I started off the day in the Dental Services area where I picked up the stent. I waited 1 hour to visit with the dentist for about 5 minutes. I popped in the wax mold to make sure it fit and off I went. It's a mouthful!
Next stop was the Radiation Treatment Center. We had a visit with Dr. Garden & Dr. Rineer (fellow). I was given a packet of information to read before class tomorrow about all the joys of radiation. Something came up and the drs left us waiting in the exam room. Finally we were called to the simulation area. This is where all the fun started. The radiation tech & student did a pretty good job of explaining the process. First, I put on a gown (just undressed from the waist up) and laid on the table. Dr. Rineer taped some kind of wire along the scars. He then outlined the surgical area on a "bolus" (looked like a sheet of gummy wax). That was cut out and taped to my head (yes, that had to be taped into my hair). Once I was flat on the table again, they strapped my hands down. The purpose of that was to pull my shoulders down. It didn't hurt; was mildly uncomfortable. Then, I needed to be lined up with the CT just so. They moved me around a few times to get situated exactly. They left the room to check the scan and came back and moved me some more. Now the fun started. The stent went into my mouth. They brought over the mesh for the cast of my face. It was warm and wet and covered me from the top of my head down to my shoulders. It was tied down and was molded to my face. As I said, it was mesh so I was able to breathe. I eventually realized it would be best to close my eyes. They put a cold towel on the mesh to help it set faster. Stent is still in my mouth. Then they brought out the magic markers and starting drawing on my face. And they drew a line down the middle of my chest and a line on each side under my arms. Those will be there throughout the treatments. Don't wash them off! If they start to fade, they'll re-draw them. They were in and out a couple of times. Since my eyes were closed I kind of "went somewhere else." They finally took the final CT scan. I was released! The tape was ripped out of my hair and I spit out the stent. All said & done it was 45 minutes. Back tomorrow.
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