The Plan: Getting ready

So on August 3 I was to begin my first radiation/chemo treatment. But before that we had a number of missions to accomplish. First we had to order a number of drugs. The chemo drug they selected for me is called Temador. Because of side effects I also needed to take an anti-nausea medication. Because of the increased risk of pneumonia they prescribe an antibiotic. Then to try and keep the seizures under control I need to take and anti-seizure medication (I'll need to take it forever - however long that is). Then there is the constipation side effect that requires several pills to help overcome. And last but probably my most hated and needed is the anti-anxiety pills.

If there is any silver lining to be found it is that my insurance seems golden. Once my deductible is spent I have 100% coverage with no limit. I'm sure "they" will be working overtime trying to find a loophole, but we'll face that if it happens. The drugs are really expensive and we don't have the best prescription plan but it is still very manageable. All in all, I feel comfortable that this will not bankrupt my life's efforts.

I didn't like walking into the bathroom and seeing all the prescription bottles sitting on the counter. It sent a signal that I was a sick person. And I didn't like that. So I moved them to the closet. Problem solved!

In order to prepare for the radiation treatment I had to make two trips to the radiation clinic. We are fortunate that we are able to go to St. Josephs Hospital in Federal Way for the radiation treatment. Virginia mason also has a branch hospital in Federal Way about 2-miles from St. Joseph's where I have to go every Friday to get blood work done. This is much more convenient than fighting traffic to get downtown.

On my first visit they made a "mask" for me. The radiation treatment is designed to focus a radiation beam at the major cancel cell groupings and kill as many as possible. In order to be successful they need to radiate the "exact" spots each day. To make it simpler they make a mask (custom fit to my face) that they use each treatment to "bolt" my head down to the treatment table so I am in the same position each day. It is very restrictive. Initially everyone was very concerned about claustrophobic reactions. Fortunately I don't have any. The process of making the mask was simple and actually enjoyable. I told the staff that they should stop scaring people with concerns about claustrophobic issues and just tell them that the process was like going to a very expensive European spa for a facial treatment. They thought that was "interesting' , but probably wouldn't work for them.

A few days later we returned. I was laid out on the table, the mask was bolted down and they took x-ray images of my brain so they could line up the ray-gun with the MRI pictures of the inside of my head. Of course this is all computerized. From then on all they need to do is bolt me in, set the computer, verify location and pull the trigger.

I was pretty anxious about beginning the procedure, especially starting on the chemo pills. Sunday night I began with my first pills. I admit that it was a rough night. I expected all kinds of bad reactions. I was very pleased that I didn't' have any reaction (except to the anxiety).