I have now had the first two out of twenty radiotherapy sessions. These first two sessions took extra long as a lot of further calibration was required. This was all expected. On the second session we took the camera and Helen took a lot of pictures.
The Peter Mac Center is very nicely laid out. In the main waiting room there’s a TV, fish tank and a couple of jigsaws to pass the time. It even has a screen showing how the timetable is keeping on each of the four radiotherapy machines and on the other ‘tools’ such as the CT scanner.
I now have a personalized tray where my gown for each of the sessions will be kept. This is in a second waiting room which we’re sent to when we’re nearly ready. On my first session I was in this room for barely a minute while the second time it was about half an hour. Fortunately Helen is allowed in there with me. I usually try to break the ice by chatting with the other folks and they all seem willing to talk.
In 
the machine room itself I lay face down with my head held by the plastic mask. It’s actually quite comfortable but so snug I can’t open my eyes. So I have to listen to everyone doing their jobs, very professionally, around me. Session 1 was nearly an hour long. Session 2 was about half this. I am told the time will come down further as time goes by,
In some of the pictures you’ll see green laser lights which are used to position me accurately. I’m all for this of course.
The machine emits high energy focused X-Rays to zap the tumours. If you’re interested the machine is definitely a Varian Clinac but I’m not yet sure which model number it is. Information on all the Clinac machines can be found here and how they work can be found here.
Here is the full set of pics.
Friday also saw the big event of Dignity’s new mast being stepped. John from Passages very kindly observed the process and took pictures of the work taking place. As he has a lot of experience in the boating industry it was good to hear him confirm the work appeared to have been done very well.
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