My last radiotherapy session was on Tuesday. On Monday there was a phone call from the radiotherapy department; I wondered if they were ringing to say there had been a terrible mistake that morning and I had been given ten times the right dose. Not just double; it’s more likely a decimal point or zero might get misplaced… actually they just wanted to ask if I would mind coming in later as the engineer was coming to fix the machine… hmm wonder if it WAS working properly in the morning?

It was rather sad saying farewell to the lovely staff, though on the previous Friday I thought I might stay there forever. I had breezed out of the main waiting room after my treatment, yay it’s the weekend ( Not that there was anything special happening at the weekend except not going to radiotherapy ) saying farewell to the chaps drinking water getting ready for their prostate treatment. I sauntered up the corridor only to find the double doors closed and locked. This had happened to me once before. That time I had been relieved to hear voices behind me; some of the staff were going for their coffee break and swiped a card on a box. This time there was not a soul in sight or sound.

I returned to the waiting room, but there was nobody on the desk. Who to ask, who to find? One can hardly go barging into treatment rooms, or disturb radiologists in the control room when their patient is being irradiated. I could only hover by the changing cubicles hoping to catch someone collecting their patient. Fortunately, from another set of double doors that said Staff Only emerged a chap in plain clothes, one of the numerous persons, with lanyards and ID cards to distinguish them from patients, who stride purposefully up and down corridors and stairs. I alerted him to my plight.
‘This always happens on Fridays when they test the fire alarms.’
He went into detail about magnetic doors as we marched up the corridor. As we reached the doors he said
‘Hmm, let’s hope this works.’
I had assumed it would. Luckily it did.

Meanwhile back to my last session… The third zap above my collar bone, targeting lymph nodes, has been the only one where I can look up and see the square screen through which invisible rays are emitted. Strange shutters above the glass move in and out, up and down, but it is usually quick. This time things seemed to come to a halt. I waited for the familiar buzz, wondering if the machine had broken down and when no one spoke over the intercom, fearing they had all gone home. I was tempted to move my arm as my shoulder felt sore and I began to imagine the horrors of the rack or crucifixion. Then the buzzing started.
I was given a help sheet to add to my collection. The effects of the accumulated radiation carry on for another couple of weeks, not that I had had any bad effects. I do now have a big square and a smaller square that look like sunburn. I had imagined the target areas being round. I was told to keep the area protected from the sun. ‘For how long?’ I asked. ‘Forever’ was the reply.

Nerve wracking experiences. Glad you are through with it now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Deborah
LikeLiked by 1 person
A couple of things, three, actually. First, I wish you the very best in your treatments and outcome. You seem to have a great attitude/perspective on the challenges which, surely, must work to your benefit.
Secondly, I commend you for writing about it. It must be good therapy for others experiencing something similar. I’ve thought about writing, too, but have not made the leap. Good for you.
Finally, I admire how you weave your subtle sense of humor into your personal story.
Keep up your wonderful writing and continues success with your health issues.
Steve
LikeLiked by 7 people
Well said, Steve!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Liz. Hope you’re having a great day😎
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Steve. I’ve been getting a lot done, so it’s been a good day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Steve, I’m lucky having plenty of support on the ground and on line. I hope it helps others; I don’t want to worry them or make it sound too easy as there are people having a far harder time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it sounded easy at all. To me, it sounded very challenging, but you’re finding and telling your readers that no matter the task and the struggle, there’s always something to make us smile. And that smile can make a small difference in how you feel at day’s end. For sure, there are readers who are finding strength in your experience. On a personal note, I had a friend tell me, ‘rise up to the occasion’, and that’s become a mantra I think of daily.
LikeLiked by 3 people
glad to hear you have made it through your treatments, and with such a positive attitude…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is that the end of the treatments? Can you celebrate yet? Is it relief, euphoria or anxiety? So glad you’re now the right side of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just the five years of tablets, which seem no problem so far. Check up with oncologist middle of March. Have had a couple of ‘celebrations this week, Arcado and Ikea!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Luckily “forever” is a long time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleased to hear that’s over for you, Janet…Donna had her last one Friday…just Lauren to go hers is not so straightforward…Have a lovely Sunday 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carol, best wishes for Lauren.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janet…Donna sailed through and Laurens having a tough time atm it shows how differently peoples bodies react to all these chemicals x
LikeLike
This is good news, Janet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Forever” sounds wonderful! Take care, Janet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You tell your story in such a way that I feel like I am experiencing it, too. Congratulations on your graduation from radiation. My husband underwent 45 radiation treatments last year for prostate cancer. He wanted it to be over, but he was sad to say goodbye to all the workers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
45 sessions! well done to your husband. He must have felt like he lived there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The engineer is coming to repair the machine”—not a statement that inspires confidence. I feel the same way when they say the flight will be delayed because something is wrong with the plane. That has happened a couple of times, and as I board, I’m thinking, “I sure hope they fixed whatever was wrong.”
Congratulations on finishing your radiation treatments. It sounds like you had some excellent support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Pete, it’s a long time since I’ve flown, but I know that experience; you wonder if you should get off right then while you have the chance, or not even board! Yes I did have great support and will be writing a thankyou blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Janet, thank you for the update. It sounds like your treatment is going well and I’m glad the radiation isn’t to bad for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robbie, yes I’m still feeling fine.
LikeLike
Congratulations on finishing the radiotherapy. A milestone reached.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joan.
LikeLike
If everything has worked, then no sunbathing is a fair exchange. Well done, Janet.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pete, yes indeed a fair exchange. I never sunbathe as such, but of course sitting at the beach hut or in the garden in the sun has the same effect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One has to wonder if those bloody doors are to keep someone (something?) in, or out? 😀 … huzzar for the finish!!! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes indeed and how to know which is the best side of the doors to be on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was going to say something along similar lines to what https://srbottch.com/ said, but he said it better. Take care of yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mike, I will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear you are going through this. You have a great attitude that will save your soul and you will continue to live in harmony
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Valentina, I am feeling fine now, just have to keep taking the tablets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sending lots of love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have always admired your attitude. Thank you for following my blog.
LikeLike