I have officially had 5 radiation treatments! That means 4 more weeks or 20 sessions left. So far its going very well, my only side effect is a feeling like I’ve been in the sun too long, which I feel during the actual treatment, mild nausea after and being a bit more tired. But what mother isn’t tired?

I have an fantastic radiation team that range the spectrum from young to old(er), single mother, family dad, grandmother etc. So, almost anyone can feel like they are part of the extended family while at treatment.

When I get to the treatment center I change while they change the machine to my measurements. Everything from how my forearm is positioned to how my hips are angled and where my but goes is all pre calculated! After Im positioned they put a gel like paper on my breast area, tape it down and cover me with a sheet. Its cold in there! They the 1foot thick door closes and they watch me on a camera. A machineto is over my chest, about 6 inches away and it adjusts all around the right side of my chest all the way from the my back to the chest bone throughout treatment. Im getting a new type of radiation where its concentrated so parts inside the machine move, which I can see, to change the area of concentration.

So far I’ve calculated that each session is about 16, 10 second does of radiation to different parts of the breast area. During one session I learned that people with blood cancer have to have a special harness made because they get 10-15 minutes of continuous radiation, eventually passing out. Im so thankfully this isn’t me, Im not sure I can handle it. My sincere respect goes out to people who endure these treatments, you are true warriors!

Twenty more treatments to go, Ill keep you posted!