First, the diagnostics that were being done so efficiently are now starting to make me nervous. Yesterday they made a nice 3 dimensional mask of my head and upper torso (apologies for forgetting a photo, I’ll grab one next visit). This bit of sculpture positions 3 chunks of metal such that the radiation sources can be placed precisely where needed for each session, twice a day every day.
This technology is pretty cool, BTW. The plastic sets up at 165 Fahrenheit, so has some real potential for art sculpture and/or model railroading. I’ll let you know about that when I get there.
Anyway, the surgical oncologist needs me to get training in some sort of swallowing technique. No idea what he’s talking about, but I’m just gonna guess that if there is some kind of swallowing that I need to have training and practice in, it’s not the kind of thing I should be bitching about. I set that training session up in coordination with the preparation of my dental fluoride insets that are apparently the only thing that keep my mouth full of teeth while the entire oral apparatus is assaulted with radiation and toxic chemicals.
But here’s the kicker for today. Late morning the radiation oncologist calls, says she needs an MRI because she “can’t finish writing your treatment plan” unless she can see this one more bit of whatever.
What we have to remember, though, is that there is a huge prognostic threshold in the distribution of cancerous tissue. If malignancies are confined to my head and neck, even if (as these have) they’ve gone over the trench tops into the lymphatic system, the prognosis is great. Conversely, if the cancer has made it to the shoulders and torso, I’m in much deeper shit.
So. I’m not at all sure why the doc needs this MRI on Monday. But I’m concerned about the implications. I’ll let you know as I gather more info… .
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