Hannah's Treatment
(Continued from Hannah's Surgery Series)
Following her Ovarian Cancer diagnosis, Hannah was immediately admitted to the hospital's Oncology Center as a long-term inpatient case. A few days after her surgery, where she underwent a radical hysterectomy without consent, she met with her surgeon and a gynecological oncologist to discuss her treatment options. She was prescribed an intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment regimen, with chemo four days a week and lengthy radiation treatments on the three days in between. She was also informed about the painful side affects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy that we she would experience. Another side affect would be losing her hair and going bald. Despite being scared and overwhelmed, Hannah signed the consent forms in order to undergo the treatment plan.
The first step in her treatment plan involved undergoing a radiation 'simulation' in order to find and mark the correct positioning for her body to undergo pelvic and chest radiation. She was placed on the table, moved in position, and her abdomen and pelvic area were marked with small tattoos to indicate where the radiation beams would be.
The next phase of her pre-treatment process would be to undergo a brief surgery to have a chemo port placed inside her chest in order for chemotherapy to be administered directly into her chest and bloodstream. When the surgery was finished, Hannah felt a small lump in her chest where the port was placed. It was still very sensitive to the touch. Hannah was forced again to reckon with the reality of her situation although it was necessary in order to save her life.
A week after her initial surgery and diagnosis, Hannah's Ovarian Cancer Treatment was set to begin. Shortly after woke up in the morning, an oncology nurse, wearing a surgical gown, gloves, and a surgical scrub cap entered the room.
The nurse proceeded to clean and prep the port area, hang the chemotherapy IV bag, and then connect it to the port in her chest. Hannah winced in pain briefly as the IV was attached to the port. Once this was complete, the nurse began the IV drip and the very first drops of chemo drugs entered her body. She gulped slowly as the IV began to flow. Hannah realized once again that her life would never be the same. The oncology nurse reassured her that everything would be okay, that it was a necessary treatment, and that it was all for the best.
The next day, after her first chemo session, Hannah would undergo her first of many radiation therapy treatments. She was taken to the radiology center, lied down on the table, and was strapped in place. The fear once more set in as she found herself immobilized on the table. The table was then moved into position and the radiation beams were activated. She stayed perfectly still, knowing that the slightest movement would result in unnecessary radiation exposure. As the treatment continued, Hannah finally came to terms with her new reality. From this point on, chemo and radiation therapy treatments each day would define her existence going forward.
As the treatments continued for days and weeks, Hannah quickly began to lose her hair and feel the side affects of the treatment. While extremely upsetting, she was always reassured by the oncology team that was for her own good. This new and painful reality was now her life.
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