Just a quick update. Brian will start treatment tomorrow (June 11). The first round of treatment is radiation over an approximately 6-week period. Treatment will be 5 days a week Monday through Friday for a total of about 33 treatments. Radiation should be complete near the end of July. Appointments will be quick, at about 30 minutes total, and he will meet with a radiation oncologist once a week. Sidenote: The radiation oncologist is brilliant and maybe the best doctor we have met.
He is actually doing proton therapy radiation which is a slightly different technology than typical radiation (called photon radiation). The technology for proton therapy is pretty incredible and there are some major advantages compared to typical radiation especially since the tumor is in Brian's brain. We are super lucky because the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's (SCCA) proton therapy center is located about 10 minutes from our house and there are only about 14 of these facilities in the entire U.S.! Here is some information on the SCCA proton therapy and the technology if you are interested: https://www.sccaprotontherapy.com/proton-therapy
Brian is working on some meditation and visualization techniques (AKA Jedi skills) to use during the treatments to enhance the effect and to stay still! Side effects of radiation differ from person to person, but it seems likely fatigue will be the biggest issue. The side effects are cumulative, so the first couple weeks might be fine with fatigue increasing as more treatment is administered. A friend who has gone through radiation for brain cancer suggested to "embrace the nap". Whatever happens we will be taking it one day at a time as treatment begins.
Lastly, Brian may be in need of rides to treatment. The schedule is dictated by the proton therapy center and may vary week to week. We will have a schedule for the next week every Thursday. As needed, we will send out email blasts and maybe set up a Google calendar link or something for people to sign up to volunteer rides. You may want to check this place out! And many thanks to everyone that has already offered to help.
Overall we are happy to begin the treatment. It will be a long road, but it will feel nice to start.
Sending our love.
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| Here is Brian's custom mask that he wears during radiation treatment to keep his head still. |
7 comments:
I am around most Wednesdays and Fridays and can help drive Brian to appointments or just do anything to help. Keep me in the loop if a ride calendar ends up happening. Sending lots of love and positivity your way. xx Kate
Oh yes, the fencing mask. You get it as a souvenir when you're done. Speaking of which, I recommend some kind of party when you're done with the 6 weeks. My mom had an entourage at the clinic with balloons, noise makers, etc...and she drove off waving in a convertible.
We have a google calendar for my mom for sign-ups but it isn't the most seamless and someone has to manage it (in this case me). I have an email in to a friend who used something better. I'll let you know what I find out.
I miss you guys.
Hi:
I have found an amazing cancer cure that essentially has an 80% cure rate. I know radiation/chemo, and other mainstream treatments, do not even come close. If you would like to know more, please message me. Sending you blessings for your journey.
Great tools you are using. Be sure to include some visualizations of rays of light blasting away all the cancer and replacing it with healthy, vibrant brain cells. Powerful stuff, this is. The force is strong in you. Love and light...Brenda
I can be there in 6 hours!
Thanks for the support! I'm sure we will be calling out for some rides at some point in the next 6 weeks. My sister was loving the coffee system they have in the lobby last week!
Brian I think you should have the image of your face from the t- shirts put on the mask! I think that would be awesome. Love you! Be positive and be well!
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