Today, I completed my first round of Cyberknife radiotherapy. Before getting it though, I had to wait to meet with Dr. G, the radiotherapy oncologist to discuss the results of my scans and treatment plan.
So based on this past Monday, 3/5/12 thinner sliced or more magnified MRI and CT scans, she did find 3 more tiny tumor spots, which brings it now to like 8 or so I think (hmm, I'm not sure now, since she said it was 7 at first, then 3 more today, which equals 10, which is new to me). She then stated that since it was less than 10 spots total, she agreed to proceed with the Cyberknife treatment instead of the whole brain radiation procedure. Yay! What a relief.
After this discussion, my Cyberknife treatment started. The process started out with me laying on a similar looking CT machine, and my super tight masky mold was put on my face and fastened very securely down to keep my head and face from moving. Then, to keep my body warm, a warm blanket was put on my body as well as another anti radiation safety protective gear cover was layered upon it. Then it the Cyberknife procedure started for one dreadful hour. I was told that it would be painless and the beams wouldn't bother me much. But, mind you, I felt every harsh beam of radiation hitting my head. It was awful. As soon as it started, I felt my head throb and swell up, like having a bad headache. Worse yet, the hard surface my head was lying on was so flat and so uncomfortable. Thank goodness I agreed to take a steroid, Decadron, to prevent the swelling or else it would have been worse. But, somehow, once it was over, as soon as I sat up, my head didn't hurt anymore. Perhaps it was the whole process of lying on a hard surface, being unable to move and having to lay still in a frozen like state and locked into place with the mask that made it all the more claustrophobic and terrible.
Well, I'm glad it's done for today and I just one have one more session tomorrow to go. Whew, I can't wait it until it's over. After the Cyberknife procedure, I walked myself out, grabbed a little bit to eat from their cafeteria, and then drove myself into the office for work. And, yes, the Doctors did say it was safe for me to drive afterwards, although it would have been nicer if I had a friend, family member or caring buddy come with me. Seems like I'm the only one who comes for treatment alone..oh well. That's my hard cancer life routine now. Since I got into work late, I felt obligated to stay at work later and didn't leave until 6:30 PM. Ooooih, what a long day..lots of Love. Fawn
So based on this past Monday, 3/5/12 thinner sliced or more magnified MRI and CT scans, she did find 3 more tiny tumor spots, which brings it now to like 8 or so I think (hmm, I'm not sure now, since she said it was 7 at first, then 3 more today, which equals 10, which is new to me). She then stated that since it was less than 10 spots total, she agreed to proceed with the Cyberknife treatment instead of the whole brain radiation procedure. Yay! What a relief.
After this discussion, my Cyberknife treatment started. The process started out with me laying on a similar looking CT machine, and my super tight masky mold was put on my face and fastened very securely down to keep my head and face from moving. Then, to keep my body warm, a warm blanket was put on my body as well as another anti radiation safety protective gear cover was layered upon it. Then it the Cyberknife procedure started for one dreadful hour. I was told that it would be painless and the beams wouldn't bother me much. But, mind you, I felt every harsh beam of radiation hitting my head. It was awful. As soon as it started, I felt my head throb and swell up, like having a bad headache. Worse yet, the hard surface my head was lying on was so flat and so uncomfortable. Thank goodness I agreed to take a steroid, Decadron, to prevent the swelling or else it would have been worse. But, somehow, once it was over, as soon as I sat up, my head didn't hurt anymore. Perhaps it was the whole process of lying on a hard surface, being unable to move and having to lay still in a frozen like state and locked into place with the mask that made it all the more claustrophobic and terrible.
Well, I'm glad it's done for today and I just one have one more session tomorrow to go. Whew, I can't wait it until it's over. After the Cyberknife procedure, I walked myself out, grabbed a little bit to eat from their cafeteria, and then drove myself into the office for work. And, yes, the Doctors did say it was safe for me to drive afterwards, although it would have been nicer if I had a friend, family member or caring buddy come with me. Seems like I'm the only one who comes for treatment alone..oh well. That's my hard cancer life routine now. Since I got into work late, I felt obligated to stay at work later and didn't leave until 6:30 PM. Ooooih, what a long day..lots of Love. Fawn
I wish I could of been there with you today Fawn. I'm glad the procedure went well. One down, one to go! hang in there. See you soon. Hugs
ReplyDeleteYup. Those steroid make your brain works all day. My mom too can't sleep although she is tired inside. Glad is over for you. Take care.
ReplyDeleteCyberknife treatment is considered to be very effective and it has proved the same.Cyberknife can deliver radiation with an extraordinary precision saving the surrounding critical organs of unnecessary exposure.
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