free at last....free at last....

Radiation Week 3

Mon 7/25/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. I was scheduled to meet with Dr. Howard, but he was double-booked. He told me that he would meet with me next week, and I reminded him I was DONE with my treatments after today, so he sat down and talked with me for a few minutes.

Basically, he reminded me that my symptoms will get worse before they get better BUT there should be no long-term or permanent side effects (HURRAY!!!!). I told him about the skin tenderness/dryness, a sort of itchy/numbness which has started in the same area on my cheek/jaw (he said it is caused by the dryness -- moisturize, moisturize, moisturize,), and finally, told him about the soreness inside my mouth (which is now preventing me from eating spicy foods - I am NOT sure I can tolerate THAT, how horrible). He said everything will fade over time. AS for the mouth soreness, it should start to get better in 1-2 weeks.

He finished by saying he is definitely interested in Taekwondo classes. He said we will talk about it more at my follow up appointment in 1 month.

smooth sailing....

Radiation Week 2

Mon 7/18/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. Quick in & quick out - this I can stand.

Tues 7/19/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. I met quickly with Dr. Howard. He was just checking in to see how it was going. No major issues so far. I have a slight bit of skin tenderness (like a mild sunburn), but nothing else. He said the symptoms will get worse for the next 2-3 weeks (there is a cumulative effect with radiation and some residual side effects too) and then it should start getting better.

Wed 7/20/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. Nothing new or unusual.

Thurs 7/21/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. The skin tenderness is worse now, and there is localized dryness. Time to start moisturizing daily. Otherwise, nothing to report.

Fri 7/22/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. Starting to get some mild soreness in the right side of my mouth/jaw, but nothing too bad.

Sat 7/23/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as previous treatments. Again, they were waiting for me to arrive. I like the "Saturday crowd" (or lack there of).

a new phase of treatment begins...

Radiation Week 1

Thurs 8/14/05 -- OK, once again they did not prepare me for this first treatment. All Dr. Howard said was the first one takes a little longer than the rest. 45 MINUTES. Upon arriving at the treatment room, I had a little wait, but that was not a big deal. They took me into the treatment room and had me take off my shirt and lie down on the treatment table. They moved me into position and secured me to the table using my treatment mask. THEN THE FUN BEGAN. A little to the right. A little to the left. Up a little. Down a little. In a little. Out a little. I felt like it was some sort of twisted amusement park ride where the observers are the ones who are "amused".

Once in position, they took an X-ray to be sure I was in the proper position. This X-ray had to be developed and checked by my Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Howard. Once the positioning was verified, then it went quickly. Treat from the front, treat from the back, and then done. They did take another X-ray from the back, but I did not have to wait for that one to be developed. All in all, another 45 MINUTES of being strapped to the table. Supposedly the rest will go quicker....or so they say!?!?!?

Fri 8/15/05 -- unbelievably fast (especially as compared to my first treatment). I went from my car, to the waiting room, into the treatment room, though my treatment, and back out my car in 10 MINUTES!!!! Now that is more like it.

Sat 8/16/05 -- Same 10 minute timeframe as yesterday. In fact, they were waiting for me to arrive, so NO WAITING.

just call me the "man in the mask"...

Today was my radiation prep appointment. They DID NOT prepare me very well for this appointment - thankfully I am NOT claustrophobic or this could have been a nightmare. I was told that this appointment is not a big deal - just a CT scan and fitting of the treatment mask, sounds easy enough.

The CT scan was pretty standard and very quick. The fitting of the mask (read as medieval torture device which secures one to the scan table BY YOUR HEAD) was another story. It starts out innocent enough as a little mesh frame/sheet which is then stretched over your face/head to form the mask. The part they leave out is that it takes 45 MINUTES to fit the mask, take the scan, and then let the mask cure.

Overall, it was not too bad. I was very glad that (1) I am not claustrophobic, and (2) I had my relaxation/meditation skills from Taekwondo to help calm me down as the time dragged on and on and on and....

radiology consultation with Dr. Howard...

I met with my Radiation Oncologist today - Dr. Howard from UW Hospital. The treatment options are:
(1) do nothing more since my scan came back fine
(2) hit it hard with a full dose, full spread radiation
(3) "top off" my treatment with localized, low dose radiaiton

Option 3 it is - I start my treatment with a CT scan on Monday and then 10 treatments (basically 2 weeks) of treatments follow. Each dose will be 2 Grays for a total of 20 grays (just below the max tolerance of the parotid glad (saliva gland on the side of one's mouth) which means a VERY SMALL chance of long-term side effect. Short-term, I will have some tenderness on my cheek (like a sunburn) and on the inside of my mouth plus localized hairloss.

None of this sounds too bad after chemo --- I'll take it.

follow up oncology appt..

(actually written on 7/19/05) Met with Dr. Hei to have follow lab work and review my PET scan. Everything looked good -- blood counts were with in expected levels and PET scan showed no residual cancer. We discussed the plan for radiation treatments and scheduled another follow up visit for mid-August. He was very pleased with how things are progressing and feels that I have had great success with treatment so far.