Just another day

I imagine that today will be my new normal for the foreseeable future.  Checked in for radiation early (a wonderful trait that I inherited from my father) and had the pleasure of sitting in the waiting area and watching everybody else around me get called in, receive treatment and then leave.  About 15 minutes after my appointment time, they came out to tell me that they were having communication difficulties with the machine and that they would be running a little late.  I told them that I would be fine and that I would rather they take their time and fix the machine so that it doesn't cook my brainstem.  After a while, they finally came and got me and I again assumed my usual position and we got started.  Once I was positioned, everything went well and I was definitely done quicker than the previous two days.  I am still having sensations when the radiation is applied to certain areas and now I swear that I can smell something.  All in all, pretty uneventful and I think that I can handle it as such.  I think smells are starting to bother me and make me nauseous, so that will be an interesting development that I shall be keeping track of.

The colored areas are where I receive radiation

Today was also my weekly visit with my radiation oncologist and it was good to talk to him now that I have started treatment.  He seems very optimistic that I should be spared from some of the really nasty side effects of all this treatment, so that is a good positive for the day.  I also met with the dietitian and she went over what I need to be doing nutritionally over the next couple of months.  I will say that I am already not all that interested in food right now after only 3 days, which is, for me, somewhat surprising.  I did have an awesome dinner tonight, though (thank you Jessica).  Cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce and some meatballs.   That was some good eating and super easy on my still recovering from surgery jaw issues.
Last thought of the day is about my fluoride carriers that I have to use every day for the rest of my life.  I hate them.  I hate looking at them, touching them, and most of all I hate gagging for 10 minutes because of them.  But I will continue to use them in hopes that I will be better off for it.