So, I was just chatting with a buddy of mine and we got to trying to define what was going on. So, since we were online, we naturally called up youtube. First, I'll show you the one I'm going through. Then, there is an amazing video that shows the next generation, and it's GammaKnife® - yes, with the registered trademark, that shows some more detail in a computer animation about what is going on inside the machine. (There is a video in the related videos list of a woman's treatment that was very successful, but was an older version of the technique and it looks like it caused her a vast bunch of pain and discomfort. I'm not posting that here, but I'm not having to endure that, though it looks like it was worth if for her.) This is video from a different institution, but the machine looks familiar. You will see a box put over the patient's face. My head is too big, so they're not using that box, but the are using the mask. You'll see what I mean. At the place I'm doing it, they have a Pandora One account, so I shared a station I made and I can listen to it while the treatment is actually going on. :D Below is the future of the technique, probably the present in some more affluent part of the country. Pretty awesome. (Nice music and video, too!)
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Today I did the first of three "Stereotactic Brain Irradiation" treatments. It took about an hour of being locked onto a narrow table with the primary locks being on my head. They wrapped my arms up, too, but that had to do with the table being so narrow that there was no place for my arms. They had a nice stereo in there and I listened to some Brian Eno and The Mercury Program dealt out by Pandora, which was very nice - getting to choose your own music. One of the techs was also a Brian Eno fan. Anyway, afterward, I was not tired. I was a tad wonky from lying in one place for 45 minutes, but after that, I felt ok. Jai and I grabbed a sushi and then I drove home without any issue. I took a little nap (2 hours) and got up to use the restroom and it was at that point that I was certain that I wasn't going to get anything done today. I went back to sleep for another 2 hours. We'll see how tomorrow goes. The next treatment is Thursday.
In the meantime, I have been exposed to gamma rays. ;) |
KevinIt's me, Kevin, but with a brain tumor. Disclaimer: I have a very dry and twisted sense of humor. This is a scary situation. The jokes ("tumor humor") could be a little dark from time to time. I intend to keep this rather interesting for you, but if I get a "how could you SAY that?!?" response from you, know it's just, well, I hesitate to use "gallows" humor, but I don't have better phrase for it. Enjoy, and thanks for your support through this time. Archives
February 2015
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