Sansom Street and 11th Street

This morning, I had a last-minute visit with the doctors as the Bodine Center For Radiation Therapy. When I first started treatment, I was very anxious about the facemask but Renee, Jasmin, Jeff, and Rose were patient with me and making sure I was comfortable and ready for each treatment. But it's all over now. I have a different set of problems.

Radiation treatment for my Grave's Eye Disease burned my skin at the edges of my eyes. It feels like a slightly painful sunburn. The doctors wanted to examine me to ensure it wasn't serious. Bhavna looked concerned too but she suggested that I could use aloe to help my facial skin recover.

My hair is also falling out; another side effect of radiation treatment. I have patches in my hairline. I know the hair will regrow once the follicles have recovered from the radiation but I am concerned about long term side effects.

Hearing loss may occur slowly within the first two years after treatment. Radiotherapy can lead to tinnitus, which normally decreases as the ears recover from the treatment; however, it can be permanent in some cases.

Sansom Street, Philadelphia — FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 @ (28 mm, f/5.6, ISO320)
Sansom Street, Philadelphia — FujiFilm X-T2 + SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 @ (28 mm, f/5.6, ISO320)

Connections

I had my last treatment today and rang the bell. It's bell for patients who have completed their radiation treatment regimen to declare a victory loudly.

Renee, Jasmin, Jeff, and Rose have been very patient with me and making sure I am comfortable and ready for each treatment. At the first treatment, they had to remove the mask when I freaked out with an overwhelming feeling that I was drowning. The face mask felt like a wet towel over my face. My anxiety flared up three times during the first treatment. But each of these people made me feel safe to be vulnerable.

But they were gentle and kind and helped me prepare each morning. Lots of Xanax and a cup of Sleepy Time tea initially. Then much less Xanax.

In the two weeks, I was with them; I developed a connection to these people. There was a connection around the shared goal of helping me back to health. But there are other connections as well.

Renee and I discovered that we both loved Star Trek, especially the original 1960's television series. We’ve both seen all the television series as well as the movies, including the reboots. She’s a Trekkie! We commiserated about which episodes we loved and that we both didn’t like Star Wars as much. We had made a connection.

Rose and Jasmin both liked my socks. Let me explain, I have a nonmatching pair of socks that are sold that way. One has the design of R2D2, the other C3P0. So one blue sock and one gold-coloured sock to make a matched set. Rose loved it. It turns out she also loved wearing “funky” pattern socks. One day she wore socks with sushi patterns. Another day, it was flamingos. I wore a pair of socks with clinking beer steins. We had made a connection.

I have been documenting my progression with the treatment by taking a daily photo of the street scenes on 11 Street between Walnut, Samson and Chestnut Streets outside of the Bodine Center for Radiation Therapy. But this photograph of my care team is the best of all the images I have taken.

Thank you, Jasmin, Renee, Jeff, and Rose.

Last Day of Radiation Treatment at Bodine Center For Radiation Therapy

I had my last treatment today and rang the bell. It's bell for patients with who have completed their radiation treatment regimen to loudly declare a victory.

I had my last treatment today and rang the bell. It's bell for patients with who have completed their radiation treatment regimen to declare a victory loudly. I have been documenting my progression with the treatment by taking a daily photo of the street scenes on 11 Street between Walnut, Samson and Chestnut Streets outside of the Bodine Center For Radiation Therapy. These photographs are the last set of pictures from that experience.

I observed to Bhavna that Philadelphia seems to have more old city charm than New York City. The new is being built with and around the bones of the old. What will become of this building on the corner of Samson and 11th Street?

Friday 26 April 2019 · FujiFilm X-T2 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
One Way · Friday 26 April 2019 · FujiFilm X-T2 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Two Way · Friday 26 April 2019 · FujiFilm X-T2 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR