I've been going for a week and a half. And I keep meaning to tell you about it, but I think "I have to get pictures next time" and always forget.
So, instead of waiting to remember to take pictures 'next time' I will let you know what I think of radiation now.
I may never remember my camera.
There are 2 rooms they use - unit 1 and unit 2 - the machines are loud and mega loud respectively.
But I don't discriminate -I hate both units.
The ladies working there are quite nice. Their whole job is to line me up 'just right'. They have calculators, lasers and my mold to help them. They are constantly calling out numbers at each other across the way. Kind of like at the Seattle fish market.
But less stinky.
I sometimes wonder what will happen if one of them calls out a number and the other one mishears her - will they radiate the wrong body part? That would suck.
After about 5 minutes of rearranging me, all the healthy people leave the room and I am left with the machine. It moves all around me, sometimes coming quite close to me then other times backing away. It makes a buzzing noise while it radiates me.
I have 7 buzzing noises in 12 minutes.
I don't know if that is a little or a lot.
But it's irritating.
I sometimes have a small panic attack in there since I get claustrophobic and the noises don't help. They make it worse. I count the times til I am done - 13 more!
So far the skin has darkened a bit, and has a light pink shade to it, but nothing too much. I've heard horror stories about people's skin falling off during radiation so I am expecting the worst, but so far, it's not bad.
Of course, it may just be too early to count my chickens.
Brad will come with me on monday and promises to take pictures! When he does, I will post them so you can see what I'm talking about.
In other news - my hair is a 'darker shade of bald' (as one other blogger put it). Brad keeps telling me he thinks it's growing back, but so far, I don't see it. In fact, the little small amount of fluff that remained is now falling out. It seems backwards doesn't it? I'll keep you posted and as soon as I see a reasonable amount of hair, I'll share a picture for you to see too!
We will then have officially hit all the milestones.
Which brings us to my next thought: I have a feeling this blog may soon have run it's course... there is very little 'new' information left to share.
I haven't figured out how I feel about that yet.
Don't worry, I will say a proper goodbye when the time comes.
11 comments:
I hope you don't burn too much. I wish that for you.
I have a question about radiation. Years ago, late 1950's, my dad had cobalt radiation for advanced Hodgkins Disease. He's thriving in his 80's today! Anyway - my question, should you choose to ask your radiologists, is what is the difference between today's radiation and the cobalt radiation then? Do they even use cobalt any more?
Still cheering you on.
Kathy - thanks. I hope I don't burn too much too.
I don't know the difference, but I will ask my 'team' on monday. I'm so glad your dad is thriving :)
Well, we're here for you as long as you want to be here! We hope you'll stay with us as long as possible of course, while also wishing that you don't have anything new to report!! But I'll miss you if you go :(
So proud of you!! You're doing this and you're taking control. You're not letting fear get in the way of your treatments! It will soon be done!!
Kitty - thanks darlin'. But if I go, I'll just be 'moving' not dissappearing. I have another (much more boring, less medical) blog. I'll invite you to 'jump ship' overthere :)
Conquering - Thanks - I appreciate it It will be done in 2 more weeks!! Yeay. And then the dreaded Tamoxifen plus injections... dun dun dun!
It will be a good thing when this blog is no longer necessary. I would leave it up though for others who might stumble upon it in their moment of need. It's very honest and I believe very helpful. I'm looking forward to the other blog, the trip to Hawaii, the wedding, and M is talking about doing my 50th birthday in Vancouver a year early (next summer). We'll see!
I haven't been consistently on my computer for the last few days, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a post here! Also surprised that you're doing radiation already - somehow I got it in my head that it would be September... So I just figured you were doing your thing and living your life until time to take up the drill again. I guess it's good you're already underway... then you'll finish sooner!!
I hope you don't burn too much too. This from a girl who just has to go out in the sun to start turning pink. I've never had radiation, but I sure have been burned!
Strangely enough I lost the rest of my eyebrows right before they started to grow back.
I keep doing the same thing "I will take pictures next time," lately I just want to get in and get out.
Glad to hear you are moving along! I am right behind you, 6 treatments in.
I know how I feel about your blog having run its course -- sad! Don't stop blogging. Be it about the weather or the idiot in front of you at the grocery store, I want to hear what you have to say.
Well, I hope you do run out of things to talk about, but you may find that when you finish treatment, all the emotions tht you put to one side to get through now come back to get their fair share of attention. I spent months in therapy!
I hope ya don't have to, but just saying that it is totally normal if you do. About half the women I know who have been through BC spend some time talking it out afterwards.
But, see, I do want to see the wedding pix
Post a Comment