The Countess of Monte Cristo

Yesterday I wore my head mask, was bolted onto the "slab" and rolled into the Tomotherapy machine. They were giving me such a large dose of radiation that the plan was to do it in 5 to 6 minute stages and they could confer with the Radiation Doctor, do a CT Scan after each treatment and align the machine with the tumor.

I couldn't move even when I was waiting for the next dose. The treatment lasted an hour. I had opportunities to have the head mask removed and take a break but felt it would be easier on me to just get it done.

As usual Nancy and Brad were very caring and considerate of my comfort during the test and told me everything before we started.

I met with Dr Smiley after the treatment and he said the tumor was inside the brain not on the outside and the size was 5 mm. With this tumor it would not have been possible to do surgery as it was too close to the motor strip, which controls my motor skills. If I should have another one in 6 months they will do the same treatment. If I have tumors in more than one area they will have to treat the entire brain.

As to side effects from the treatment, the only ones are headache and nausea and Dr Smiley wrote me a prescription for steroids to remedy that. The brain swelling could come any time within 18 months. And I thought waiting 9 months to have a baby was a long time.

This was another adventure in the Cancer Saga and even though I was apprehensive about the procedure, once I heard the entire plan it didn't seem as difficult as I feared. I had been dreading being in the machine for 45 minutes, but I misunderstood. They thought the procedure would take 45 minutes in all. I was glad they checked each CT Scan for the location of the tumor and making sure the Tomotherapy machine was aiming in the right place.

You've be in this for the long haul and I appreciate that I'm never alone to deal with these "frightful" procedures. Thanks for wearing your bracelets. Each time I see them they give me strength.