Well it has been a few days since I put a post in about the radiation treatments. So far, I think I am doing pretty well. I have had 8 treatments and have 17 more to go. They do them Mon-Fri except on holidays. The set up is what takes the most time, they have to position you in just the right spot exactly, and I have to be put in the mould they made me before the treatments started. It takes some time to set up, but once the radiation starts, it’s only a couple of minutes. I would say from arriving in the cancer center, to leaving is about 30-40 min each day, depending on if they are on time. Sometimes it’s behind schedule as the machine is finicky in the area I am in and gives them grief sometimes.
I saw the radioncologist friday and she examined me.. she thought everything was looking good so far. No skin breakdown. I am having some burning sensation on the skin, but it’s more like a mild sunburn at this point. There is a darkening of the nipple on one side (sorry if TMI, but it’s a truthful accounting of what is going on.) but so far nothing to bad. I have been told symptoms can worsen around end of week 2.. so I’m not quite there yet.
Maurice has taken me to all radiation treatments but on Thursday Maggie came in, and sat with me while I waited my turn to be on the machine. She was allowed to come in the room while they set me up (I asked if she could and they said sure) and so she saw them mark me up with their pens, position me exactly so… and then they all left the room and the radiation started. She was allowed to be in the room with all of the monitors and the techs explained what they were doing, how the radiation was directed etc, and she said she found it interesting. 🙂
…Pam…
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Hi Cathy, Becky and Mary… 🙂
I am managing though each day it gets sorer and I suspect once the more focused beams start, that will really give me more of a burn, but I’m just guessing. Will have to wait and see.
Becky! Nice to see you. So far the skin is holding out. That’s sweet of you to offer me a ride, but Maurice has been swell, and Maggie comes in and takes me sometimes so I am spared the buses 🙂
Mary, glad to hear from you. Hope all is well with you too, and that you are enjoying retirement. 🙂 Will let Maggie know you said hi. Cancer has been around a long time, for sure.
…Pam…
Hi Pam, read your blog and good to hear you are handling the radioterapy so well. Hope your 2nd week goes as well. Keep up the courage and fight. Hi to Maggie. Interesting to hear about Tim’s ride for cancer, all for a very good cause. I remember when we were just young kids my Mom used to canvas door to door each year on cancer week, it was all new to us.
Keep smiling Cheere MARY K
Hi Pam
I am so glad things are going well. The radiation treatments can be tedious but they are doing the job. Hope the skin holds out. I have been thinking of you often but i know that you are in good hands at the cancer center. If there are any days you need a ride to radiation I would be happy to accompany you just let me know. Thanks for sharing your journey. Hang in there Love Becky
HMM must have screwed up when I commented on this before…jeez..who knows where it went lol
Glad you’re managing Pam and I hope the next few weeks goes by rather quickly….and that you’re done with the nasty business forever……..keep up the fight and great attitide. I’m proud of you