Radiation Treatment - First Day

Veeder14

Hi all,

Was up at 5 am to drive to the hospital. I met with the doctor who reviewed the CT scan from the simulation. Being face down takes my lungs and my heart (except a small edge) out the beam, and the scar and seroma where the lymph nodes were removed. The first four ribs are in the beam though. The doctor had a chart showing the percentage of radiation scatter to the heart, lungs, and spinal cord ~very little according to his study. It still seems risky treating something that may or may not be there. UGH.

First they did xrays which seemed like it took forever, then these were 1mm off so had to be done again. I was prone and the pain on my unaffected side was horrible as I was resting on my breast bone against the hard surface, and my neck, shoulder, shoulder blade on that side were cramping up. After the first set of xrays they re positioned me and the pain was a little bit better but not much. After the doctor ok'd everything they did the treatment which only took about 4 minutes (2 minutes on each side). One thing I didn't anticipate was that the staff pull and push you until you're in the correct position. My back and neck didn't take well to that. I'm going to speak with the techs tomorrow and ask them to tell me before they pull and push so I can be ready. Also, my face was in a headrest like for massage with a plate covering it (some physical protection from the beam), and I couldn't see to the floor so got a little claustrophobic. Also, got marked up with a black marker and tegraderm over it, so it's easier to put me in position, and regular treatments should be shorter.

Anyways, then went to my nurse appointment at primary care for a shot of Toradol. They only gave me a half dose but it has definitely helped. I'll have to get more of the medication maybe half way through the month or my back/neck will never make it. I can feel that my shoulder blade is out of alignment which is pulling on my neck. Scheduled for PT/OT alternating on Fridays when we return from the week at the hotel and come home.

I was instructed to get soap without scent that's easy on the skin. I bought Pure-Castile Bar Soap-Baby Unscented, Dr. Bronners. Has anyone used this type of soap. Also, got a list of lotions to use 4x/day or I can use coconut oil. It seems like I will need some old shirts to wear or else the lotions and oils will ruin my clothes and pj's. That was my day. I hope some of this info helps others.