Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Sooner than later?

I wrote out a whole new post after meeting with the radiation people on Monday, but somehow the computer deleted it. I'm sure I did nothing wrong, it was all the computer.
The radiation people are some more smart people and I like them. There's the main doctor, the x-ray technician girl (don't know her title), physicist and jr. physicist. I didn't know I would get to meet the physicists or that they would even be involved in all of this, but that was exciting for me. I got to again wear a sweet hospital gown and robe. Regardless of how many doctors offices I have visited, all the gowns look the same. Flattering and stylish. Since they're radiating the top half, I only had to take my shirt off. Lucky me. After I had the robe on, I headed to waiting room #2. This was sort of creepy. I don't know if you've ever seen the movie "Defending Your Life" but as soon as I looked at the waiting room, I flashed to that movie. It was one of those that was on all the time, so you watched it when there wasn't anything else good. Anyway, it basically had people (all in robes) that were waiting to hear if they were going to heaven, or going to be sent back to Earth to try again. I walked into this waiting room and there were like 5-6 people, all in matching robes, and totally silent. There were puzzles, magazines, juice, and silence. It was weird. Included in the 5-6 people was this tall guy. I'm assuming he's tall because his robe was way too short, and he must have needed radiation over his whole body, because he didn't have anything on but the gown. He was very comfortable in the gown, no modesty there. I made a point to remember the chair he was in and never sit there.
Once it was my turn I laid on a table for almost an hour while they lined me up, and built molds of my chest and such. I'm guessing these pieces won't be going in a museum, but it was interesting to watch it all. The mold consists of 2 layers of saran wrap, a plastic thing that forms to you after being in a water bath, vaseline, and some stuff that has the feel and density of skin. Apparently I wear this apparatus while they're zapping me and it brings the radiation closer to the skin. The lymph nodes is what they're mainly aiming for, and the ones they're aiming at are right under the skin. This also means I will have some intense burning of the skin. It will turn red and peel. If it gets to the point of oozing (doctors word, not mine), then maybe we'll change some things. Um, maybe we'll change some things? Maybe? I really don't think I'll like oozing. Just a hunch.
The doctor mainly emphasized fatigue in all of this. She said its not something to just push through, which is what I have a tendency to do. She said I've never been, nor will I ever be this tired again in my life. Cool. The good news was that we might get to start this whole process sooner than later. Because I've handled chemo pretty well, she felt like if my energy is fully back in a couple of weeks then we can get going. It would be very nice to get this stage going, over with sooner, etc. We'll see if that works out or not. If I'm good to go, then I go back for a dry run (or an undress-rehearsal as Debbie called it, teachers have such lame humor), and then the next day we would start. We'll see!

7 comments:

Bob said...

Yes we remember that drill! The fatigue will set in but not until you have an accumulation of radiation. Donna was good until the last ten and then wham! However she didn't have chemotherapy. I would wait until you are totally recovered (as you suggested) otherwise you will just get more and more tired. It is not like chemo as you don't get two week breaks in between. It is everday except weekends. Good luck and keep swimming! Converse!

amos lee said...

undress rehearsal! ha!!! yay!!!! love it, go Debbie.

TERRI said...

BRENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY....WHAT A SUPER STAR YOU ARE! YOU'VE PLAYED SUCH A BIG PART ON HER RECOVERY. AND I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU FOR THAT. LOVE, AUNT TERRI

sklumph said...

First, I completely agree with Aunt Terri. My brother is a freaking angel. And second, I'm sure this one does not surprise you Mo Klumph (or Brent...or anyone that really knows me) But I cannot stop laughing at the un-dress rehearsal!!! HAHAHA!!! It is so funny. And, its not just because I'm going to be a teacher and now fall into the category of 'teacher humor'...its really funny. Good one mom-o. :) Love you guys!

Bob said...

Yes I am proud to call Brent friend! Along with all the rest of the supportive Klumph family!

Bob said...

Speaking of support: Try the Sime family! WOW! Enough said!

Ralph Preston said...

Hi
just wanted to comment on emu oil.
It is used at quite a few hospitals
(John Hopkins, Texas burn unit)and more We know it works on sunburn,
scalds,welding burns, in fact it has a lot of uses.For more info
http://www.emuzing.com
or if you prefer do a search on emu oil
Ralph
Rhea-lly Emu-zing Ranch