Thursday, November 12, 2009

This is one tattoo no one wants…


Have you every thought about getting some ink on your body?
Would it be a butterfly, ship, disney character or perhaps a heart with your loved ones name? What about freckles that triangulate a direction?

Several weeks ago my sister received a new tattoo. It was located on her abdomen. It was inked in blue and looks like freckles on her body. These freckles are to show the physicist where to administer a radiation treatment. This unwanted ink will be a permanent mark to remind her of a disease that she didn’t want and is working hard to eradicate from her body.

This was the beginning of her external radiation treatment to cure Cervical Cancer

They tell her that
External Radiation is used in the first phase of her Cervical Cancer treatment. A machine directs high-energy rays at the cancer site. The treatments are usually painless and take less than 30 minutes. She will have a team the helps her during her treatments.

The Radiation Team usually consists of the

  • Radiation Oncologists – This is the doctor who determines the type and amount of radiation for your treatment.
  • Physicist - This is the person who sets the machine to disperse the correct amount of radiation
  • Dosimetrist - Helps your doctor calculate the right amount of radiation
  • Radiation Nurse - This is the nurse who you get to know quite well. This nurse tells you what you are going through and is there to help you through the process.
  • Dietitian - Helps you to manage the side effects that can affect your diet
  • Social Worker - Helps to arrange for community and at home services that may be needed
  • Service Coordinator - This is your own personal concierge. This person greets you when you arrive, helps you to register and schedule future for your appointments, and points you to the right person to answer all questions.

How’s does digital age or social media help cancer patients?

Having cancer treatment can be a stressful time, getting together with others who are also having treatment is helpful. National Cervical Cancer and HPV Coalition has an online support area that connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. One November 14th Facebook will have a Fan Page for Cervical Cancer Radiation Treatment Patients who will be able to connect with others who are going through cancer treatment or receive support from the virtual Facebook community.

1 comment:

  1. This is something I have never heard of. I'm wondering if it is more or less beneficial, or if it carries less risks, etc. I do find the various networking sites for patients to be a great thing. I have had friends and relatives who were in the hospital, and they really felt such love and support due to these sites. Also it can be very beneficial to the family members, especially if the patient is in a coma or some other very severe condition in which they really do not have the ability to communicate with others. The sites are then a support network for the friends and family members.

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