When I think of radiating, I prefer to visualize a glowing, healthy, loving aura surrounding my physical being. My first radiation treatment yesterday took the concept of radiating to a whole new level. For those of you unfamiliar with this breast cancer treatment, after surgery and chemo comes radiation. At least for some of us. My plan calls for five treatments per week for four weeks. That’s 20 total, so after yesterday, I have 19 to go.
I finally learned the purpose of my tattoos…there are laser beams coming out of the ceiling and the walls of the treatment room that must line up with my tiny little dots while I am laying on the treatment table to make sure that the angle of the radiation ray is perfect, every time.
They do try to make the daily routine as cordial and expeditious as possible at the Mayo. Super friendly and caring techs who promise to know your name by the second treatment (we’ll see!). VIP parking passes for front row spaces that are right in front of the entrance to the radiology facility.
From the time I enter until the time I leave is about 20 minutes, including changing into/out of a gown. My roundtrip commute is two hours…so the net result is the loss of half a day for four weeks, mostly attributable to driving the Phx freeways. Not a whole lot of fun even during non-rush hour times.
However, once the unknown becomes the known, life becomes routine in the new normal. Sending love and (non-radiated!) light to all.
Apr. 23, 2013
Judy Richter 