Update for Treatment

Friday, April 1st, I will be traveling to UCLA to have my mask made for brain radiation.  The process is very interesting.  The technicians soak a hard mesh-like material in hot water to make it soft.  I lay on the table of a CT scan machine, and then they place the soft (and very warm) mesh first behind my head.  They shape is to my head and let it cool until it is hardened.  The second piece is for the face.  They make a hole for the nose and the eyes.  Once that is hardened they attached pieces (don't what to call them) to the side of front and back forms.  Then they put dowels through those to which go into a holder on the table making it so that I am unable to move my head.

Then a CT scan is done of my skull/brain.  This CT gives them the information they need to create the radiation plan.  It takes 2-3 weeks for the plan to be made.  Once that is done, they will schedule my radiation treatment.  When I have the radiation, I'm in a different room on a table, and again I wear the mask, and am pinned down to the table.  My head is exactly in the same position as it was in the set up process.

The process for making the mask only takes about 15 minutes, and the radiation about 15-20.  The actually time of receiving radiation is probably less than 10 minutes.  After that, they put my mask in a bag, and home I go with my mask.  Maybe this time, I'll make something interesting out of my mask form.  There are a lot of patients who actually do turn their mask into a piece of art.  They have photo's and some masks displayed in the waiting room.  Very interesting.

When all is done for this one, I will post some pictures.

Thanks for checking in.

Brain Radiation

Had consultation with radiation oncologist at UCLA on Friday.  Long day, easy resolution.  Treatment will again be one-time treatment of steriotactic radiosurgery.  I will get a call to schedule the radiation set up once they get prior auth. from insurance.  A special mask is made, then CT of the head with the mask on.  Takes about 20 minutes.

Once set up is done, it will take about 2 to 3 weeks to create the plan from the set up CT scan, then I will be scheduled for treatment.  So, in short, some time in April I will have treatment.  There could be minor side effects from treatment like headache and/or nausea, but not likely.  The strange and interesting thing is that if swelling were to occur, it wouldn't happen for about six months.  Weird.

We are doing very well, and ready to get it on!

As always, thanks for your support.

Book is Getting Close

I am VERY VERY close to the publishing stage of my book.  It's very exciting.  Hoping for a May release because May 12th is the 6th anniversary of my diagnosis.  That makes it a little more bitter-sweet.

Thank you to everyone who has encourage, helped and contributed to this work.  We'll have a big party and signing when it comes out.

Radiation Consultation

I have appointment with Dr. Selch, my radiation oncologist at UCLA this Friday at 3:00.  Ugh, late appointments, mean evening traffic.  We like the 9:00 am appointments.  We can be gone and back by noon on those days.  But that's alright, we're just happy to have the ball rolling.

Hoping they will go ahead and to the set up process of making the mask while I'm there.  It's a quick procedure, but may depend on how busy they are.

Keep praying that the tumor doesn't keep growing, or if it does it grows very slowly.

Hugs and Love,
Shannon