Sunburn vs Radiation

So- They started the radiation treatments. They last just less than an hour--the technicians said it should take less time each time they do it. I think it is remarkable that a ray can go through your body and kill the cells that are plaguing the body. CRAZY!
When starting the radiation they made an entire road map or a treasure map on my chest. I would love to show you but I think that would not be wise. I'll try to describe it instead. Try to imagine purple marker marks making squares on the right side. Tattoo marks on all the outside of my chest. Blue marks on the left side of the chest. Don't forget the entire scare that goes completely across my chest wall, and Oh, yes, the neon pink "x" marks the spot on the clavicles (breast bone) on each side of my chest. The markers are done completely with "Sharpies" very colorful and very interesting to see.
I told my son-in-law, Brandon about the process. Being the funny man he is said, "Wow, mom that gives a whole new meaning to "TREASURE CHEST""...hee hee hee. I guess "X" marks the spot!!
The radiation doesn't last a real long time. The last phase they put a squishy thing on my chest called a BOLUS or Cold thing! The Bolus brings the rays to the surface. This is what stings a bit and makes you feel like you have a sunburn. This is what will kill the cancer on the surface of the skin. When the tech's were working on me, setting things up... they said don't worry we won't hit you. It may come close but we have never hit anyone yet. WELL, I am here to tell you they were WRONG. They didn't know they had to deal with "The Schwab" nose. The machine bumped into my nose. I'm saying...."Mel, hey Mel it just got my nose" She felt so bad. At the end of the session they gave me some shower gel, lotion and soap. How nice.
I have some gel and lotion for radiation patients the helps with the burning sensation. It is quite expensive... But, what do you do??? Go through the pain or pay and go through less pain. (depending on how you look at it of course)
After coming home. The burn--was hanging in there- like I said it feels like a sunburn. I just took off my top and rubbed the radiation lotion and gel all over it. Hope nobody just walks in... of course there really isn't anything to see be a Treasure map and chest.....hee hee