Let the Radiation Begin...

Hi everyone! After my last post, I got several questions about Tony's radiation mask, so it dawned on me that I didn't do the best job of explaining it. I spoke in the last post about how the mask was made, but not its purpose. The mask - scary as it looks - is pretty much designed to keep Tony's head in place while the radiation is being delivered. The radiation machines (I'm sure they have a technical name, but I don't know it!) are programmed based on a CT scan of Tony's neck. Then a really high-tech computer modeling program tells the radiation beams where to go. (The picture here shows a program that might be similar to the one they're using, but it's not Tony's. It just gives you an idea of how technical it is. You can click on it to view it larger). The goal is to radiate the "bad" tissue and preserve as much normal tissue as possible. So with that said, it's important that his head not move around, and that's where the mask comes in. The mask is actually placed over his face and then bolted to the table while the radiation treatment is done. So hopefully that explanation makes things a little clearer.


Tony actually had his first radiation treatment today, and it was kind of a surprise. We had some scheduling concerns with the Cancer Center, so we weren't sure if he would start today, but he did. As I mentioned in the last post, he got an injection of a drug called amifostine, which is designed to preserve his saliva glands and reduce the damage that radiation does to them. He said this burned a bit, and then made him feel a little hot/nauseous. However, he was supposed to take a Zofran (anti-nausea pill) before treatment, and with all the scheduling issues, well...we forgot. So hopefully next time - with the Zofran - will be a little less unpleasant. The radiation itself is painless and pretty unremarkable; so the least pleasant things are probably the injection and having to lay on the table.


He'll have a low dose of chemo this coming Monday, which is designed to make the radiation (which is every day Monday - Friday) more effective. We're crossing our fingers that the lower dose will mean less severe side effects than the high-dose chemo he's already had, but we'll just have to wait and see. Whereas he was getting a 3-drug chemo cocktail before, this part will just be one drug (fluorouracil, or 5-FU).


The side effects of radiation are - like chemo - cumulative. Radiation can cause dry mouth and difficulty swallowing/eating, among other nasty things. I've also heard from other survivors that it gets more difficult and tiring as the weeks go on, and Tony will have about seven weeks of this, which will be 35 treatments. So we do appreciate your continued prayers as this last half of treatment goes on. As I read what I just typed, I realize that sounds pessimistic, but that's kind of the reality of the treatments. Having cancer isn't so bad; it's the treatments that suck! We, however, are not generally pessimistic people, and so we plan to get this done and kick cancer in the butt.


Tony also registered as a survivor in the upcoming Relay for Life that is held by the American Cancer Society at the Clark Co. fairgrounds. I'm not making a team or fundraising or anything, but if you've never been, I'd encourage you to go. It's a LOT more fun than you might think, and pretty much anything you buy there goes to help the American Cancer Society. It's like a fair, but with a better cause! :)


So that's what's new - I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and this beautiful weather. Be blessed!

The Mask (Radiation 101)

I left class a few minutes early today (sorry, Cinda!) so that I could be with Tony for his appointment with the radiation oncologist at the Cancer Center. I particularly wanted to be there for this one because we'd be discussing all the radiation stuff, which is still new to us.

In the next week and a half or so, Tony will be starting daily radiation treatments (Monday - Friday) and weekly chemo (yes, that again - luckily he doesn't have to wear the pump home for this stuff). This will go on for 7 and 1/2 weeks. When he goes in for the treatments, he'll also be getting a daily injection of a drug called amifostine (Ethyol). This will be given subcutaneously (under the skin), and it is designed to preserve the function of his salivary glands during the radiation. This is important because radiation is pretty vicious, and tends to lead to dry mouth, swallowing difficulties, increased risk for cavities/dental problems, etc. So while it will really stink to get a shot every day, we hope in the end the drug does what it's intended to do. Amifostine also can cause nausea/vomiting and a drop in blood pressure, so they'll be monitoring his BP frequently and he'll pop a good ol' Zofran (anti-nausea med) before going each day.

The radiation treatments themselves are called IMRT or "intensity modulated radiation therapy." Basically the idea is to use a CT Scan to place the radiation more closely to the affected tissues while preserving as much normal tissue as possible. Here's a good link I found with some more info: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=imrt

So after the question and answer session, Tony went back into the CT area to have his mask made. This involved him lying on the CT table for about 45 minutes while the technicians did what they needed to do. He said the worst of it was that he had to place a contraption under his feet to pull his shoulders down into the proper alignment for the mask to be made, and this was really uncomfortable to hold for 45 minutes.

The mask itself was a plastic mesh material, which was warmed and then placed on his face and conformed to him. Some people get anxious when this is done, as it can induce claustrophobia because you're fastened to the table. Tony, however, enjoyed it and said it was the closest to a spa treatment he'd ever had. Go figure.

He also had a bite guard in place during this process, which is designed to move the healthy tissues away from the planned field of radiation (he'll be wearing this during treatments too). Oh, and the best part of the whole day? Tony got a tattoo! It's not a very exciting one, mind you...it's a dot. Literally no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence. But it's in the middle of his chest and will help them align the mask properly. We may have to get a more exciting one when this is all done.

At any rate, it will take about 7-10 days for them to complete the computer modeling necessary to begin his treatments. When this is done, the Cancer Center will let us know, and then we'll know when the radiation will start. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially for Tony to have minimal side effects. We love and appreciate you all!

Chemo Cycle Three....Free! (of that freakin' fanny pack!)

Finished my last round of Induction Chemo on March 26th....and it hit me like a truck! I am finally getting over the side effects and feeling about normal. I would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words in this first half of my plan. I have an idea of what to expect when I start the Chemo and radiation combination in about a week, but I will keep you informed. Lynne, I will take you up on that cake offer...as soon as my taste buds come back around in November! I have a meeting with my Radiation Oncologist on Monday April the 12th to see about scheduling my test run and making my mask. I have to see what time of the day they are going to schedule my daily radiation appointments so that I can work it into my work schedule.