radiation day 1

[hutchibk]

I did day 1 today. (will do a total of 5) IMRT is the actual type of treatment that I am getting. Very precise, very strong, very targeted...

I walked in to get on the table and there was confetti all over the floor - they had just had a 'final treatment celebration'. That was cool. I love my doc and the staff. It is such an uplifting place. Doesn't feel medical at all...

It went really well, in the moment, LOL. I laid snapped onto the table in my pre-formed anti-mobility mask. The robot machine rotated around me and shot 19 angled beams into 5 spots on my head. Wow. Technology is amazing. It took about 15 minutes and I was outta there. I definitely got a little bit of a salty flavor in the back of my throat a couple of times during the treatment. Wonder what caused that?

But within moments of getting off the table, I could tell that my sensitive little brain was feeling a little beat up... I was foggy. It was weird. Not bad, just weird. My cousin went to the appt. with me and he said he could tell that I seemed just an itty bit loopy (-ier than normal)...

We went and got lunch, and then he and I split off. I ran a couple of errands and then stopped at the Capitol grounds to walk for 45 min (it's become my favorite walk lately) - but I think I did about 30 min before I started to feel a little limp and lazy. I laid in the grass for 10 min and decided to drive home.

By the time I got home (20 min later) I had about 5 pretty mean little headaches going all at the same time. And I was just physically worn out. Took some motrin and laid down for a while. Now I feel a little better but I kinda feel like I felt on day 3 or 4 after Taxol/Carbo. I think these rads are gonna kick my booty a little...

Oh well. It takes what it takes, and I can take it! Tomorrow I hope I start to hear the little suckers scream!! LOL

(here's a great video about my treatment center and my doc, Dr. Dzuik. It's also really informative about the type of radiation beams and machine he works with and the what to expect in the radiation experience. He is basically Patch Adams. Everyone in the video are my nurses and technicians. He is an amazing doc, VERY popular and 90% of his staff have worked with him for 12-15 years. That speaks volumes about him. About 1/2 way through the video you will see a woman in a pink shirt laying on the table and they are putting a formed head and shoulder mask around her and snapping it to the table, that is what I have done everyday to immobilize me for my treatments. http://www.swrcc.com/services/radiation_center.htm)

Enjoy!

[Soccermom2006]

I'll be listening for the "screaming of those little suckers" all the way over here in Mississippi,Ms Brenda. I just gotta believe those rads fried them into oblivion!

Gentle non headachy hugs,Marcia

[CindyE]

Best wishes on your rads. I'm having breast radiation right now. Tomorrow in my mid way point and I'm with Marica-- we're kicking and frying those screaming cancer cells out!

Take care,

[WomanofSteel]

Hutch, I hope those little suckers howl in agony. In the meantime maybe you should be careful with the driving part, coz you could have a cumulative effect from the treatments and we wouldn't want anything to happen to you enroute. Will be listening here in NJ for the screams.

[Soccermom2006]

The SCREAMS>>>>I hear them in Mississippi ....aiyyyeeee those nasty suckers are DYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woman of Steel ,hears them in N.J....

To all our rads warriors, "go get 'em!"

Proud to call myself your cheerleader!
Marcia

[chrisy]

Oh THAT was what I was hearing out here in Santa Cruz! Screaming cancer cells!

Brenda, that must be a close cousin to be able to find the fine line between normal loopy and loopie-er.

Keep pushin on, girl!

[Mary Jo]

Hi Brenda..Maybe those rads will kick your butt A LITTLE BIT but...............I have a feeling you will kick back MUCH HARDER.

Prayers said for you that it's an easy road for you to travel on.

Love and hugs...

Mary Jo

[PinkGirl]

Hey BrendaGirl
I'm glad you got the first one out of the way. I totally understand
regular loopie versus extra-loopie; perfectly clear to me.

Good luck the rest of the way.

