So, yesterday was. . .not a lot of fun. In particular my back hurt, and otherwise I felt as if I had been Hulk-smashed to the decking and left there. Lots of Command Chair time with the cats. Let me say here that Sprite takes her Duty to the Command Chair very seriously, indeed. She was Entirely Asleep in the jetpak in my office, but when she heard me hit the chair, she staggered into the living room, her eyes still half-closed, and looking more asleep than awake, jumped into my lap, got curled around on my stomach, stretched out one paw to lay over my hand, and started to purr.
Anyhow, I’m figuring that the back situation is being exacerbated by the necessity to Maintain A Position on a metal table for 15-25 minutes M-F, and the plan is to be pro-active next week, by taking an Aleve before I get in the car and drive. The muscle relaxants are too much; I can’t drive if I take them, so here’s hoping Aleve does the job.
Today, I am Much Improved, have started a load of laundry and will in the fullness of time, make some rice for weekday breakfast, and dry-mop the floors, for a bit of gentle aerobic exercise. I may also take a tour of the backyard, which has greened up nicely — speaking of exercise.
And — that’s sort of that. Only 18 more ray gun sessions left. Not that I’m counting. . .
Can you get a pillow or bolster under your knees while immobile on the radiation table. I completely understand the not moving even the tiniest bit part but my radiation crew made very sure I was set and comfortable – and packed firmly into place with pillows – before rolling me into the ray room.
I don’t want to give the impression that my techs are uncaring monsters. They’ve been very kind and have made such arrangements as they are permitted for my comfort, but — I’m not rolled into the ray room — I walk, and lie down on a metal table, with a sheet over it. I put my arms above my head, and take hold of two carefully positioned posts. There is a brace for my rump, and they do put a soft triangle under my knees. The sheet is so the techs can move me into Exactly the Right Position (this done by jerking me back and forth to line up my new tattoos with marks on the table. Once they have me lined up to their satisfaction, they say, “Don’t move,” and leave the room, so that the ray gun can do its work.
Staying exactly still and in place, with your arms over your head, while you’re scared to death (not that being ray-gunned hurts, but it’s the whole idea that I’m permitting myself to be irradiated, what am I — stupid?), really puts a strain on the back muscles.
I’m tensing up just reading about that; I can only imagine how you’re feeling actually being there. I’d be a giant ball o’ knots. So sorry you’re having to go through it. Might a back massage or heating pad when you get home alleviate some of the pain?
I’m sure you’re already thinking about all the best solutions for you — just wish there were some better options. Sending you all my best, in any event.
Thank you. I’m fortunate that our car has heated seats, so I’ve been using that option. Which sort of helps. I think. But I also think that it’s a cumulative effect, and by the time Friday rolls around, I’m just SO DONE with the whole thing. So! Also fortunate that the therapy isn’t six days a week…
Before my rads started, I was put onto a table in a different room, with some kind of “bean bag” thingee full of tiny crystals shoved under my neck and shoulder until it was sort of molded into me. I was carefully lifted off and told that this would allow them to fuse those crystals in place so that during the rad treatments all I’d have to do was fit my body back into position into the mold ( with arm overhead ) on the table. When I began the treatments, I would have sworn they had substituted some else’s mold for mine. Trying to place your body in the exact same position turns out to be much harder than you’d think, and yes, they still had to jerk me this way and that before we began the session. And yes, the fear keeps you immobile in spite of the pain. Looking back, I think I was just sort of numb and in shock throughout the entire weeks of time.
So feeling for you Sharon. ?
Best regards,
Vicky
Oops rainbow disappeared.