Radiation: Day 1

According to Breastcancer.org:  Radiation therapy — also called radiotherapy — is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery. Radiation can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by about 70%. Despite what many people fear, radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate and its side effects are limited to the treated area.

"Reduce the risk of recurrence by about 70%" Heck yeah!

So, silly me, my appointment wasn't supposed to be until 10 am (oops), BUT, they took me when I got there anyway. How do those girls already recognize me? I'm certain I've worn a different wig all two times I've been there... and today I don't have a wig on at all (aren't you proud of me?) just wearing a hat. Anyway...

I strip and put on one of those lovely, flimsy, back-opening gowns and settle in to read an article about adding color to your living room (figured I'd have time, since I was a little early). Just as I was about to learn how to combine cool shades, they called me back. The table was set up under the machine which looks like this:

So, I lie on it, pull down the gown and they position me from my cool tattoos. They tell me to breathe in, breathe out, breathe in and hold. Then I hear a beeping/zapping sound. Let breath out. Reposition. Repeat. All-in-all, they did three zones, twice. Not too bad. I was out in 10 minutes.

I felt a little stinging as I walked to my car- but I'm not sure if that's because I was trying to feel something or not. We'll see.

I'll keep you posted as the days progress. Only 32 to go!