I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous about my 1st radiation treatment. In fact I was pacing the house all morning long. I just couldn't stop thinking about what was to come. Certainly I should know by now that radiation would be so much easier than chemo but it's just the unknown that kills me. I have to keep re-reminding myself that I kicked cancer's ass and this is just the icing on the cake.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Ken took me to my 1st appointment which was at 1pm. We weren't really sure what to expect but figured we'd be in the office awhile. I was glad to have him with me since I was soooo incredibly nervous. I signed in by scanning my card and the radiation therapist quickly called us back. She gave me the run down. Scan your card, get called back, get undressed, wait in the waiting room, get called back again, scan my card again, then state my name and date of birth. Ok, doesn't sound to hard. She then told me to get undressed and put a gown on tying in the back. What? Already? She looked at me oddly? Aren't we going to meet with the doctor? No, that's tomorrow. Aren't we going to meet with the nurse to go over what types of lotions or creams I need? No, that's tomorrow. Well then, thinking to myself, why is Ken even here? So what am I doing today besides radiation? We're going to mark your body with a marker to make sure everything is accurate, take some x-rays and after approval by the doctor, start your 1st radiation treatment. So I got undressed, scanned my card for the 2nd time and stated my name and date of birth. She led me back to the table. It's so intimidating. I started to get nervous. Ken was watching as the therapist drew on me as she was yelling out numbers to the other therapist. I could see the laser beams but I had no idea what the numbers meant. I know every person is different and everyone's cancer is in a different location therefore where they need to radiate would be different from the prior person, therefore, I assume they are calibrating the machine specifically for me. I guess I should ask more questions. Anyway, as time went by my arm started getting really numb. They had it positioned above my head. In fact my entire body was getting numb. All I could do was think about not moving and go figure, my hands and legs so badly were on the verge of twitching. I told the therapist that my body was getting close to moving and she told me to hold it as long as I can otherwise we'll have to start over. Oh, I so don't want to do that. She took several x-rays and finally came in and said, Dr. Moulds approved all your x-rays so we're ready to begin your 1st radiation treatment. Ken left the room. No one can be there during x-rays and radiation so I was all alone. Just lying there as the machine rolled around my body. It would stop in a specific location and make a noise, then stop. Move to another location, stop and make another noise. A small tear rolled down my face. I can't say the "why me" didn't cross my mind as I was lying there. But I try not to think or say that. There is a reason I got cancer, I just don't exactly know why yet. Well, before I knew it I was done. The therapist said let me help you move your arm and get up. My arm was paralyzed and it was difficult to sit up. I've been lying there for approximately 45 min and it was painful. Not "ouch" pain but numbness and stiffness. All in all, we were there for 1 hour. I met ken in the lobby and we went and grabbed lunch. All I can say is if I compare my 1st radiation treatment to my 1st chemo treatment, hands down, radiation wins. Super easy!
Tuesday, January 24th
I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get to Reston Hospital from Tysons Corner so I left work at 3:15 and was at the hospital by 3:40. I waited for 25 min. I finally got up and asked the receptionist what time it was. She said it was 4:05. My appointment is at 4pm. She asked if I swiped my card. Umm, yes like 20 min ago when you looked right at me. They actually thought I was late. This receptionist doesn't seem so bright. Asking me if i scanned my card when she saw me do it. There is no one else in the waiting room. So it's not like she's looking a room full of people. Ok, so I was a little annoyed. I just want to get this over with.
The 2nd treatment was easy and I had a lot of questions for the nurse and Dr. Moulds.
Nurse:
I recommend Calendula lotion and Aquaphor. She also went over how to care for my skin and told me around week 3 I should start to see a good amount of redness as well as fatigue.
Dr. Moulds:
He went over my x-rays from yesterday. That was so cool. I saw my bones, lungs, heart, spine and where exactly I am being radiated. I have a total of 31 treatments. 25 cover the underarm, breast, lymph nodes in my chest cavity and 6 specifically targeting my breast. They have done all the measurements to avoid radiating my heart and he showed me exactly how they are avoiding it on the x-rays. Modern medicine is truly amazing. With all the measurements they did yesterday, the machine is calibrated to target those specific areas of my body.
I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get to Reston Hospital from Tysons Corner so I left work at 3:15 and was at the hospital by 3:40. I waited for 25 min. I finally got up and asked the receptionist what time it was. She said it was 4:05. My appointment is at 4pm. She asked if I swiped my card. Umm, yes like 20 min ago when you looked right at me. They actually thought I was late. This receptionist doesn't seem so bright. Asking me if i scanned my card when she saw me do it. There is no one else in the waiting room. So it's not like she's looking a room full of people. Ok, so I was a little annoyed. I just want to get this over with.
The 2nd treatment was easy and I had a lot of questions for the nurse and Dr. Moulds.
Nurse:
I recommend Calendula lotion and Aquaphor. She also went over how to care for my skin and told me around week 3 I should start to see a good amount of redness as well as fatigue.
Dr. Moulds:
He went over my x-rays from yesterday. That was so cool. I saw my bones, lungs, heart, spine and where exactly I am being radiated. I have a total of 31 treatments. 25 cover the underarm, breast, lymph nodes in my chest cavity and 6 specifically targeting my breast. They have done all the measurements to avoid radiating my heart and he showed me exactly how they are avoiding it on the x-rays. Modern medicine is truly amazing. With all the measurements they did yesterday, the machine is calibrated to target those specific areas of my body.
When I was leaving at 5:15pm, I saw my pretend BFF Heather. (She was the therapist that did my tattoos a few weeks back.) I feel really comfortable with her so hopefully she'll be there the next time I go.
Wednesday, January 25th
It's like I'm a robot. Scan in my card, get undressed, scan in my card, state my name and DOB, lay down on the table, took off my gown, whoops....left my bra on and we all started laughing. Apparently, lots of women do that. So funny. Quick treatment but today she put put some weird wires on me during radiation. Not sure why and when she explained it, I already forgot it by the time I was driving home. Guess I'll have to do a google search.
Thursday, January 26th
Another quick treatment. Done at 4:10pm Starting to feel like a sunburn is coming on. Left breast has a tinglining feeling. Need to go get the Calendula lotion and aquaphor. Wishing Whole Foods was a little more convenient to the house.
Friday, January 27th
Moved my appointment from 4pm to 10 am. Heather was there. I brought in a picture of little Cody so she could see it. She and the other ladies said he was so cute. They told me that there are a lot of moms who bring their kids to treatment because they have no other options. So they told me I could bring Cody and in fact it might be a good idea so he can see why his mom goes to the doctor everyday. Even though I don't think Cody will fully understand what the machine is and why I'm at the doctor's office, I think it might be a good idea to show him. Well, after today's treatment, I went to Whole Foods and finally bought the calendula lotion. When I got home I put it on the entire treatment area. Man this stuff works! Instant cooling and relief.
So I meant to send this update out on the 27th but time has a way of escaping me these days. Sorry this post is so long. The next few shouldn't be. I now officially have 10 treatments down and 21 more to go. YEA!!!
Thanks for your continued support.
Lots of love,
Jen
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