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September 16th, 2005

  1. The Machine

    September 16, 2005 by Gail

    The Machine (cue Pink Floyd)

    I’m sure there’s a proper name for the radiation machine, but I haven’t asked (yet).

    David lies down on the table, which raises up about halfway to the ceiling, and The Machine rotates around him. We’ve been told it houses about 100 motors, which is why it requires such high maintenance.

    I’ve been curious as to what it looked like, but it runs on a tight schedule of 65-75 patients per day, so I’ve been too shy to ask someone to stop the press for the sole purpose of indulging my curiosities…

    … so I had David ask.

    The nurse came and fetched me, saying it was alright for me to go have a look. I took a quick snap (after permission) and scooted out right away, but not before blurting out: “It looks like a coffeemaker!” The radiation nurse said they think it resembles a telephone handset.

    Maybe I can get David to write more about it later, since he’s spent so much time underneath it: 18 frames per day, from 9 positions (lower spine). Prior to yesterday, he was getting shot 3 frames x 3 positions, twice per day (lung).

    ADDITION: Saturday, Sep 17

    David’s made an entry about it (and I’ve made the subsequent edits to my numbers above):

    Dave’s Logbook: The Machine

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    Posted in Living with Cancer | 5 Comments

  2. Waiting Room

    September 16, 2005 by Gail

    waiting room

    Patient lounge at the radiation clinic. We’re here every day, Monday to Friday, so I know this room all too well.

    The angles in the photo seem off-kilter, but given the situation this seems appropriate.

    It’s the first time I’ve taken my camera to the clinic. I’ve thought of it since Day 1, just to occupy myself since the televisions are all tuned into CNN and the magazines are not really up my alley (Field and Stream, Good Housekeeping, you get my drift?).

    I thought it would be too intrusive to bring a camera along to a waiting room, since some people are sitting in hospital gowns, some are wearing wigs, and there’s an air of anxiety. But we’ve been regulars there for a month now, much of that time twice a day. The faces are becoming familiar, and perhaps now people would be more comfortable with the idea that a camera is in their midst because we’re there so often.

    On Wednesdays Rudy the therapy dog comes to the radiation clinic, and each Wednesday I kick myself for not bringing along my camera. He’s a real character, smaller than Hugh, and with a fluffy, fountainlike tail that’s as large as his head. Probably a very willing photo subject, and you can never have too many of those!

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