I
firmly believe that if we all just took a little time – like 10 or
15 minutes a day – to do nothing but sit calmly with our thoughts,
this world would be a much better place.
- Michael Finkel
I
have no idea who Michael Finkel is, but I am now embracing his idea,
not by choice, but by necessity. Fifteen minutes is how long the
entire radiation treatment takes from the time I scan my bar code
until I leave the radiation treatment center. And, about 10 minutes
of that time is spent prone, on a table, carefully positioned inside
a mold made specifically for my body. The mold holds me in a precise
position so when this massive machine is rotating around my body, it
directs beams of radiation into me at precise points indicated by the
tiny tattoos they placed on me a week or so ago. Refer to Day
4.
 |
| Michelle & Colleen, they beam me up! |
I
had radiation treatment #2 this morning. I have to say that it is one
of the most efficient operations I've encountered. In and out in 15
minutes. And, believe it or not, it even includes time for a little
kibitzing and some chuckles.
So,
today Carolyn drove me for approximately 1½ hours from the West
Virginia base to the Winchester, Virginia Cancer Treatment Center. We
arrived on time. Within two minutes I was in the treatment room.
Carolyn went to use the restroom. Within minutes of her sitting in
the waiting area of the lobby playing a mind improving word game on
her phone, I came walking out of the treatment center. She hardly had
a chance to get warmed up with the game.
It
was sort of anti-climatic. While I'm on that table, I can't move, so
I get about 10 minutes of time to lay there calmly with my thoughts.
It's actually very soothing and, even somewhat cathartic. I find it
quite different than laying in bed and just thinking. While I
certainly wouldn't have chosen to have to go through this kind of
medical circumstance, as long as I have to, I'm doing my best to
learn everything I can about the experience and find the positive
facets to it.
I
had a long-time friend who passed away about 10 years ago. His name
was Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. Charlie was considered to be a
“motivational” speaker. He was known around the world. His book
was titled Life is
Tremendous.” Guess
where he got his nickname from? Charlie died at around 80 years old
as a result of prostate cancer. He had been treated about a decade
earlier, but unfortunately, his treatment wasn't as successful as
mine. I'm a 17-year survivor of prostate cancer.
During
the last few months of Charlie's life, we worked very closely to
complete some projects he wanted to do before, as he termed it, he
would go “home.” I remember one day, when we were taking a break
from one of the projects, he said to me, and I paraphrase, “Ed, I'm
only going to die once in this Earthly life. I want to learn as much
as I can about the experience and enjoy it.” What a positive way to
view and accept the end of life.
Charlie's
attitude is channeling through me as I'm going through my experience.
While I'm not facing an end of life situation, at least not at this
time, Charlie's wisdom and attitude makes good sense for all of us to
adjust our attitudes and seek out the positive in all situations.
It's easy to fall into the negative. But, I'll pretty much guarantee
that in the end, negativity will likely make life much less pleasant
and probably shorter, too.
Carolyn
and I did not drive the 90 minutes directly back to the West Virginia
base. Instead, we took an excursion through a roundabout route to
check out some places we were both interested in seeing.
Additionally, she wanted to gain some information she was interested
in acquiring. It turns out the places weren't all that interesting.
But, she did get some good information to help her determine if she
might be interested in taking up biking as something she'd like to do
again. We also enjoyed a couple delicious and decadent ice cream
cones in the touristy district of Cumberland, Maryland.
Then
we headed to home base and relaxed for the rest of the day. Tomorrow
we repeat the trip to the Winchester Cancer Center for the 15-minute
treatment. However, we have a quick stop to make and then we'll head
directly back to the West Virginia base. And, next week, I'll begin
staying in Winchester at a friend's home during the week about 10
minutes from the cancer center. I'll do this for the next several
weeks. This will save a lot of driving and stress for Carolyn. And,
I'll feel better about not stressing her out.
While I shot a few photos today, I also captured the entrance and reception desk for the Chemotherapy Oncology Center that is directly across the lobby from the Radiation Oncology Center. And, upstairs is the Surgical Oncology Center. It's a well thought out and laid out facility.
Well,
that's all for today. Live free and be happy. EH
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