Radiologist - December 30, 2022

December 30, 2022

My headaches have worsened.

My daughter, Nicole was supposed to come visit from Florida today, however, her flight was cancelled.  She managed to book another flight to Trenton, NJ. She will stay tonight at my other daughter Natalie and then they will both drive here from Yardley, Pa.  It is usually a 7 hrs. drive.  Looking forward to their hugs.

11;00am - Went to the radiation dept in St Catherines Hospital since the headaches and nausea where a concern.  

After registering at the Walker Cancer Centre, Julia Blain and Lucas Schinkel, clinical Specialist Radiation therapist met with Steve and I to ask us specific questions along explained exactly what will happen.  Can't believe information overload. 

Dr Ishkanian

Dr Ishkanian, Deputy Head of Radiation Medicine came to talk to us.  It took a while before he came since he talked to a radiologist who did my head MRI for results.  

After he introduced himself, he said he read my results.  Looks lie there are 4 small cancer spots in my brain and said this could be causing me to be sick and causing headaches.  

Surprisingly, he gave me 2 options:

Option 1: I could get full brain radiation however there are huge side effects which not only include headaches, hair loss, nausea vomiting, extreme tiredness but I would lose short-term memory for life.  

Option 2 - Direct high energy X-Rays to destroy all cancer cells in the brain with very minimal side effects.  Side effects could be fatigue, dry mouth (which they would give me liquid to relieve the pain), headaches, which they could also treat with steroid pills, nausea, skin changes to your scalp and a bit of memory loss for a few months. 

Steve and I decided on Option 2. Dr Ishkanian.

Dr. Eric Nguyen

He also told me to take xtra strength Tylenol and Advil every 8 hrs to remove headache pain. He was surprised that I only took Ibuprofen once a day.  I was never a pill taker but things have to change now. They want  to keep me pain free. 

Once we made our decision, Dr Eric Nguyen, Radiation Oncologist for the brain, came to discuss the procedure for the brain radiation. 

He ran a bunch of cognitive test which I passed. 

Afterwards, Christy, the radiation nurse, came to talk to us explain they will create a special mold and tattoo me for the radiation.

Lucas, who we first talked to in the beginning, had me sign consent forms and then brought me to the waiting room where I will be radiated.

The whole staff truly made me feel important and I never felt like they were rushing. They gave Steve and I a lot of time to answer questions   I am very impress with the care I am gerring

I had to wear a gown to get mapped to create precision points for radiation treatment. 

I received a very unique CT scan.  They lay you down on the table and create a mold.  The mask or the mold keeps the treatment area of your body still each time you have your radiotherapy.  So, your treatment is as accurate as possible.  You can see through the mold as they have lots of small holes.  The radiographers made mark on them. They use the marks to accurately line up the radiotherapy machine for each treatment.  It is important that you are in exactly the same position each time.  

How they make the mask.

My personal mold

The process of making my mask is made with a special kind of plastic heated in warm water.  The technician puts the warm wet mold over my face to fit my face exactly.  They then use fans to dry them, and it hardens it.  It is put on so tight that I told the technician I felt like I was getting a face lift. I was surprised I could still breathe easily as the plastic had lots of holes in it.  It is all so fascinating with all the technology they have.  

They did CT scans of my brain and lungs.  Once they removed the mould, they tattooed the areas where my lungs will be radiated.  The whole process took 1/2 hour. 

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Came home exhausted and because I laid on the table flat on my back, I accumulated so much phlegm that I came home and was sick.  After resting for a while, I felt better and actually ate.

Looks like I will have 5 consecutive day treatments for my brain and 5 consecutive day treatment for my lung started Tuesday after the Holiday.  

Great way to start the New Year.

Wishing everyone much health in the New Year.