Avoiding "Red Robin"

I find it hard to believe I am starting my third week of treatments.  Once they began it seems the days are flying by. A fellow there who is in his last week of treatments told me that once you are halfway completed the days really fly by.  That is just what I am now experiencing.

The treatments are very short, less than twenty minutes.  I guess really they are only about two or three minutes.  The majority of time is spent getting in and out of a gown, climbing on and off the table, and getting the system aimed.

Aiming of the system is quite a process in itself.  I mentioned in an earlier post that prior to treatment I was required to have a number of preliminary scans.  With the assistance of my fiduciary markers the final CT and MRI scans were used to locate the target areas and establish the treatment plan. Hearing the word “fiduciary” used in this manner made me wonder if I really knew what it meant.  After consulting a dictionary I found that I just did not appreciate all of its nuances.  These fiduciaries are 24k gold markers inserted in my prostate, thus assisting the aiming of the protons.  I was unsure how large they are so I asked to see one.  I was surprised at their size: probably no more than an inch long and smaller than a hair. At the current price of gold my net worth may have increased about $2.98.

In conjunction with the final scans was the establishment of my water regiment.  Because it is important that everything (bladder, rectum, prostate, etc.) be in the same place and nothing has moved between creating and performing the treatment, a water drinking prescription is developed.  My is simple: 40 minutes prior to treatment empty my bladder followed by drinking 16 ounces of water in less than five minutes.  The tough part is holding that 16 ounces for an hour.  Have they forgotten they are causing some level of incontinence?  Oh! I digress; I did not mean to go there.

The other thing that can disrupt the aim of the protons is gas or in more genteel surroundings flatulence.  For this reason they ask that Beano be taking regularly with meals.  The doctor explained that when traveling through solid or liquid the protons’ path is stable; but, if they hit a pocket of air… I’m not sure I grasped exactly what happens if they hit air; but, I got the idea you don’t want that to happen.

Needless to say I’ve gotten to know the therapists well as we chat throughout the process.  In fact, on a couple of occasions they have said, “The x-ray used for aiming is showing some gas. If we step out could you pass some gas?”  I must say I never thought I could make young ladies so happy by passing gas!  I think the reason for their happiness is that they do have a device (which they fondly call the “Red Robin”) which is used to aid in expelling gas.  So far I have not had an encounter with said “Red Robin.” Just the thought of it is enough to make me watch my diet and not forget the Beano.

Finding the words to describe the therapists is difficult.  In an earlier post I talked about them posting scripture on the wall.  It’s the things like that where they go above and beyond helping you through what could be a tough time.  They just know how to put you at ease making the whole experience – I want to say, pleasant.  It may be that they so unashamedly express their faith.  Not in a “Whack you over your head with a 10 pound Scofield” kind of way.  But in a more gentle way, like the praise choruses they have softly playing in the background.  They have truly found their calling and are on their mission field.  I give thanks for them.