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!