zapping day!

Today is the day for stereotactic radiosurgery at Albany Medical Center. I am loaded up with anti-seizure medication and steroids, and will get more steroids and Xanax before I get my head nestled into the “head hammock” (nicer than calling it the rigid-plastic-mesh face cage) for my 2+ hrs of radiation beams. I have to lie still that whole time, but the head hammock will keep my head still for me.

The “head hammock” made of rigid plastic, attached to the table: <img src="/blog/images/headhammock1.jpg" alt=“The “head hammock” made of rigid plastic, attached to the table” title=“headhammock” class=“size-medium wp-image-169” />

When it was made it was flexible while warm and they molded it onto my face: Making the head hammock

This was a cool picture Eric took: Through the MRI machine

That was made on Friday after I had chemo Friday AM. The chemo was easy–an IV, a 5-minute “push” of the Eribulin, some anti-nausea medication which worked well on Friday, plus for good measure, a shot in the shoulder for the bone medicine Xgeva.

Over the weekend and on Monday I was queasy for most of the days, but it wasn’t too bad. Ginger ale was the thing that helped the most. Next time I will ask for some Kytril (anti-nausea med) to bring home. Friday I was just strangely hungry! We went out for Thai food for lunch before we left Albany, after the set-up stuff we had to do with radiation oncology. (Check the mask, take measurements, do a CT scan, do an MRI).

So chemo is over with until the 20th and now it’s just the zapping ahead. Which I have to get in the car and go toward right now! My friend Isa said: “I love that, by about 3pm today, you’ll have a shiny, well, healthy and happy brain.” I am holding that intention close!

Comments

Shelly — January 16, 2014 at 08:32 AM

Here's to not-too-awful 2-hour stillness (thank goodness for Xanax!) and to that healthy, happy brain that will be the result!

erin — January 16, 2014 at 01:10 PM

sending lots of love and light to go along with that strong vision of your shiny, well, healthy and happy brain! xoxo

Isa — January 18, 2014 at 04:09 PM

Ellen! Your beautiful face! Your beautiful brain!