Why in the world would I let them shoot radiation into my brain. I know the neurosurgen told me it is precise, but think about it, they can't see through my skull so how precise can they estimate where exactly the tumors are? I used to sit and try and shoot flies off the barn wall with a 22, never could hit the flies, if you want to kill a fly on your barn wall you need a shotgun, sure it will blast a hole in the wall but it will also get the fly and more than likely you get a trip to the shed with your dad's razor strobe for putting a hole in the barn wall. In order to hit my tumors they will have to also hit healthy brain tissue, radiation and healthy tissue don't mix well so I passed on that, more precise to just cut my skull open and cut them out.
Today sees the last round of your first week’s radiation treatment @Beth Gallagher only five weeks to go. You rock girl!!
Yesterday I had my "weekly see" appointment with the Radiation Oncologist. (Not sure why they call it that... maybe they can use a special insurance billing code and get a few more bucks from Aetna. ) I really, really like her. She's extremely well spoken, kind, and freakin' impressive. She pulled up my "plan" on the computer and showed me my MRI and x-ray images used to develop the treatment plan. I was fascinated by all the color-coded mapping of my chest and axillary area, showing the angles and different doses of radiation for different areas. She showed me how they would avoid my heart and lungs, and where the rays would enter and exit my body. I find it fascinating (and more than a little scary) that I will likely have "sunburn" on an area of my back where the rays exit! @Bibbi Wright -- yep; after today's treatment I'll have one week done!
@Beth Gallagher I’ll be thinking of you today as you start your second week of radiation treatment and sending love, hugs and positive vibes
As you have said, even benign tumors can cause issues. The biggest of which is exerting pressure on a vessel that would preclude circulation to large areas of the brain, acting similar to an infarction. I know of two people to whom this has happened; one has died after making terrible decisions and dragging his family through tough times, and the other is still under treatment after two surgeries. If growth is slow enough collateral circulation can develop allowing the surgeon to remove most, if not all, of the offending tumor(s).
Thanks, Bibbi. Only 2 more days and Week 2 will be done. I have the "weekly see" appointment with my radiation oncologist tomorrow and I have several questions for her. So far I don't see any changes in my skin and I am hoping SO HARD that it will remain this way! I'm still having a significant amount of discomfort from the surgical "tightness" and nerve pain, but I'm hoping that will resolve itself in time. Still doing range-of-motion exercise and stretches twice a day.
@Beth Gallagher Keep up the good work, you're doing great. Here comes today's round of you know what from you know who.
Hah. "Good work" consists of dragging myself to the facility and submitting. Speaking of which, I'm on my way...