Mask creation and preparation

Today was my CT scan and mask creation day at GenesisCare at St Vincents! 

I met all the team who will be looking after me, was told what was going to happen, and was made to feel welcome. The whole team were wonderful and said they'd get to know me well as I'd be siing them pretty much everyday through till February.

First off was more paperwork - yay - great to hear that Medicare picks up most of the tab. Then it was onto meet my cancer nurse, Amanda, who was lovely  and spent a lot of time explaining everything to me. Then she stuck a needle made for an elephant in my arm and started pulling blood and then sticking dye into me, so I could go and get another scan!

Before I could get the CT scan done though, I had to have my radiotherapy mask created. This is a mask that I will wear for each radiotherapy (RT) session that will position my head and keep it still so they are shooting xrays in the right spot; pretty important.

The mask is moulded for my head and neck area. When they put it on me it is flat, wet and warm. Then Paul and Nicole stretched it over my face and pushed and prodded as it dried over about 10 minutes so that it exactly matched me.

Once that was done, my doctor, June and Amanda came in, I was wheeled into the CT scanner with my new mask on and scans were taken. I understand this is so that June may create the instructions that are sent to physics and RT department for them to know exactly where to fire the xrays everytime I come in.

It was a pretty intense few hours but I learnt a lot and felt very secure with a tremendous, friendly team. They all smiled goodbye and said they'd see me on Day 1, Week 1, which is currently slated for Monday 12th December.

I walked back to Datacom along Collins Street processing all the information, enjoying the walk and sunshine, and then into meetings at Datacom, and also letting staff know what was going on. I had some beautiful messages of support back from people all over the country. This reminded me how lucky I was to be at a company that values people over money; a great place to be, and very supportive from the Managing Director, Alex to my Director, Ross, all my peers and more.

To make it even more fun, Nicole, our office coordinator has outdone herself with this years Christmas decorations.






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