Radiation Therapy with Breast Cancer Patient Ingrid Sheldon
University of Michigan – Department of Radiation Oncology

In 1896 a German physics professor, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, presented a remarkable lecture entitled “Concerning a New Kind of Ray.” Roentgen called it the “X-ray”, with “x” being the algebraic symbol for an unknown quantity. Within months, systems were being devised to use x-rays for diagnosis, and within 3 years radiation was used in to treat cancer.

Radiation therapy began with radium and with relatively low-voltage diagnostic machines. In France, a major breakthrough took place when it was discovered that daily doses of radiation over several weeks greatly improved the patient’s chance for a cure. The methods and the machines that deliver radiation therapy have steadily improved since then. Today, radiation is delivered with great precision to destroy cancer tumors while limiting damage to nearby normal tissues.

We have been filming with Ingrid Sheldon for the past few months. Ingrid has a very aggressive form of breast cancer and we filmed her receiving her fifth radiation treatment at the University of Michigan. Ingrid has battled and maintained a “can-do-it” attitude throughout this process.

Radiation treatment has changed dramatically over the past 100 years. The isolated room where the treatment is given is equipped with a massive machine that can deliver laser with pinpoint accuracy to the patient. Jason has been working here for a few years and he was in the control room today operating the device.

The entire session lasted five cycles and about twenty minutes. Radiation Technicians went in between cycles to adjust the table that Ingrid was laying on to make sure that the laser was pointed at just the right spot.

Ingrid then went and changed to go home. The fight continues and Ingrid is up to the challenge.

To read more about Ingrid, click the link below.