let's learn something

i want to clarify something. my career.

it is very rare that someone actually knows what i'm talking about when i tell them what my degree is. i say the words "radiation therapy" and you would think i spoke another language. one i made up. at first, the confused look on people's faces amused me. like i had a secret. like i know something you don't. but after about 27 times of having to explain what radiation therapy is (which isn't always easy--there's a lot of jargon that can't be translated into simpler lingo), i'm getting tired.

and this problem isn't just limited to those with non-health careers. for example, during spring break we met a proud nurse anesthetist from wisconsin (my response to his self-esteem,"you have high practice insurance."). he broadcasts his career to us, especially when he finds out that meghan and melissa are nursing majors-giving them employment tips that they are well aware of. he looks at me and asks what i do.

"radiation therapy."

"oh so, like CTs and x-rays and stuff?" he asks.

no. this is the common response from people. yes, i do take x-rays and do CT scans - but this is not my primary duty.

"no, like cancer treatment." i wait for recognition in his face. nothing. "i work with linear accelerators and different machines to radiate cancer?"

his eyes go wide and he gets a horrified look on his face. while shaking his head, he says, "i don't do that." huh?

"i know. i do."

[this is him (on the right) with his cousin (left). when we first started talking to him, he was alone. we asked him who he was here with. he said his family, and then says, "we got a ginger." --whom he then brought to us.

later when we ask how old he is, he ashamedly looks to the ground and says, "old." then tells us he is 25. i laugh. "that's not old. that's young. you don't need to be ashamed of that." then i think for a minute. "...unless you're lying."]

sad, but usually the only people who know what i'm talking about are those that have dealt with cancer directly.

so to put it visually, here is what i do:

this machine here is a standard linear accelerator (actually, it looks a little outdated but i didn't feel like going through 8 pages of google images). on the table, is a cancer patient. the women standing next to her is me. ...with a bad haircut and sense of style.

what happens is, i will set this patient up on the table, line them up with lasers such to make sure they are in the right position, add any other necessary treatment devices, step out of the room and close the big lead door, and - with the computers outside the room (like below) - run the machine and radiate the patient. zap.

along with treatments, there is the treatment planning, assessments, machine calibrations, quality assurance, production of treatment devices, etc. if you're really interested i have about +200 powerpoints, books, and lectures i can send you. i won't even charge you tuition.