3 Blue Freckles

Today I had my simulation for radiation, also known as hands over your head while laying on a bean bag so they make sure they put your tattoos in the right place. This was an interesting process. First up is a return to the pink johnnys. These are the ones I wore for my ultrasound and MRI biopsies and they are made to open in the front. Hello old friends.  Once back in the pink and some consent forms signed you head into the CT scanner room for radiation simulation.

First thing they ask me why I am there. I say for Left, errr I mean right breast radiation set up. The radiation oncologist starts shouting from the back room. "Right! Its the Right!". Ooops. Good start.

Then you put your arms up over your head and lay back on a bean bag. This is a suped up bean bag. Two radiation techs, once your in a "comfortable" position, smush the bag into proper position and then press a button. The bag then hardens and the computer remembers this position for all of your treatments. As if I already didn't know that computers were smarter than us...

Once arms are in place the radiation oncologist comes in and marks you up with a purple sharpie. Then the radiation tech takes wire stickers and puts them on your chest at certain locations and they move you in and out of the machine. They had a soft rock station on and they have a couple of ceiling tiles removed and put in a picture that looks like this:

 

I have terrible range of motion. It goes along with my lack of flexibility. Keeping my arms over my head becomes uncomfortable within the first 5 minutes. After 10 minutes my hands are asleep and I hate all lighthouses ever made. At 20 minutes I am singing along to the Huey Lewis song as distraction: 

 

I am then able to distract myself with thoughts about back to the future and nutrition discussions with one of the radiation techs as she piles more hot blankets on me. By the 30 minute mark my neck is getting tingly and my shoulders are screaming. But, I am done. All that is left is to give me tattoos. Here is the exchange:

RT: "Ok. I am going to give you 3 tattoos. They are on each side under your ribs and then one in the middle so we make sure we can line up the laser and machine correctly. This  might pinch and feel weird because these are spots where you normally aren't pinched". 

SO: "Great. I am ready for my sweet tats!" (Clearly serious)

RT: "Yes. I will now mark your sweet tats". (In the most monotone and clearly not appreciative of my sense of humor voice)

Anyways radiation starts next Wednesday and I have a badge to alert them when I show up to have it done. For now, one of my good friends pointed out I have something in common with Phoebe Buffay.