Vacationing in Kelowna ... Oh! and a bit of Radiation

Vacationing in Kelowna

The first night in my "home-away-from-home" was comfy and restful. One always wonders when sleeping in a strange bed with a strange bed-fellow whether any z-z-z-z's are going to be had or not. Other than a fairly early start to my day (5:30 a.m.), the night was fantastic!

Trying to forget that I'm in this tourist-haven for the purpose of radiation, Cheryl and I set off for an invigorating walk before the heat hit. Unfortunately  Fortunately, we found the ginormous, twice-weekly "Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market" one block away from our destination, Mission Creek Park.  We spent about an hour meandering through the vast number of stalls, enjoying some cucumber-infused water, purchasing some yummy coconut-based gelato, and promising we would return next Wednesday with more cash.

Kelowna Farmers Market

With Farmer Bob,
the Market's mascot

As a result of discovering the Market, we didn't make it to the park until 11 a.m., with the car thermometer registering a sweltering 33 degrees.  Thankfully, the majority of our 8 km walk was flat and under a canopy of large trees.  Still, we were both covered in a nice sweaty film by the time we got back to the car.

Cheryl & I at Mission Creek Park

A Bit of Radiation

As promised, Cheryl was able to come into the treatment room and take some photos at the beginning of today's session.

Once I'm all lined up on the machine, I don't move at all.

The large circular part that is right over my head in this photo

moves around me according to very precise measurements.

During treatment, I'm not nearly this covered up.

In fact, half my body is bare to the world.

The techs thought I shouldn't post those kind of photos on my blog :)

My poor right arm went very numb again today.

Apparently, this happens to everyone and

I should expect it every time.

I learned more exciting information today!  Radiation rays are not effective on the first 1/2 cm of tissue or skin they pass through -- who knew?? Partly because of the size of my affected area, and partly because of the grade of the tumors, the radiation oncologist wants my skin and incision treated.  How could that happen when the rays don't affect the first 1/2 cm??  Modern technology has invented "pseudo-tissue".  Every second day I will have this fake tissue laid over the treatment site.  It was about 30 cm square and felt like very flexible silicone.  Tricked by the "fake tissue", the radiation rays will be effective on my skin, including my scar, and will zap any microscopic cancer cells that may have been left behind during surgery.

Another tidbit of surprising new information today was that I should not be using antiperspirant or deodorant on the affected arm pit, nor should I be shaving -- well, not much hair there yet, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm looking forward to another good night's sleep, and another successful session tomorrow.