[Previous entry: "Out of Control"] [Next entry: "Sick (because) of the News"]
08/10/2006: "Who Is That Masked Man? – Day 1 of Radiation"
So many of you “voiced” encouragement for today’s radiation treatment. I want you to know that it helped, and continues to help as I go through this. I brought my camera in and had them take pictures so you can see what it looks like.
On my last visit they built the mask. It is a fiberglass like material that they heat up and press down over your face and shoulders and lock the frame to the table. You have to stay still for several minutes while the mask dries. As it hardens, they push the mask into spaces and indents in your face. When it is done it looks a little like an Egyptian sarcophagus. Actually, that thought crossed my mind today while I was locked in it and I realized the feeling was probably similar to being put in a coffin alive. I remember a CSI episode on TV where that happened to a character – now there is a phobia for you.
Today I tried to relax and think “happy thoughts” as they locked me in and check the five positions that the machine would go through in delivering the radiation. Finally they were set to go and blasted away. The actual radiation was a little anticlimactic. After about 20 minutes total the mask came off and I was free to go. It was a little easier this time and I imagine it will continue to be easier. I return tomorrow at 1:30pm for treatment number 2 of 13.
If it is not too creepy, maybe we can use the mask at my office to hang on the wall so my coworkers can see my face every day! 
