Part Four

On Monday I had an appointment with the radiation oncologist to plan my radiation treatment.  Actually it was with some techs to get the whole thing set up in what they called a "simulation."

Basically, it was all about first immobilizing my head and then taking a bunch of CT scans for the radiation oncologist to use to map out where the radiation is going to go.  

First they set me up in front of the CT scan machine.  Then the tech mixes up this goop to make a mold behind my head to lock it into position.  Then they drop this net on my face that they melt and form to my face.

Here's what it looks like pre-"melted."

Radiation Therapy Head Mask

Get the point?  Moving while radiation is happening to your head is very, very bad.

Once they have me locked down solid, the techs head out of the room and I head into the Computed Tomography Scanner (CT scan to you) for lots of pictures.

Computed Tomography Scanner

All of this prep work is done to get me ready for the big show: External Beam Radiation Therapy, most often delivered in the form of photon beams (either x-rays or gamma rays). A photon is the basic unit of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. It's a little bundle of energy, and the amount of energy in a photon can vary. The photons in gamma rays have the highest energy, followed by the photons in x-rays.

Many types of external-beam radiation therapy are delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator (also called a LINAC). A LINAC uses electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles. This creates high-energy radiation that is used to treat cancer.

Linear Accelerator (LINAC) used for External-Beam Radiation Therapy

One of the most common types of external-beam radiation therapy is called 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). 3D-CRT uses very sophisticated computer software and advanced treatment machines to deliver radiation to very precisely shaped target areas.

This is what I think I'm getting. There are a whole bunch of other technologies, but my inner Poindexter will cut you some slack now.  It's actually a pretty scary procedure.  Lots of things can go wrong while head is getting zapped.

Next Monday I meet with the medical oncologist and go over the exact treatment I'm getting with him.  On Tuesday it's Showtime, unless they decide they're not happy with everything in the set-up and feel the need to tweak it a bit.

It's OK with me if that happens.  I'll take another delay over a tin cup and some pencils.  Back at ya in a week or so, fans.