The Hearts of Some Matters

Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend!

To answer some of CraniumMan's questions from Friday's blog:

First things first: No, I don't glow, nor am I particularly radioactive. *grins* When they implant seeds of radioactive matter into the tumor, the individual is isolated for a while because of radioactivity, but not in the case of radiation beam therapy. *ponders the notion of how half-lives work*

I cannot feel the path of the beam, nor do I feel any sensation in the area where the tumor is. That's both while the beam is being administered as well as after it's done.

I hear the whir of the machinery as it is lining up and a louder whir when the beam is actually activated. I count 30 Mississippi's before the sound of the beam being administered stops.

I am to breath 'normally.' I am not to move once on the table. If I need to cough or clear my throat or otherwise move, I need to hold it or stop the technicians.

I am told that what I am smelling and tasting is the heat of the motor revving the linear accelerator to the speed designated for the dosage. The beams are administered through my right anterior occipitals and my left posterior occipitals, one beam in each direction. ...I haven't yet mapped the path of those beams.

While I notice that I'm napping a bit more, the only other thing I'm noticing is the muscle group that was problematic from the surgery seems a bit more inflamed. I was off any pain killers for a few days there, but needed to take some yesterday...

I agree that we should be able to see ourselves as something other than an early or late patient. But then again, I think it would be nice to be seen as something more than just patients...

We get another shot at that this afternoon as our weekly appointment with Dr. B immediately follows the treatment at 4:30.

Dr. H (my previous physician) spoke with Dr. C and feels comfortable with what she understands to be the course of treatment, i.e., 25 radiation treatments, 3 weeks off, and a return to a course of chemotherapy.

I was able to walk a decent mile this morning and my BP was only 123/90, pulse 95.

We still haven't tested our blood pressure machine against the clinic's; should do that this afternoon.

Here's wishing you well: *raises a glass of blueberry juice*