Day 4: June 28

     Today was a little bit more serious than the other days. I sat with the therapists like normal, but I also sat in during a simulation. A simulation is basically preparations and set up for the future radiation treatments. A newly diagnosed patient will come in and get x-rays and CT scans taken to determine the location of the tumor and then the therapists will set up marks on the body using a laser to outline the parameters for treatment. Cushions and face masks are also made during this process to ensure that the patient lies in the exact same spot for every treatment they will have. The dosimetrists then take the scans, marks, and x-rays to put together a treatment plan that shrinks and kills the tumor while putting the least amount of radiation to the surrounding tissue.
     The patient that came in for a simulation was very nervous and upset at the recent diagnosis. During the CT scan, another location seemed to have trouble as well which was later diagnosed as another additional primary source for cancer. This patient had two doses of bad news in one day and it did not go well for them. It was really sad to watch all this, but it was also good because the patient had an early detection which means better treatment and possible outcome.
     The rest of the day was spent with the therapists watching more patient treatments. A few of the patients "graduated" today. Its a sweet gesture that the center does when a person finishes their treatments or "graduates"; they give them a card signed by all the therapists and a rose. Most of the therapists get attached because the patients come so often for such long time periods.