Radiation Week 1

Is almost done. Since I started on a Wednesday, for counting purposes, Tuesdays are the last day of my 'week'. And I am now in my regular time slot of 10:45 every morning, Monday to Friday.

I have yet to go straight to my appointment and back from home, so I can't say exactly how long it takes. But if I did, I'd leave home around 10:30. Today, I was on the table right on time -- 10:45 is when they called me back. And I was walking out to my car just past 11. Going straight home should take 10 minutes at the most at that time of day. So if the stars aligned, 45 minutes door to door to door. To be on the safe side, I allow 1 hour.

I think that's fabulous. Some people have to allow just that much in traveling time, sometimes each way, for every day of radiation. Hence the fatigue.

The radiation process at AMH runs like a well oiled machine. I have a card with a bar code, that I scan each time I come in. It let's the staff in the radiation area know that I'm here. I change into my two gowns, the first open to the back and the second, over that, open to the front, like a robe. Personally, I don't think the second is necessary since I only remove clothing from the waist up. Even if that first gown is flapping in the breeze as I make my way through the hallways, there's no show to be had. Different for the many gentlemen in for their prostates. I guess that's where the 2 gown idea came from. And why there is a women's waiting area and a men's waiting area.

Once I'm doubly gowned, I make my way to the women's waiting area. When it's my turn, I'm alerted by a page over the intercom system. Off to room 1, where's they're waiting to get me lined up.

I'm positioned on my back, knees bent, an ergonomic cushion for support, left arm slipped out of my gown, raised up into what is also a position specific to me. The device which holds my arm has different settings too.

I have no idea what the numbers they call out mean, but I know they're for properly positioning me to receive the correct radiation. A little wiggle and push here and there, and I'm good to go. I'm left alone and the machine starts humming.

There's also a display of numbers and settings on a monitor that's visible during the process. Red cross hairs illuminate the targeted area. First, from the left. After a minute or two -- and I promised Marc I'd try to remember to time this tomorrow -- the machine rotates over my head to send the second dose from the right.  Another minute or two, and it's done.

I had imagined it a bit differently, but the way it's done makes sense. Coming at it from the side minimizes the risk of damage to other parts. Like my lung. Or my heart. So from the side is good.

When I'm done, the technicians return to the room to help me up and out of there. Til the next day.

Don my clothes, make sure the gowns find their way to the laundry bin, and out the door. Pick up my car and continue on my way.

My third day of radiation was last Friday, and it was the first time I had a 10:45 appointment. It was also the first time there was anyone else in the women's waiting area with me.

An older women, with an accent I have yet to place. She first asked if I had had chemo. (pretty obvious) I told her yes. She said she only needed radiation, no chemo.

She asked me what stage. I told her 1. She said she was stage 0.

She asked if I had a lumpectomy. I answered yes, and she said she had also.

She told me about a month and a half had passed since her surgery and her scar was almost invisible. She described the location, a straight line just above her nipple. Left breast. (more breast cancer occurs on the left)

Then she showed me.

And she was right. It was almost invisible.

I wondered whether or not I was supposed to now show mine. I did tell her I had two scars not one. Located more like in my arm pit.

With the double gown thing, it would have been difficult to share my scars.

Then I heard my name over the intercom. "Mrs. Pelletier, come back please". So off I went.

Five weeks to go!

Chapter Next: Radiation

Starts tomorrow. Monday to Friday, for 6 weeks. I'll know more after tomorrow, but I figure it should take less than an hour each day.

Tomorrow and Thursday, my appointment is 8:45 a.m.. Friday forward, I will have a standing appointment at 10:45 a.m. The hospital is about 10 minutes away, especially at that time of day.

The most discussed side effect is fatigue, though it's not clear whether it is caused by the actual radiation, or rather the pace. The schedule. The having to do it every day. That's one theory.

Some people travel greater distances to receive treatment, and that can contribute to the fatigue. Having to fit in that extra time each day can be tough. Since my 'extra' time isn't as great, I'm hoping the fatigue won't be either.

I continue to be buoyed by the love and support of so many wonderful people, family and friends. Here and faraway. Wonderful hugs and kisses and words of encouragement. And cards. Crossing the border from Monique, and crossing township lines from Patti C.

Beautiful flowers from Sue & Jim, celebrating the end of chemo. They've been brightening these past few days, and that lovely ceramic pumpkin they're in will continue to do so for long after.

I'm one lucky girl.

Self-Portrait

Photo by me. Inspiration by Jasmine

Jasmine hosts a monthly photo challenge.  Last month's categories were 'beautiful' and 'old'. I had taken some photos for the 'old' category, but wasn't happy with them. Couldn't think of anything for the beautiful category.  Jasmine emailed me and suggested I take photos of me with my new hair and submit them for that category.

The ideal would be to find a way to have Jasmine take those photos. She possesses some mad photography skilz, that girl! But since she's in Utah and I'm here in PA, I may have hair again before I have the opportunity to be in front of her lens.

Of the several I took, I emailed four of them. I didn't tell Jasmine which was my favourite, but we both chose the same one. And then she featured it first on that post -- what an honour!

You must check out not only that post -- amazing photography for both categories -- but her entire blog. She is an incredible artist who's mediums are endless: paint, paper, make up, film, you name it. And she's an awfully nice person too!