Radiation Room Tour Video

Mary Jo was given her (once every third week) Herceptin treatment today at MOPA in Burnsville. The lab draws blood before each treatment to track Mary Jo’s Hematology numbers. Mary Jo’s total white count numbers and neutrophils improved slightly this week, increasing Mary Jo’s infection fighting capabilities. Her total white count and neutrophils numbers continue to be in the low range, but any improvement is a good sign.

MJ in the "chemo chair"

Mary Jo had her daily radiation treatment at the Ridges Radiation Therapy Center scheduled right after the Herceptin treatment at MOPA. I was invited (for the first time) by the staff to come back and watch the procedure.

First, Mary Jo changes into a hospital gown and lies down on the movable platform table in the radiation room. The nurses use lasers to match up the five radiation fields with the “tattoos” (permanent blue pinpoint dot markers) on Mary Jo’s chest. After the measurements have been inputted into the computer’s memory, we leave the radiation room and monitor the procedure from the safety of the control console. From the console, the computer perfectly positions the radiation “fields” for the precise dosage to each field. Mary Jo is required to remain motionless throughout the procedure as the massive machine moves around her on a pivoting gimble. Each Field requires a unique dose and duration of radiation from a precise angle. The duration of the actual procedure takes less than 10 minutes after each of the measurements have been measured and inputted into the computer.

Mary Jo is starting to feel the cumulative effects on her body from the past 22 radiation sessions. Her skin on her chest area is becoming a little sensitive and red and Mary Jo is a little more tired than usual. Her skin looks like it has fairly significant sunburn today. Radiation Oncologist Dr Kim McCollow had warned us that these side effects were to be expected but it is a often temporary side effect during treatment.