Proton (radiation) therapy: day 23

proton therapy

Today was 23-of-28 days of proton therapy. I’ve been wearing no shirt whenever possible the past week because it feels better. I worked from home today for that reason.

I took a shower a half hour ago; the area along the sternum now hurts like a sonuvabitch. It hurts to put the lotion on it.

Everything stings – and it’s a hot bzzzzt sting.

I know how much worse it is today than five days ago. I can’t even imagine what next Tuesday will feel like.

Proton therapy: one-quarter down

SCCA Proton Center

After seven treatments (21 to go) at Seattle Proton Therapy Center, I’ve learned patience and humor are key.

I keep reminding myself that there’s a particle accelerator somewhere “up there” and that the physics alone should make this awesome. But awesome doesn’t keep the blood flowing to my left arm when I’m stuck in an awkward “don’t move” position for a half-hour while the techs coax the machine out of a work stoppage!

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