I have 9 radiation treatments under my belt and 21 more to go! So far I feel about the same besides occasional nausea and fatigue. The doctors say I could possibly see hair loss, skin reactions, loss of appetite/nausea, etc. closer to 3-4 weeks into the treatment. EVERYDAY (except Saturdays and Sundays) at 8:45 I get my radiation therapy and I have the same 3 extremely nice and bubbly radiology therapists at each of my treatments! The treatment only takes approximately 15 minutes. I counted today and I get "zapped" with what appears to be a purple light 76 times every treatment. No worries, I can't feel it!
The questionable part of the treatment is the mask! I think it might make some people cringe. I have this plastic, netted mask as tight as possible over my entire head. If that's not bad enough for most people, then they snap that mask with my head in it to the table! So yes, I'm attached to the table by my head and couldn't escape even if their was a fire in the room! Here's the weird thing....I kind of find it relaxing! I think the Lord knew what he was doing when he made me weird!
The purpose of this lovely tight mask is to make sure I'm in the exact same position for every treatment. You can see masking tape and marker on my mask, that is where I get the radiation. I think it's pin-pointing a small area. I have the tape on both sides like you can see and then another one right over my right eye brow.
Hope that helps everyone understand a little better into my new temporary life! I know the Lord is continuing to work on me through this so keep the prayers coming! Also, keep praying for the family members that have to put up with me!!!
Thanks for the update! You were on my mind a lot today. I said several prayers for you. I always love a visual so I enjoyed the pics of you and your mask!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking about you last week. Luann was telling me how they put an Arsaga's in Springdale by Harps. I told her how I had never heard of that place until last year you gave me your blueberry muffin from there when I was pregnant and felt sick one afternoon! It was when we were in the car going on a home visit one afternoon. Good memories :)
Miss you friend!!
Go girl! You are such a trooper and an inspiration!! I cannot wait to see you in a few weeks. We are praying for you constantly and love you so much!! I am so proud of you and so blessed that you are my bestestest friend!!
ReplyDeleteKimberly
Thanks for the update! Still praying!! You and your family are amazing to watch through this!
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah! Thanks for the update! You are such a trooper! Praying for you sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteSarah- thanks so much for sharing your life with us! I also did radiation every day for 7 weeks except the weekends but mine was not anything like yours because of it being breast cancer. Just seeing these pics makes me so claustrophobic!!! Glad you are not that way. Continued prayers being sent your way daily!! Love you sweet girl!!This is from Barbi!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update. I continue to pray for you and your family. NeCol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I keep looking over at your house wondering how you're doing and thinking how weird it is that you are "getting zapped" daily, instead of sitting outside with the kids waiting for Pat to get home. Ivy misses that. Thanks for an inside look. I feel enlightened. And your legs look great Sara...like you're still working out like a maniac :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update! Been wondering.
ReplyDeleteGlad things are going well - as well as they can, I guess. ..and no, God didn't make you weird, Sweetie. He made you so very special! Though I am sure He knew what He was doing. God is SO gonna use you BIG through this, I just know it!
Love you, praying for you and your precious family.
Desty (and the rest of the Ellises)
My word! I am so claustriphobic (however you spell it) that I would be a panicked mess in that head gear! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad that things are going as well as they could be. You look skinny too! :)
All joking aside, you are such an inspiration. God knew what he was doing when he made you into your bubbly happy self. I think about you and pray for you daily!
Love ya!
Amazing! That is cool that we can see pictures. Praying for you every step of the way!!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has a 6 yr old daughter who just finished her second time with radiation and the 'mask' but her's was face down!! You can imagine!! Praying for you as you go through this part of the journey! Believing that God is and will continue to be glorified through your life!!! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the pictures! We think of you and pray EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to see your post today! I had been wondering how you were doing. I had radiation for about 8 weeks on my hip back in December.I don't think I could have done the mask though. My radiology techs would play music every day and that always made me relax.Once you get into a routine it's not so bad,right? And we do what we have to do to get better. Sending you lots of prayers and good thoughts.
Olga
Glad to see the update. I'm part of a sweet group of ladies who pray & exercise together. They were asking about you yesterday. We continue to pray for you and your family.
ReplyDelete