Last Day - A Photo Essay

My course of radiation therapy is done! I had my last treatment today -- 32 treatments in all over the past six weeks. To commemorate, here is a photo essay of what the treatments have been like.

Radiation Oncology

First, I arrive at the Radiation Oncology wing of the breast center and sign in.

Waiting Room

Walk around the corner to the small waiting room. Once I change into the gown, I'll put my personal things into one of the lockers and wait to be called for treatment.

Ready For Treatment

I remove all clothing above the waist, then put on one of the provided white gowns. Since I lie on my back to get my treatments, I'm supposed to put the gown on so it is open in the back. If I'm lucky, I get one with long ties so I can wrap the ties around to the front, as in this picture. If I'm not so lucky, I have to awkwardly try and tie the gown in the back. While it was nice to lie on my back for treatments, I kind of envied women who were treated face down, and so got to wear their gowns the right way 'round, open in the front. 

Radiation Machine

This is a photo of the Radiation Machine. The big round beam emitter swivels around to the correct angle for the treatments. My treatment consisted of radiation "hits" from three different angles. I lie on the white sheet-covered bed, with my arms resting in the arm rests along side my ears. The blue thing is a specially molded bean bag sort of thing to help keep my right arm in the correct location. 

Beam Emitter

This is the beam emitter. This is what I see above me as I like on the treatment bed. The treatment lasts no more than a minute. I was usually at the breast center about 20 minutes altogether, unless it was my day to see the doctor.

Bell Ringing Ceremony

The radiation techs do a little ceremony for patients on their last day. I rang the bell three times and received a little pin in the shape of a bell. Hugs all around, and I started getting teary-eyed. 

The plaque on the bell reads:

Ring this bell

Three times well

To celebrate this day

My course is run

My work is done

And I'm on my way