I’ve been trying to figure out how to visually share with you what radiation is like. I feel pretty confident they would frown about selfies during it. I recently discovered The Recovery Room as a resource on Facebook. This video is a great example of what it is like. The only difference for me is that my arms are above my head while I hold on to two bars.
First they take a scan of my body. When that is done the technicians return to the room. They measure and mark me for towel placement and then they put a warm wet towel over my right chest. I wear a gown top but whatever pants/ shoes I wear to treatment is what I wear during treatment. My left chest is covered, my right chest is exposed. My head is turned to the left throughout the entire treatment. The machine is closer to me than what this video shows and we always have to check my left elbow to make sure it doesn’t get hit by the machine. When they leave the room a sign similar to an exit sign turns on but it says x-ray is on. When it clicks off I know treatment is done and they are coming in to get me in a few seconds.
Today I wrote in my journal that radiation is lonely. It’s quick but it is lonely. The music they played this week made me feel less lonely while I am in the room. “Jack and Diane” made me feel like I was out our local bar and the crowd was singing along. “Oye Como Va” took me back to riding around with mom in the car while I sang along to a song that I had no clue what it meant but I felt so exotic singing it. Yesterday the Pointer Sisters took my back to my childhood and brought memories of being with my bonus family aka babysitter’s family. It reminds me of dancing with her children to the song “Jump”. I felt like I should get up and dance around again but I refrained since the healing beams were doing their thing.
I am glad these songs are bringing people along with me.
9 down. 21 more to go.
