Week #2 - Under the popcorn machine!

This morning I had my 6th radiation session at the Dixon Center. It is starting to become a routine of sorts. I get to the Clinic early and 1/2 before my appointment I drink my water to get the bladder full and wait for my name to be called.

There are 4 radiation machines at the Clinic and they are busy from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. I understand there are approximately 150 people treated every day for cancer. Obviously, the disease is non-discriminatory and doesn't show favorites. Its impact on people is far reaching.

As I lie under the machine and wait as the radiologist technicians align me to the laser beams, I am pray quietly in my head. I pray for myself and ask God to remove any resentments I have. I am trying so hard to make sure that all negative energy in my mind and body are gone. This seems to be a hard thing to do some times but the Serenity Prayer is a wonderful tool.

Last week, I had the first of my weekly meetings with my Oncologist (Dr. H). The meeting didn't take long. He just wanted to make me aware of the side effects I should be encountering this week ... diarrhea, nausea and tiredness. Dr. H's radiation strategy is to "zap" me 23 times in my entire pelvic area and then the final 10 sessions will focus on the "prostate bed" area. Apparently radiation is very hard on bones, so thus the limitation to 23 sessions of the pelvic bones. Dr. H indicated this treatment is a proactive strategy to eliminate any possible microscopic traces of cancerous cells that may be present. "The radiation should get them all". I like this statement, however, I wish he would have said "will" instead of "should". Like any good doctor, nothing is guaranteed. So be it. I am happy I decided on this "extra treatment and precaution".

The most interesting information I received from Dr. H was the viewing of my pelvic cat scan diagram. During the past months, I could feel an occasional tugging and pulling within my belly. Sometimes there was a sharp pain but mostly it was a gentle tugging. Now I know why. Dr. H showed me that I had between 40 to 50 metal clips installed during my surgery. The cat scan looked like a "shot gun" blast of pellets in my belly. There were a lot and I am surprised I have gotten through airport security without problems! Apparently, every time a blood vessel was cut during surgery, the good doctors installed a clip to stop the bleeding. Now I know why I lost 2 litres of blood! Good to know the surgeons knew what they were doing.

So will continue on with my radiation sessions and pray those invisible beam will get all the "nasty's". It will also give me an opportunity to think about my wonderful grand kids! I can't wait to see them again.