32 Done and into the Home Stretch

jlheuer

Aug 12

Well I have completed the 25 radiation sessions. These were followed by 7 radiation boost sessions. These seven were of a higher dose of x-rays and instead of a sweeping arc of rays these were zeroed in on the heart of the tumor.

From what I understand, the green area is the target, the blue just irritation

The seven sessions also required bladder filling. (sigh) I had good days and not so good. The last one was as crazy as the first regular one, 32 days ago. The hospital called on the morning of the last session to tell me the machine was down and they would call me to reschedule later today or maybe another day. Around noon they called to ask me if 2:45 was ok. Of course I said yes! No time like the present. I arrived about 2:40, changed and waited to be called. Having a session in the afternoon was different because for the morning appointments I had my drinking and filling all calculated. Well I thought I had the afternoon figured out too but the initial scan showed I was only half full. Drat! Since I was the only patient left for the day, the nurse just filled a cup with water, put in a straw and I drank two cups while lying there. Waited 10 minutes and did another scan. Nope. Still not full enough. They figured I might be somewhat dehydrated today. So, another cup, another straw, another 10 minutes and I got the thumbs up. The tumor boost radiation is complete.

But wait! there's more.

Spoiler! This next stage is a bit more sensitive so If you wish to quit reading right now, that is okay. However when I began these posts about my cancer treatment I planned to tell it all so others in the same position have an idea of what to expect. To be honest, even with a simulation and all of the information they gave me, I was still nervous going into this.

So, along with the endometrial tumor, the biopsy back in January, revealed some cancer cells were also in my vagina. Not a lot but even one can grow if not attended to. The treatment for this is called brachytherapy. Basically, "Women who have had their uterus removed may have the upper part of the vagina treated with brachytherapy. This is called vaginal brachytherapy. A source of radiation (a radioactive material) is put into a cylinder (called an applicator) and the cylinder is put into the vagina."

Yes, one more indignity but there is no sense in leaving this area untreated after going through all of the previous chemo and radiation. The "cylinder" is like a large tampon. Not soft and made of cotton but smooth, and lubrication makes it tolerable.

Not my cylinder, but an example of one, in my Introduction to Brachytherapy meeting

My first treatment was this past Wednesday. The cylinder was inserted and a quick scan was taken to make sure it was positioned correctly. Then I was moved to a different room where a small wire from the radiation machine would be inserted into the metal end.
Ok, all set. I'm ready. I can do this. My doctor, the nurse and another guy, who I found out was another doctor, quickly left the room and pushed the button that would close the heavy metal doors. No one but me gets to be in the radiation delivery room. But nothing happened. All three of them tried pushing the button. Finally the guy in the suit, who I at first thought was the accountant or a lawyer, came back in and jiggled a tiny key in the machine that would deliver the radiation. That was it. Hal, closed the pod bay doors and a tiny hum began in a minute or two. Lasted maybe 4 minutes and I was done.

My doctor and the nurse came back and restored me to my normal upright position, sans cylinder, and I was free to get dressed and leave.

To date, I have completed two of these. I mentioned on day 2 that if the door wouldn't close, they should jiggle the key. Hey, I couldn't resist. Anyway, three more sessions next week and then I have a month to let my body heal before I go back for a consult.

I'm getting there.

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