how's radiation going?

(leaving treatment yesterday)

well, 2day marks a week from when i 1st began radiation...& so far, so good

i go in each day (mon thru fri), undress from the waist up & put on a hospital gown...then when it's my turn, i go in2 the room with the big zapping machine (i so missed my calling as a doctor! ~lol~) & lay down on the table...they already have a head rest thing there, & once i'm in place, they put my mask on me...it gets snapped down 2 the table - keeping my head/neck/shoulders in place & helping the techs line up the fields of radiation...i've already told u about how snuggly the mask fits - luckily, it's only 4 a few minutes...the machine 1st zaps me from above, then rotates down under the table & zaps me again from the back side...once that's over, they unsnap & remove my mask...i hop up & head out 2 get changed

*cuteness side note - 2day, an elderly lady (also going thru treatment) gave me kudos 4 having the guts 2 walk around in the radiation area of the cancer center without my scarf on - in all my baldy glory...she said, "i compliment u on going without a wig. i wish i had the confidence 2 do that."...i explained 2 her that i'm only brave at home & when i'm there - around loved ones &/or those going thru the battle alongside me ;0) i'm getting braver tho - i kept my head naked the entire time i was outside in my yard this past weekend - it was just entirely too hot 4 a scarf & i feel like my yard is included in my bubble of home, so i didn't worry about the passing cars seeing me

i had a film done 2day in addition 2 my treatment...& then met with a radiation doc (as i will every week)...she said everything is looking good - but that they'll probably change the fields 4 my last week (of 3) to "concentrate on the residual disease"

as far as side effects go - i'm getting a little pink in the zapped area (from my left jaw, down 2 my breasts - front & back) & my throat is starting 2 feel sore...she's surprised i'm not feeling more tired tho...i guess i am - i notice that i'm ready 4 bed earlier in the eve & sometimes i have trouble staying awake at work if it's a slow day...but seriously, like i can b tired! i have the kiddos & life in general 2 keep me plenty occupied...i really don't have time 2 feel the effects

she said that the redness & sore throat r appearing so quickly because i had chemo 1st...that those who go thru the chemo, then have radiation, feel the effects a little earlier/more...she gave me a precription 4 "pink magic" (a numbing med) 2 fill when i think i need it (if i need it) - it'll help with eating if my throat gets too sore...& i'm 2 rub SBS 40 cream on the zapped area 3 or 4 times a day 2 help keep it hydrated & 2 avoid future blistering...i got in trouble 2day cause i'm only doing it like twice a day (sorry, but it's hard 2 remember 2 do it that many times, geez!)

i also had a blood draw done 2day 2 check my levels - i'm still on the 20mg of Coumadin a day & the weekly check is 2 make sure i'm maintaining a level of 2.something...last week, i was over a 3 so they temporarily lowered my dosage a little...i haven't gotten the call yet on where i'm at 2day tho...i can't wait 2 stop taking this med all 2gether (the doc said i'd b on it 4 about 3 months - started 3/20)...it also causes drowsiness & talk about 4getting 2 do as i'm told! i have a really hard time remembering 2 take the pills every eve (instructed 2 wait until after 6pm 2 take them - & that's a super busy time in the Skates household!)

so i guess the answer 2 the questions "how's radiation going?" is "fine"...a cake walk compared 2 chemo...minor side effects...& i've only got 2 weeks left
;0)