One down, one to go

As you might recall, I was scheduled to do 2 radiation treatments starting yesterday, Thursday.  I went in Thursday for my first treatment and got my eye numbed and gooped up.  I laid down and they put the lead eye protection in.  Almost instantly, it started burning.  I waited a second (felt like 5 minutes) and decided to speak up.  It wasn't getting better.  It felt like lemon juice in my eye.  So we decided to take it out.  I told them I could handle it if we put it in right before we started but when they took it out, I guess my eye was pretty red and irritated. They said I was probably sensitive or allergic to the metal.  Dr. C came in and said he wasn't comfortable using the eye cup and it was really extra precaution.  So we proceeded to set up when he noticed the form they made of my radiation field was not exactly right.  So he wanted it re cut which meant we had to postpone my treatment a day.  It was a little disappointing but I was glad to leave. We rescheduled for Friday and Monday.

Today, Friday, I went in to get my first treatment.  It was much more crowded with people waiting for radiation.  But I bumped in front of most the people and went on in.  Today was all business.  I got positioned and bolted in.  They transferred the template marks to my face, lined up the machine and left the room.  They told me they watch on cameras and could hear me if I needed something but it was critical I didn't move.  They did put a "plastic" gel sheet over my eye.  It makes the electron radiation not go so deep.  They told me if it slipped, to let it fall because it was critical I didn't move.  I took a deep breath and waited.  They had told me it would make a bumping sound but they didn't tell me about the flashing lights.  It seemed to move all over in a very random pattern.  It reminded me of those electrical balls you see in the science museum....or Young Frankenstein.

What it looked like to my closed eye



What I imagined

The radiation took about a minute but the whole thing was about 10 minutes including the 1 minute zap.  Dr. C met with me after just to make sure I knew what to expect.  He will not be in the office on Monday.  I will have a follow up with him in 3 weeks.  He said about all to watch for is the lump growing.  In that case, I need to call and come in soon.  He did say it could swell and not to worry but if it is bigger after a week....call.

 

It feels...strange.  Not burned...not sore....not irritated...but strange.  I believe Larry the lump suddenly got the rude awakening today that I'm not going to put up with his antics another day and his days are numbered.  When I touch it and press slightly, I can certainly feel it.   It feels weird to move my eyebrow.  It looks like it has become more pronounced over the last week but still not huge.  In fact, you probably wouldn't notice it if you saw me walking down the street but when I pinch it, you sure can.  In fact, let me properly introduce you to Larry the Lump before he hopefully hastily departs.

 

Gross I know...

One thing I like about the office (besides everyone being incredibly nice) is they have a puzzle in the radiation waiting area.  Last week was one puzzle but this week is a new one.  It is of boats by a green mountain.  I am sure it is Alaska...well not sure but that is what I choose to believe.  Some of you might know I have pretty strong compulsion about puzzles.  I found myself waking up early this morning thinking about the puzzle.  I sure hoped it wasn't done today because I wanted to see what had happened and how far it had come along.  Luckily it was far from done but someone had worked on it since yesterday.    I got there early enough to put some pieces together and feel like I made a contribution today.  Here is the puzzle today.  I honestly can't wait to see it Monday afternoon.

 

 

 

I thought you would be curious like me so...here is a photo of my mask that I get bolted into and the blasted eye cup.

 

The blue plastic is what gets bolted to the table.  The cut out and taped hole is were the radiation goes.  The plastic gel sheet stuff goes over the top and then the form is in the radiation machine above me that lines up perfect with the marks they make on my face.  Notice the nose holes are not cut out...by the way...but I can breath okay.  They are lucky I don't have my Prednisone triple chin.  They would have needed a whole new sheet of plastic just for that.

The eye cup.  It is in it's sterile bag but it is kind of a 1/2 circled dome and stacked with the stem sticking out so they can get it off my eye.  I don't like this piece of equipment at all.  I'm glad I don't have to use it.

 

Philip finished his NC State program today.  Nola and Gregg picked him up and he is back at their house.  He had so much fun, it deserves it's own posting so I will write again soon after he gets home.

 

I'm doing good and looking forward to the weekend.  I am getting my hair done (no eyebrow work this time...for obvious reasons) and going to a big Bachelorette party on Saturday.  I get my Philip back Sunday afternoon.

 

I hope you all have a great weekend.