Radiation Mapping Done and I'm Outta Here

Happy Monday.  I'm tired but packing to leave for Carmel tomorrow.  Our golf clubs have arrived (!) and we will have a full travel day tomorrow.

But before Carmel, cancer stuff had to happen.  This morning was radiation mapping - a CT scan of my chest and neck to 'map' where the radiation rays will go.  As I wrote back in early December, I'm not a fan of the windowless, thick-walled, basement radiation facility.  No one is happy there.  Everyone is sad and/or anxious.  I was texting with my cancer friend in Maine from there and her advice was "to be your own shining light down there".  So I tried my best to be the most happy cancer patient they had ever seen.

After changing it was off to mapping - very exposed (and humbling) laying on the board of the CT scan machine with my arms above my head as my radiation oncologist (RO) used a Sharpie to make marks across my left chest. Then I did a series of breathing exercises to make sure I could hold my breath long enough and deep enough to have my lungs move my heart out of the potential range of the radiation rays.  All the while, the machine is swirling around and the board I'm on moves in and out of the machine.  Very nice crew.  Very weird morning.  Did. not. like.  They said I held my breath very well and moved my heart out of the way.  These breaths were recorded and when receiving actual radiation, the computer will instruct me if I need to breathe deeper or let some air out to mimic these exact breaths.  Weird.

Then off to "radiation teach" with a nice nurse who loved the fact that I brought a deodorant and lotion with me for approval to use during radiation (she approved).  We went over all the potential side effects and bad things - blah blah blah.  I asked if I could have lead blankets to drape over the rest of my body and she kind of cocked her head to one side and she said, "In all my years, no one has ever asked that."  Really?  The answer is 'no'; the radiation is so targeted that they aren't needed.  I'd really feel better draped in lead.

And then I was freed.  And since I have radiation 5 days a week, they gave me an access card to swipe myself in - no stopping at the front desk.  Swipe in, hit the changing room, change, and wait in the interior waiting room (also zero fun) to be called.  

I have a 'simulation' the day before the rubber hits the road.  That's January 21st.

Until then, I'll heading out with my husband.  The Carmel trip is a go and I cannot wait for sun and peace and walks and golf.  I'll check in from time to time - hopefully with only pretty pictures and smiles.  xo J

Comments

  1. LizJanuary 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM

    Have an amazing trip!!! Nobody deserves it more! ❤️

    ReplyDelete

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