What 77, 624 X-rays Does To Your Skin: Sunday, December 06, 2009
Have you ever wondered what the equivalent of seventy seven thousand, six hundred and twenty four x-rays might do to your skin? Well recently, I’ve had the pleasure to find out, and this is the result. As promised here are the photos that were taken yesterday (12/5/09).
I didn’t place the photos directly on this page because I feel they should come with a warning. They’re not particularly nasty, but they’re not pretty either … so the choice to look is yours. In order to get back to this article and continue reading, simply use the “back button” on your browser.
Well I’ve never stayed up at night thinking about it but that’s about the amount of radiation that’s been applied to the tumor and my skin.
These photos were all taken three days before treatment was actually finished. The amazing thing is the worst of this won’t come out until about ten days after all treatment stops. Interestingly enough, you can acutally see the shape and size of the tumor in these photos.
So enjoy at your own risk of viewing, and if you wish to leave a comment you can do so either on this page or the page that has the photo on it.
Below are some FAQ’s and links for the images:
Is that really “your” ass in the photos?
Yes, I wanted people facing this type of treatment, to understand what “no side effects” really means. I’m not saying this as a joke, but in seriousness. This is simply the result of proton therapy and absolutely nothing in comparison to what the trauma that traditional surgery would have caused.
Can I order a 8×10 High Resolution Glossy Copy?
No, these aren’t for sale.
Does it hurt?
It didn’t hurt while it was happening because it was over a period of more than three months, however … now it smarts, basically it feels like it looks.
Image 1: [http://www.ahshitbobssick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sm-burn-c.jpg]
Will it ever go away?
The blistering and redness will calm, but it will take a lot more time for the skin discoloration to dissipate.
What does it feel like?
It kind of feels like course sandpaper. Maybe a better explanation would be that it feels like my skin has permanent goose bumps in that area. Definite texture change from normal skin.
Image 2: [http://www.ahshitbobssick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sm-burn-b.jpg]
Are those bruises I see?
Yes, but they weren’t caused by Sher beating me, nor were they caused by being whipped with birch branches in the Sauna. The skin is both burnt and bruised, I have to assume that some blood vessels have been damaged.
Isn’t that were you wanted to put your tattoo?
Precisely, that is exactly where I want to put it. But now I have to wait and see what the area looks like in a few months. Maybe this spring I’ll approach that idea again. If not, then I’ll choose another spot.
Image 3: [http://www.ahshitbobssick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sm-burn-a.jpg]
Tomorrow I head back to Boston for more!
