Of course I can’t have too many things go right. So last week, totally forgot to get my pregnancy test to get my CT done. But, got the test done, got the CT done, they draw marks all over me, and have a treatment plan and a start date. I will be starting treatment in a few days. 20 treatments in total. Everyday, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. I am truly blessed. I need to thank everyone that has prayed for me, thought of me and sent positive energy or love my way. My prayers have been answered and I feel truly blessed. I have 4 weeks ahead of me. My prayers now are for no radiation burns and as little fatigue as possible. There are others who have it a lot worst than this. I send them some love right now!

So now, let’s go into the CT scan visit. I have researched everything that would be going on with me. Mostly so I could prepare myself. I didn’t see this CT scan experience in anything I read. So I got to the center. They gave me a locker, so I have a place for my stuff over the next four weeks. I changed into a gown and sat in the waiting room. Other people had come and gone relatively quickly. Once I got into the CT room, this is where it was all new to me! They put me on the CT board. I won’t call it a bed or anything else; it was a board that goes into the CT machine. Next, they had me lay back on a bean bag-like thing. I then put both hands over my head and held onto a post. They then proceeded to place a device on my solar plex. They said this helped determine just how deep my deep breaths were. Which was a trick. They wanted me to simultaneously take a deep breath with my chest and abdomen. This was for two reasons when the lungs are filled, it moves the heart away from the treatment area. Two, when you also use your abdomen, it brings the diaphragm down, which also helps to move the heart out of the treatment area. It is a little challenging at first. But we all practiced a bit, and into the tube I went. When I had held my breath for the correct depth and time, they asked that I stay in the same position as the doctor read the CT. The doctor had to come in and look because they had placed a marker over my scar from my lumpectomy. After all, it was a more prominent scar. He said everything looked good and we would start treatment in a few days. Next, they drew on me!!! They took a red Sharpie marker and put marks where the breathing thing was and two other marking points. They said they would make those marks permanent when I returned for X-rays. Yes, like a tattoo. So they put clear band-aids over the marks until I return for the X-rays. Let me tell you, it will be a long couple of days! They have already started to itch. I have sensitive skin when it comes to that stuff. So here’s hoping they stay on! All said and done, it was a quick process. X-rays are the next stop on the adventure. Stay tuned.