Radiation Round 1.

We arrive at the Auckland Radiation Oncology (ARO) Clinic on time despite the car immediately in front of us breaking down on the motorway. We are stuck in the middle lane with vehicles flying by on either side of us until a sympathetic truck driver in the right hand lane slows right down to let us in. I am simultaneously cursing the stalled driver and feeling sorry for him – I’m not sure how he will get out of his predicament in rush hour traffic.

At the ARO reception I am presented with a hard copy of my updated schedule. Today’s treatment gets stamped with a happy face (really? I feel like it should be a gold star) and I am told someone will come and collect me shortly. Susannah and I take a seat. There are no sunflowers here today. A Radiotherapist calls my name and we dutifully follow her downstairs. Susannah waits outside Treatment Room 1 where I will shortly be zapped. I am led to the changing rooms and given a Sistema basket with my name on it and a short gown which will be mine for the duration of my treatment schedule. I look at the gown – XL, oh good, that’ll fit nicely. I am allowed to keep the bottom half of my clothing on so just remove my T-shirt and flounder about in my XL gown. Even with all the snap buttons done up it’s very loose around the neck and I have to make sure it doesn’t slide down my shoulder.

Susannah gives me a quick reassuring hug and I follow the Radiotherapist into the Treatment Room. I get up on the bed and lie on my back cocooned in the me-shaped cast we created on Orientation Day. It’s super hard now and looks like bad papier-mâché. My arms are nestled above my head and I am given the control button to hold. If I need help I am to push the button twice, otherwise just once, as previously instructed, to start the breath hold process. I am snorkelled up and attached to the machine by a long tube and the Radiologists adjust me until I am in the correct position. Then they leave the room. I am all alone and feeling very apprehensive.

Instructions are relayed to me over the intercom system from the safety of the other room. First I do two 20 second breath holds while they run another CT scan. Then they remotely make minor adjustments to my position so it exactly matches the scan from Orientation. Now everything is set, the scanner rotates around me and treatment begins. I can’t see anything happening. I just lie as still as I can and do as I’m told. When you’re ready, press and hold the button and take a deep breath in…..hold it…halfway..…3-2-1….release the button and breathe normally. 

To avoid panicking I imagine myself snorkelling in sunlit waters surrounded by tropical fish. I can do this, it’s not so bad. As Dory would say, Just keep swimming.

We repeat this process about 8 times and then I’m done. I’m given a tube of Strata Gel to apply over the treated area twice daily to help prevent dryness and am sent on my way. I change and stow my oversized gown and basket on a shelf until tomorrow and we head back upstairs.

Round 1 complete. 14 to go.