Part 2: Cancer Returns!
Nine weeks after the operation, the tumor was back. It was growing so fast that I could see it change day by day. The word went out and even more people began praying for me.
A whole bunch of things were scheduled – CT scan to see the extent of the tumor, dental exam to see what teeth might be killed by radiation exposure, mask making, visits with the radiation oncologist, another CT scan to set up the schedule of radiation exposures. Things were moving relatively fast.
On the Road Again - Destination Unknown
In normal circumstances, they make the mask, do the CT scan to provide data for the computer to generate the schedule of angles, durations and intensities for each radiation treatment, and prepare the schedule. This usually takes a two-week period, and then the treatments start. The tumor was growing so fast that they were afraid the mask wouldn’t fit by then, so they worked hard to create the schedule, and I had the first treatment within about 5 days of making the mask and having the CT scan.
When they did the CT scan, they also tattooed my chest! Well, actually, the technician tattooed a dot exactly in the middle of my chest, a couple of inches below my collarbone. This is used in the radiation room to position my body in exactly the same place every time.
So, the next time I am in a group of tough bikers bragging about their tattoos, I can brag about the great tattoo I have on my chest of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. When I show them my dot, I will explain it is a miniature done by a Chinese artist who trained by writing passages from the Bible on a grain of rice.
The Man in the Plastic Mask
The mask is made from a plastic mesh stretched taut in a metal frame that is in the shape of the head and shoulders. It is soaked in warm water which makes the plastic soft. I was laid on the table on my back and the frame was pressed down over my head and shoulders until it was flat on the table and the mesh stretched to conform to the contours of my face, head and shoulders. After about 10 minutes, the plastic had hardened again. It was lifted off me and a mask had been made that would be used to keep my head in the exact same position for each radiation treatment.
When they nail you head down with that mask, you cannot move your head the least little bit. It is a bit uncomfortable because it presses rather firmly into your nose, cheeks, and head. They do cut holes in the mask so you can breathe easily, so don’t panic!
“Burnin’, Burnin’, Burnin’”
I was scheduled to have 35 radiation treatments; three per week, and off we went for the first one. The staff was always very nice and friendly, and tries to make you as comfortable as possible. You are laid down on your back on a large metal table, and a big, triangular pillow is placed under you knees to make you legs more comfortable. The room is cold so they put a heated blanket over you. It gives you a nice, snugly feeling.
Then, they put the mask over your head to clamp it in position. A laser beam tighter than a pencil lead comes on and shines on your chest. The staff moves the table until the beam is centered on the dot tattooed on your chest, and carefully aligns the table in the proper direction. This is to ensure that the radiation beam goes precisely where it is supposed to, inflicting as little “collateral damage” as possible.
It is interesting that even though they tell you the radiation beam is so tight and accurate that you don’t even need a lead blanket like they use in the dentist office for x-rays, all the technicians bolt from the room before they fire up the machine. Maybe there would be more risk for them because they are there all day long, whereas you are only there for a few seconds of actual treatment.
When you are all alone, the big “gun” starts moving around. You can tell when the actual radiation starts because the sound of the equipment changes. Between each “shot” the machine moves to change the angle for the next one.
The actual exposure to radiation is probably less than 60 seconds, but you are in there for 15-20 minutes all together. You can sleep, if you want to.
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