It has now been five weeks since my craniotomy to remove a 6 cm tumour from my right cerebral cortex. I am still very sore and I have learned from my reading that my head won't feel the same for years after all the damage that has been done to the nerves and the bone. The steroids keep my face swollen and for now are helping to keep the swelling down during my radiation treatments. In preparation for losing my hair I have picked up several turbans and I am trying to get used to life without bangs. Unlike chemotherapy hair loss from radiation sometimes does not grow back in but I won't know for many months after treatment what my hair will do. Despite being accepting of these side effects I know that I will shed some tears the day my hair falls out.
Upon arriving at our home away from home at the The Residence Inn Marriot we were welcomed with the cheeriest of bouquets of flowers. Bob and Jan wanted to make us smile and believe me you can not look at this arrangement with out feeling that hope springs eternal.
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This is one of 8 machines at the London Regional Cancer Centre that can provide radiation treatment for any part of the human body. Evidently close to 400 hundred people are treated daily here. Since I am getting full brain radiation I am holding a mask that was especially made for my treatment. The mask was molded to my face so that markers could be put on it for directing the radiation rays. Years ago you would be tattooed if you were receiving radiation. Obviously it is critical that the rays are in the precise area set by the radiation oncologist. The down side is that the mask is bolted over your face and you can't move during your treatment and many people find it very claustrophobic. My first 10 minute treatment seemed like the longest 10 minutes of my life. I have had 3 treatments so far and I am very fatigued but gratefully no other side effects. Radiation side effects are cumulative so it will get harder next week but I have to keep telling myself that the benefits outweigh the risks. We will see my oncologist at the end of the week to review my case.
It isn't a hockey mask or something out of Silence of The Lambs???
