June 29 - Radiation simulation

Today I went under the simulator and got my four tattoos - none of which were butterflies or say"Mom." It took about an hour lying on a comfortable bed while the simulator twirled around me taking measurements, which were checked and double checked by two techs and my radiation oncology doc, Dr. Trotter. Once they finished marking me in red, grey and black lines and points, I looked like a Miro painting. Most came out in the wash, but the tattoos remain for all time to make sure the geometry works to direct the radiation exactly to the points required. I'm glad they all passed maths! Now I wait for my lucky day - Friday July 13 - to start radiation. It will then be for about 4 minutes every weekday for 5 weeks, taking me to mid-August. I expect fatigue and sunburn-like side effects.