I will not be radioactive and other things to know about radiation

Interesting meeting with the nurse to discuss upcoming radiation treatments. First, Todd and I watched a lovely video created circa 1986 covering all the key points of radiation. I think the socks-and-sandals-look of the guy in the video was for dramatic purposes, but I could be wrong.

Then we talked with the nurse and went through some documentation. Two key points from this she was kind enough to emphasize:

1. You will not be radioactive from having the treatment;
2. If you smell something funny during treatment, it is the machine. It is not your flesh burning. 

This really left me with one nagging question - Who are the people that need to be told these two things? 

The primary side effects are skin irritation and fatigue, but both shouldn't start until about two weeks into treatment. The fatigue is from the body trying to heal itself. The radiation creates free radicals that attack the cells being treated. Cancer cells cannot repair themselves, so they die. Normal cells begin to repair themselves between treatments. With the number of treatments, the normal tissue has a tough job.

I start radiation treatments on Wednesday, February 27th. There will be 30 treatments; 5 days per week.  I will be done with treatment on April 9th!