Last week I went to the Huntsman Cancer Center here in St. George. It is a great facility. I was fitted for “the mask” I will be wearing during my radiation treatments. 
It was a very cool experience! Barb…I know about the metal slab they have you lay on…that is not big enough for ALL of me, I asked “what do I do with my hands and arms…” they were just dangling, not enough of the slab to put them by my side! so they gave me a ring to hold onto across my tummy. They were so wonderful explaining EVERYTHING they were doing to me while doing it. They took a large piece of mesh plaster stuff and dipped it in warm water, when it was pliable they laid the warm cloth over my entire face and some of my neck, then started molding it to my face. 
It was very easy to breath through. Good thing I am not claustrophobic. The whole time my eyes are closed and mouth opened a tiny bit because the mask will shrink when it is completely dry. Then the radiologist and oncologist screwed and clamped the mask down. They also put a huge rubber band around my feet. It is important you lie very still at all times. This is a very precision type of procedure. I was told that they have to pinpoint the radiation to a centimeter! PHEW that’s close folks! The treatments will not start until the 18th. Friday is a run through. They then took a CT scan of the area so that on Friday this week when I go back, I get to put on the dried mask (which I get to keep…I am so excited LOL) Do I look like (Hannibal Lector?)
and they will put me on the table in the room where I will actually be under going the radiation treatment. The machine is ENORMOUS! Huhoney will take a few pics on Friday, they said he could, just to show the machine. Am I nervous?…maybe a little, I will tell you after Monday the 18th.
Please don’t think I am taking this lightly my friends, but whenever I am frightened, I go into a funny-bone mode. I just laugh. I can’t help it, it is my way of coping I guess. I would NEVER make fun of or EVER NOT take this seriously or anyone who has undergone treatment in any way shape or form make fun of anyone…..I just want you all to know….I am OK. Remember….I have a personal guardian angel on my shoulder!
BTW Barb! please take it easy for a few days! NO SKING OR BIKING OR RUNNING for a while ok! PHEW now that is what I call scary my friend. Not what I am doing! um um not at all! LOT’S of love and good, good, good, good vibrations……I am sending your way!
14 comments:
I am quite sure that Hannibal would find you very APPEALING, with a little Chianti on the side!
It's good that you can laugh about it Linda, really worrying wouldn't do much good anyway. I will be waiting to hear the play by play, make sure HuHoney gets some good pix!
It may keep his mind away from worry a bit! Prayers are always with you.
Love Di
Wow...you have pictures of the process! I understand about the joking when you're nervous...I do that at times, other times I just talk very anxiously and ask questions and distract myself - and pray and pray and pray :)
You are much more beautiful than Hannibal!
♥ to you.
I guess the secret to not having an anxiety attack while on that cold narrow table is to accept, relax and trust in your doctors, plus having a sense of humor helps doesn't it?
Will be thinking of you Linda and sending prayers your way.
Love to you,
Wanda
Linda I think you are through the worse part, getting measured and tattooed took much longer (at least for me) than the actual radiation, only in there a few minutes at most. Good Luck sweetie, keep your sense of humor and I am keeping you in my heart and prayers....Hugs
Linda...what a trooper you are! (Photos to prove it, too!)
You and your husband are in my prayers...and I am waiting to hear news from you. Many smiles to you, my friend.
Linda-- thank you so much for stopping by my blog-- then I could meet you.
Im just north in SLC-- :) What a brave person you are-- humor on top of it all.
My goodness I will be keeping you in my prayers -- my new friend!
TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥
Linda, my whole family is the same way, it's how we cope, we make jokes and laugh, Ray's back is like a mine field from melanoma and his brother always talks about drawing a road map on his back, or making it a golf course with all the divots he has on his back.
I actually think it's a wonderful way to cope.
At first I always go into a deep depression over things, but then I can't take it anymore and humor is the release, and it helps a lot that both my family and Ray's family is the same, so I understand completely what you are doing.
You are in my prayers for everything to go well. Keep us posted.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen
Oh dear. Scary.
Sending you my good vibes too Linda. Big hugs xxx
Wow, that is very interesting stuff. We will keep you in our prayers and always thinking of you. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog. It is comforting to know we have family close by if we ever got in a bind. Love ya!
WHAT? you didnt' tell my you had to do radiation! (Or maybe I wasn't paying attention??) Love you tons and good luck with this.
Love Terrie
Dear Linda,
You are so kind, Linda, to send ME your good wishes. My healing thoughts are now coming to you. I'm sure that your Angel will stay vigilant. All your friends will hold you in their hearts as you undergo treatment. (PS I never even thought of taking pics on the operating table - mine would have been x-rated!) We'll recuperate together.
Came Via Gordon's site. I hope things will be alright.
Though things may seem humorous, I am pretty sure you are naturally scared.
I will read more of your posts, and pray for you. I went through a lot of trials and tribulation, and I feel more for those who are undergoing them.
Love,
Ann
I only had a bit of time to check in on my friends and I thought that I was finished for the day, but I just felt like I wanted to keep scanning through a few more...and I found this. Linda. You have the most amazing attitude. I had no idea. I will be thinking of you and praying.
Hugs,
Cynthia
Lindalu,
It's okay to be scared - my prayers are with you!
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