Ok I am getting the surgery - rads ???

After another sleepless night( the chillow did not work somehow) I went and lead the 5:45 am indoor cycling class, although I have to literally scrape myself out of my warm bed once I get there I enjoy it immensely. None of the sleep aids touch my insomnia..the only thing that has helped so far was 3 mg Melatonin but that did not work either last night somehow.
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Went to the office but was not able to get much done due to the 'ongoing final research and marathon surgery scheduler phone calls'. Had lunch with J who is also a bc survivor, we exchanged battle stories.
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After doing a 'deep dive' into the Breast Cancer treatment plans I have decided again to go ahead with the axillary node dissection.
Just as I was comfortable with hitting with all the ammo that I can find ( surgery + rads) another article got published on the Journal Of Clinical Oncology.. go figure..another decision to make nothing comes for free, each option has its own price to pay.

Effect of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy and Cigarette Smoking on Risk of Second Primary Lung Cancer

Conclusion: PMRT(Post Mastectomy Radiation Therapy) after a diagnosis of BC sharply increased the risk of second primary LC(Lung Cancer), especially in the ipsilateral lung, among ever-smokers. Clinicians should consider including smoking history in their discussions with patients about the risks and benefits of PMRT.

Trying to schedule the Plastic Surgeon and Breast Surgeon will not be easy I will be pushing to get it done asap, but they do not have availability.

Did 30 minutes of power yoga, I definitely am so tight, have to work on that before I get the surgery since I will be down for a couple of weeks after that too. Recevied the book on Lymphedema that was suggested will start studying that to be proactive about that subject, dont' want to be caught blind sided.

Z and I are on the track of weight loss, I have finally been able to harness my appetite and am keeping the calories between 1200-1500 the weight has started to drop slowly. I will try to limit the weight loss to 2 pounds/week cause I have to keep my immune system high and increase the White Blood Cell count till the surgery for good recovery.

One of my forum friends gave me the following info:
"In its latest edition, Prevention magazine says a poor diet is a top factor in making us susceptible to illness. It then lists the top five foods that give your body the best immunity: beef, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, tea and yogurt. " interesting I was trying to avoid red meat.. however it also adds the following comment:

"Of the five immunity-boosting foods, beef may be the most surprising, considering health experts recommend limiting our red meat intake. But moderation is still key.

"People should still not be eating a 24-ounce porterhouse on a daily basis," Skolnik said. "A three-ounce portion of beef -- and importantly very lean beef that is low in fat -- is an important source of zinc."

Zinc deficiency can greatly increase your risk of infection. Zinc helps develop white blood cells, the cells that we really need those to fight off foreign bacteria and viruses."

I also learned that lack of Vitamin D lead to Extremely Dense Breast Tissue ( mine was that before it got scooped out.. the mammogram reports were red flags staring from day one I still do not have a clue why no one got alarmed and ordered an MRI !). And that when vitamin D levels were measured for Breast Cancer patients they measured really low. So Vitamin D3 is one supplement that I will be using after my treatment ends.