they shoot; they score!

Hello again, family and friends!
 
Two posts in three months—something must be happening on the health front!
 
Tis true—things have been happening.  In my last (May) post, I laid out what had transpired and what was in the works.  “The works” have brought us to a point where I feel like some good news should be shared.  Also, this will be way shorter than the May verbiage.
 
Radiation: I completed my 20 almost-consecutive days (weekends off) of taking incoming nuclear fire on my mid-section.  The sideFX were mild, compared to what I had been cautioned about.  I had a little more fatigue and lethargy, a bit more frequent visits to the toilet, but nothing that knocked me back or caused serious discomfort.
 
The Score: The scheme seems to have worked. As noted in May, my PSA score was up to 0.54. This week I was tested, and it came out to 0.15.  Yay! Just the quick reminder that in the general population, anything that’s less than a whole number is inconsequential and anything over 5.0 causes concern, etc.  In my case the fractional movement is what they/we are watching. So, my score went down by about 72%, and is hopefully headed lower!
 
A couple people asked (and I was curious myself before I went) “what’s it like in there?”  With apologies to anyone who is triggered from their own experience, below are a couple photos I took in the room where it happens.  Like most scanning machines, you lay down on the bed and it slides you up into the big loop—in my case to about waist-deep. Machine rattles and hums, then two sequences of loud buzzing (think of a combo of dentist drill and pet shaver) for 45 seconds each. Slide you back out and off you go. 
 
The more interesting thing, to me, is in the other photo.  First, having palm trees be the first thing you see when you slide out is a very thoughtful and nice thing. Second, those three projectors are what indicate to the technicians whether you’re in the exact right position for target contact.  A couple of lasers flash on your belly for similar reasons, I think. The technicians scurry out of the room and the buzzing commences. 90 seconds later they scurry back in and we’re done. 
 
One other interesting (to me) part of this process:  for correct target alignment in prostate cases, you have to come in with a “half-full” bladder and a mostly empty lower colon. When you are an old man and your peeing episodes are being accelerated further by the process, calculating how to have a half-full bladder is a bit bumpy (squishy?) at first.  I figured it out after the first few days.  Thankfully.  And no accidents in public at the clinic.  Or anywhere else…yet.
 
Thank you again and again for your support, check-ins, prayers, good vibes, and all the rest. It means a lot and it helps a lot—especially on the mental side.  As always 1) feel free to ask, talk, message about this for whatever you want to know about; 2) tell anyone you want, just not on social media. 
 
With much love and some relief,
 
TW