Day 1 & 2 - DONE!!

I had totally intended to post something after my radiation/chemo treatment on Monday but time slipped away from me and before I knew it I was tired and ready to get some much needed sleep.

Monday Recap:  
Radiation is pretty easy.  After the radiation "dry run" on Friday, a hospital volunteer told Nathan that he should definitely come into the treatment room before my first session to "check things out".  Nathan complied and I think he was excited to see some of the technology that he doesn't get to see normally (but that he hears about in some of the Rad Onc meetings he takes part in at his hospital in DC).  My Rad Onc team running machine (#3 Scarlet) is efficient and very friendly.  The first thing we do is the safety check - verifying my name, birth date, and that the picture on the screen is me (not the best picture of me by any means but it serves it's purpose😊).  Once on the table, with my legs placed in my personalized bean bag leg holder, the team tugs on the sheet underneath me in tiny increments to line me up, ensuring that the radiation will be targeted and accurate as possible.  During this first session there wasn't music playing but I didn't mind because I was focused on what the machine was doing.  I listened intently to the slight hum that it made with each rotation.  Before I knew it the session was done.  The whole appointment was less than 15 minutes with about half of it being me changing into and out of the gown.

Immediately after my radiation appointment, Nathan and I head up to the 5th floor for my first chemo infusion.  After checking in I was called back and had my vitals checked and was taken to my treatment room (when given the option of a a "chair" or a "bed" I knew to choose "chair" if you want a room with a view - one of the perks to knowing my way around).  My chemo nurse is AWESOME!!  She started my IV, got labs, and ensured that we had everything we needed.  Labs were back fairly quickly, premeds were given, and my pre-hydration was started.  I felt a little groggy about 15 minutes later and chalked it up to one of the premeds.  The chemo (Cisplatin) was ready and started at about 10am. The infusion ran for a little over an hour and we finished up with post-hydration.  I felt a sense of warmth during the chemo infusion but no adverse reactions (yay!!)  I was out the door by noon and may now hold the 5James record for "most trips to the bathroom" - overall I think I made 7 trips but that's what happens when you "pre-game" with water before radiation, continue drinking water during the chemo visit and receive about 2 liters of saline from the IV hydration and chemo (P.S. - yes I am trying to protect those kidney beans!!)

Tuesday Recap:
Only had radiation today.  Same as Monday with the exception of some added music during the treatment.  Soundtrack for today included half of a John Mayer song (not sure of the title because I'm not really a fan) and some Elton John "Bennie and the Jets".

All in all the first two days of treatment went pretty well.