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Radiation Therapy

Dr. Galloway and the gang over at West Florida Radiation Therapy have developed a very efficient process of treating their patients. I arrive about 5 minutes before my scheduled treatment time. The waiting room is often empty in spite of having plenty of chairs. I have my temperature taken and wash my hands. Then within a minute or two I will have my name called. As I'm going back to the treatment room there is usually another guy just coming out of that room. 
When the technicians are ready they call me in and I climb onto the treatment table. After I'm on the table my feet and legs are aligned using a hard pillow that is molded to my legs and feet. Then the table is moved into position and the technicians adjust me using lasers and my aiming tattoos. 
The techs then leave the room and the machines take over. First two arm move into position to x-ray me to determine the position of my prostate. The table will make slight adjustments itself to move me into the best position. After I'm in the best position for treatment the beam head moves to its farthest position under me, the "Beam On" lights up and my treatment begins. the beam head moves quickly around me to allow the cancer cells to be bombarded from all angles. Then the machine stops the light goes out and the treatment is over for the day. 
Below is a video of one of my treatments.

Update:
I've been asked what I think about during the treatment to help hold still. I'll answer with a picture.
Fortunately just like James Bond I escape each time unscathed.  


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Comments

  1. P.A.July 1, 2020 at 11:53 AM

    Thanks for sharing! Love you Chan!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mr A 2001June 29, 2021 at 5:43 AM

    Had a biopsy done Jan 2020, right before lockdown!! Luckily tests came out okay, get checked since my father had prostate cancer. . .

    ReplyDelete

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