"Spaced Out"

The count down has begun for the next phase of therapy. Coming Monday, I would meet the "Radiological Oncologist" to plan out whats next.

Radiation ? Chemo ? How many sessions ?

More over, how much time ? What are the effects going to be ? Fatigue, Skin Burn ? Dry mouth and throat ?

Some people, who have been through this process, do stop by and say "Hang in there. Its going to be tough".

People who have not been through this and ask me,  I answer the opposite, "I think with the surgery the worst is over. Radiation will be just like a glorified X-Ray".

All that and my commitment to myself, not to google any thing related to my treatment keeps me open for any kind of experience. Will take it as it comes.

But, then out of curiosity I did ask the doctor today to walk me through a "trailer" of the next phase therapy.

He kept it very brief - "You go home today. As a doctor I should not say this - but have a drink, call in a few friends and watch the match. Because you will be spaced out once the radiation and/or chemo starts, and it may go on for 4-6 weeks".

Ample trailer of time to come :)


spaced′-out′

adj. Slang.

1. dazed or stupefied by narcotic drugs.

2. dreamily or eerily out of touch with reality; disoriented, forgetful, or dazed.

Preamble to Radiation and Chemo

It was an interesting day with Radiation Oncologist. I was meeting him for the first time, as the treatment moves in to the second phase.
Very calm, composed, means-business kind of a person who grew more and more assuring over the conversation.
He laid out the process and did not mean to explain too many things ! More in mater-of-factlyfood.  way of explaining what I ve to go through. It was a self-driven Q&A from my side.
After he went through all the reports - I started asking my Qs.
Q. So ! How does it look ? What it going to be like ?
A. Expect 66 grs of radiation. Which is like 33 sittings, 5 days a week. Will go a lil over 6 weeks.
Q. Do I need Chemo ? I am really hoping, there is no need for chemo !!! 
A. You need chemo. Chemo's role here is to make sure radiation is effective. We should reach out to the right cells, the cells with cut off oxygen supplies too that Chemo will identify. Once a week 3-4 hours in hospital for Chemo.
Q. What do I expect ? "Spaced Out" ?? Do I need to tonsure all my hair ? Weakness after radiation and Chemo ?
A. Nope. No weakness as long as nutrition is fine. You should drink around 4 ltrs of liquid nutritious stuff every day and take care of mouth blisters by rinsing every hour with Saline water. Everything else will be ok.
That was assuring in a way. He even mentioned, you can just continue to work !
Plenty of nightmares coming true - like endless radiation sessions, chemo etc. But overall, felt reassured listening to the Dr. that the side effects are not as horrible described normally. No amount of negotiation was entertained to drop Chemo.
Rest of the process was easy. Creating a mask, a mould from a molten synthetic material that was poured on my face, neck and shoulders.
Once it solidified, I had to wear the mask, and go through a CT Scan. Not as miserable as MRI, thankfully. Takes much less time and not at all noisy. But the iodine injection through the vein is an uniquely painful experience of ice cold chemical going through the veins.
Fingers, crossed - hoping to get a Clean CT Scan report, and hope the radiation sessions will reduce to around 50 and chemo will reduce proportionately