Decisions, Decisions

Friday had two appointments. 2nd Opinion Oncologist in the morning and Radiation in the afternoon to do prep work for treatments.

Thursday evening was spent mulling over my options about going to MD Anderson for a 3rd opinion but delaying treatment in the process. Some of these recent decisions that seem to have a bit of a Life-or-Death theme to them have made life's previous "big decisions" seem pretty trivial. But thank you to everyone who patiently talked with me Thursday evening.

My 2nd Opinion Oncologist was VERY helpful. First, he agreed with the basic decision that surgery isn't a good option and we should head straight into treatment. He said that he could, or others could, offer variations of the Chemoradiotherapy but that none of those variations have proven more successful than others at curing the cancer. Some seem to have varied side affects and that type stuff, but the basic objective of getting better won't change. We talked specifically about our situation with MD Anderson. He said MD Anderson certainly has a cutting edge center. But he's confident there's nothing in the works right now down there that would apply to me. Not even a need for the physician-to-physician discussion. In fact, he said their version of the Chemoradiotherapy includes a Chemo drug that, inexplicably so far, people from a region of the Midwest -- including Kansas City -- can't tolerate. They'd modify it, of course, but it would be a variation from their standard.

So Jenny and I left there pretty much with a decision in hand. Cancel the MD Anderson appointment and go forward with treatments starting October 6.

Man that feels good!

Went through the afternoon appointment uneventfully. Inject some contrast in me for a CT Scan of my head and neck, make my "mask" then actually do the CT while in the mask. The mask starts out as a flat, hard, plastic mesh shaped generally like a head and shoulders. All around the perimeter -- except across the chest -- there's a solid, hard plastic (I think) with clamps on it. They put the whole thing in hot -- no wait -- VERY hot water to soften the mesh. In the meantime I lay down on my back on the table for the CT. I close my eyes and they take the whole mesh thing and press it down over my face, neck and shoulders, the mesh stretch because it's softened in the VERY hot water, then clamp the edges down to the table. So I'm literally bolted down to the table and couldn't move if I had to. They work to form the mesh closely around my nose, chin, neck, eyes, etc. so that it forms a perfect fit mask. Once it sets up I couldn't even open my eyes. And that contraption does two things. 1) it holds me perfectly still during radiation treatments and 2) they can do all their markings on the mask instead of on me.

In the old days, apparently, markings were done on the skin. Permanant marker and/or tatoos. So I prefer the mask.

From there I went out to work for a few hours. When telling David R about the mask he said that he hopes my nose doesn't start to itch or anything. With that thought now present in my brain I'm confident Mr. Nose is going to itch pretty consistently during treatments.

I've been given instruction to spend the next 10 days eating as much as I can and eating all my favorite foods and, if possible, to gain 10 lbs. Hey, it's doctor's orders!

Jenny and I started the tour last night and went to Stroud's with Liz and Keith. Chicken's good, Chicken Fried Steak is good. But I go there for Pork Chops. Oh, man! If you haven't tried them you need to. I get them broiled with my 'taters mashed and tons o' gravy. Life is good when you're actually TRYING to gain weight. It's like I'm 16 all over again. Well, sorta. At least I'm trying to gain weight.

And by the way, I'm not a "blogger" and have no idea of proper "blogging etiquette". I've enjoyed the posted comments, particularly Ben's insight to possible pronunciations of my Doctor's name, but if I'm supposed to be acknowledging them or replying to them or something, I don't know how. So don't think me rude.