Yesterday I had my first radiation treatment after “verification x-rays” confirmed the positioning of the linear accelerator, the beam source. Unfortunately, because the time for the x-rays extended my time on the table, I found myself feeling extreme urgency. Perhaps, tomorrow I should back off a little on the water I drink after I arrive. However, since there will be less time on the table, I should be less likely to get in the same state again.
While I waited for this first session, besides drinking the necessary amount of water, I recited mantras (Medicine Buddha and White Tara) and turned my prayer wheel. Although I had a book to read, I didn't seem to have the requisite degree of concentration for that. Perhaps while awaiting future sessions, I'll manage to read. Since the book is the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and we are having teachings on the Bardo at Katsel Dharma Garden in Clearwater this weekend, it would be good for me to make some progress in the book.
I had to go to pharmacy to straighten out a problem with regard to the moisturizing cream they want me to use. The prescription had been written on my last visit, but it had never arrived in the mail. Therefore I had thought that I had misunderstood it coming by mail. Since I need to start using yesterday, I needed to pick it up the same day. The pharmacist ordered my refill to be picked up at the pharmacy window. I was very pleased to read the list of ingredients, the first of which was aloe vera gel. However I was not so happy about some of the other ingredients. Hopefully, the less desirable constituents will not negate the benefits of things like safflower oil, beeswax, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. Tonight I'll use it for the first time, replacing my comfrey and lavender salve made with olive oil and beeswax.
As much as I have been preparing, yesterday I showed signs of nervousness nonetheless, elevated blood pressure, mild headache, and restlessness. Even the cause of the new frequent and urgent urination with almost nothing in my bladder which started after my treatment session could as easily be nerves as it could be irritation of the urethra by radiation. Considering the fact that this is the first treatment, it is probably unlikely to be a side effect of radiation. From everything that I've read, it takes multiple sessions to cause the first side effects. Regardless of the cause, it is really annoying that I can't get far from restrooms
This morning I believe I may have the first side effects in the form of skin irritation. I had not expected that after only the first session, because I thought my comfrey and lavender salve was preparing the skin for it. However, last night I was itching in the lower abdominal region and this morning I am in the whole exposed area. I'll have to talk to the nurse practitioner in RTU to rule out some other cause, because this could also be from nervousness.
Yesterday has involved “good news and bad news.” The good news was that the rate for mileage for travel pay has increased to the point that I satisfied my deductible yesterday and collected enough to cover my lunch. As we progress through my treatment appointments, this should cover my gas expense as long as gas prices don't go up as high as they were. The bad news is that I can't take Enbrel for my , psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis during my treatments, because it suppresses Tumor Necrosis Factor which my body now needs to take care of the cancer cells. Instead, I am to take prednisone which might complicate keeping my weight under control due to its effect on appetite and water retention. I'll just have to focus on topical medications for the psoriasis and trying to use the least dosage of prednisone to manage the arthritis.
At my Rheumatology appointment, I joked with the nurse practitioner about whether I would glow in the dark after my treatments. She did discuss with me the increased risk of cancer returning that would be involved in going back onto Enbrel or one of the similar medications, but we discussed how few options we have for treating my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis effectively. My inclination is to tackle each challenge as it comes. We concluded that we would have to weigh my options when I get through with treatment and set my next Rheumatology appointment for about a month after my final radiation therapy session.
All in all, I would say that it wasn't a bad beginning for such an undesirable process. I will make it through it, hopefully staying spiritually grounded and with my sense of humor intact.
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