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Thursday, August 03, 2006

First radiation treatment done-34 to go

Before going in this afternoon for the first treatment, I called the nurse assigned to my radiation oncologist to make sure I was correctly prepared for this and future sessions. I had read somewhere that it mattered when lotions were applied to the skin, and I wanted to find out what the time limits were, as well as any other hints and tips she could pass along. For some reason, no printed material was given to me at or before the simulation explaining these things, as well as hints on how to deal with dry mouth. Nevertheless, I figure I am the one responsible for finding out this stuff that is happening to me, which is why I called. The nurse was very helpful, and stressed that she was there for any questions I might have.
The treatment was actually 3 arcs of the IMRT machine over my head from right to left sides. One of the radiation therapists set off the 'clicking' sound (more like a cap gun when it is up against my ears!) so I would know what it sounded like when the radiation was taking place. I was very grateful for the advance knowledge! Extra time was taken before the treatment to make sure that all was in the right place. I was in the mask and ready for the radiation to take place when I heard Foreigner's "Feels like the first time" song on the sound system. I couldn't laugh or grin, but could only ask the therapist if the song was just for me. She laughed for us both, saying that no, they didn't make special sound tracks for each treatment, but agreed that it was funny that it played at that moment on my first day!
I called my mom to let her know the 'first time' had taken place, and she asked me if I was sunburned yet. I didn't figure it would happen to me this quickly so I hadn't been feeling for it, but I suppose that some folks react fast to the radiation. So far, nothing different with me. I can't say I am looking forward to the remainder of my treatments, but I am not as anxious about them as I had been, now that I have one behind me.

5 comments:

whitneydt said...

Teri:

Other appropriate "radiation newbies" tunes:

Like a Virgin
Electric Avenue
Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

I'm sure there are more.

Hang in there, kiddo.

Whit

Teresa Hartman said...

Today (August 15) they played "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", just for me! Like I said, they have a great sense of humor there!

Teresa Hartman said...

Another appropriate song today: Abba's Super Trouper. Music lyrics include: ""super trouper beams are gonna blind me but I won't feel blue", and "Super trouper lights are gonna find me shining like the sun"

Teresa Hartman said...

Song today (August 25) was "Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug". Kind of appropriate! Sometimes on that table, I feel like a bug pinned into a cigar box...

Teresa Hartman said...

Rolling Stones today (Sept 13), not in the room but on the way home from treatment: You can't always get what you want...
Yep, both my husband and I just broke up laughing on that one! Guess I am gettin' what I need...

 
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