2nd day of radiation

The 2nd day of radiation, and so far, everything is going GOOD...3 days to go..as of today, Irvin has had no side effects except for fatique, and that is to be expected...A lot of prayers going up for him!..

Just a few days to go

Still on countdown to the 29th of August, and the start of Irvin's first Radiation treatment... seems like forever since it was scheduled, still praying, praying for good results...we were told that more than 400 people receive radiation each day at MD Anderson, that sounds like a lot of people, but to see each time we go there, the increase in people , it is not so hard to believe that is probably the low count...A wonderful place to be, when there is cancer, the best!

Waiting, and on the countdown

well, just counting down til the 29th of August and the start of Irvin's first radiation treatment...We will go the 29th thru the 2nd of Sept...Praying for no side effects...and possitive results...Praying, Praying, Praying..and we KNOW that prayers are answered, so many of ours have been! and God is SO Good!

Radiation Stimulation Completed

On Tuesday, the 9th, Irvin completed the Radiation Stimulation, and was marked and his pad was molded that he is to lay on while taking the Radiation when he starts his treatment, which begins on the 29th thru the 2nd of September...We got familiar with where the Radiation Center is located, which is on the First floor of MD Anderson, (Another part of that huge hospital)atho , this is a actually a prettier part, or anyway part of it is pretty...you come back thru what is called "The Park", A area with tables and potted plants, designed to give a feel of relaxation, with a coffee Bar, where you can buy , the "Starbucks type of coffee, tea, and sweets, etc...As you come into the area from the Parking Garage, (the first floor lobby), there is a piano set up in the corner area, where at different times of the day, someone is playing, this is SO lovely to hear, even with all of people rushing around to get to where they have to go , it is such a brief refreshing moment to start out with, which is much needed!..Well, that much is over, Thank God, and we wait until the 29th for the actual Treatments, and Pray that he will go thru them without bad side effects...

Radiation Simulation

We go Tuesday, the 9th for what is called: Radiation Simulation...this is actually a planning session, where theradiation oncologist locates the area to be treated , designs appropriate shielding for the healthy tissue and takes measurements for the treatment plan, this usually takes 45minutes to 1 hour...A special device will be made during this time to help keep Irvin still during the treatment..during the simulation, he will be placed on the table in the immobilization device while the imaging procedures are taking place....the therapist leaves the room while scan are being taken, and right outside behind a glassed area, and come right away if needed...the doctor studies these scans to pinpoint the exact area to be treated, as well as the healthy tissue that needs to be protected from the radiation..the therapists then mark the exact treatment area to be treated...this insures that radiaton reaches the exact area each treatment..we will be told after this when he will start the radiation treatments....wish I could take the credit for knowing what to tell you all, but I copied this from the papers that was given to us...so, we start on this differnet "journey"..We will worried so much about Irvin having to have surgery, which was SO hard on him the first time in 2006, Dr. Gomez assures us that this should be better for him to tolarate, I pray that he is right!, and I know that God is in Control of all of this, as he has been all along, so, with the very good MD Anderson physicians, and God directing them, I have Faith that all will be well.. ps...up above meant to say We (all) worried so much about the surgery..