Wednesday, May 6, 2009

I'm Surviving Radiation!

Yesterday I had my first radiating experience. It wasn’t bad and is extremely interesting. Last Friday a very kind radiation therapist named Dallas made a cage for my head that is used in all the radiation treatments. First he put a flat piece of what looks and feels like plastic mesh in hot water. He placed that over my head, pushed the edges down so that it formed around my entire head, and waited until it became hard. Along the sides and top of this contraption is a horseshoe shaped rim of plastic that is used to screw this “mask cage” to the table. In other words, while I am on the table they put this cage over my head, bolt it to the table so I can’t move even my eyelids, and then I lie there as still as possible for about an hour while they shoot at Grizelda with radiation.

The first thing most people ask me is if they give me anything like Valium. The answer is “No!” and I am thankful they don’t. I don’t like taking pills. The tools for Living In Truth that I’ve been writing about in this blog work much better without any side effects.

They do pipe whatever music I want into the room. The machine is so loud it is often difficult to hear the music, but when I can hear I Anchor on the sound and that keeps me content. In addition, I used the tool of Distraction. I have a wonderful imagination and yesterday I just traveled in my imagination to Nephi 17 where the Savior appears to the Nephites and I watched them kiss His feet. I watched Him heal them and watched as they rejoiced in their new health. I watched Him pray over them while they wept for joy, and watched Him take them in His arms and bless them. Before I knew it the hour was up and the therapists were congratulating me on how still I had been. I didn’t dare tell them I’d left and visited the Land of Bountiful.

Today I think I’ll go to Galilee and see what I can find there.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sis Johnson,
I am constantly amazed at how good you are at "And then if thou endure it well" and I have no doubt God shall exalt thee on high. Love, TeLene

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

TeLene, You are so kind, but it isn't me--my Savior is holding me up!

Becky Rose said...

very cool post! how great to go where you are going!

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Beck, (I picked the nickname I like best. Hope you don't mind!) It is a great way to travel. No fuss. Thanks for stopping by!

Wendi said...

I'm glad to hear you're surviving. And what a great place for your imagination to take you--I love the picture you chose to illustrate your travels. Thanks for the review. :)

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Wendi, It was a great visit. I find myself looking forward to the radiation. When else do you get a chance to spend an hour just basking in beautiful music and visiting wonderful places?