Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
I plan to add photographs to this blog. They will be taken using my isight camera on my<br />
Macbook Pro.They will allow tracking of changes during radiation treatment<br />
Here are the first, the baseline prior to beginning radiation therapy.<br />
Posted by docshu at 11:39AM (-07:00)<br />
I Begin radiation Treatment<br />
Sunday, July 25, 2010<br />
Thursday, July 8, 2010. Yesterday was a very busy day. I had received a call to switch my<br />
first radiation treatment to one clock on July 7, 2010. I had planned to work the afternoon<br />
at Kaiser. I had a dentist appointment for a complete set of x-rays to rule out cavities prior<br />
to beginning radiation treatment. I had noticed a skin lesion which look like a wart just at<br />
the edge of the inferior margin of my right orbit. It had turned red and was noticeably<br />
larger than it had been previously. This was very disconcerting as I was beginning<br />
treatment to the left side of my face and neck. The entire treatment plan would be<br />
incorrect if this turned out to be the primary <strong>Merkel</strong> cell carcinoma. I decided to start work<br />
early. I called my dermatologist. He was on vacation, but I set up appointment <strong>with</strong> his<br />
associate, Dr Simjee, who agreed to see me in the morning. I left Kaiser after working<br />
only about one hour. I was seen by the doctor who assured me that she was 99.9%<br />
certain that this was not <strong>Merkel</strong> cell carcinoma. She did remove the lesion superficially<br />
and sent it for her pathological examination. I went from there to the dentist who reported<br />
that my x-rays did not show any evidence of cavities. After lunch, Judy and I went to see<br />
Dr. John, to consult prior to beginning radiation treatment. The radiation plan is for five<br />
weeks of intensity modulated radiation to deliver a dose of approximately 51Sv which<br />
corresponds to 5100 rem or rads using the older units which I am more familiar <strong>with</strong>. This<br />
will be delivered over five weeks, and followed by one week of electron beam therapy to<br />
the specific area where the tumor was first discovered. Of interest is that the dose to my<br />
right sided salivary glands will be about 20% of the dose to the left. I presume this is<br />
because of scattered radiation. After five treatments, I should be able to judge the net<br />
effect of the radiation on my right salivary glands by the results of the treatments on the<br />
left salivary glands. On Monday, we will have a chance to speak to the dietitian. I have<br />
my first radiation treatment. Thy inclose me in a mesh mask which conforms to my face<br />
and keeps me from moving. There is only minor discomfort. After the treatment, I returned<br />
to Kaiser and work another 2 1/2 hours. After work, Dana, my daughter-in-law (Gary's<br />
wife) comes for dinner <strong>with</strong> Sarah, age 3 and Bel, almost one, This is a wonderful<br />
distraction. I barbecue steaks, thinking that while my taste buds are still functioning, I<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
19
Change language