This is how many more radiation treatments are left.  Today was a ‘super clav and breast boost’.  For the super clav the machine is in two different positions, up about even with where my arm meets my body and in back  in the same general area.  Both of these shots were done all through the radiation, but now the direct shot to the whole area is omitted.  The other was the boost which was a longer beam, about 30 seconds, right to the scar.  The machine is closer and the attachments and template they snap in place bring the contraption to within about an inch of my body.  They are very good about checking in as they put it all together.  I’m pretty mellow  yellow so it does not bother me.  If someone tends on the ‘I need more space’ side of things, it might feel a bit tight.  The room is really big and open, it’s just the proximity of the machine to the body that might be tough to take.

I asked how the beams from below the table get to me.  They took the sheet off the table and showed me that it is made of carbon fibers which the beams go right through.  It looks like plexiglass.  The cradle is also made of carbon fibers but is not a clear material.  Basically a lot of things are made of such fibers.   So as I lie there the great arm of the machine rotates 180 degrees to beneath the table.  That area of my body, the area around my scapula on the left side, is just a bit red now.  I’ve put stuff on it throughout the treatment.  The beams are definitely longer and stronger on the front side.  The  super clav and breast booster treatments go on through Friday, and then next week is just the booster on the scar area.

Already the R.T.’s are talking about “just getting to know someone and then having to say good bye”.  It feels similar to my last weeks of chemotherapy.  Out comes the cheesebread pan for a treat.  Maybe Tuesday.  I really want my favorite people to  be there, and it’s the day of the weekly doc visit.

I’ll be writing more soon about the metabolism of a cancer diagnosis.  It’s something I’ve been finding myself in thought about a lot lately.  There’s probably a bunch to say, so I’ll save it for it’s own entry.

Today I’m not too tired, really.  I am resting at home, just having gotten off a phone conference.  One kat is on my left leg.  Another is under my left arm with his head on top of my hand on the keyboard.  Another is moping somewhere because there is no more surface area available upon which he could fit.  It’s a rainy afternoon.  A perfect day to be under katz with the end of active treatments in clear view.  B and I are planning a weekend getaway to celebrate our 20th anniversary.  The timing is excellent.