Radiation...it is what I do....

Radiation….it is what I do….

Many people ask me about radiation and I get a lot of  “so what is it like?”  Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect.  I brought my brother to the radiologist appointment before I started.  The doctor said a lot of information and I sort of zoned out.  I knew that my brother was taking it all in and would explain it to me when my mind was ready to understand it. I didn’t want to do radiation but just like chemo, I had no choice.  I had two sessions where they worked on making my mold and setting me all up for my daily zaps of radiation.  

So here is how it goes.

2:10-2:15: big yellow busses start pulling into the school to pick up the kids.  Just as the kids get excited to see them and know that school is almost over, I too register that I have a few more minutes to make sure I have taught what I needed to for the day.

2:20:  bell rings and my last class filters into the hall.  I stand on hall duty and encourage the students to go home.  Many of them stay and chat and slowly pack their bags.  Funny how they can’t wait to leave the classroom but love to hang out in the hallway.

2:35ish: the busses depart and I make my way to my car.  Hopefully, I head to right spot and get in.  There are those days that I say “where did I park again?” or ”Oh yeah, the row was filled and I had to go somewhere else, now where was that?”

2:50ish: I pull up to the hospital where I am doing radiation. I park and go inside.  I have to announce myself to the secretaries each time.  By law I have to say my name.  It is funny they just smile at me at first until I say my name.  I know that they know my name and they know that I know that they know my name….so it always makes me smile.

3:00ish: Sometimes I don’t get to sit down and they will call me right back.  Then there are other times where I sit down and peruse the magazines.  I usually like the quiet time at doctor offices to check out the latest gossip magazines and get caught up on what is happening in the entertainment world.  However, I go to radiation every day, so I have already checked out all the fun magazines.  One day I read Southern Living.  It was definitely different than Us Weekly.  When I am called, I go through the doors and head to the women’s changing area.  I actually read the sign every time. I know that one of these days, I will be in my own little world thinking about something else and almost go into the wrong room.

In the changing room, I select a locker and take the key. I then proceed to get undressed which is still somewhat challenging. I wear stretchy shirts so that I can just pull my arms out easily.  I then put on the lovely hospital gown.  I then wait in the next area for them to call my name.  In this section, I stare at magazines up on a wall. I could take one down but I usually get called rather quickly.  The magazines stare back and me and say things like “how did I get cancer?” or “defeat cancer.” 

3:10ish:  I have now been called back to the radiation room.  I get to lie on this table.  They place a sheet down which makes it somewhat slippery.  I get into the right position.  I fit into the mold that I made several weeks ago.  I turn my head to the right and place my arm up over my head. I usually place my hand on my hat to keep it from falling out of place.  I then lie there and listen to them measure and line me up. Every other day I have this thing placed over the spot to help bring the radiation closer to the surface.  The techs are great.  They usually have loud music playing which totally helps me forget that I am half naked lying on a table with people measuring and prodding.  The music totally helps me forget that I am getting ready to be zapped.

3:15ish:  The zapping begins.  The machine moves around and I get three different zaps.  Each blast last about 30-40 seconds. I do not count “Mississippily.” (now who got that reference?)  When I start to hear the zapping noise, I usually close my eyes and count. I think about being on a beach in Hawaii on a nice summer night.  I think about the smell of the ocean and the feel of the warm sun.  Then the zapping stops and I open my eyes.  After the last set of zaps, I just lay there until they come in and I hear “ok Rachel, you can put your arm down and cover up.”  I think and say out loud “9 done, roughly 21 more to go.”

3:30ish: I collect the children (Thanks to Adele and my mom they are usually waiting for me in the parking lot) and head home to start the evening of homework, dinner, baths, and chase the Shua. 

Radiation….it is what I do….

