I will go daily, Monday through Friday, minus weekends and holidays for 31 more radiation sessions. I can get there and home in about an hour. Actually, Don is driving me. I can drive myself but it's nice to have a chauffeur. It's a 12:45 pm appointment. There was less traffic at that time than the 11 am appointment I had the day before.
Do they cover other parts of my body with lead aprons during my radiation? No. It's a very localized treatment. The radiation therapist said there isn't "scatter" like in other kinds of x-rays (dental, etc.) She also said it was a high power something or other kind of machine.
Along with skin changes (sunburn-like rash, dryness, itching) that start to occur at about weeks 2 to 3 with dryness possibly lingering 3 months after treatment, there are several long term side effects like brittle ribs and a couple of others that may affect 5 out of 10,000 people. It will not affect my heart or lungs. They re-measure the treatment area every 5 treatments. I don't feel or see anything during a treatment. One last thing: the room is cold because of the equipment. And there I am lying on a narrow, sliding, metal table, practically naked. The table moves as the eqipment moves around me. It's not like an MRI or PET/CT scan equipment. I don't go into a tube. Here's a picture and more info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you/page3 That's the huge machine that moves around me.
There was more to tell. I'm glad I checked my notes. Oh, and did you make that mammogram appointment? For those of you who are keeping up with them, good for you! For those of you who are avoiding it--don't! I am glad that you're working on it Lori! Love you! nancy
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3 comments:
You put a smile on my face today! I will be sure to have the appointments finalized this week. Your strength is such an encouragment to so many of us. Hope the weekend is good and relaxing for you and the family. I love you!!
N,
I'm so glad you posted this. I've been wondering about your radiation treatments. I didn't get a chance to call over the weekend (it took away from me sitting in front of the fan), but I was thinking about you.
I'm in training this week so my brain is filling up fast. I hope I don't sleep on my side tonight in case anything falls out.
More later.
Love you!
Jodi
Mammo is booked! Oct 24th, 10:30 AM.
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