Last week I wrote about getting ready for the radiation therapy. By this time, I’ve already had eight treatments. The treatments are daily and last only a few minutes.
The social worker who was trying to see if she could get the insurance company to rush the pre-approval hadn’t called so we were not starting on July 16, but she didn’t call the next week either and didn’t answer when I tried to call her. I assumed everything had been pre-approved and headed to KC July 22 to start the next day.
My first appointment was at 9:00 am. I hardly got to a seat and a female tech came out to get me. She explained that she would show me the daily routine. She also said that today’s treatment would take a little longer than normal because there was some set up they needed to do. She showed me where the gowns and dressing rooms were, told me to change and come back to the radiation area when I was ready.
The True Beam radiation machine.
There were two other women in the treatment area. I was told to glance at the monitors every day to make sure my name and birthdate were on them. Then I was told to get on the table. Before I laid down I was to slip my right shoulder out of the gown.
I got on the table with my arms over my head and my hands holding the pegs, so everything was in the correct position. The table moved under the radiation machine while the machine was moving into position. There was a big circle with a sky on it for me to look at although I close my eyes so I can relax better.
Then they proceeded to move me around so everything aligned correctly. Then they asked me to hold my breath. When I had my planning session I was told it would be 20-30 seconds, this moved my heart out of the way of the radiation beam, but this was only a few seconds.
Then everyone left the room. Again, I was asked to take a deep breath and hold it. Again only a few seconds. This will be easy I thought. The machine moved around me a little bit and again I was asked to hold my breath for a few seconds.
Now they said the treatment would begin. Take a deep breath and hold it. Oh my, it seemed like forever before she said I could breathe. What happens if I can’t hold it that long every time?
Some of the friendly radiation team.
As the machine moved to its different positions, three or four of them I think, I was asked to hold my breath twice per position for what seemed like an eternity. Then I was done. I could go get dressed and leave.
I mentioned that there were times when I felt I couldn’t hold my breath any longer and would pass out. She said they didn’t want that to happen, but if it did the machine would detect it and stop. She also said that they could break it up if I needed. I don’t think it’s needed I responded.
All that’s left is to Rock this process. We Will Rock You.
Onward! My Horse Angel.
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