5 X BOOST

Just to recap.  I went for the CT Simulation last December.  This simulation was important because it helped demarcate the treatment area for the subsequent radiotherapy.  Since my tumour went into the Deep Margin, the Radiation Oncologist told me that I will require a 5 X Boost.

At the time, my mind went blank. The term "5 X Boost" sounded nasty. I imagined a machine firing a beam of hot searing ray into my chest and quivered at the prospect. I've heard tales, all sorts of tales.  There was one told by a woman who claimed that the ray left burnt scars on her chest, then passed through her and burned the skin at the back. Then there's that other one whose face turned black from exposure to the radiation. The one which stole the show was the story from a woman whose skin degenerated after the radiotherapy.  The surgeon cut off some skin from her back shoulder and flipped them to the front.  It was called The Back Flip.  As far as scary tales go, I'm sure nothing beats the Back Flip story.

Like I said, my mind went blank. "5 X Boost"?  What could that possibly mean?  It didn't occur to me to ask the Radiation Oncologist what that meant.  I could have but you see, my mind went blank.  Not blank enough to obliterate all thoughts, it would appear.  My mind was filled with images of Back Flips and burnt scars on my back and face.  I couldn't imagine myself walking around with my back on my front.  It was just too mind-blowing.

Later, I would ponder over the "5 X Boost".

It could only mean one thing.  Intensity.  The rays they're going to fire into me will be 5 times the intensity of the normal ray. That's what "5 X Boost" meant.  I mean - really!

Today, I saw the Radiation Oncologist again.

As far as good news go, I have two.

The "5 X Boost" meant that I will get five additional treatment on top of the normal 15. In total, I will get 20 treatments.  Originally, I was scheduled for 15 + 8, the 8 being the boost which fluctuates depending on individual needs.  If they cut down my booster from 8 to 5, this should augur well, me thinks.

Now for the second piece of good news.  Remember that cluster they found in my liver during the initial CT Scan?  They confirmed its Hemangioma.

Liver hemangioma is a non-cancerous (benign) mass that occurs in the liver. A liver hemangioma is made up of a tangle of blood vessels.

Yup!  I'm in better spirit today.

O-Wait!

At the end of today's treatment (i.e. the fourth) the Radiotherapist warned that my skin is turning red.  I was advised to be vigilant.

I don't want my back on my front, so folks, pray for me.  No Back Flips, dear God, please!  No Back Flips!