I have over a week's worth of treatments under my belt and feel it's time to tell you just what goes on. Hopefully, it will give you a better understanding of the radiation therapy itself. Doctors often go through symptoms, but don't give you many details of what you'll experience during doses.
I'm sorry if I missed anything or have grammatical errors. I'm pretty exhausted.
Notes: Depending on where your cancer is, the part of you being treated will vary. Hospitals may vary in design/procedure.
Even when your team is out of the room during imaging or treatment, they can still hear and see you at all times.
Your clothing may be pulled up or down, depending on the treated area.
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1. There is a matte, gray machine against one wall. It has an arm that looks like a giant shower head (the long neck and circular ending) minus the many little holes. Instead, the circle will have a "window". There is a rectangle across from the circle on the machine that can swing out or away... this is the imaging arm. This machine can totally rotate with controls, even underneath you. The part of the machine against the wall may have a black screen or gray circle, depending on the design.
The lights will be dimmed. There is a long, black table (which can raise/lower and move all cardinal directions) with measurements down the sides in white. The table will have a pillow on it and a sheet draped over the top half. Any extra stuff they need for you (something for under your knees, a rubber ring to hold so your arms stay in place, etc.) will be taken out. Red laser guides on the walls and ceiling will help them position you.
2. You will give the therapists (techs, whatever) your name and birthday. Every day.
3. You will lie on your back on the table. The staff will give you the extra things you need. For instance, I need to be strapped down to the table because of being easily startled and my fear of heights. I also have a green rubber ring to hold and often ask for a warm blanket for my legs.
4. You will be adjusted. No squirming if you can help it. The first day, they might take extra measurements and images and mark your skin with a marker, putting clear stickers over the marks so they can't come off accidentally. In time, your care team will have to change your stickers because they will wear out. Once a week, your measurements will be taken to ensure everything is right.
*Note on adjusting your position: The placement of your body is very specific. When the staff need to change something, they may ask you not to assist them in moving you because the distance is often small.
5. Either during the part where they get you in position or directly after, the table will rise. You are now approximately four feet off the ground. Do not try to jump off the table when it is this high. They may also move the table so it is more in line with the arm that gives the radiation (the arm that looks like a shower head).
6. They make sure the machine doesn't hit your arm as it rotates.
7. They step out of the room and image you. On a normal day, two images will be taken: One from the top and one from the side. These images will also check alignment. There will be noise from the imaging, the machine will "whir" and "click". As it rotates, it may pop and groan. There might be a short "beep" or "bleat" per image.
8. After the pictures, the imaging arm will make a medium "whirring" when it retracts. Then, you might have a minute of silence while the staff considers things.
9. The table might move, often in tiny amounts. This is the last time you're adjusted before treatment. This is called "applying shifts".
10. The radiation arm goes underneath you. You will hear a muffled thump and then a buzzer sound for around five to seven seconds. Then, the machine will rotate so the arm is on the side of you and the sound will repeat (thump, buzz). The machine will then rotate and get your other side and, lastly, go to the top of your body.
**The treatment does NOT hurt. You won't feel anything "go into you".**
11. When the arm applying the radiation is aimed from the top, there might be a brief pause so someone can enter the room and slide a square piece into the "window" of the arm. This is a wedge and is used to make sure uneven anatomy (a fat stomach, sloping chest, etc.) is given a more equal dose.
12. After you're alone again, you will hear the thump/buzz one more time.
13. They will come in, lower the table, take the extra stuff, etc. You're then free to go unless it's the one day a week you talk with the doctor about any symptoms or questions you have. The doctor will also check your skin for irritation.
End notes: Radiation is five days a week once started.
There are color-changing lights on the ceiling once imaging/treatment begins. These lights are for aesthetic purposes only... just something pretty for patients.
Symptoms will not start right away. What symptoms you experience will depend on what area of your body is treated. Every patient is a bit different as to when symptoms begin.
