My Treatment Is Finally Starting

I knew I was going to experience some anxiety regarding the mask and being bolted down, so I took a Lorazepam 30 minutes prior to treatment.
I had already been in the mask during the simulation, so I had already experienced that part of it. There was no pain during the treatment.
The first treatment went smoothly.
I resume Radiation Treatment next Tuesday and start Chemo on Thursday. Until then I will be resting and relaxing enjoying this Canada Day weekend with family and friends.

Popculture Blindspots

Movies, TV shows, and music I’ve somehow managed to miss.

I’ve never seen an episode of 24

I've never seen an episode of Miami ink

I've never seen an episode of Alias

I've never read any of the lord of the ring books

I've never chose to listen to The Black Eyed Peas

I've never seen citizen Kane

I've never seen an episode of The Real World

I Animated Myself

I love creating avatars. I get a thrill out of selecting eye colors and shoe styles? I recently amused myself with Meez.com, which offers an insane amount of personalized attributes and amusements.
Meez expands on the typical user ID by adding animations, background scenes, hipster clothing and more. Here's mine, which sports surferwear and possesses some striking resemblences......ha,ha,ha.

I MIss You Guys Too

Thanks guys I miss you too.

Top Movie Role Reversals

One of my fantasy dream jobs has always been to be a casting director. I am always picking out mannerisms, behaviours or resemblences to people I know.
When patients are newly admitted to our unit and I am trying to describe them to staff who are not yet acquainted with them........ I am heard saying things like......"the guy that looks like Robert Deniro in Cape Fear" or "the chick that looks like Cher" or the dude that looks like "Prince in the 80's." I have celebrity look alikes for all my family, friends and neighbors. This article really intrigued me. I could never picture Al Pacino or Burt Reynolds as Hans Solo.

What The World Eats

Check out this picture gallery from Time.com of families from around the world and their groceries for a week.

Did You Know?

So do you think you know everything????
Here are some interesting tidbits that I learned today.
-The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma.
-No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.
-Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.
-You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
-Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.
-The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.
-The King of Hearts is the only king
WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE
-American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.
-Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you!)
-Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
-Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!
-The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first " Marlboro Man. -" Walt Disney was afraid OF MICE!
-PEARLS MELT IN VINEGAR!
-The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.
-It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but, not downstairs.
-A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
-Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (I keep my toothbrush in the living room now!)
-And the best for last..... Turtles can breathe through their butts. (I think I know some people like that, don't YOU?)

Preparation For Radiation

Monday was the day that I was scheduled for the preparation of my radiation mask.The mask will be used to hold my head still during radiation. Having this mask shell made was one of the most claustrophobic experiences I have ever had. The clinicians were amazing and were at my side to offer comfort and keep reassuring me that everything is ok and going well. I had to have a mouth block made as well to keep my jaw open through each treatment.

A Cat scan and MRI of the tumor area were then done to map out where they are going to pinpoint the radiation. I am so grateful that we have the technology that makes this process more accurate.
Prior to having an MRI, the clinician asked some pretty bizarre questions, such as “Have you ever had metal in your eye?"

This question always causes me to pause and reflect on the last 40 years of my life........hmmmmmmmm.......I try to remember any instance in my childhood that might have resulted in me having any shards of metal that I may have forgotten.
When I was 5 years old I had to have open heart surgery and my ribs now have clips as fasteners and so when the MRI begins I am always nervous and anxious.
Apparently, this machine consists of such a powerful magnet that if I had ever had metal in my eye or my ribs…well let’s just say it would have removed itself during the procedure.
During the radiation “preparation session,” they explain the procedure in-depth, and take measurements of specific area to be radiated.

For about 10 minutes, you have to lay super still, so that precise measurements to the half millimetre can be made. That is a very long time to have your head bolted to a hard table and have to lie still and I had a few moments where I freaked out from the feeling of confinement.

I will have to work on calming myself mentally. The staff have suggested I bring in CD's to listen to keep anxiety at a minimum. I will be making myself some playlists over the next two weeks........any music suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Calculations were made and they “marked” exactly where the machine will be placed during the procedure, as to not affect any surrounding vital organs.

It was fun telling my mom that "I got my very first tattoo!” My tattoo is really a tiny pinhead dot to guide the radiation machine that will be nuking the left side of my face every day for the next seven weeks.

Happy Fathers Day

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to the wonderful dads in my life. Each one is so amazing in his own way.
First, my own Dad........ The smartest, kindest, gentlest man on earth. My daughters adore him and he adores them back. I love him for being such a perfect Grandpa.
And then, of course, my Husband......I thought I loved this man with all my heart the day I married him, but I didn't even know what love was until the first time I saw him holding Brooke. And with Alley, that love just deepened. He is Super Dad. He has always taken a hands on approach, getting up in the night when the girls are sick, he helps put them to bed, and he takes them on outings. There's not a day that goes by that you don't hug, kiss and tell your daughters that you love them. They love him as much as he loves them. How could they not? Happy Father's Day, Guys!!!