Radiation Treatments: the beginning

Diane has started her radiation treatments. I have gone with her to offer my support and also to see how it happens. We arrived very early Monday morning, with a little anxiety and stress we had all weekend. Diane is very friendly with the whole crew and she actually asked me to take some photos with my cell phone! Such the life being married to a photographer! The staff have her lay down on the table. Two teeth guards and a tongue guard go in her mouth, and the staff puts on the wrist straps connected by a long strap that goes around her feet, so it pulls down her arms and shoulders. Then the plastic mesh mask is put on her face and clamped on the table! OK, here we go.

They then line up the laser guides to her mask, to make sure the radiation beams are going exactly where they should, mostly in her throat and inside of her cheek.

Once it is all lined up everyone leaves the room and the machine begins, taking about 8 minutes and moving around to apply the dose to the affected areas.

Afterwards, a nurse met with us and told Di what to expect in the next 5 weeks. Diane might have some pain in swallowing due to the inflammation of the inner lining of the mouth and throat. She will have some dry mouth because radiation reduces the salivary production, and decreased taste and irritation of the skin. We were a bit somber after that, but then Diane has an attitude of "Hey, it's only 25 days, and I've started it, so each day I'll be closer to finishing."

After the first visit, we actually headed off for some shopping, first at Home Depot and then Costco. We became separated in Costco for a bit, then I thought I better go looking for my ativan induced wife, she might be wandering the cathedral height aisles looking at the 50 roll box of paper towels, wondering if the brawny guy actually exists. She was fine, really, but kind of tired and not in a hurry.

So we proceed with this next chapter in the road to recovery, Diane is SO right in thinking that we are getting closer to the end if it's started. It might get tough again before it gets better, so with the faith and help we have from all of you, we will get through it. What a wonderful community we are blessed to have, thank you.