Things You Should Know

Okay, the first thing I'll tell you about radiation for cancer is that -- you don't have to really DO much of anything. The technicians take care of everything. You lie down and they move you so that you are lined up with the machine's coordinates.

Now, it might get scary when the big machine is turned on and starts to make funny noises and move around the table vertically. The first time you go through it is the worst. I think it is setting parameters. After that, it seems to me, it doesn't take so long, and it might not be doing the same thing during every treatment.  So it's not so scary as time goes on.

Technicians are great.  So sometime take them so candy or pastries to get on their good side. . .

It Hurts to Laugh

I'm learning to cope with the results of my abdominal surgery, but it's been over two months and, with various developments along the way, I've had setbacks.  I promise not to go into too many details -- I don't want to gross you out anymore than I want to gross myself out.

But a few days ago, I saw the doctor in charge of radiation -- a charming man from Long Island, and thankfully somewhat mature.  Well, during the session to set up the X-ray machine and my position thereunder for precisely targeting the area to be radiated, the doctor instructed me to raise  my legs straight up and bring them back down on a pad that would become a form to insure my position will be the same during each treatment.

Well, I did something stupid.  Which is not unusual for me -- and I'm still paying for it.  I locked my knees and ankles and lifted both legs at the same time -- even pointed my toes -- in what synchronized swimmers call a "double ballet leg." 

The doctor and the technician were drop-jawed!  I used to do this as a standard part of my conditioning until a few years ago. But I'll be 70 in about two weeks.  I should have known better.  I have muscles protesting that had nothing to do with post-op.

I think I'll finally have to start acting my age.