IMRT Brain Tumor Radiation Treatment Pictures
Radiation August 29th, 2007
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For those of you who may wonder what it is like to undergo radiation treatment, I had the radiation technicians take some photographs for me. For anyone about to go through this – it looks frightening but you get used to it. For others who are curious, the mesh “mask” you see is to keep my head still. It is uncomfortable but you get used to it after using it 5 days a week for so many weeks. It fits firmly to every contour of my face and I cannot make any movements in my face at all once it is on – even if I wanted to smile I couldn’t! When you go through what is called the Radiation Simulation they fit this – it’s a warm wax mask that is more or less “melted” to your face and then carefully contoured. I’m going to keep the mask when radiation is completed for Halloween to scare all of the children in the neighborhood. Kidding.
The large disc you see is part of the linear particle accelerator. Its responsibility in this application is to deliver the radiation to my brain tumor. As you may recall, I am using IMRT radiation which is fairly cutting edge. Of course, I cannot tell you how the radiation experience is for other types of cancers but the same types of machines are used – the orientation of the body is going to be potentially different based on the location of the cancer, etc.
All in all I am doing well – I’m feeling much more up lately and my energy level is good. At this point I think I am much more acclimated to the radiation and the chemo than I have been through the entire process. Side effects are minimal. I thank God for all of this. I will be heading to work next Tuesday for the first time since surgery and am looking forward to it. I will put it the time I can but plan to work every day. Here are the pictures:
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Mark,
Even though they’re not your best pic, great to see you! We miss you all so much and are glad you’re feeling okay-nice to know you’ll be returning to work soon. Wow! Our God is amazing. See you soon! Love, Sarah
Sarah and James – thanks! Yes, I know it most definitely is NOT my best photo. I’ve had so many people come here and emails from folks walking this walk so I’m posting a lot of research and info here. What really was a singularly-focused blog now has a dual purpose so He has saw fit. I will shoot you an email here soon but yes, looking forward to going in. Just going to put in the hours I can. Still up and down energy-wise but up for the most part. Soldiering on!! Thanks for your visit here…..means a lot as well as all of your support always and particularly for Rach, Aidan, and I (and now Keegan) over the past 9 months….love you guys…Mark
Hey Mark,
Good to hear that things are going well. This is the first time I’ve checked out your blog since last Tuesday (28th). Apologies!
Good also to hear of you return to work. I suppose that would have been today! Hope it went well.
Thanks for the Email last week with the song anatomy (pretty intense to follow though).
Still Praying for you all,
Best Regards & God Bless,
Gordon.
Gordon – No worries! Been busy myself and yes – returned today and thx for the thoughts and continued prayers. I plan to put a post up about it. It went pretty well – just will take some time to get back up to speed with my staff. Yes, the Anatomy of a Song chart is very intense for sure – a lot of it we do already as songwriters as mentioned but I found it fascinating. Will be in touch and thanks again for all of your support Gordon – means more than you know…
Hey Mark.
Just checking in with you. I pray that all is going well.
I got myself a new copy of “River of Faith” this past week. I haven’t listened to it all yet, as I’m driving to London on
27th of this month. So I’m saving it for that drive (9 hours).
I have a habit of playing every new CD that I buy over and over and over and…….. Get the picture? So, I am trying to avoid this scenario in order that I can do exactly that on the way to London.
With Best Regards to you and your family,
God Bless, talk again soon,
Gordon.
Hi Mark,
My name is Marlin from Houston Tx. and I just stumbled onto this site doing some research on IMRT. I will be starting my first session on July 6, in a week, and I was looking for someone who has gone through this proceedure to ask some questions. I will be treating a brain tumor of the non cancerous variety and just want to know what side affects you experienced. I hope you don’t mind. MJ
Marlin,
for me it was fatigue but it was so early on that I did well. In fact, the last two weeks of IMRT I armed and had treatment in the middle of the day while on concurrent. I just did well and know others who have as well. There are some good supplements you can take. I have compiled info on diet and supplements – look in the library.
Hope this helps.
Hi Mark,
Glad to hear you’re doing well. I just finished 10 treatments out of 30. Besides fatigue, did you have any swelling? Also, were you on any steroids? Thanks for the help.
Renee
Renee – I did not experience any swelling/edema during radiation. Some do and others don’t I’ve learned. I also obviously didn’t require decadron, etc. I did experience some months later what would I have heard desribes as “radiation recall”. It’s a delayed reaction of radiation that I experienced about 3-6 months after radiation. It was a fatique and general malaise that lasted for 6-8 weeks. Not sure of the timeframe but I’m sure I posted about it.
I pray for your success!
I