[caya]

Good luck Brenda with the future zaps. I almost feel sorry for those l'il sucker (almost). I'll be listening for the screaming up here in Toronto.

all the best
caya

[eric]

Brenda, you're amazing!! Between you and the hi tech rad, those little cancer cells don't stand a chance.
Eric

[Patb]

Brenda I love your attitude, and your fortitude. Best
of luck and healing thoughts headed your way and be
careful after those treatments!!!!
patb

[Bill]

Hey, Hucklebuck! You just keep on zapping those mets! You're doing great, but,,,,,,,,,I'm not sure about all that driving, and sightseeing, and rolling down big hills in the park business. Don't make me come down there! Good luck with your other zaps. Love ya, Bill

[Joan M]

Brenda,

You're really a trooper! This technology is awesome. An it's great that you're really comfortable with the rads onc and his team. That makes a big difference. Thanks for the video. I'm sending good vibes your way to shrink those tumors into oblivion.
Joan

[Catherine]

Hutchi,

Glad you have radiation day 1 over. Those nasty little cells will be no match for you and Patch Adams. Let'em scream, fry and disappear.

In the meantime, I vote you get someone to drive you. No reason to over tax your radiated noggen. This will give you more time to lounge in the grass.

Way to go girl, keep it up, Hugs, Catherine

[harrie]

Hey Hotchick! You just fry those suckers outta there!! Sounds like you are at a very outstanding place for your treatments! That's great. I know you are in the best of hands.
Take care and thanks for the update.
BTW, I am normally pretty loopy myself.
Really...
HarrieCanarie

[Sheila]

Brenda
Those pesky mets don't stand a chance with you....they do not know who they are dealing with.....Glad #1 is down and soon they will be done!!! Hang Tough as I know you will. Don't worry about being loopy....I get that way after a choc. marty!!!!

[Mary Anne in TX]

Brenda, hoping for all good things for you. But I can already feel them coming. Your attitude and action does wonders for us all.
ma

[hutchibk]

Day two was so much better. Not nearly as foggy and only nagging mild head pressure (not ache). It's just so weird that by the end of the day, I still felt kinda like I did around day four after Taxol/Carbo. You know, a little shriveled and dehydrated, and not nauseous but just a tad queasy in the esophagus area, not the tummy. It's hard to explain, but it's a milder version of that feeling. I guess it triggers the queasy spot in the brain. He told me the taste I get is from something on the right side of the brain... I talked to the doc yesterday and he said that it won't be a cumulative effect, it would be a "first day should be the worst" of any side effect and then it should taper off each day as you body adjusts to it. And that is what happened on day 2. He talked about me taking a decadron first, but we both would rather not if not absolutely necessary, and I think now that it's not necessary...

Thanks for your thoughts! Will keep you posted. Did any of you watch the video?

[WomanofSteel]

Glad to hear day 2 was better. I did watch the video and your doc seems like a really nice fella. That mask thing would make me crazy. When you 1st mentioned it and before I saw it I was thinking more like Hannibal Lector mask LOL. Now that I have seen it, it looks more like some sort of computer generated special effect from Tron. Good luck with the rest of your screamies.

[jones7676]

Glad to hear day 2 was better....I'm hoping all goes well from here.

[hutchibk]

Today went well and I do still feel a little puny, but even an itty bit better than yesterday, but nothing I can't handle.

Thanks my friends for all of your support. I hope this helps make the process not too scary for others who might need to go this route!

[pattyz]

Bren,

I think your 'diary' of your tx here will be VERY helpful to anyone who may be faced with brain mets and various tx's. Kudos to you, my dear!

Ok, if you are going back on Herceptin for this slight progression/s... what about a few months of adding Gemzar to the mix??? It is still on my 'list' of stuff that crosses the bbb. Have you talked/thought about it yet?

big but gentle hugs,
patty

[Jean]

Hi Brenda,
I have been away and just catching up.
You are just amazing!
I am thinking of you dear one and concentrating on
those cells getting just what they deserve.

Love ya,
Jean

[juanita]

good luck!!!!!

[Gerri]

Brenda,

Scare us, are you kidding? Your cool, calm relating of events is nothing short of awe inspiring. You are a champion of champions.

Rock on!

[hutchibk]

Thanks all!

Patty - Dr T wants to add one thing in at a time right now and see what we get from it... remember, he monitors me so very very closely that nothing will get ahead of us. If I get a good period of response with just Herc/Tykerb, then we get to save the chemos for a little later as backburner plans in the future. If he doesn't see the response he wants (or if anything starts to break loose in the brain again...) in the first couple of months, then we will talk about gemzar, etc in the combo. But thanks for the heads up!

[pattyz]

Brenda,

Ok, then! I shoulda' known you'd have your duckies in a row, LOL!!

xo
p.