Ever wonder what really goes on in radiation oncology? Yes, I know.. not your every day question or concern really but for those of you who have wondered, I can give you a closer insight as to what goes on "behind the scenes" 
Five times a week I go to the local cancer center(one of the best in the country as far as I am concerned) to get my radiation treatment. Same time every day I walk in, go down the elevator to the lower level and check in at the desk to get my fancy jewelry(just in case I forget who I am  )
Everyone there is nice... in all of my months going to the cc for chemo and radiation I have yet to meet anyone that is rude or uncaring. Best nurses, doctors and technicians you will ever meet. Anyway.....back to what goes on behind the scenes....
After I check in, I go through the doors marked "family center"... a waiting room for anyone that comes in with the patient. Passing through there I go into a small restroom with lockers in it. Closing both doors, I reach for the key to see what is behind door # 6  Kidding.....its just an empty locker to put my things in so I can change into a hospital gown 
Ok.. top off, bra off and hospital gown on.. open in the front. The entire area is freezing(have to keep the machines cold) but since I have been having on and off hot flashes for the past 9 months(not menopause...just brought on by treatments) it feels pretty damn good to me 
Now.. I have opened both doors and walked into the "behind the scenes" space. Someone is always on the other side with a smile and a hello. Sometimes I go right back and sometimes I have to wait a few minutes. So I sit and wait, taking in the sounds and sights of the radiology department. As I am waiting one of the techs comes by dragging a yellow giant pillowcase(thats what it looks like).. and I say "Where are you dragging that guy off to.. did you zap him to much and he passed on?"  She laughs and continues dragging it off to a room and then shuts the door......which reminds me.. I am NEVER going in THAT room 
Next.. I hear a lot of laughing, joking and what sounds like partying going on in the very room I go to get my daily zapping. I say to one of the techs coming out....."Hey, how's come I didn't get invited to the party?".. she just laughs and says "Your turn is next" I'm thinking to myself that any party in the zapping room has to be a real shocker
They come out, wheeling a man in his hospital bed, and all are laughing. This guy has been telling jokes while getting radiation and all of the techs can't stop laughing. (and you thought it was all serious and quiet back there didn't ya?)
Now it's my turn...usually 3 techs do the radiation ( most of them are young enough to be my own kids) and the real fun begins! I go in and they help me on this cold, hard table that is not nearly wide enough for my big ass(well maybe I exaggerate a bit.. my ass isn't THAT wide) and I have to lay flat on my back, with my arms over my head, hands clasped around this small pole( I don't think this is what is meant by "pole dancing" ) and my hospital gown is thrown open for all the world(well at least SOME of the world) to see my glorious boobs 
Overhead is "the machine"... the "zapper" as I like to fondly refer to it! As long as the numbers line up with the markings on my boobs... we are good to go....sometimes, I have to be remarked if they don't line up precisely... not a huge hassle.. just a few sharpie marks.. X marks the spot! Once a week I have to get "pictures" before getting my treatment.. just to make sure everything is as it should be. I really like this about my cancer team.. they are precise and give me the best possible care. That's really important especially when you are going through cancer treatments.
Ok.. they have me lined up.. and before going out of the room they are courteous enough to cover up the "girls" so they don't quiver like jello.
Machine above moves to the left side.. and one long beep sounds....it's radiation zap time. It lasts for 30 seconds (yes, I have timed it many times) stops.... the machine clicks and then zaps a lower toned beep for 10 seconds......machine moves to the right side(which is the side I had the tumor removed from) and the same thing happens,.... zap 30 secs...zap 10 secs... then it's over. The techs come back in and I can lower my arms and sit up.....this all takes 5 mins(with no pics to take) and I am up.. walking out and talking to the techs on the way. We joke around.. say our goodbyes and see you tomorrow....and then I am back in the dressing room getting dressed again and ready to leave.
Five times a week for a total of 6 1/2 weeks for a total of 33 rounds.. and I just finished round # 14. My boob is getting a bit pink, under my arm is a little tanned but so far I am doing ok. Fatigue is setting in...and will gradually get worse with each treatment. Radiation really takes the sap outta ya but I can hang in there because it's the last leg of my cancer treatment 
Nope.. it's not fun.. yes, it's annoying to have to go there 5x's a week but when you think of the alternative... radiation's not so bad compared to dying 
There you have it.. a "behind the scenes" look at what goes on in the radiation oncology department. Not real exciting, I know....but if you have been there you know how important it is to have good technicians, doctors and nurses looking out for you!
Kudos to my cancer team at Goshen Cancer Center.. I love you all and thank you for your giving, warm personalities and wonderful hearts for caring about all of your patients.
As I was waiting yesterday for my turn...I was thinking to myself that I should blog about my experience with radiation....maybe someone out there is about to go through the same thing and I want to ease your mind that it's not as bad as it sounds... honestly! This is a cake walk compared to chemotherapy and even that was doable. You would be surprised what your mind can accept when you know it's going to save your life
Thanks for reading my ramblings....blogging really is healing 
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| Behind the scenes...getting zapped! |
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