September 20, 2023
David went to Dr. Wa today for a diagnostic test that targets the area for radiation therapy. Radiation is set to begin on September 27. He will have a total of 25 treatments once per day Monday-Friday for five weeks. Along with the radiation, he will take oral chemotherapy Xelota (Capecitabine) twice per day (total of 8 pills) on the days he goes to radiation. He will have Saturdays and Sundays off. (Dr. B explained in our last appointment that the side effects from oral chemo are cumulative and so by having these days off each week, David may not experience many of the side effects of the drug,) David was “tattooed” with a sharpie that marks the spot that the radiation will need to hit. He was told he would get a better tattoo after the first treatment. Radiation therapy is highly targeted to more accurately control the cancer (tumor) where it is in the body. The targeted therapy is designed to try to save other organs and tissue from being damaged by treatment. Side effects from radiation therapy can take months or years to develop.
MARKED UP (-d)
Having looked up a lot of stuff on radiation treatment, I felt pretty prepared for this appointment. The only thing I was less prepared for were the feelings that this was all really about to happen. Again, as with any time I can remember in this entire process, the people who helped me from the first person I met at reception, through all they procedures, to the last person to see me walk out the door could not have been more kind and helpful. It really is amazing to feel. Always ready to explain and answer any question that I will myself to ask. Slowly, not rushed, and reassuredly throughout step by step we got it all done. Listening to my radiologist Dr. Wa discuss things with the staff in a kind and patient way as he explained not only to me but to them the how and why of what he was doing was the best part. The experience itself was as comfortable as being aligned internally and externally with lasers and CT images can be imagined to be (it’s really not too bad). I remember being really worried about washing off or losing these marks even though they were significant, but them putting a little extra tape on each made me feel better. After it was all over, I was dressed and ready to be on my way. Still feeling a little bit anxious that I was another step closer to actually being irradiated, but also a little excited that this could make a significant difference in not just my long term treatment but the short term effects as well.