Radiation Begins

Short Version: 
Last Thursday I had the prep work done for radiation.  This involved high tech measuring and a CT Scan.  I was told that after the team of 4 experts got together, reviewed my information and develop the treatment plan I would be called to make my first appointment.   Yesterday, Monday, I got the call, and my first radiation appointment was scheduled for 7:30 this morning.  The rest of the week my daily appointments will be at 7:30 Then next week they will be at 11:45 and it will continue to be such for the duration of the 37 treatments

Long Version: 
At the appointment last Thursday, Preston and  I  met with Dr. Nigrin, she didn't tell us anything we didn't already know, except that they could start the radiation therapy as early as the next week.  I reminded her that I had one more chemo treatment on the following Friday.  She indicated that was no big deal, in many places treatments are done concurrently.  She did say that there seemed to be a preference to do them consecutively here (she is relatively new to the area), but a little overlap will not be problematic at all.    I am of the mind that "the sooner we start, the sooner we are done"..... so....  On With IT!  :)   Once they have the information from the Simulation and CT Scan four team members would meet (Dr. Nigrin, someone else who was an expert in machine settings and doses, and a team leader from the radiation therapist, and some other important person) and set up the treatment plan, then I would get a call and be told when my first treatment would be.

Simulation: During the SIM Preston sat in the Radiation Waiting area visiting with the people who were waiting for radiation treatments.   The Simulation was a bit mysterious.   They had me lay on a table that had lumps and bumps, and a contraption that held my head in a  "just so" place and my arms and hands "just so" over my head. " tip your chin up...to the left just a bit.... now don't move or we will have to start all over!  Don't talk unless you need too.... people always talk with their hands."    Then the measuring, surveying, and marking began.  It appeared to me they were using laser lights and cross hairs, and maybe even a tape measure to do all the marking... with a felt marker. They drew boxes and lines and I don' tknow what all on my right breast, then they marked 4 spots.... two on my chest mid line and one on each side of my body, I think at the bottom of my rib cage.  These they tattooed. Yep, I have my first and only tattoos!  Four little periods. My understanding is that these tattoos are used for the lining up everything each time to make sure they are radiating the exactly right area.   I really wish I could have had an out of body experience to be able to watch what they were doing, and watch the equipment they were using so I could understand that all better.  Once they had me all marked up they taped wires on the markings and little wire dots on the tattoos and sent me to CT.  Actually it wasn't immediate, CT was backed up with emergency room jobs. So I waited with Preston for a little while in the waiting room.

CT Scan: When I got to the CT room I had the pleasure of seeing a familiar face.  Gary Jensen's (a friend and member of our church family) daughter Pam was there.  She usually works at the Dayton, WA hospital but has been training on the machines in the Walla Walla hospital.  We gave each other  a hug. Another one of God's blessings in my life.  He has been so good to me!!
I was surprised how quick and efficient CT was.  The gals there were great...once again getting me in the "just so" position and before I knew it  I was done!    We could go to lunch at Preston's new favorite lunch place, Italian Bistro.. that has an all you can eat buffet.

Physical Therapy: Monday I had a PT appointment.  After I exercised at Curves I headed over to the hospital.  Andrea is happy with the resolution of scar tissue and pronounced me ready to start radiation. She worked on range of motion on my right side, lymph node massage, and releasing muscle tension in my neck.  Then it was 10.5 minutes of a stepper/bike kind of machine.    She discussed with me the PT Dept.'s progress in understanding the Danish study that indicated 7 hours of week of exercise/massage/yoga  which Dr. Quackenbush is so excited about.  I am their test case, and they are still figuring out how to implement it.  She said they should know more by Thursday's appointment.

Radiation Therapy:  Doesn't that sound nice and soothing!  Hah!   While I was at PT Monday, Gayle at Radiation called, "We are ready to start therapy.... tomorrow, how about 7:30 AM. and that would be your appointed time for the duration, unless you want to shift to another  time when it opened up,  one opens up next week at 10:15 or 11:45"     I am thinking , "Wow.... I don't like to get up in the morning.  but it would be good to get it out of the way...hmmmm 7:30!  The other option was 6:30 in the evening. That would impact my family more.  So I took the 7:30 AM for this week at least and tentatively moved to the 11:45 because my twice a week PT is at 10:15 (most of the time)  That way I can dovetail the appointments...I hope.  I counted out the 37 days of "therapy" on the calender and it appears I will be done on December 23rd!

I went to my first "radiation therapy" today, they again did some measuring, marking, aligning, x-rays, photographs and pronounced "me" beautiful! (I thought that was an interesting word to use.)  and then gave me my first treatment.  Gayle told me that when I was getting dressed I should look in the mirror with my arms over my head.  Everything inside the box would be the treatment area.  I thought about taking a picture of it  but then I thought .... who would I show it to?  So I haven't ...(Aren't you glad I didn't post something like that!  The stuff of nightmares!   :) 

I asked about whether or not they worked Veteran's Day, and they do... so I mentioned that I thought I might be done just before Christmas. Gayle told me not to make any definite travel plans for the holidays because if the machine breaks down or some other unforeseen glitch  happens those therapy appts. will be added to the end... there is no getting out of them.   She seems to be very businesslike and no nonsense.  She also let me know that it was unacceptable to be a moment late.  The schedule is tight, with the 'one and only' machine booked every 15 minutes from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night (or something close to that).   Be here early, waiting for your turn... ready to go!"  I felt chastised.   I shall be early tomorrow!  I think I shall plan on reading my devotions in the waiting room.   I don't want to be the cog that brings the whole system down.

I exercised on my way home, might as well make good use of the trip to town., and then I had the whole day ahead of me.

I am feeling pretty good, (I took a nap today) and I am thankful that I have been able to get some projects organized for next week when I won't feel so great.   I have my final Chemo treatment on Friday.

Thank you again for your prayer, encouragement and assistance!