September in January

September in January:

Well…..I did it!  I made it through my first week of school.  No lie, every day was exhausting.  I was glad that it was a short week.  I would have never made it through the first day without the great colleagues that I work with. The flowers, the welcome back cards, the presents all helped me feel like I never left.  My fellow social studies teacher Ken really helped me get all situated and get back into the flow of things.  He probably doesn’t realize how much he really helped me those first few days.  I got a card that plays the theme song to Friends!  Love it!  Ruthie picked out flowers that were delivered to school on my first day.  Love it!  Adele was there every afternoon to help me get the kids back into their car seats in the van.  JoJo and Bill were great with helping me get Shua into the house in the mornings.  Shua already says “JoJo” which is awesome.  Shua also has some new friends that he loves to play with.  I really have to thank the Adams’ for helping me getting Shua in the house and distracted so I could sneak out.  It really was a team effort by everyone to make the first week go smoothly.

Part of my exhaustion was from my radiation simulation that happened on Tuesday.  I had to leave early on my second day.  The radiation department has been great with giving me late appointments; however the simulation needed to be done earlier in the day when all the doctors and scientists were all there.  This was by far one of the hardest things to do post-surgery.  I had to lie on this table (propped up a little bit) with my head turned to my right. I had to have my left hand over my head.  They had to tape my arm to the table and my hand to my head. I could not physically keep my arm where it needed to be.  I had to stay in this position for 15 minutes without moving.  I was lying on this bag filled with goop.  The goop hardened and made a mold of my body.  I will lie in this mold each day for my radiation treatment.  The bag changing was actually really cool.  The position I was lying in was not.  I then got to get up and walk around the room for a few minutes. I then returned to the mold in the same position.  My arm was taped down once again.  I had to stay there for at least 30 minutes.  During this stage I was marked.  The front of my body looked like I gave Shua a black sharpie and let him draw on me and then I let him attempt to clean it with an alcohol wipe.  Needless to say, I looked like a mess.  I was so sore afterwards and in so much pain that I took advantage of the free massage.  Yes, I let some strange person massage me which tells you the level of pain and discomfort I was in.  After the appointment the real fun was just beginning.  Adele brought Elisheva and Shua to the hospital and we headed home to get Ruthie off the bus.

After a short but exhausting week I came home on Friday to see the playroom totally cleaned up and vacuumed.  It was unbelievable.  See below.  

 Of course it lasted all of .....three minutes.....see below:

All in all the week went well and I am so glad to be back to work. The students were pleasant and welcoming.  They really learned a lot while I was out.  This next week will be a tougher week. I have five days of work with radiation on four of those days. 

Family Tradition, Same Chair, Different Kid

Family Tradition/Same Chair/Different Kid

Just as I was getting my stride back I hit a short set back.  A stomach bug invaded our house and stayed for a little while.  Everyone got it.  First, Shua was so kind to show signs.  Then Elisheva was next in line to have the bug.  She went through three sheets and two pairs of pj’s in the middle of the night.  I had a fun time shortly after Elisheva started in the middle of the night.  Ruthie was so good in the middle of the night when we had to turn on the light.  She was even ready to head to school a little sleepy but then got the bug instead.  Stephen was feeling pretty lucky and even had some of his Carvel ice cream cake on Friday.   The rest of us really couldn’t think about food.  I knew sooner or later it would catch up to him.  Sure enough a few hours before midnight on NYE, he comes up stairs and is sick.  He says “I think I got the bug or food poisoning….I ate some vegetables.”

Anyways, we are all well now and everyone is ready to return to work/school/JoJo’s tomorrow.  Yep, all of us!  Shua has not been to JoJo’s in a very long time. He is a totally different boy compared to last June.  I do hope he is not too much of a handful and he doesn’t teach Matthew any of his naughty tricks.  I know that Shua will be so excited to chase Quentin around and probably bother him to no end like he does to his sisters. I am really looking forward to returning to work.  Of course I am nervous.  My desk is not set up and I do not know the students at all. Well, I know one of them and she better be on her best behavior! I have nothing copied and hope I can figure out the new copy machines.  Everyone has already been there for a few months and is in a routine, so of course that makes me feel anxious.  A smart friend said “I would be worried if you are not nervous, but don’t worry everything will work out ok.”

I took the van out today and went on the highway. I feel confident to drive to Rockaway tomorrow.  It might take us a little longer but we will get there. It does take me more time to get in and out of the van/car. 

It is a New Year.  It is January. The next stage of my journey (radiation) will start very shortly. It is my time to return to work.  Bring on the craziness!