions anymore. I’m still having regular spasms of pain in my scar tissue but I think that will carry on for some time as the nerves repair themselves. I now have a small layer of peach fuzz on my head and half my eyebrows have come back so I’m slowly returning to a more normal me, or at least the new normal me.